Rebecca Winters - His Majesty's Marriage

“You faced so many dangers it’s a miracle any of you made it back. I could never do it.”

“Are you the same woman who wanted to climb the Matterhorn?” he teased.

“Yes. I know my limitations. It’s a shame my father isn’t still alive. He would have loved talking to you about your experience. Everest was his dream. But when he was young and fit enough to make such a climb he had a family he didn’t dare leave and a demanding military career.”

Raoul shot her a penetrating glance. “If I’d had a wife and daughter who depended on me, I wouldn’t have gone either.”

He got up from the chair opposite her and turned off the machine. Eyeing her from a distance, he said, “What did you do for fun in Wyoming-besides climb with your father?”

“I rode horses in the summer, skied in the winter.”

“Did your fiancé share those interests?”

His question surprised her, yet, oddly enough, she didn’t mind talking about the past. She wondered when she’d stopped grieving.

“He might have done. Todd was from Laguna Beach, California, and loved to surf, but he had a dream to see the world. We met in the Middle East. He planned to make the army his career.”

“What about his family? Are you still in touch with them?”

“Not as much as they’d like. In my darkest time, Sophie encouraged me to look forward, not back. I think she was right.”

“The more I’m learning about the Princess, the more I want to help her get out of our engagement without any blame being attached to her.”

Lee rose to her feet, loving him all the more for the selfless gesture he was about to make for Sophie.

“I still wish there were another way to do it that wouldn’t harm you .”

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a big boy now and can take care of myself.”

I’ve noticed.

“Shall we go? I’d like to drive back to the chalet. We’ll pick up your things to return to the sporting goods store, then play tourist for the rest of the day. I’ll be buying you some things-don’t be alarmed,” he cautioned when she would have protested. “This is for Sophie’s sake. I already know from Philippe that you wouldn’t allow me to pay for anything yesterday. But what we’re about to do is strictly business. It will show the world I’m taking care of you.”

Lee had no defense for that.

“I’m looking forward to it more than you know,” he added with a half-smile that dissolved her bones. Then he opened the front door for her.

She made the mistake of glancing at him, and felt herself falling into those fjord-blue eyes.

“Do you realize this will be the first time in my life I couldn’t care less how many photographers follow us around?”

Lee knew those weren’t idle words. The journalists were the bane of Sophie’s existence. For Raoul, that aspect of his royal life had to be a nightmare.

Too soon Lee’s picture was going to be linked with his. She shuddered to think how the news would affect both sets of parents.

After he’d helped her with her jacket, his hands lingered on her shoulders. “It’s going to be all right.” He read her mind with uncanny perception. “I’ll protect you. You won’t have to say a word.”

“ B ONJOUR , Greta.”

“Bonjour,” the housekeeper replied, then stopped her sweeping to look up. When she saw the two of them in the kitchen doorway, her blue eyes rounded in surprise.

“Mademoiselle! I just read the note you left me.” Her gaze darted to Raoul. “I thought you went climbing. What is going on?”

Already Greta could sense something different in the air. This was only the beginning. He could feel Lee tremble, but he wasn’t about to let her out of their bargain now.

“We decided we’d rather spend the time in town than up on the mountain.”

Greta’s gaze grew more guarded as it swerved to Lee. “You must be feeling much better.”

Raoul chuckled inwardly to see the housekeeper he’d known for years behave like a mother hen watching out for her royal chick. “It was your tea that did it,” he interjected. “She’ll be staying with me through the weekend.”

While Greta mulled over that unexpected bit of information with disapproval, he turned to Lee. “Go ahead and freshen up in the bedroom. I’ll meet you here in half an hour.”

“All right.”

As soon as she hurried away, he gave Greta his attention once more. “We’ll be eating out tonight and tomorrow night. You and Franz are welcome to take both evenings off if you’d like.”

She looked shocked. “What about the Princess?”

“You needn’t worry about her. She’s not coming. I’ll be in the loft if you need me.”

He bounded up the back stairs three at a time and pulled out his cellphone. The note with Sophie’s number was still on the end table. After punching the digits, he sank down on the bed and waited for her to answer.

“Allo?”

“Bonjour, Sophie. C’est Raoul.”

The soft gasp spoke volumes. “Raoul-”

“How are you feeling today?”

“Not very well.”

“I’m sorry. Perhaps what I have to say will improve your spirits.”

After a hesitation, “What do you mean?”

“I’ve spent time with Lee. She broke down and told me everything.”

“I-I don’t think I understand.” There was a distinct tremor in her voice.

“You’re an intelligent woman. I think you do.”

A long, telling silence ensued.

“Please don’t be angry with her, Raoul. She was only doing what Luciano and I asked her to do.”

Luciano.

Raoul relaxed, falling back on the pillow in complete joy. So that was what Lee had been hiding from him. She’d been afraid to tell him there was another man in Sophie’s life. Dieu merci. He couldn’t help but admire her more for her caring, and her discretion.

“If you and I handle this right, there’s no reason why you and Luciano can’t be married before too much longer.”

Sophie let out a cry of happiness. Then he heard muffled sounds which meant she was informing her lover.

“Raoul?” She came back on the line. “You’re not furious with me?”

“Far from it.”

“Truly? I pray this means you’re interested in someone else too.”

“Yes.” Most definitely yes.

“But this is fantastique !”

“We have Lee to thank for everything.”

“I know. I admit I used her shamefully, but I felt so trapped and knew you must feel that way too. Lee didn’t want to do it. It doesn’t surprise me she couldn’t go through with the plan.”

“You’re lucky to have such a devoted friend.”

“She’s extraordinary.”

His eyes closed tightly. “I agree. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll accompany Lee back to Nyon. By Monday I would expect your parents to have called off our wedding. Enjoy your weekend. Á bientôt, Sophie.”

“Wait, Raoul! How is that going to happen now?”

“Read tomorrow’s headlines and you’ll find out. Ciao .”

“Wait! Raoul-”

He hung up, then looked in the directory for the number of the Alex Grill and made the call. Journalists lurked in the hotel foyer waiting for celebrities to pass through.

When Reception answered, he made reservations at eight for His Royal Highness Prince Raoul Mertier Bergeret D’Arillac and guest. Would they please put the best champagne in the house on ice?

Within five minutes the word would be out that he was dining in the village. Fortunately Lee had been around Sophie long enough not to be unnerved by reporters. At least he hoped she wouldn’t be too dismayed by the barrage of questions and camera flashes. Tonight he was pulling out all the stops, something he’d never done in his life.