Rebecca Winters - Rags To Riches - At His Bidding

“It’s still light out. You want to take her for a little stroll?” he asked.

Coco nodded, her face easing with relief. “Great idea. Do you want to go?”

“I think I’ll stay inside. I need to go over some updates from the foreman,” he said.

“Okay,” she said and put a light jacket and a little hat on Emma. “We won’t be gone long,” she said and stopped suddenly. “Thank you for putting up with me this afternoon.”

The expression in her blue eyes made his chest knot. “It wasn’t anything. I just want you to feel better,” he said and squeezed her shoulder.

She rose on tiptoe and surprised the heck out of him when she brushed her soft lips across his jaw. “It was a big something to me,” she countered, then fastened the baby in the stroller and left.

Benjamin rubbed his jaw at the strange sensation where she’d kissed him. He wondered if the rest of her was as soft as her lips. He wondered what her lips would feel like on his body. He wondered what kind of sounds she would make if he kissed her and touched her all over.

His body heated and he shook his head at himself. Crazy, he told himself. He had more important things to think about than the fact that he hadn’t been with a woman in too long. If there was one woman he shouldn’t even be thinking about taking to his bed, it was Coco. She was too important to him because of Emma. Coco was off-limits and he was damn determined to make sure he didn’t forget that.

Benjamin walked toward the telephone in the villa and picked it up. He dialed the number for Mr. Bernard, who picked up after the first ring.

“Bernard. May I help you?”

“Yes, you may. I need to speak with Stefan Devereau.”

Silence followed. “Pardon,” Bernard said. “To whom am I speaking?”

“This is Benjamin Garner, Miss Coco Jordan’s fiancé.”

Bernard cleared his throat. “Mr. Garner, I’m afraid it will be impossible to arrange an audience with the prince. His schedule is arranged months in advance.”

“I don’t want an audience. I want a man-to-man chat,” he said. “You can tell Stefan that the Devereaux family will be facing a public relations nightmare if he can’t find time to talk with me. Understand?”

Bernard cleared his throat. “I will relay your message, Mr. Garner.”

“You do that,” Benjamin said and hung up the phone.

Chapter Seven

The phone in the villa rang two hours later. Benjamin picked up quickly since Coco had fallen asleep on the sofa.

“Benjamin Garner,” he said in a low voice.

“Mr. Garner, this is Prince Stefan’s assistant. He will see you for fifteen minutes this evening. Mr. Bernard will pick you up within five minutes.”

Benjamin didn’t like dancing to someone else’s tune, but this wasn’t about him. He was taking care of Coco. Even the phone hadn’t awakened her. “I can do that,” he said and hung up the phone.

He glanced in the den and saw that Coco was still asleep. Poor thing was completely tuckered out. He grabbed the baby monitor, put it next to her on the end table, scrawled a note about taking a walk, and went out the front door. Seconds later, the car slowed to a stop and Bernard popped out.

“Mr. Garner,” he said and opened the door. “I’ll brief you on proper etiquette with the Prince.”

“No need,” Benjamin said and got in the car. “He’s not my prince.”

“But, sir,” Mr. Bernard sputtered. “I have instructions. I must brief you.”

“Do what you have to do, but I won’t be listening. I’ve got more important things to think about,” Benjamin said. “I’ll take responsibility for my own actions. I always have.”

Mr. Bernard hesitated a half beat. “Very well, sir. The first rule is that you never turn your back on a royal and...”

Benjamin clicked Mr. Bernard’s voice to the off position and planned his strategy with Stefan. Just a few moments later, he was led through a side door and upstairs to the second floor. He passed a plainclothes security man and was stopped outside a door by another security man.

“Monsieur, I will now inspect you before your meeting with His Highness,” the man said.

Benjamin lifted his hands. He didn’t need a gun in this situation. He knew his biggest weapon was tarnishing the precious image of the Devereaux. Seconds later, he was led into a large office furnished with rich woods and leather. He noticed a child’s toy on the desk and was surprised. A photograph of a woman with dark hair and laughing eyes graced the mantel behind him, along with a picture of a little girl with ringlet curls and blue eyes.

Benjamin lifted his eyebrows, speculating. So maybe Stefan was human after all. A few moments later, a man entered the room. “His Royal Highness, Stefan Devereaux.”

Benjamin stood as the man who was Stefan entered the room. Tall with black hair, cold eyes and a frown, he stalked into the room. “Mr. Garner,” Stefan said more than asked.

“Yes. Evenin’,” he said and waited for Stefan to take a seat at his desk before he sat down.

“My assistant tells me that you delivered a threat regarding your intent to attack the reputation of my family,” Stefan said.

“That’s a bit overdramatic,” Benjamin said. “I just thought you would want to know what kind of impression your family is making on your newly revealed relative. Coco gets tons of calls every day from the media. All she needs to do is tell the truth about her visit and it won’t be good for the royal family.”

“What more does she want? She enjoyed tea with my sisters. I made a personal appearance,” Stefan said, his jaw tightening. “Perhaps this is a monetary issue. Very well, how much does she want?”

Benjamin scowled in return. “That’s insulting. Anyone ever tell you that you could use a little more compassion?”

The man at the door moved forward. “I shall remove Mr. Garner at once.”

Stefan waved the man aside. “No, Peter. I’ll handle this.” He leaned forward. “What exactly does Miss Jordan want?”

Benjamin sighed. “This may be difficult for you, but try to imagine this. You’re an only child. You’re adopted. Your father is dead. Your mother just died of a terminal illness. You’re all alone in the world with no relatives. What would you want?”

Silence followed. For three seconds. A woman burst into the office. “What are you doing working this late at night?” the woman demanded.

It took a moment, but Benjamin recognized her from the photograph, except her face was pale and she looked ill. The man at the door began to apologize.

Stefan immediately rose and crossed the room to take the woman in his arms. “Eve, you shouldn’t be up. You’ve had a rough day. Go back to bed. I’ll be there soon.”

The woman frowned and glanced at Benjamin, who had also risen.

He gave a nod. “Ma’am.”

She narrowed her eyes and returned her gaze to Stefan. “He’s from Texas.” She paused a half beat and her eyes widened in realization. “He’s with Coco Jordan. Is she here? How did I miss her?”

“I told you I would handle this. You weren’t feeling well, so Bridget, Phillipa and Fredericka had tea with her today.”

“Tea?” Eve echoed in disdain. “You gave a girl from Texas tea? And I bet it wasn’t iced.” She took a deep breath. “What’s going on?”

“We can discuss this later,” Stefan said.

“That’s fine,” she said. “In the meantime, I’d like to meet a fellow Texan.” She moved toward Benjamin. “Hello. I’m Eve Devereaux,” she said, extending her hand.

“My pleasure,” Benjamin said. “I’m Benjamin Garner. Hate to see your sleep disturbed. I’m sure your husband and I can finish our talk.”

“Bourbon or whiskey?” she asked with a faint smile and sank into a chair.