KRISTI GOLD - The Royal Wager - Persuading the Playboy King / Unmasking the Maverick Prince / Daring the Dynamic Sheikh

Kate needed a break from it all, from the gossip and innuendo and sideways glances. Today was Saturday, a much-needed day off, and she prepared to spend some of her time talking with the staff about Philippe DeLoria. If she happened to come upon any relevant information, then she would have an excuse to talk to Marc. Otherwise, she refused to invade his privacy since he seemed determined to steer clear of her. Eventually, she did intend to confront him, but not until she knew exactly what she would say.

Following a meager lunch, Kate made her way through the gardens and entered the palace through the kitchen, coming upon Beatrice preparing several of Cecile’s bottles. A good place to start with her inquiry, Kate decided. After all, they’d become fast friends, and the nanny did speak decent English.

“Hi, Bea,” Kate said, bringing forth the nanny’s smile over the pet name Kate had given her.

Beatrice swiped a forearm across her forehead, where wayward tendrils of auburn hair rained down from her neat bun. “Hello, Dr. Kate. If you are looking for the baby, she is sleeping. The queen mother is also taking a nap.”

Kate took a stool at the kitchen workstation across from Beatrice and immediately thought about the first time Marc had kissed her by the stove. They’d come a long way in a short time, and they still had far to go—if Kate had any say in the matter.

Pushing those thoughts aside, she said, “Actually, I wanted to talk with you, Bea. Did you know Philippe?”

Beatrice didn’t look up from screwing the cap on to one of the bottles. “Yes, ma’am, I did know him.”

“Then you worked here before he died?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“How well did you know him?”

Beatrice’s gaze snapped up, her hazel eyes wide with horror. “I did not know him in that way, mademoiselle.”

Her strong reaction made Kate question if the woman was telling the absolute truth, but then Beatrice was a year away from forty and didn’t seem like the kind who would take a younger man as a lover. However, nothing would surprise Kate these days. “I’m not saying you and King Philippe were close in that way. I’m just wondering if maybe he was involved with a woman. Someone the family might not have known about.”

Beatrice fumbled with a bottle, barely saving it from a major formula spill. “He was engaged to marry Countess Trudeau.”

Kate suspected the woman’s nervousness could indicate knowledge of a secret tryst. She bent her elbow and leaned her cheek against her palm. “What was she like, the countess?”

“I have never met her.”

“Then she wasn’t around all that much.”

“No.” Beatrice picked up the bottles and put them in the refrigerator before coming back to Kate. “I must go and check on the baby.”

Kate rested her hand on Beatrice’s arm. “I know you probably don’t want to answer my questions, Bea, but this is very important. You can trust that whatever you tell me will be protected.”

“I do not understand what you are asking of me.”

“I think you know something about Philippe DeLoria’s love life. Did he have a secret lover?”

Beatrice twisted the white apron she wore over her plain gray shift. “I could not say… I should not…”

“I have to know, Bea. This could help us find Cecile’s mother.”

The nanny glanced around the room like a frightened doe, then turned her attention to back to Kate. “If I tell you, will you vow not to tell the queen mother the information came from me? I have been sworn to secrecy when it comes to the royal family’s privacy.”

Kate raised her hand in oath. “I promise.”

After looking around the room once more, Beatrice leaned forward and whispered, “It was rumored he had a lover in one of the mountain villages, a peasant girl. I think I saw her once, in the guesthouse late at night. I was…” Her gaze faltered. “I was going for a walk with a friend in the gardens.”

Kate was curious about Beatrice’s little late-night rendezvous with the friend , but that wasn’t the main issue. “Can you describe her to me?”

“I could not see her.”

“Do you know her name? Even her first name would help.”

“No. I heard him call her mon amour . My love. That was all.”

And it was more information than they’d had to this point. Kate circled the counter and drew Beatrice into a quick hug. “Thank you, Bea. You’re the best.”

“And so are you, Dr. Kate. You bring joy to the household.”

If only that were true, Kate thought. At least where Marc was concerned. “Have you seen King DeLoria?”

“Bernard…” Beatrice blushed like the devil. “I mean Mr. Nicholas said that the king would be gone most of the day.”

Bernard and Beatrice. Maybe that mystery was solved. If only Kate could say the same for the mystery mother, and Marc’s activities over the past few days. Maybe he had found a lover in a mountain village. Kate burned over that thought.

“Could you have Mr. Nicholas tell the King I need to see him, Bea? I’ll be waiting in the guesthouse.”

“As you wish, Doctor.”

“Just Kate. I think we should be on a first-name basis now.”

Beatrice beamed as if Kate had offered her the queen’s palace suite. “I would like that very much, at least when we are in private. Otherwise, it would not be respectful.”

Kate shrugged. “That’s fine. I’ll see you later. And thanks for everything.”

With a newfound energy, Kate strode through the gardens, stopping to smell the roses lining the path. She skipped the last few yards like a schoolgirl and burst into the guesthouse, pulling up short when she found Marc sitting on the elegant wingback chair in the corner next to the white brick fireplace, looking dark and imposing against the pristine backdrop, and incredibly sexy in his faded jeans and black knit shirt.

“Where have you been?” His voice was low, demanding.

Kate refused to fall at his feet, although it was tempting. “What does it matter to you? You haven’t been all that concerned over my whereabouts for the past week.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“So have I.” She started to tell him about the conversation with Beatrice but words escaped her when he kept staring as if he really wanted to get her naked. And she really wanted to let him.

But first and foremost, she had to maintain some control in his presence. His recent rejection still stung and she needed to resist him.

“Why are you here?” Her timid voice betrayed her conviction.

“You need to accompany me on a drive,” he said.

She snapped her fingers. “Just like that?”

“Yes.”

“I’m supposed to drop everything?” Her clothes immediately came to mind.

“It would be in your best interest to accompany me.”

Of all the arrogant kings. “And what if I don’t?”

At least this time she sounded more confident. But Kate’s confidence scattered when Marc came to his feet slowly, his eyes burning holes in her fake bravado. He stalked toward her until he stopped immediately in front of her, so close she could trace the outline of his Adam’s apple. “Do you really wish me to show you what I’ll do if you do not agree?”

Kate dared him with a look. “If you think you’re man enough.”

Proving he was very much a man—a Cro-Magnon man—Marc grabbed her and tossed her over his shoulder, then headed out the open door. He took away her breath when he set her in the all-terrain vehicle and slid his tongue across her lower lip. Then he took away her sight when he covered her eyes with a strip of white cloth, brushing one breast with a fingertip after he was done.

As ridiculous as it seemed, Kate didn’t care what he did as long as he eventually removed the blindfold—and anything else he cared to remove.