taking her far from here. The iPad was in position too, and she swiped the screen with fierce movements.
‘What are you so angry about?’ he asked, reaching out to flick the ‘stop’ switch on the treadmill.
‘Nothing.’ She didn’t look at him.
‘I once asked you not to lie to me,’ he said softly. He wanted to know what was eating her up—he wanted her to turn and talk to him.
She put her hands on the rails and sighed. ‘They’ll stare. They’ll stare and they’ll judge. I have to prove myself.’ She lifted her head and he saw anguish and anger in her eyes. ‘And I never do. It’s never enough.’
A rush of protectiveness erupted within him. But he put his hands on her waist and held her firmly at arm’s length. It was that or kiss her, and kissing her would lead to only one thing—and that couldn’t happen again until this football visit was over. But he had to equip her with a strategy to cope tonight.
‘You are Princess Stella Zambrano De Santis and you will not give a damn what anyone else thinks. Tonight is nothing but a minor mission to you. You survey the room. Pick targets. Engage in brief, polite conversation. Move on to the next target. Grant them a few moments of your time.’ And then return to me.
‘Is that how you handle it?’ she asked.
It was a skill he’d been taught. ‘People are interested. I am conscious of everything I do in the public sphere. But I cannot let myself dwell on what they might think. It cannot be my concern.’
‘I won’t be a success when they find out I’m already pregnant,’ she muttered. ‘They’ll say I trapped you. They’ll say...’ She trailed off.
Eduardo softened at that concern. She really didn’t need to worry. ‘They won’t find out for a while.’
‘No?’ She shook her head. ‘Are we going to lie and say the baby was born prematurely? Do you want me to cross my legs for an extra month or two at the end? Because, I’m sorry, that might not work.’
‘Our nation has wanted a royal baby for years. They won’t care about the date of its conception.’ He shrugged. ‘They’ll be amused by my reckless passion.’ Always he was the one to make the mistakes. He was the joke. But he didn’t want to be a joke to her. He wanted to help her.
‘Okay.’ She looked into his eyes. Slowly he felt her straighten and square her shoulders. ‘I’m sorry. I know you have more important things to do.’
He didn’t want her to be sorry for sharing her concerns with him.
‘Attending another opening?’ He shook his head. Nothing felt more important than being with her right now.
‘It’s important to the people to have you there.’
‘Sometimes I need a reminder too.’ He grinned at her. ‘I’d rather you were with me.’
It would be nice to have her at his side, sharing the intensity of the spotlight as she had that day at the restaurant. He’d catch her eye and know he wasn’t alone in the crowd.
His heart thumped. ‘You have everything ready otherwise? Ask Giulia for anything. Do not worry about cost. With all those royals and politicians from neighbouring countries present we need to look the part.’ He sent her an apologetic look. ‘And all those models and actresses—’
‘Because this is your find-a-bride ball?’ She looked sly.
‘You heard about that?’
‘How could I not? Wildfire rumours. It’s like a Cinder-freaking-ella ball.’
‘But instead Prince Eduardo is presenting his secret long-time love and now new wife to the world.’ He gave in to temptation and kissed her quickly. ‘The scandal.’
‘You like that element, don’t you?’ She cupped his jaw and kept him close. ‘Rebellious Prince Eduardo.’
The temptation of her was too great.
‘Rebellious? I’m a married man. I’ve settled down and become boring.’ He lifted her up and carried her to the bed.
‘Never boring,’ she breathed as he kissed her.
He had about four minutes. He used every second wisely.
JUST OVER TWELVE hours later Eduardo was struggling to breathe. For the first time in years he was anxious. Not for himself, but for her. She’d twirled for him upstairs and asked if she looked okay. He’d told her she looked beautiful. That she always did, no matter what she was wearing.
She’d told him he was a silver-tongued pirate.
Now she was only a few feet away, entrancing three diplomats. She’d been entrancing everyone in the ballroom since she’d made her grand entrance alongside him three hours ago.
Her hair had been made glossy and perfect with product and hours of the stylist’s care, but he missed her workout ponytail and its hint of kink. Her make-up had been applied more heavily, to cope with the demands of the flashing bulbs of the mass-media reps, but her skin was still luminescent. Her pale pink silk dress was cut wide at the shoulder, threatening to slip should she do anything too rash with her arms. A dangerous, sexy element to such a demure-coloured dress.
Every man in the room had his eyes glued to her, hoping she’d move her arm in just the right way to send the fabric tumbling and expose those perfect plump breasts. And then there was the sapphire, resting just above those ripe treasures. There had never been such a statement as that. The jewel’s significance wouldn’t be lost on San Felipe society. It had been given once before to a woman who wasn’t meant to be queen. To a woman who’d been adored, chosen, elevated to the throne. Breaking all the rules—putting love before duty.
So, yes, he’d chosen it deliberately, knowing that it echoed that great royal romance of a century ago. But, despite the calculation in his decision, it was perfect for her. He hadn’t lied when he’d told her how it deepened her eyes.
This morning’s headlines had been as he’d envisaged. She was the commoner soldier who’d stolen the Prince’s heart. Tomorrow there’d be pictures of her in uniform placed alongside her ‘princess makeover’ look tonight. The fashion bloggers would gush over her ‘transformation’. It irritated the hell out of him.
But there’d be no doubt that this was a love match. Even the innuendo-drenched pictures of them crossing the tarmac the other day emphasised that. Her popularity was assured. She’d given loyal service to her country. She was beautiful. And tonight she’d proved she could nail the glamour and grace expected of a princess.
They didn’t know there was so much more to her— determination, intelligence, integrity, humour. And fragility. She’d aced her ‘mission’, but he wondered about the price she was going to pay.
He saw her glance at the soldiers stationed in the four corners of the room—saw the longing in her eyes. She’d
