what if he was attracted to her? It was a simple case of mind over matter. His mind was infinitely stronger than anything his body felt.
Three steps from the dining room and he was a rock—wind and rain might pound at his surface, but nothing affected him. Two steps—solid stone, unwavering for anyone or anything. One step—he was impervious. He reached the door and walked through with a straight spine and head held high. Jenna stood gently rocking an old-fashioned white cradle that was set up near the dining table. The soft lighting made her eyes look enormous and her skin glow.
She’s just a woman.
A woman of serene beauty, sure. But a woman just the same.
He paused to ensure his breathing was regular, his heartbeat even. He was a rock. Unyielding to outside influences.
He paused by the cradle. Bonnie’s long lashes rested on her cheeks and he allowed himself a moment of tenderness as he watched her little chest rise and fall, her mouth move. Then he pulled himself back together and pasted on a polite smile for his employee.
“Good evening, Jenna.” He pulled a chair out for her and waited.
“Hello, Liam.” She took the seat and he pushed it in, careful not to touch her, as she sat down.
See? Easy. Now that he was over his initial reactions, he’d be fine. As the old saying went, familiarity breeds contempt, and though he didn’t want or expect to hold Jenna in contempt, he did expect familiarity would breed indifference to her allure. It was practically scientific.
Several silver dishes with domed covers sat on the table. He lifted the cover off the first, revealing a fragrant curry. He passed the serving spoon to Jenna so she could put some on her plate.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” he said, scooping rice from a second dish. “I hope it didn’t put you out.”
She didn’t look up as she filled her plate with the food. “Not at all. It gave me a chance to talk to Katherine.”
“How’s that going?” Ideally, the two members of his household staff would have a good working relationship, but knowing his housekeeper and her preference for working alone, he was aware that was unlikely.
“I don’t think Katherine approves of me eating with you.” Her voice, normally lyrical with her Nordic accent, was somber, more careful. “I’m pretty sure she’d like to serve me in the kitchen.”
“She’s always been a stickler for propriety,” he said in an attempt to soothe the waters.
“I’m more than happy to—”
“No. You’re welcome at this table. I used to eat while reading journals or research papers, but now that I have Bonnie, it’s time I started some new routines, like family dinner time. I want the tradition to be in place by the time Bonnie notices it. I told Katherine she’s welcome, too, but she said she’d rather eat in her room.”
Jenna ate another mouthful of curry before continuing. “Katherine will probably tell you herself, but she’s hired a part-time maid to do the babies’ washing and give her some support now she has a busier house.”
“Good,” he said and nodded. “I didn’t want any of that falling to you when you’re exhausted from keeping up with night feedings and looking after both girls.”
Jenna settled her unflinching blue gaze on him. “You must be exhausted too. You’ve been getting up during the night and still going to work every day.”
“Coffee has become my friend.” She was right, but he wouldn’t change a thing—Bonnie was worth it. He glanced over at the cradle, wishing his daughter was awake so he could hold her. Yet, even if she were awake, she’d prefer Jenna to him. His stomach hollowed and he turned back to his plate. “How was Bonnie this evening?”
“She cried a bit and didn’t want to settle. I brought the cradle in here and had her with me while I made out the grocery order for Katherine, and she was happier with that until she drifted off.” Jenna took the dish of spicy lentils that he passed and spooned some onto her plate. “Will you have any time free tomorrow? I’d like to start working on your bonding with Bonnie as soon as possible.”
“Tomorrow will be difficult. What about tonight?” Creating a relationship with his daughter was a priority, but he also had to be careful about his work now that he was providing for a daughter. It was not the time to let things slip.
“That could work.” She checked her watch. “She’ll probably be awake for another feeding in less than an hour. We can do something then.”
“Sounds good.”
She spooned some more curry onto her plate. “Have you heard anything from Bonnie’s mother’s family? Are they still planning on filing for custody?”
“They’ve already taken the preliminary steps.” In fact, they were becoming a royal pain in his butt. “My lawyer is on it and he doesn’t think they stand a chance.”
She nodded and looked back down at her plate. He took a mouthful of dhal and they ate for several minutes in silence. He and Jenna didn’t know each other well, and conversation was hard to create. He wasn’t good at small talk. Dylan was always telling him he needed to improve his ability to chat when they attended business functions or charity events. He drew in a breath. Now was as good a time as any. Plus, he could quiz Jenna about her background again.
“You asked me a few days ago what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I’ve been wondering the same about you.” He picked up his water glass, took a sip and then watched her over the rim.
She bit down on her lip and looked at her plate for a long moment before replying. “Liam, if it’s all the same to you, I’d rather not talk about my childhood.”
He sat back in his chair and swirled the water in his glass. Interesting. Perhaps she had a difficult time growing up and preferred not to think about it. Or perhaps she was keeping a secret. He couldn’t force her to answer questions, but he would wait for the right moment to push further.
If she was hiding something, he’d find out what it was.
* * *
No one had ever asked her what she’d wanted to be—not as an adult or as a child. She was a princess. A princess with four older siblings would never be queen, but she was still expected to dedicate her life to her people. Her three brothers had served in the military, but that was about as far as the children of the monarch could move away from their royal duties.
Mewling from the cradle let them know Bonnie was waking. Jenna jumped up, eager for the distraction. “You keep her entertained, and I’ll make her bottle.”
She saw his quick doubtful glance at the cradle and suppressed a smile. He’d held Bonnie often but usually when she was fed and happy. And quiet.
When Jenna came back into the room with a warm bottle, Liam was sitting at the table, looking bemused as he held a screaming Bonnie. When he spotted her, the relief on his face was almost comical. “Thank goodness. She’s been telling me that she’s pretty desperate.”
“At full volume.” Jenna chuckled, took Bonnie from him and sat back in her own chair. “It’s all right, little one.
