but with the castle historian, as well as kitchen and event staff. It’s not just a matter of gardening.’
‘That will be a good way to get to know them.’ Luisa needed something to sink her teeth into, something to focus on other than Raul. She didn’t want to think about the emotions he inspired for fear of what she’d discover.
‘You don’t need to work, Luisa.’
Her brows rose. ‘You expect me to loll in the lap of luxury while you work the day after your wedding?’
‘I regret that. I’d much prefer to stay.’ The glint in his eyes made her pulse hammer erratically but she ignored it.
‘I need something to do. A purpose. I’d go crazy without that. I’m used to working.’
Raul lifted a hand to his already perfectly knotted tie and for a split second she’d have said he looked uncomfortable.
‘Your lessons don’t keep you busy?’
‘That’s not enough.’ She’d never been good at formal lessons. Her language skills were improving but if she had to learn about one more Maritzian monarch or the correct way to greet a grand duke, she’d scream.
Besides, the intensive lessons evoked memories of her long ago stay in Ardissia. The rigid discipline and the judgemental faces were missing, but she couldn’t shake the notion she’d never live up to expectations.
Raul surveyed her, his face unreadable. ‘Soon you’ll be busy with official duties. As my consort there’ll be plenty of events where you’re required.’
‘Being seen at openings and fetes?’ She shook her head and sat straighter. ‘That’s not me.’ Despite the makeover, she’d never be the glamorous clothes horse people liked to stare at in magazines. Wearing those stunning couture clothes, she felt like a fraud. Not like herself.
It didn’t help, remembering Raul had bought her just as he’d bought them.
‘I’ll make a start this afternoon.’ She met his unblinking gaze, almost challenging him to protest.
When he merely nodded Luisa took a slow breath.
If she was making a new start there was something else she had to face.
‘I’m planning to visit Ardissia too.’ It was time to lay her grandfather’s ghost. Maybe going there, confronting the place that had meant so much to him, and held such dreadful memories for her, would help her bury her hatred.
He frowned. ‘My schedule’s too full right now.’
Luisa drew herself up. ‘Do I need to wait for you? Aren’t I Princess of Ardissia?’ Much as she disliked the title, it was the one thing she’d got out of this devil’s bargain: her inheritance. In her absence the province had become the responsibility of the monarch, but she was here now. ‘It’s time I shouldered my responsibilities.’
Raul paced towards the bed, his brows arrowing down. ‘It’s logical we go together. People will expect that.’
‘But you’re tied up every day. You just said you’re not free.’ A little breathing space, time to regroup after the massive changes in her life, beckoned. She’d been on a roller coaster of emotion these last weeks.
‘There are matters of protocol and plans to be made. Royalty doesn’t just stop by.’
Why was he against her going? No mistaking the tension in his big frame. The tantalising idea surfaced that he’d miss her. She dismissed it instantly.
‘It’s not dangerous, is it?’
He shook his head. ‘Ardissia is safe.’
‘Good. I’m sure I’ll be welcome. I’ll give notice I’m coming. A couple of days. Would that be enough?’
She stared into his set face, suddenly relishing the challenge of standing up to the man who’d taken over her life in more ways than she’d ever bargained for.
She needed to stake a claim as her own person lest he subsume her totally. Even now she longed for him to haul her close and forget the so important appointment that called him away. How was that for needy?
‘Surely it’s the right thing to do?’ She worked to keep a cajoling note from her voice. ‘It’s only polite to visit now I’ve accepted my inheritance.’
Raul’s lowering brows told her he didn’t see it that way. The sight of tension in his jaw sent dangerous excitement zigzagging through her. As if she felt pleasure knowing she got under his skin, even in such a way as this.
Surely she wasn’t that desperate for his attention?
‘The timing’s not ideal, but you’re right. A visit makes sense. Leave it with me.’
Why did Luisa feel as if she’d lost the argument when he nodded, turned and strode out of the room, his mind obviously occupied with matters of business?
She hadn’t expected him to kiss her, had she?
‘This way, Your Highness.’ The chamberlain ushered Luisa into her grandfather’s study. She’d left it to last on her tour of the Ardissian royal palace.
She pictured the old man here, seated at the massive desk awash with opulent gilt scrollwork. Even in his towering rages he hadn’t deigned to rise. Always he’d remembered his position as prince and hers as unsatisfactory, low-born grandchild.
Her teeth clenched as she recalled his poisonous words. Not merely his diatribe on her incompetence and ingratitude but his slashing vitriol at her parents.
‘Thank you.’ She nodded to the chamberlain, smiling despite his haughty rigidity. ‘That’s all.’
As he withdrew she considered the portraits lining the walls. Ancestors with remote expressions stared down their noses at her. She lifted her head, surveying the portrait of the man who’d cut off his daughter and his granddaughter when they wouldn’t kowtow to his domineering ways.
‘The last laugh’s on you, Grandad. The farmer’s daughter is Princess, soon to be Queen.’
Yet there was no pleasure in the shallow triumph. She hadn’t come to gloat, but to see if she could put the past behind her and move on.
She wrapped her arms around herself, suppressing a shiver. Despite her determination to accept her lot, to dress the part and learn protocol and all the other things they foisted on her, Luisa couldn’t imagine the future.
What would it hold?
Endless, empty years of public receptions and meaningless small talk? Breathtaking moments of delight when Raul treated her to mind-blowing sex? Heat curled inside at the memory of his loving.
Would she hang onto those moments, desperate for the little Raul could give her when she wanted so much more?
Would her life be sterile of friends and family?
If she had children, how could she protect them from the world that had produced a monster like her grandfather?
