didn’t sign. Instead, she read the English translation, slowly and methodically. Her finger marked a difficult clause and she lifted her head, turning to Lukas who hovered helpfully on her other side.
‘Would you mind explaining this reference?’ she murmured softly.
‘Of course, ma’am.’ After a quick look at Raul, Lukas bent over the parchment, explaining the clause. Then after a few moments, another.
The audience grew restless. Raul noticed one or two raised brows among some of the more old-fashioned advisers. He could imagine what they whispered. That the woman should gratefully accept what was offered, without question.
Luisa was aware of the buzz of comment. Her cheeks grew brighter and he saw her neck stiffen. Yet still she read each line.
It should have annoyed him, this delay to his plans. Even now, on the edge of achieving what was so necessary, ripples of anxiety spread through his belly. He couldn’t be completely happy till this was settled.
Yet his impatience was tempered by admiration. Luisa was naturally cautious.
Like him. He’d never sign anything without careful consideration either.
Raul recalled the advice he’d recently received. That on investigation Luisa’s farming co-op was found to be surprisingly well run. That the financial difficulties were due to the economic downturn, a massive drought and a series of unfortunate health problems, including the death of her father last year.
According to the accountants, the business was poised to become very successful, once money was freed up for new equipment. Luisa had done an excellent job.
Once more curiosity rose. She wasn’t like other women. He’d been so intent on achieving his ends he’d initially thought of her as a convenient bride, not a real woman. Now he pondered exactly what sort of woman he would wed.
He looked at her bent head, how she bit her lush bottom lip in concentration. Fire arced through his gut.
She fascinated him, he admitted now. Her obstinacy, pragmatism and quiet pride. Her unassuming ways and her disquieting sensuality. How long since a woman had intrigued him so? Since a kiss had made him lose his head?
Finally, with a swift movement, Luisa picked up his pen and signed. Only Raul, close beside her, saw the way her hand shook. It pained him to see what this cost her.
Yet relief swamped him. It was almost done. Soon the crown would be his. His destiny was within his grasp. His country would be safe.
He picked up the pen, still warm from her fingers, and with a flourish added his signature as first witness. ‘Thank you, Luisa,’ he murmured.
At his words she tilted her head and their gazes meshed. Heat ricocheted through his belly and groin, the reverberations spreading even as she looked away, letting her lashes veil her eyes.
Now she was bound to him, this intriguing woman so lacking in sophistication yet with an innate grace and integrity he couldn’t ignore.
Theirs would be a convenient marriage. A marriage of state for the well-being of the nation.
Yet, to his astonishment, Raul registered a purely personal satisfaction at the prospect.
‘I COULDN’T have done a better job of botching that if I’d tried.’ Luisa grimaced as she followed Lukas through a maze of corridors to her suite.
She’d do better in future.
Her skin crawled at the memory of censorious eyes on her: an upstart foreigner, not only gauche but clumsy.
‘Nothing of the sort, ma’am. You carried it off with great composure.’
Luisa smiled gratefully. Lukas really was a nice man. Surprisingly nice for someone in the Prince’s employ.
‘Thanks, Lukas, but there’s no need to pretend. I saw the way they looked, and their impatience that I wanted to read what I signed.’
‘It’s true some of the advisers are rather old school.’ Lukas cleared his throat and gestured for her to precede him down another wide corridor. ‘I’m sure His Highness wouldn’t mind me saying that’s been one of his challenges in running the country as a modern state—bringing them along in the process of reform.’
Luisa’s eyes widened. It hadn’t occurred to her Raul would have difficulties. With his take charge attitude and formidable determination she couldn’t imagine it.
‘You talk as if he’s been in charge of the country a long time. I thought the King only died recently.’
A hint of a flush coloured Lukas’ cheeks. ‘That’s correct, ma’am.’ He paused and then, with the air of making a sudden decision, added, ‘But His Highness was in many ways responsible for running the country long before that. The previous king … left a lot in the Prince’s hands.’
Luisa’s mind snagged on Lukas’ words, trying to read the subtext. There was one. Something he skated around rather than spelling out. It was on the tip of her tongue to press for an explanation, till she read his discomfort.
‘And is it still difficult?’
Lukas shrugged. ‘The Prince has made his mark and even the more old-fashioned courtiers see the benefits. But there are some who resent change. Some who’d rather vie for personal power than cooperate in a national effort to modernise.’
Her steps slowed. Lukas’ assessment echoed Raul’s words. She’d half dismissed that as a smokescreen, veiling the fact he simply coveted the crown. Though lately she’d wondered. Seeing him with others, she’d caught glimpses of a reasonable man, even a caring one.
Was there more truth in Raul’s words than she’d thought? He claimed he acted for the country as well as himself. Was it possible? It was tempting to hope so.
Yet nothing excused Raul’s behaviour towards her.
‘As for today, ma’am,’ Lukas said, ‘I know the Prince was very pleased with your first official appearance.’
She just bet he was! She’d signed his precious documents. Yet she hadn’t missed the way he’d hovered, eager for her to sign and be done with it. If she was truthful, it wasn’t just the habit of reading legal papers carefully that had made her delay. A tiny part of her had wanted him on tenterhooks, wondering if she’d go through with it.
As if she’d had a choice! Besides, she’d given her word.
Her heart plunged at the implications of what she’d just done. No turning back now.
‘Lukas, I’ve changed my mind. Can you show me the way to the gardens? I need some fresh air.’
Forty minutes later Luisa felt less claustrophobic. Wandering through the courtyards she’d found a gardener. They’d discussed the grounds with enthusiasm and sign language since her Maritzian was sparse and Gregor, the gardener, spoke a particularly
