paced to the window, seeking the warmth of the sun streaming in on the luxurious carpet.
Only the best for the Ardissian prince! She’d seen the rundown sections of the city and the bare amenities provided for the palace servants when she’d insisted on seeing all the premises. Her grandfather had spent money on his own comfort rather than his people.
Movement caught her eye. A group of young people made their way across the courtyard. On impulse Luisa opened the window. Laughter, bubbling and fresh, washed around her before they entered a door on the far side of the yard.
Wherever they were going, it appealed more than this place. She closed the window and headed for the door.
Raul drummed his fingers on the car seat as the limo purred towards the Ardissian palace. He lifted a hand to the people lining the street.
He was eager for a break after this intense week. He’d planned to come days ago, but political developments had made it impossible. Now he could please himself.
It pleased him to see his wife.
Five days she’d been away. It seemed far longer. His bed felt empty. His days regimented and predictable, despite the political crisis they’d averted.
Life seemed … less without Luisa.
His lips flattened as he thought of the day she’d announced she’d come here. He’d only just dragged himself from the temptation of her. He’d reeled from an ecstasy unlike any he’d known. And from the unique sense of peace that came from sharing the story of his past.
Was it simply that he’d needed to unburden himself after years keeping it to himself? He couldn’t shake the suspicion that the sensations of release and relief had more to do with the fact it was Luisa he shared with.
Only the most urgent crisis had forced him away, still stunned by the unprecedented sense of peace and pleasure he’d found with her.
And she’d sat there, her sweet mouth a taut line, demanding occupation. Demanding more.
Clearly he hadn’t been enough to satisfy her!
Male pride smarted from the fact she’d been unaffected by what had passed between them, while it had knocked him completely off balance. It had been on the tip of his tongue to beg her not to leave.
Because he needed her! Not just sexually.
He couldn’t remember feeling this way about a woman. Even Ana, at the height of her appeal, hadn’t invaded his thoughts like this.
Raul smoothed his hand over the seat. At night he found himself reaching for Luisa. He felt bereft when she wasn’t there.
Worse was his gut-deep sense of culpability. As the limo pulled up before her ancestral palace, her words came back to haunt him. How desperate she’d been for work to occupy her. Yet another reminder that, despite his attempts to help her adjust, this wasn’t the life she’d chosen.
It was the life he’d demanded so he could inherit.
Yes, Maritz needed a strong monarch to see it through difficult times and, with the support of a democratic government, steer it clear of civil war.
But wasn’t it also true he’d needed to be king? The monarchy had been his salvation as well as his burden as he’d worked to drag himself and his country out of the pit his father’s hasty marriage had plunged them into.
And for that he’d bullied Luisa into his world.
He’d wanted to believe she’d find a fulfilling life by his side. These last weeks he’d seen glimpses of a woman who could make the role of consort her own and make a huge difference to his people, even if her way was not the traditional one.
Could she be happy here?
If he’d thought she’d be eager, waiting at the grand staircase to greet him, he was mistaken. Instead it was Lukas, whom he’d sent to support Luisa.
‘Your Highness, welcome. And congratulations on the results of your recent negotiations.’
Raul smiled, allowing himself to enjoy anew a sense of relief. ‘Thank you, Lukas. Hopefully it will mean peace at last.’ He looked around but still no sign of Luisa.
‘Her Highness planned to be here. She’s delayed but shouldn’t be long.’ As he spoke he turned, walking with Raul inside the palace.
It was as grand and gloomy as Raul remembered.
He shuddered at the thought of Luisa here, a trusting, innocent teenager, at the mercy of the venomous old man who’d treated her and her mother so appallingly.
‘Sorry?’
‘I said the chamberlain has requested an audience.’
Raul stopped. ‘Surely his business is with my wife. This is her property.’
One look at Lukas’ face told Raul there was trouble ahead. He sighed. Days without sleep took their toll. All he wanted was his wife and a bed, in that order.
‘Raul!’ Luisa slammed to a stop in the doorway to her suite. She’d planned to be back earlier. Groomed and presentable, ready to greet him with calm courtesy.
One look at him, framed by the arched window, and her breath sawed out of control. Her heart kicked into a frantic rhythm. So much for calm. Just being in the same room with him shattered her composure.
She’d been so busy these last days. It was ridiculous she should miss him, but she had. More than she’d expected.
If things were different, if they were different, she’d run over and plant a kiss on his tense mouth until it softened in that sulky, sexy way it did when they were intimate. He’d put his arms around her and …
This was no fantasy. One look at his cool expression scotched that notion.
‘Luisa.’ He inclined his head but he didn’t approach. Something inside her sank. ‘How are you?’
‘Fine, thanks.’ She pushed back the hair that fell over her cheek and surreptitiously straightened her collar. She’d yanked her jacket on in a hurry. ‘How was your trip?’
‘Excellent.’ He paused and she felt tension vibrate between them. ‘Though as soon as I arrived your chamberlain came to me.’
Luisa frowned. Now she understood his disapproval. No doubt the official had poured out a litany of complaints. The man had been negative since she’d arrived.
‘I see.’ She breathed deep. She supposed she’d broken all sorts of rules. Now she had to face the music. But she refused to be intimidated. These were her decisions to make and she’d stick by them.
She closed the door and walked into the room. She gestured to an armchair. Raul ignored it.
‘He voiced a number of concerns.’
‘I’m sure he did. What did he start with? The proposal to open the state reception rooms for public functions?’
