‘Are we celebrating?’
Remi simply shrugged one shoulder. ‘I’m aware that I may have appeared a little...clinical before.’ He prowled over to her, one glass extended.
Maddie took it, unable to drag her gaze from his powerful leanness. ‘So now you’re trying to soften yourself towards me? Are you afraid I’m going to change my mind?’
‘You’ve given me your word and I’m learning that you’re a woman of your word.’
Before she’d fully absorbed that unexpected compliment, he continued.
‘But I also wish to demonstrate that I will not be a complete ogre in our marriage.’
Marriage. The word still had the ability to churn her guts and rob her of breath. Which was probably why she simply bobbed her head.
‘Shall we drink to that?’
There was a tightness in his voice she would have hazarded a guess was anxiety in any other man than the one standing before her. Whatever it was, it brought even more acute awareness when he lowered his body into the seat next to hers, suffusing her with his intoxicating scent.
She trembled as he clinked his glass against hers and as she took a sip of exquisite champagne, very much aware that his eyes were fixed on her face. ‘What else did you want to discuss?’
He sipped his drink too, then placed his glass on the coffee table. ‘It’s imperative that we make this marriage work for the sake of my people. There has to be a smooth transition when my mother steps down. Which is why we need to expedite this. You father will soon be on his way to Geneva. Even if you weren’t committed elsewhere you wouldn’t be able to visit him. He’ll be in isolation for the next eight weeks. If we are to marry in five weeks then—’
‘Five weeks?’
He tensed. ‘You object to that?’
‘I thought... You’re the Crown Prince, soon to be King. Doesn’t a royal wedding take months...years to plan?’
‘My mother has been waiting two years for me to be married. She’s motivated to make it happen sooner rather than later.’
The reminder that his last wedding had been brutally thwarted by tragedy dropped like an anvil between them. A glance at his face showed that forbidding expression, blocking everything else out.
Maddie knew he was undertaking this marriage out of duty to his people alone. He’d even gone so far as to tell her not to fall in love with him because his heart was committed for ever to someone else.
She quickly averted her gaze, snatched in a breath when she spotted how close she was to spilling champagne all over herself, but when she started to shift away from him he stopped her with a hand on her arm.
‘One last thing.’
She gritted her teeth. ‘Yes?’
‘Although this isn’t a love match, I expect you to act a certain way when we’re in public.’
Maddie couldn’t stop a bitter laugh from spilling out. ‘So I’m expected to fawn over you in public, am I?’
‘Within reason and the appropriate comportment, yes.’
God, he was unbelievable. ‘What about you? Do you get a pass in the fawning department or is this a quid pro quo situation?’
He stiffened. ‘Be assured I’ll do my part,’ he said.
Despite the weird somersaults in her tummy, she grimaced. ‘Is all that really necessary?’
‘It is. Part of your wedding preparation will be tutoring in the art of diplomacy.’
Unable to withstand his touch without giving away the sensations rampaging through her, Maddie rose. He remained seated, but his eyes stayed on her as she paced in front of the coffee table. When she opened her mouth, he stopped her with a commanding hand.
‘If you’re about to express reservations, you’re wasting your time. Things may seem overwhelming at first, but I’m assured you’ll rise to the occasion.’
‘I’m glad one of us is confident.’