Neither of them needed to say anything. Nell had to know how much he liked this. And it was very clear that she was enjoying it, too. Too far gone to even worry about whether she might feel his arousal if she got any closer, he tightened his arm around her waist.
She melted against him, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Chemistry wasn’t going to be a problem. Not kissing her again was...
It happened again, almost of its own accord. One moment their lips were tantalisingly close and the next Hugo was kissing her, and Nell was kissing him back. Soft and slow, as if to imply that perhaps there was control over it.
He thought he felt her lose control, her fingers tightening suddenly into a fist against his chest. Her heart beat against his and... That sudden feeling, as if the pacemaker had just kicked in to accommodate the screaming urge to take this as far as it would go, and then further. It reminded him that he couldn’t. Not yet, and very probably not ever.
Hugo drew back slowly, planting a last kiss on her waiting lips. ‘This is a role I’m not going to have any trouble with at all.’ This was special, even if it did promise nothing.
‘Me neither. I think we’re good with that part of it.’ She gave him a luminous smile as Hugo released her from their embrace, and turned back to the kitchen counter. ‘Now. How about something a little more practical? Let’s see if you really can cook.’
* * *
It was as if Hugo had swept her up and they’d danced together through the last ten days. Nell had reorganised his diary, and although Hugo had put up a few token objections, they’d always come to an agreement. Even the round of golf was made easier for him by giving up his own opportunity to play in favour of teaching his new fiancée.
She’d stayed close to him in public, the obvious implication that they were in love disguising the fact that she kept to his left, always protecting his arm and shoulder. When she leaned across to whisper in his ear, the words she breathed were questions about how he felt, and his smiling answer was often accompanied by the brush of a kiss.
Hugo’s manners were impeccable, always making sure she was seated before he was, his hand guiding her when she was faced with a crush of people and didn’t quite know which way to turn. And they managed to waltz through seemingly difficult obstacles. When a particularly heavy door blocked their path, and Nell stepped forward to heave it open, a smile flickered on Hugo’s face. He bowed to her, catching her hand up to kiss it, and Nell made a mock curtsey. It seemed like the relaxed playfulness of new lovers, and not a concerned doctor making sure that Hugo came to no harm.
The ring on her finger still felt odd, but Nell was getting used to it. She was getting used to always being watched. And she was beginning to understand how Hugo felt. Living his life, all the highs and lows of it, at the centre of everyone’s attention must be hard.
And now there would be another test. A private dinner at the palace, attended by the royal family of Montarino and visiting French and German ambassadors. It was an important occasion, and Hugo was expected to be there, which meant that Nell was expected to be with him.
* * *
The morning dawned fresh and clear, and they were on the road as soon as Nell had gulped down a cup of coffee.
‘I’m a bit worried about this dress...’ Nell frowned as she drove out of the gates of the house.
‘It’s no big deal. My mother’s got it in hand.’
‘That’s what I’m worried about.’ The thought of being closeted with the Queen and a personal stylist from the largest store in Montarino, who would be bringing a selection of suitable gowns for the evening, was frankly terrifying.
‘They’ll help you pick something nice. And m
y mother will have the jewellery to go with it, she’s got something to go with everything.’
‘I’m going to feel foolish, Hugo. I’m not used to wearing a lot of jewellery.’
‘Fine. No big jewellery. Just tell them.’ He grinned. ‘Anything else you don’t want?’
‘No sequins. And no frills. Definitely no bows.’
‘Sounds good to me. I doubt my mother will have frills or bows in mind either, she generally goes for a more classic look. You might have to mention your aversion to sequins, though. What about colour?’
Nell sighed. Hugo didn’t sound as if he was taking this as seriously as she was. ‘No pink. And definitely no yellow.’
‘Right, then. You’ve practically picked your dress already.’ He stretched his long legs into the footwell, obviously ready to move on and enjoy the drive.
Driving did calm Nell a little, but as soon as she reached the palace car park, her fears returned. Hugo seemed intent on hustling her through the corridors to his parents’ apartment as quickly as possible.
The apartment was larger than his, and more lavish. His mother greeted them both with a kiss, and Hugo followed them through to her dressing room, sprawling onto one of the cream silk upholstered chairs.
‘Hugo, darling. You have something to do...’ Queen Margaux fixed him with a determined glare.
‘Nothing that I can think of.’
‘I’m sure you might think a little harder, then.’ The Queen took the words out of Nell’s mouth, and Hugo ignored her.