‘But... We haven’t agreed anything,’ she said, looking flustered and unsure.
She really was very different from the woman he remembered, who had been so placid, so pragmatic about discussing this topic. But they hadn’t known then what they knew now. That this did not have to be simply a sterile political union.
‘The press would disagree, after last night,’ he said.
‘But nothing happened last night,’ she said as a guilty flush illuminated the freckles sprinkled across her nose.
He stifled the urge to tug her towards him and kiss each one in turn.
Focus, Leo.
‘Really?’ he said, raising a brow. ‘Nothing at all?’ he murmured, letting his gaze drift to her breasts and enjoying her answering blush.
‘Well, nothing much.’ She pursed her lips into a tight line.
Yup, she was still being tortured too.
‘Regardless, I believe the judicious course of action now would be to capitalise on the positive publicity from last night and take this opportunity to explore our connection.’
‘Our... Our connection?’ she said, her eyes widening—with horror but also awareness. And awareness he could use.
‘Yes, our connection.’ He took her hand, which hung limply by her side, and ran his thumb across the back of it—to soothe her nerves, while also staking his claim.
She was young. And inexperienced. Her understanding of men a lot less than her understanding of monarchy... Although even that seemed to have deserted her last night. But to be fair, it had deserted him, too.
He wanted to reassure her that he would not push her the way he had last night, but make her aware that, at the same time, theirs was a physical connection they could both enjoy.
‘I’ve spoken to Major Garland and suggested a state visit to Severene for the next week. All the usual protocols will be observed but it would be an excellent opportunity for you to be introduced to the Severene people and for them to meet you.’
And an even better opportunity for him to persuade her this marriage would have some excellent fringe benefits.
‘But I can’t.’ She tugged her hand free and stuck it into the back pocket of her jeans, doing interesting things to her bust.
‘Why not?’ He forced his gaze back to her face.
Still focussing, Leo.
‘Because I’m busy here,’ she said. ‘It
’s Christmas and I have stuff to do. Official stuff. And lots of it.’
‘On the contrary, Your Majesty.’ Garland stepped forward on cue. ‘There is nothing in your schedule that can’t be postponed or rearranged.’
The stubborn chin was comprehensively contradicted by the flash of panic in her emerald eyes. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Absolutely, in fact I have taken the liberty of already making the necessary arrangements. Given our recent discussion of the huge benefits of your political union with Severene and its King—and how much King Andreas wished this marriage to take place—I felt sure you would be very much in favour of taking advantage of this opportunity.’
‘But it’s Christmas,’ she said, sounding exasperated as well as panicked now. ‘Surely I should be here with my people, not Leo’s.’
‘You’ll be back in time for Christmas,’ Leo cut back in, stupidly pleased by her use of his given name again. ‘Garland and I have arranged a seven-day visit culminating in the Severene Christmas Ball on December the eighteenth, at which you will be my guest of honour. You would return to Monrova the next day.’
He stemmed the twinge of regret that she wouldn’t be in Severene over Christmas itself, when she would have provided an excellent distraction from the dark thoughts that always assailed him at that time of year.
‘But...’ she began again, clearly searching for something...anything to get out of this situation.
It was a good thing he had such a robust ego—her reluctance to spend a week with him something she was not making any effort to hide.
But he found her skittishness as captivating as he had last night.