Читать книгу The Dreaming Of... Collection - Оливия Гейтс - Страница 42

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

THE PICTURES JASMINE had seen of Santo Sierra didn’t do it justice even in the slightest.

As the royal jet circled majestic green mountains and turquoise waters in preparation for landing, she could barely contain her awe.

‘Now I get a reaction from you. I thought I’d have to surgically remove you from that tablet.’

She turned sharply from her avid landscape gazing. ‘I’m sorry?’

‘You’ve hardly spoken a word since we took off.’ He frowned. ‘In fact, you seem to have lost the ability to speak the last twenty-four hours.’ His gaze raked her face. ‘Are you feeling unwell?’

She struggled to keep her features composed and not show how much turmoil she’d been in since he’d announced she was his choice of bride.

Her bewildered ‘Why?’ had been met with incredulity.

‘Are you serious?’

‘Of course, I’m serious. You have your perfect candidate already picked out.’

‘And you are carrying my baby. My heir.’ His brows had clamped together. ‘What did you think was going to happen when you told me?’ he’d asked with a heavy dose of astonishment.

And there their discussion had ended.

The council had been waiting. He’d summoned Antonio to call the doctor, who’d arrived just as the council meeting had ended.

Reyes had peppered him with questions and he’d listened with an intensity that had terrified Jasmine. Even before the poor doctor had been dismissed, she’d known Reyes was heavily vested in his baby’s welfare. And that she wouldn’t be returning to London to raise her child as a single parent.

She was going to Santo Sierra to marry Prince Reyes Navarre.

She, a juvenile delinquent with a chequered past, was going to be crowned Princess in just over forty-eight hours.

And if that weren’t terrifying enough, the realisation of what she was trying desperately to deny had finally hit her in the face this morning. She was developing potentially heart-risking feelings for Reyes. Ironically, her mother had called this morning just as she was busy denying her feelings.

Jasmine would never have thought in a million years that she would adopt her mother’s head-in-the-sand approach to life one day.

‘Jasmine?’

God, the Latin intonation to the way he said her name...

‘No, I’m just a little nervous.’

He waved her nerves away. ‘Don’t be. The palace staff will cater to your every need. And my sister, Isabella, will also be on hand should you need a female perspective on any concerns.’ He smiled.

Her breath caught.

Scared he’d read any unwanted emotion on her face, she looked out of the window again, towards the mountain she’d learned was called Montana Navarre. Set on the highest peak, it was where the Royal House of Navarre had been born and where Reyes’s ancestors had ruled Santo Sierra for several centuries. Airplanes were restricted from flying directly over the palace, but the aerial view she’d seen of it had taken her breath away.

With supreme effort, she looked at him. ‘Are you sure we’re not rushing this? I’m sure there must be special protocols to royal weddings that I need to learn first?’

His eyelids descended and his nostrils flared slightly before he pierced her with that incisive grey gaze once more. ‘You’re carrying my child, Jasmine. Everything else ceases to matter in light of that reality.’

She couldn’t read anything into that thick emotion in his voice. It was just shock.

Recalling how his councilmen had beamed at her when they’d emerged from their meeting, Jasmine added another reason as to why Reyes was pleased about the turn of events.

Next to a royal wedding, a royal baby was the most joyous celebration for any country. Reyes was returning home not just with his future bride, but with his future heir, although the formal announcement of her pregnancy wouldn’t be made for another few weeks.

Coupled with his economic plans for Santo Sierra, those two events would surely regain him his people’s love and devotion.

A part of her felt relieved and thankful that her actions wouldn’t leave permanent damage on Santo Sierra. The other, selfish part of her couldn’t hide the pain of feeling like collateral damage.

‘You’re still troubled,’ Reyes observed.

She’d forgotten how well he could read her. Clearing her throat, she passed restless fingers through her hair. ‘It’s my problem. I’ll deal with it.’

His face darkened. ‘You’re no longer an individual, fighting against the masses on your own. And I prefer not to start our marriage with secrets between us.’

She shook her head. ‘Trust me, Reyes, you don’t really want to know what’s going on in my head right now. I’m hormonal and perhaps conveniently irrational.’

Firm, sensual lips pursed. ‘I want to hear it, Jasmine.’

The voice of caution probed, and was promptly ignored. ‘Fine, if you insist. I was right in front of you, Reyes. And yet you never considered me as a bride. So excuse me if I’m feeling a pauper’s sloppy seconds.’

* * *

Oh, God. Why on earth did I say that?

Jasmine was still reeling hours after they’d landed and she’d been delivered to her suite in the palace.

Despite her opulent surroundings and the rich history etched into every arched wall, mosaic-tiled floor, and ancestral painting, she couldn’t see, couldn’t think beyond the stark, soul-baring words she’d uttered moments before the plane had touched down.

How utterly pathetic she’d sounded.

The shock on Reyes’s face alone had convinced her she’d stepped way over the line. No wonder he’d beat a hasty retreat the moment they’d reached the palace.

She rose from the beautifully carved brocade love seat by the window in her vast bedroom and entered the bathroom.

The marble-lined tub had already been filled with scented water and huge fluffy towels laid within arm’s length by the palace staff assigned to cater to her needs.

She’d been lost for words when she’d walked into a closet filled with designer clothes and accessories. And even more stunned when the member of staff had told her they’d been provided for her.

Shrugging off the silk robe, she sank into the enveloping warmth. She’d been summoned to dine with Reyes and his sister this evening, no doubt to be checked out by her future sister-in-law.

Jasmine looked out of the wide tub-to-ceiling trellised bathroom window and her breath caught all over again. With nothing to mar the mountaintop view she could see the kingdom for miles.

The bustling, vibrant capital of San Domenica was spread below her. Whitewashed churches vied with modern architecture, green parks and historical buildings.

As they’d driven through it on the way to the palace she’d glimpsed the look of pride and worry in Reyes’s eyes. They’d also driven past the square and his fingers had tightened on the armrest when he’d seen a woman crying next to a broken statue.

Her insides had clenched for him. But he’d relaxed against the seat, his face averted from her as they’d climbed up the highway leading to the palace.

The moment they’d been escorted inside, he’d made his excuses and strode off.

And she’d been left grappling with her mangled feelings. Feelings she still hadn’t been able to resolve by the time she dressed in a long sweeping gown in emerald green with a coloured-stone-embroidered bodice that had made her gasp when she’d spied herself in the mirror.

Sweeping her hair up into a bun, she secured it with several hairpins and slipped her feet into black slingbacks.

Fernanda, the staff member appointed to shepherd her to the dining room, left her with a smile and walked away after delivering Jasmine to the high-ceilinged room displaying ancient Mediterranean frescos.

Jasmine was busy admiring it when she heard voices outside the dining room.

Going to the door, she followed the sound down a long hallway, hurrying closer to where the raised voices came from. Rounding the corner, she came upon Reyes and a tall, slim woman in the middle of a heated argument.

He wore a thunderous look as he glared down at the stunning woman. A stunning woman who was giving as good as she got, her voice rising higher as she gestured wildly and responded in Spanish.

Jasmine thought of retreating. But they both turned as they sensed her presence.

For a moment, Reyes appeared frozen at the sight of her. His hooded eyes raked her from head to toe. Then he exhaled, his massive chest drawing her eyes to his impressively broad shoulders. His black shirt moulded his lean torso and washboard stomach before disappearing into dark grey tailored trousers that caressed his powerful thighs. His hair looked damp from a recent shower. He slicked it back now as he spiked his fingers through it.

Jasmine forced herself not to remember how those strands felt beneath her fingers.

‘Hi,’ she ventured. The breathlessness in her voice made her cringe.

Reyes’s mouth compressed before he turned to the woman. ‘Isabella, meet Jasmine Nichols, my future wife. Jasmine, this is my sister, Princess Isabella. She’ll escort you to the terrace for drinks. I’ll join you shortly.’ Without waiting for a response, he stalked off down the opposite end of the hallway.

Isabella watched him leave, her expression hurt and angry. She looked spectacular in a cream gown laced with gold and black thread. The satin material fitted her svelte figure and complemented her golden, flawless skin.

Turning to Jasmine, she shook her head in frustration. ‘Apparently, I was wrong to call off a wedding to a man I did not love.’

Jasmine’s insides clenched. ‘Duty is very important to your brother.’ She tried a diplomatic approach.

Isabella threw up her hands in despair. ‘Well, duty doesn’t keep you warm. From the examples we’ve both had, you’d think he’d know that marriage is hard enough without going into it with a cold heart. I told him if I had to wait a thousand years for a man who makes me happy, I would.’

A spurt of laughter erupted from Jasmine’s throat. ‘Bet he didn’t take that lightly.’

Isabella smiled. ‘As you saw, storming off was his reaction.’ She released an exasperated breath, then eyed Jasmine. ‘Or maybe it was something else?’ One perfectly shaped eyebrow rose.

‘I’m not sure what you mean,’ Jasmine replied.

‘You’ll find out soon enough how difficult it is to keep a secret in this place. You are not the woman my brother’s press office was gearing up to announce as his bride two days ago. Which makes me wonder if whatever’s irking him has nothing to do with me and everything to do with you?’

Jasmine licked her lips, uncomfortable about having this conversation with Isabella when she was unsure what her role entailed in this marriage of convenience. She’d have to pick it up with Reyes. Once he could have a conversation with her again without that look of consternation.

‘Please, can we drop the subject?’

The other woman wrapped her hand around Jasmine’s arm. ‘Of course, I didn’t mean to upset you. Dios, I can’t seem to breathe for causing upset today.’

‘No, please. Think nothing of it.’ She flashed a smile.

Isabella’s shrewd gaze rested on her for a moment before she nodded. ‘Fine. Come, we’ll enjoy some cocktails before dinner. If Reyes gets over his tantrum, he can join us. Otherwise it’s his loss.’

Jasmine followed her down the hallway to a large, skylit room with wide doors that led onto a wide terrace. Soft lights glinted through the space dotted with large, potted ficus trees. In the centre an extensive bar had been built, manned by two servants.

One came forward with a tray holding an array of gaily coloured drinks. Isabella pointed to the iced green one.

‘Try that one. It’s made with guava and a local fruit called santosanda.’

‘It’s not alcoholic, is it?’ Seeing the instant speculation in Isabella’s eyes, she hurriedly added, ‘I’ll never get over the jet lag if I add alcohol to the mix.’

Isabella shook her head. ‘It doesn’t contain any alcohol.’

Jasmine picked up the drink and took a sip. Different textures exploded on her tongue, the dominant one a tangy sweetness that sent a delicious chill down her spine. ‘Wow.’

Isabella smiled and sipped her own peach-tinged drink. She drifted out onto the terrace, and she stood staring at the horizon.

Lights came on as darkness fell and her thoughtful gaze rested over the view of San Domenica. ‘In case you’re wondering, I’m really pleased about your wedding to my brother. The council is right. We need a boost of good news. We’ve lived with doom and gloom since Mamá died.’ She shook her head. ‘I know I followed my heart in not marrying Alessandro, but I had been wondering lately if I took the selfish route.’

Jasmine shook her head. ‘You would’ve caused each other too much pain in the end. Once the rose shades come off, relationships are an uphill struggle of hard work.’ Especially without love.

‘Are you speaking from experience?’

Despite her subtle probing, Jasmine warmed to Isabella. The princess had an open, honest face that went with her take-no-prisoners attitude.

‘I watched my mother turn herself inside out for men who didn’t deserve her love.’

Isabella’s mouth pursed. ‘My mother had all the love a man could give a woman, yet she went searching for more. Over and over, and in the wrong places. My father has never overcome the knowledge that he wasn’t enough for her.’

‘One-sided love is just as hard to keep up as no love at all.’ Her heart lurched as she said the words, but Jasmine refused to examine why too deeply. She was too scared to find out. She went to take another sip and realised she’d finished the cocktail. The servant stepped forward with another. She smiled her thanks, took it, and turned back to the view.

‘How is your father?’

Isabella looked towards the south wing of the palace, and sadness cloaked her face. ‘He’s hanging in there. I don’t mean to sound callous and it’ll break my heart when it happens, but I just wish he’d let go. I want him to find peace—’

‘Isabella!’

She jumped at the admonishing voice.

Reyes stood behind them, his face more thunderous than it had been before.

‘I’m...sorry, mi hermano, but you know I’m right.’

Reyes’s fists bunched. ‘If those are the sorts of views you choose to share with Jasmine, then perhaps you should consider eating dinner on your own.’

Eyes widening, Isabella gulped. Then her face closed with rebellion. ‘Fine. I think I will.’

Before Jasmine could draw breath, the princess had stormed off.

Her gaze collided with Reyes’s. ‘Upsetting women seems to be your speciality. Are you sure you don’t want to relocate to a faraway monastery and live the rest of your life as a monk?’

His expression lightened a touch. Grey eyes surveyed her from top to toe before they lingered at the drink in her hand. ‘The silence I can probably handle. The chastity would unfortunately be a deal-breaker. How many of those have you had?’ He nodded to her drink.

‘This is my second one. Isabella recommended it. That local fruit...santosanda? It’s delicious.’

‘It is, but did she mention that, once fermented, it’s also a powerful aphrodisiac?’ he asked silkily.