Читать книгу The Prince's Texas Bride / The Reluctant Princess: The Prince's Texas Bride / The Reluctant Princess - Leanne Banks, Raye Morgan - Страница 9

With the exception of Stefan, it had been like taking candy from a baby. Stefan had actually won the third game. Eve spread out her hands to collect the dominos. “Well, this has been fun, but I need to visit the barn one more time tonight.”

“No,” Jacques said. “I was just getting used to it.” “Me, too,” Bridget said. “I almost won the second game.”

“Afraid you’ll lose again?” Stefan challenged. Her stomach did a crazy tumble at the expression on his face. “Not at all,” she said. “I really do need to visit the barn again. If you liked the game, I’ll leave my dominoes here so you can practice.”

“Please do,” Phillipa murmured. “We need it.” Eve smiled at the brainy princess determined to master the game. “If we play again, I bet all of you will beat the pants off of me.”

“I’d like to see that,” Jacques said with a devilish look in his eyes.

“Jacques,” Stefan said with a frown. “Ms. Jackson is our guest while at dinner. She deserves our respect.”

“Exactly,” Eve agreed. “Your elders always deserve your respect.”

Jacques laughed. “If you’re my elder …“

“Jacques,” Stefan said again, this time a touch of amusement slid into his tone as he gave a barely perceptible shake of his head.

“Thank you all again for everything. Joining you for dinner was an—honor,” she said and smiled. “Good night and sweet dreams,” she said, turning to leave.

“Sweet dreams?” Phillipa echoed.

“It’s an expression,” Eve said. “I’m wishing you sweet dreams.”

“That’s lovely,” Bridget said. “Sweet dreams to you, too.”

“Thank you,” Eve said and felt Stefan studying her. She felt a quiver of something strange in her belly and pushed it aside. “Your Highnesses,” she said and walked away.

The family dinner had gone much better than usual due to Eve’s presence, Stefan thought as he paced his quarters. She’d amused him by the way she’d pushed back when he’d teased her. The sound of her Texas drawl slid over his nerve endings like a smooth brandy. Her little game had distracted his family from the usual squabbles and griping, and allowed them to enjoy their time together. He would make sure she was included again.

Glancing at the clock, he thought about his early meeting with dignitaries from Russia in the morning. It would serve him well to go to sleep, but he was too restless. Lately, he’d been even more restless than usual. Bumping up his exercise routine hadn’t helped. The advisers had been pressing him more than ever on a matter that he’d avoided like the plague. But he knew they were right. He couldn’t delay this part of his duty forever. He glanced out the French doors of his balcony and watched the clouds slide over the moon. Inhaling, he caught the scent of impending rain. The atmosphere felt moody. Like him, he thought with wry chagrin.

An impulse shot through him and he considered it for thirty seconds. As ruler, he’d learned early on he would have to be selective about giving in to impulses. This one would help him sleep and quiet his spirit. He changed his clothes and called his personal guard, Georg. “I’m going to ride Black.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Would you like me to arrange for the horse to be saddled before you get to the barn?”

“Not necessary. I’ll do it,” Stefan said.

“Enjoy your ride, sir,” the security guard said.

“Thank you,” Stefan said and headed for the barn.

He heard her talking with Black before he looked inside the horse’s stall. Black nodded as Eve talked as if he understood exactly what she was saying. “So, how do you like the idea of a goat?” she asked. “I have a feeling you would do better with a pet than another horse.”

“A goat?” Stefan echoed and watched Eve whirl around in surprise. She adjusted her black Stetson. “Black would stomp the poor animal to smithereens.”

“Maybe not,” she disagreed, stroking the stallion in question. “By nature, horses aren’t solitary animals. He’s so restless. I think a pet might help him calm down.”

Stefan stroked his chin. “I’ll think about it,” he said and wryly wished a pet goat would solve his own restlessness. “Did you ride him this evening?”

She shook her head. “No. I just visited him because I had a feeling you might want a ride tonight.”

He appreciated her perception. “Family night can be an obstacle course, but I think it’s necessary.”

“I agree with you. Were you and your sisters and brother ever close?”

“That’s a good question,” he said as he entered the stall. Black immediately approached him, and Stefan felt a rush of pleasure at the way the horse responded to his presence. “We had different assignments, different nannies, even different advisers. Tina and I shared some similar training. I think that’s why we’re so close. Then Fredericka had her substance abuse issues and it became a priority to make sure that none of the other Devereaux went down that same road. If anyone was the glue between us all, it was Tina. When she left, it was a terrible blow.”

“Bet you’re still bummed about it,” Eve said, resting her hand on her hip as she studied him.

“Bummed, but mostly resigned. I’m glad she’s agreed to visits,” he said, feeling a pang of missing his sister.

Her lips twitched. “And now you get to deal with Bridget,” she said. “My aunt would say that should be a character-building experience for both of you.”

“Is this the same aunt who addressed Tina as ‘Your Highlyness’?”

“The one and only Hildie,” Eve said with soft smile. “She’s the best.”

“And you miss her,” he said, reading the combination of affection tempered with sadness on her face.

Eve glanced away then lifted her chin. “Probably more than I expected, but I’m too busy to spend much time feeling homesick. Speaking of time, I shouldn’t keep you from your ride. Your boy is ready for you,” she said, nodding toward the stallion.

He realized he’d just been dismissed and he wasn’t sure he liked it. A surge of strange feelings rumbled through him. Sympathy for Eve … curiosity … something else he couldn’t name. “Would you like to join me?”

Eve blinked in surprise. “Join you?” she echoed in disbelief.

“You can bring one of the geldings. It will be a short ride tonight since the weather is threatening,” he said. “If you think you’re up to it,” he added, deliberately challenging her.

“I’m up to it,” she retorted immediately. “I’ll get Gus and meet you out back.”

Moments later, she joined him and Black. “Where are we going?” she asked, leaning forward to give Gus a reassuring stroke on his neck.

“The beach,” Stefan said and, even in the darkness, he saw her face light up.

“I haven’t ridden there yet,” she said. “I’ve stuck to the trails on the palace grounds.”

“You won’t after you’ve ridden on the beach,” he said, urging Black into a fast trot. Leaving the confines of the stable yards behind, he led Eve on a winding path through dense woods. In the past, his security had wanted to ride with him and he’d always felt it was the worst kind of intrusion. He’d known forever that his life would never be totally his, but Stefan just wanted a few moments to breathe and escape. He’d never invited anyone with him on his night rides, but tonight he’d sensed the same combination of claustrophobia and loneliness in Eve that he often felt himself. Hers came from adjusting to living on an island and homesickness. A ride on the beach might offer her the same temporary cure it did him. He pulled his horse to a stop as they entered a clearing that offered a view of the beach below.

“It’s beautiful,” she said in a low, but awed voice.

“Yes, it is,” he agreed. “I wanted to warn you that the slope’s a little steep down this hill. Black could find his way down this hill blind, but Gus may need some extra time.”

“No problem. I wouldn’t do it any other way,” she said.

Just as Stefan had said, Black made it down the hill in no time. As soon as Black hit level ground with the beach mere yards away, Stefan could feel the stallion pulling on the reins. He knew what was coming. “Patience,” he said as the horse pranced. “She’ll be here in just a moment or two.”

Hearing the sound of Gus’s hooves behind him, he turned, expecting the gelding to stop. Instead, Eve urged the horse into a fast trot and rode right past him. “See ya!” she called with a laugh, and Gus took off.

Black gave a snort of protest as Stefan watched in surprise. Seemingly one with the horse, she rode better than any woman and most men he’d met. Exhilaration raced through him. With her hair flying behind her and her compact body huddled closely against Gus, she was pure pleasure to watch. Black pulled against the reins, and Stefan allowed him to run. It wouldn’t take long to catch them.

A moment later, Black pulled alongside Eve and Gus. Eve glanced over at Stefan and her breathless laughter drifted over him with the ocean breeze. The sound of her exultation made him smile. The night was dark; a storm was on the way, but he suddenly felt as if the sun had come out from behind a cloud.

Black increased his speed and Gus struggled to keep up. “Go ahead,” she called with a wave. “It’s your time. Take it.”

Stefan gave Black the reins and the stallion sped down the beach. He felt the rush of adrenaline punch through him. His heart raced, and he felt free. The speed and wind blew the clutter from his mind. This never got old. For Stefan, this was what got him through his worst days. Black loved this run, too. If given the chance, the horse would run around the entire island, but Stefan had made a deal with security. Another fifty yards and then he would turn back. He reined in the horse. At the turn, Black slowed even more, sensing that turning around was the beginning of the end of the ride.

In the near distance, Stefan saw Eve riding Gus at the edge of the ocean. Surprising him again, she slid off the horse, kicked off her boots and rolled up her jeans. He rode closer as she waded into the water. “Careful,” he called. “The bottom drops off sharply. You don’t want to get—”

She took a step and sank in up to her chest, holding on to her hat. She let out a squeal that sent a shot of alarm through him. He swung off of Black, ready to pull her from the water. But then he heard her laughter. The sound reminded him of happy bells. As she trudged out of the ocean, she tugged at her wet shirt, pulling it away from her stomach, still giggling.

“You’re drenched,” he said. “I tried to warn you.”

She waved her hand and lifted her gaze to meet his. Even in the dark of the night, he could see her eyes glint with amusement. “It’s just water. I couldn’t resist. I haven’t left the barn long enough to visit the ocean since I’ve been here. It was just too tempting and I knew Gus wouldn’t go anywhere without me.”

Her lack of concern over the dunking was refreshing. Every other woman he knew would have been embarrassed and disgruntled. “I never intended for you to chain yourself to the barn. You’re entitled to take some time for yourself.”

“Not until after the parade,” she said. “I don’t want these babies misbehaving when they’re on my clock.” She put her foot in the stirrup and began to lift herself, then stepped back on the ground, shaking her head as she pulled up her jeans. “A little heavier than usual,” she murmured.

“A good soak will do that,” he said in a wry tone.

“To be perfectly honest, if my boss weren’t with me, I’d ditch the jeans until I got back to the barn,” she said and lifted herself again.

When she wobbled, Stefan gave her an extra boost on her backside. “Don’t let my presence deter you from your—comfort.”

Eve glanced down at him and for an instant he felt the scorching heat of sensual assessment in her gaze. She shook her head as if she were trying to clear it. “You surprise me, Your Highness. I didn’t know you were capable of flirting with your stable maid,” she drawled.

“You’re far more than a stable maid,” he said and then mounted Black. The way she’d emphasized the difference between his position and hers irritated him. This ride represented a time out for him. He wanted no reminders of his position. Determined to hold on to the last few moments of the ride, the sea air, the breeze, the darkness, he kept the stallion moving at a trot instead of a canter. Still it was no time before he and Eve arrived at the barn. She took care of Gus while he cared for Black. The stallion still seemed a bit restless as Stefan stepped from the stall.

He felt Eve move to his side. “He acts like he needs another ride,” Eve murmured.

Stefan glanced down at her, noticing the way she rubbed her arms. The shirt was still dark from her stroll in the ocean, and he suspected her jeans were very uncomfortable. He swore under his breath. “You’re still wet and I can tell you’re chilled. You need to get back to your room immediately.”

She wrinkled her brow in surprise and shrugged. “I’m fine. Like I said, it’s just water. I’m seriously considering a goat for Black. I think—”

“Enough about Black tonight. Go to your quarters and dry off,” Stefan said and, when she didn’t move, the next words automatically came out of his mouth, “I command it.”

Her eyes widened like saucers. “You command it?” she echoed in disbelief.

Stefan bit back an oath. He’d known from the beginning that Eve wouldn’t respond well to orders. He rarely pulled rank. Why in hell did she bring out the urge entirely too often? He bloody well couldn’t back down now. “I do.”

She blinked. “I’m not sure I like that.”

“It’s not that difficult to understand. You insist that my horses behave correctly because they are on your clock. In a way, you are on my clock,” he said. “I won’t have you getting pneumonia on my watch.”

“Are you comparing me to a horse?”

“No,” he said. “Besides the fact that Tina would kill me if anything happened to you, I wouldn’t be able to stand it myself.”

“But I’m not your responsibility,” she argued.

“You are in my country. Therefore, you are my responsibility.”

She stared at him for a long moment and shivered. His gaze lowered to her damp shirt stretched taut over her breasts, her nipples forming a tempting outline. He felt an immediate visceral response. Instinct urged him to rub her arms with his hands, to pull her against his body and make her warm. He clenched his hands into fists. Denial had been drilled into him since the day he was born, even more so when he’d come to understand the playboy image of his father and grandfather. When he’d come of age, many people had expected that he would follow in his father’s footsteps.

Stefan had wanted more. He wanted the opportunity to change and improve his country. For that, he had to be taken seriously. He’d kept his affairs scrupulously private. His duty and the sins of his father had forced him to hold his libido in check. Right now, though, for the first time in a long time, he fought the urge to pull the mouthy American Eve Jackson into his arms and make love to her against any flat surface available.

He reined in his surprising need. “I’ll walk you to your quarters,” he said.

“Oh, that’s so not necessary. I walk to my quarters by myself every night,” she said.

“You’re not dripping wet every night,” he said, extending his hand, determined to maintain control. “Come, now.”

Eve rolled her eyes, but placed her cool hand in his. “Sheesh, did anyone ever tell you that you take this Highlyness thing a bit far?”

“No one except my sisters,” he said as he led the way to the staff quarters. He rarely walked this path. Now that he saw it, he decided it needed a few more lights. “How late do you usually stay at the stables?”

She shrugged. “It depends. I usually grab a sandwich for dinner and head back around nine or ten.”

“I’m not sure it’s best for you to be walking back to the staff quarters unescorted every night,” he said.

“Oh, give me a break. I’ve spent my life going anywhere I need to go unescorted. Besides, I’ll bet you didn’t tell your previous stable master that he shouldn’t be walking around the grounds unescorted.”

“Trust me, he didn’t look at all like you. Plus, he never felt the necessity to work full-time let alone overtime. I prefer you leave the stables before dark for the next couple of nights. I’ll get motion lights installed.”

“We’ll see,” she muttered.

He gave a double take. “We’ll see?” he echoed. “I just gave you a very reasonable order.”

She sighed. “Do you really think you have criminals wandering around the palace grounds?”

“I’ll admit it’s not likely, and the security here is as good as it gets without causing claustrophobia, but nothing is perfect. I will be more comfortable if you avoid walking alone at night until there’s more lighting.”

“So this is about your comfort and not mine?” she said.

Damn, the woman was difficult, he thought. “Perhaps. You need to remember that you’re not just an employee. Because of your relationship with Tina, you’re also a friend of the family. We protect our friends.” He noticed her fighting a shiver and swore under his breath and rubbed her arms. “I shouldn’t be keeping you out in the cool air. Go inside and get warm.”

Her gaze met his for a moment and he saw a shot of liquid heat flash through her eyes. He saw the possibility of passion and felt it deep in his gut. She took a quick breath and her lips parted, drawing his attention. He wondered how that argumentative mouth would feel beneath his. He wondered how she would respond.

For once, Stefan had finally met a woman who didn’t give a damn about his title or position. She had no interest in pacifying him and would argue with him at the drop of a hat, yet he sensed that a part of her wanted him. Tempted, more so than he’d felt in a long time, he wondered if Eve could handle an affair with him. He suspected she met his requirement of being discreet. How messy would it be once their affair ended? Because they all ended.

She closed her eyes as if she were trying to shut down her emotions. That annoyed him. He wanted her open to him. He wanted to see the desire in her eyes again.

Taking another breath, she opened her eyes and took a step away from him. “Thanks for the night ride,” she said in a husky voice that brushed over his nerve endings. “Good night.”

He watched her jog inside the back door to the staff quarters and felt a surprising urge to go after her. He snuffed it out, of course. Even though Eve aroused more than his curiosity, he couldn’t rush into anything. There was too much at stake to be impulsive. There always had been and there always would be.

At ten o’clock the next morning, Eve was returning one of the horses to the stall when she heard Bridget’s voice.

“Bonjour, Mademoiselle Jackson,” she called. “I am your rescuer and have come to help you escape your drudgery for a while.”

Eve sighed, although she couldn’t deny she was amused. Bridget would do anything to get out of palace duties. She closed the door to Gus’s stall. “Bridget, that’s very sweet of you, but—”

“No refusals allowed,” Bridget said. “You and I have received orders from on high.”

Eve turned to face the princess and blinked at the sight. It was clear what the plans for the outing were from Bridget’s beach cover-up, gigantic sunglasses, a large-brim, black straw hat and designer beach bag.

“Orders from on high?” Eve echoed.

Bridget nodded. “Stefan has spoken. He says you need a day off, and I’ve been assigned to take you to the beach.” She lifted her finger. “Don’t you dare fight me on this. It wasn’t my idea, but it’s my first opportunity to have a little fun in what must be a century. If I have to attend another charity tea, I’ll scream. Besides, Stefan is right. You must take a break. Forgive me for being blunt, but you’re looking a bit, well, haggard.”

Eve hardly knew how to respond to Bridget’s mouthful of drama. She’d already shot down Eve’s objections before she’d had a chance to voice them. “I have difficulty believing the palace protests other members of the staff working too hard.”

Bridget gave a tsk-ing sound. “Eve, other members of the staff take every possible break. Besides, you’re not just staff. Tina gave you to us. The rules are different. Oh, for goodness’ sake, I’m suggesting a day at the beach. Not the guillotine. Your reluctance is insulting. Do you dislike me so much?”

Eve laughed in exasperation. “I don’t dislike you. I just need to stay on top of my duties. The parade is days away—”

“And everything is going to go brilliantly. In the meantime, the sun is shining and the beach is calling.” She clapped her hands lightly. “Come, come. You do have a swimsuit, don’t you?

“Yes, but—”

“No buts,” Bridget said.

“You Devereaux drive a hard bargain,” Eve said.

“Oh, good,” Bridget said. “I smell the sweet scent of surrender. Don’t worry about sunscreen. I have plenty. Move along.”

Within forty-five minutes, Eve and Bridget were reclining in lounge chairs on a semi-private beach where, magically it seemed, servers appeared to deliver refreshing beverages and snacks.

“Are you sure you don’t want more than water?” Bridget asked.

“For now,” Eve said, closing her eyes and enjoying the feeling of sunshine and gentle ocean breeze over her skin. “You and Stefan were right. I needed this.”

“Of course I was right,” Bridget said, neatly eliminating Stefan from the equation. “The staff has prepared lunch. We can eat in an hour or two. They’ll also be putting up umbrellas soon. It has occurred to me that you’ve been too busy to make new friends in Chantaine since you arrived. In the same vein, you haven’t had the opportunity to meet any men. While I’ll confess that the selection is much better in Europe than here,” Bridget said in a dry voice, “I could introduce you to someone who could amuse you. You and I could visit one of our nightclubs.”

“Not my thing,” Eve said, keeping her eyes closed.

“Why ever not? What do you do for fun?”

“I enjoy riding and taking care of horses. I enjoy the beach. I like to read. I like to play card games and Chicken Scratch—”

“Oh, well, I can agree with Chicken Scratch. We are all determined to have you return for family dinner night and another round of it,” Bridget said.

“Great,” Eve said wryly. “I can’t wait to have the entire Devereaux dynasty gang up on me.”

Bridget laughed. “It’s your fault. You started it.” “I thought this was supposed to help me relax,” Eve muttered, but focused on the sound of the ocean waves.

She cautioned herself not to get used to it, but this was bliss. She drifted off….

“Is she getting too much sun?”

The voice, which seemed to affect her on a cellular level, awakened her with no warning and she sat up, disoriented. “What?”

The tall, strong body of Prince Stefan towered over her, casting a long shadow. Eve covered her eyes at the bright sunlight.

“Not at all. She applied sunscreen, and the staff put up an umbrella to shield her. Poor thing must be dead tired. She’s been asleep for the last half hour. Stefan, you’re working her too hard,” Bridget said.

“It’s not me,” he said. “She insists on working from before dawn to after dusk. The American way.”

Eve drew in a mind-clearing breath and tried to dismiss the effect Stefan had on her. She noticed he was dressed in a dark suit and the contrast with the white sand distracted her. She wondered how he would look wearing just a swim suit. Or less. “I’m awake now. You can talk to me instead of about me.”

Bridget giggled. “I tried to talk Eve into going to a nightclub with me, but she wasn’t interested. You should wave your imperial wand, Stefan. That was the only way I was able to persuade her to join me at the beach. I’m sure Tina would want to make sure we’re introducing her to new friends, including new male friends.”

“Perhaps Eve isn’t interested in the kind of men she would meet at a club,” Stefan said.

“Won’t know till she tries,” Bridget said in an airy voice. “However, I would be more than willing to escort her to Italy. I have the perfect club selected for tonight, thought—”

“I couldn’t be less interested in a club tonight,” Eve said. “The little trip to this perfect beach has relaxed me so much it scares me. Even though I’m being a slug today, I’m certain I’ll sleep like a log tonight. I think it’s the sea air.”

“Good to hear it,” Stefan said with a nod. “The family is having an early dinner with Jacques since he will be returning this weekend. We want you to join us.”

Eve slid a sideways glance at Bridget, who looked as innocent as possible in her black bikini and straw hat with a martini in her hand. “I’m sure you would prefer to keep the night to just your family. I don’t want to interfere.”

“We insist,” Stefan said, using the royal we.

“This is about Chicken Scratch, isn’t it?” Eve said glumly.

“My siblings are compelled to hold a rematch,” Stefan said.

“Okay, okay,” Eve said. “But only two games.”

“That leaves no opportunity for a tiebreaker,” Bridget said.

“Exactly,” Eve said.

Stefan met Eve’s gaze and shot her a grin that mixed challenge and sensuality. The combination sent a ripple down her spine. “I look forward to the evening,” he said and walked away.

Eve sank back against her lounge and groaned. “I thought you intended this to be relaxing.”

“It is,” Bridget said cheerfully as she lifted her martini glass.

“How can I relax knowing I’m attending a family dinner at the palace where all of you want to rip me to shreds?” Eve asked.

“The dinner will be delicious,” Bridget said. “We only want to best you at Chicken Scratch. It’s a matter of honor.”

“Good luck,” Eve said. She was from Texas, and a Texan fought till the bloody end.

“Would you like a drink?”

“Not until we’re finished with the game,” Eve said.