Читать книгу By Request Collection Part 3 - Майя Бэнкс, Robyn Donald - Страница 28

‘I COULDN’T have done a better job of botching that if I’d tried.’ Luisa grimaced as she followed Lukas through a maze of corridors to her suite.

She’d do better in future.

Her skin crawled at the memory of censorious eyes on her: an upstart foreigner, not only gauche but clumsy.

‘Nothing of the sort, ma’am. You carried it off with great composure.’

Luisa smiled gratefully. Lukas really was a nice man. Surprisingly nice for someone in the Prince’s employ.

‘Thanks, Lukas, but there’s no need to pretend. I saw the way they looked, and their impatience that I wanted to read what I signed.’

‘It’s true some of the advisers are rather old school.’ Lukas cleared his throat and gestured for her to precede him down another wide corridor. ‘I’m sure His Highness wouldn’t mind me saying that’s been one of his challenges in running the country as a modern state—bringing them along in the process of reform.’

Luisa’s eyes widened. It hadn’t occurred to her Raul would have difficulties. With his take charge attitude and formidable determination she couldn’t imagine it.

‘You talk as if he’s been in charge of the country a long time. I thought the King only died recently.’

A hint of a flush coloured Lukas’ cheeks. ‘That’s correct, ma’am.’ He paused and then, with the air of making a sudden decision, added, ‘But His Highness was in many ways responsible for running the country long before that. The previous king … left a lot in the Prince’s hands.’

Luisa’s mind snagged on Lukas’ words, trying to read the subtext. There was one. Something he skated around rather than spelling out. It was on the tip of her tongue to press for an explanation, till she read his discomfort.

‘And is it still difficult?’

Lukas shrugged. ‘The Prince has made his mark and even the more old-fashioned courtiers see the benefits. But there are some who resent change. Some who’d rather vie for personal power than cooperate in a national effort to modernise.’

Her steps slowed. Lukas’ assessment echoed Raul’s words. She’d half dismissed that as a smokescreen, veiling the fact he simply coveted the crown. Though lately she’d wondered. Seeing him with others, she’d caught glimpses of a reasonable man, even a caring one.

Was there more truth in Raul’s words than she’d thought? He claimed he acted for the country as well as himself. Was it possible? It was tempting to hope so.

Yet nothing excused Raul’s behaviour towards her.

‘As for today, ma’am,’ Lukas said, ‘I know the Prince was very pleased with your first official appearance.’

She just bet he was! She’d signed his precious documents. Yet she hadn’t missed the way he’d hovered, eager for her to sign and be done with it. If she was truthful, it wasn’t just the habit of reading legal papers carefully that had made her delay. A tiny part of her had wanted him on tenterhooks, wondering if she’d go through with it.

As if she’d had a choice! Besides, she’d given her word.

Her heart plunged at the implications of what she’d just done. No turning back now.

‘Lukas, I’ve changed my mind. Can you show me the way to the gardens? I need some fresh air.’

Forty minutes later Luisa felt less claustrophobic. Wandering through the courtyards she’d found a gardener. They’d discussed the grounds with enthusiasm and sign language since her Maritzian was sparse and Gregor, the gardener, spoke a particularly thick dialect.

They’d toured the terraces and rose garden, where Luisa recognised the names of gorgeous old roses her mother had mentioned. They’d visited an orchard in the moat, a walled garden with fountains and arbours and the kitchen garden where Luisa struggled to identify the rarer herbs.

For the first time in days she felt as if she’d stepped out of her nightmare and into the real world, with the scent of rich soil and growing things around her.

She breathed deep as she climbed the spiral staircase in the battlements. Gregor had said, if she understood right, that she’d see the parterre garden from here. She’d read about such gardens, with their intricate patterns laid out in plants and gravel paths, but the view from the ground didn’t give the full effect.

She could have seen it from the castle. But she didn’t want to meet any of the disapproving VIPs who’d witnessed her accession to the title of Princess of Ardissia.

Princess! Her stomach curdled, thinking about it. Or was that because of the tower? She didn’t have a head for heights and the open window beside her gave a dizzying view to the city below.

Luisa pressed a damp palm to the wall and kept moving. Soon she emerged at a low opening looking towards the castle. Someone had been working here and she side-stepped a pile of tools. The opening was so low she felt safer on her knees, her hands on the stonework.

The garden was spectacular, though overgrown. She made out the remnants of the Maritzian dragon, the one flying on the flag from the topmost turret, laid out in the hedges below. Shrubs with gold foliage denoted its eyes and a straggling group of red-leaved plants might have been its fiery breath. Its tail was missing and a path cut through one claw, yet it was still magnificent.

Enchanted, Luisa leaned a little further out.

She’d inherited her mother’s love of gardens, though she’d had little time to indulge the interest.

Movement caught her eye. She looked up to see a familiar figure striding through the garden. Raul. Instantly, absurdly, her pulse fluttered.

He saw her and shouted something as he raced forward.

Instinctively Luisa recoiled, feeling as if she’d been caught trespassing. She pushed back and again that dizzy sensation hit. Only this time it wasn’t just in her head.

To her horror, the wall beneath her hands shifted. Instead of rising up, her movement pushed her further out, the stone sliding forward with a terrible grinding noise.

She scrabbled back but her centre of gravity was too far forward. With a loud groan, the old sill tumbled out of her grasp to fall, with dreadful resounding thuds, to the ground below.

Luisa lurched forward, spreadeagled over jagged rock, her arms dangling into space and her eyes focused disbelievingly on the sheer drop below. Masonry bruised her ribs but she couldn’t get breath to try inching back. Fear of another fall, this time with her in it, froze her.

She couldn’t see Raul now and the staccato beat of blood in her ears drowned every sound. Her throat closed so she couldn’t even yell for help. Swirling nausea made her head swim.

Her breath came in jerky gasps as she tried to crawl backwards, only to slide further forward as another block tumbled with a reverberating crash.

Any minute now, that could be her.

‘It’s all right.’ The deep, soothing voice barely penetrated her consciousness. ‘I’ve got you.’ On the words strong arms slid beneath her waist.

‘No!’ she gasped, terror freezing her muscles. ‘Keep back. It’s too dangerous.’ Surely Raul’s weight with hers on the unstable wall would send them both plummeting.

‘Don’t move. Just relax and let me do this.’

‘Relax?’ He must be kidding. Luisa squeezed her eyes shut as swirling dots appeared in her vision.

Her body was rigid as he hauled her back, his arms locked around her. She waited, breathless, for the ominous groan of rock on rock. Instead she heard Raul’s indrawn breath as he took her weight against him, dragging her slowly but inexorably to safety.

There was heat behind her. Searing heat that branded her back as he held her to him. His breath feathered her nape and his hands gripped so hard she wondered if she’d have bruises. But they’d be nothing to the bruises on her ribs from the stones. Or to her injuries if she’d fallen.

A shudder racked her and she squeezed her eyes even tighter, trying to block the pictures her mind conjured.

‘Shh. It’s all right. You’re safe. I promise.’ Yet the tremors wouldn’t subside. Her teeth began to chatter.

Desperately she sought for composure. ‘I n-never did l-like heights.’

‘Open your eyes.’ He held her away and the shaking worsened. Her eyes snapped open in protest but he was already lowering her to sit on the floor.

Luisa slumped like a rag doll, her bones water. Even now the view down to the distant flagstones was emblazoned on her brain.

‘Here, lean forward.’ She did as she was told and heat enveloped her as Raul draped his jacket around her quaking shoulders. A subtle spicy scent surrounded her. The scent of Raul’s aftershave. Or perhaps the scent of him. Luisa breathed deep, letting the fragrance fill her lungs.

She lifted her head. He stood before her, hands on hips, brow pleated and mouth a stark line.

Luisa had seen him without a jacket only once, briefly, in the limo. Always he was impeccably dressed. It shocked her that beneath that tailored elegance was a broad chest of considerable power.

Her eyes trailed over his heaving torso, noting the way his stance drew the fine cotton of his shirt taut, moulding to a body that wasn’t that of an effete clothes horse but a strong, very masculine man. Luisa’s heart skittered to a new rhythm as she remembered that solid muscle pressed against her on the boat in Paris. No wonder he’d felt so good!

‘We need to get you inside where it’s warm.’ Yet he didn’t move to help her rise. Did he see how weak she was?

Shakily she nodded, drawing his jacket close. ‘Soon. I need to get my b-breath.’ She had to pull herself together but she couldn’t quite manage it.

‘Here.’ With a quick stride, Raul moved behind her. Next thing she knew, those capable hands were on her again. He pulled her up and across his lap as he sat leaning against the wall opposite the gap.

Luisa should protest. She didn’t want to be this close to him. But she didn’t have the energy to resist and had to be content holding herself as stiff as she could in his arms. As if she could ignore the heat of those solid, muscular thighs or his arms around her!

‘I hope that wall’s safe!’

‘It’s fine. Don’t worry. It’s only the other side that’s a problem.’ He hauled her closer so her shoulder was tucked into his chest. ‘Didn’t you see the warning sign?’

She recalled a neat sign at the base of the tower but she’d barely glanced at it.

‘The door was unlocked.’

‘It won’t be in future.’ His voice was grim. ‘Not until it’s safe.’ He tugged her closer but she resisted. Any nearer and her head would be on his shoulder. The idea both attracted and horrified her.

‘Why did you come up here? You get finer views from the other side of the castle.’

She shrugged jerkily. ‘I wanted to see the parterre garden. Gregor showed it to me, but you don’t get the effect from the ground.’

‘Gregor?’ A steely note in his voice made her turn and meet his eyes head-on. They had darkened to a shade of rich forest-green. This close she was surprised to find a glimmer of scintillating gold sprinkled there too.

‘Yes.’ She found she was leaning towards him and drew back abruptly. ‘One of your gardeners. He showed me around.’

The frown returned to Raul’s face and his mouth flattened. But, instead of marring his features, it made him look like a sulky angel.

A quiver began low in her stomach that had nothing to do with her recent scare.

‘He didn’t encourage you to come up here, did he?’

‘Of course not.’ It was only now she realised Gregor’s gestures had been to warn her away from the unsafe structure.

‘Thank you for saving me.’ She should have thanked Raul immediately but her brain was too frazzled.

‘I’m just glad I saw you when I did.’ His hold firmed and his frown became a scowl, as if he’d like to blame someone.

Luisa looked at his concerned expression and tried to remember how callous he was. That he’d forced her hand.

‘Just think. If you hadn’t reached me, you mightn’t have had a princess to marry. Then you’d never inherit.’

A large firm hand cupped her jaw and cheek. His gaze snared hers and her breath caught. The gold in his eyes seemed to flare brighter. Or was that because he was nearer?

He shook his head slowly. ‘If there was no princess, the contract would no longer bind me.’ His thumb slid under her chin and Luisa’s eyelashes fluttered as a strange lethargic heat stole through her. ‘I’d have been free to marry whomever I want.’

‘Is there someone you want to marry?’ The notion clawed Luisa back from the brink of surrendering to his caress.

‘Don’t worry, Luisa.’ His face loomed closer. ‘You’re not coming between me and the love of my life.’

‘So there’s no one special?’ It confirmed his cold-blooded approach to marriage. But right now, dazzled by his brilliant stare, lulled by his rhythmic caress and the encompassing heat of his body, Luisa couldn’t scrape the energy to be outraged. She felt … distanced from pain. Who’d have thought she’d find solace in Raul’s embrace? There was unexpected pleasure in the sense that, for this moment at least, they could be frank.

‘No one who matters.’ His warm breath caressed her face and she struggled to find the anger that had burned within her before. Surely she shouldn’t enjoy being here, with him.

‘You really are ruthless, aren’t you?’ Her tone was conversational, curious, rather than accusing.

It was as if, after the shock of her accident, she floated on another plane where all that mattered was that she was safe in Raul’s strong arms.

He shifted and she found her head lolling against his shoulder, his body cradling hers. She almost sighed at how good that felt. She felt boneless, like a cat being stroked in the sun.

‘If you mean that I plan to get what I want, then yes.’ His lips curved in a smile that held something other than humour. His intense focus reminded her of the way he’d watched her in Paris. Heat filled her.

‘Have you always managed to get your own way?’ She should protest about how he held her but it felt so good and Luisa liked this new, unreal world where she and Raul weren’t at daggers drawn. Where that fragile connection shimmered in the still air.

He shook his head. ‘Far from it. I was anything but spoiled. My mother died in childbirth and my father was impatient with children.’

Her heart clenched. No wonder Raul was so self-sufficient. She stared up at his perfectly sculpted mouth, just made for reducing women to mindless adoration.

‘But as an adult. With women, I bet you’ve always—’

‘Luisa.’ The hand at her jaw slid round to thread through her hair and hold the back of her head. His eyes gleamed with an inner fire. ‘You’re talking too much.’

She watched those lips descend in slow motion. As if he gave her a chance to pull free. Or to savour their impending kiss. Excitement raced through her.

By the time his mouth covered hers Luisa’s breath had stalled, her lips opening to meet his, her pulse an insistent, urgent beat.

Their kiss was slow, a leisurely giving and receiving of pleasure. Delight swamped her in a warm, sultry wave. This wasn’t like the forceful, hungry passion they’d shared in Paris.

A voice in her head tried to point out that in Paris they’d shared nothing. Raul hadn’t felt anything.

But Paris seemed so far away.

Here, now, this felt like something shared. Something offered and accepted. Not dominance or submission. Not demand or acquiescence, but something utterly, satisfyingly mutual.

Luisa slipped an arm around his waist, revelling in how his muscles tensed then relaxed to her touch, testament to the leashed power of the man caressing her so gently. The realisation heightened her pleasure.

His tongue curled against hers as he drew her deeper into his mouth and the little voice of sanity subsided, overwhelmed by the magic Raul wove with his kiss, his big body, his tenderness.

Desire unfurled within her like a bud opening to the sunlight. Tendrils spread low to the feminine hollow between her legs. Up to her breasts that tingled as he pulled her closer, as if to absorb her into his body.

Her other hand rose to splay across his neck, discovering the pulse thudding heavily at his jaw. Then up to tangle in the rough silk of his hair.

Raul growled at the back of his throat. The raw sound of pleasure thrilled across her skin and sent heat plunging through her.

The languor that had held her spellbound dissipated and she wriggled against him, wanting more. The tingle of sensation at her hardening nipples became a prickle of need. The lavish, slow swirling eddy of delight in her belly grew more urgent.

Then, abruptly, he pulled back. Just enough for her to see his face. Stunned, it took a moment to read the heat in his hooded gaze and realise he was breathing heavily.

He grasped her wrist and tugged it down, holding it securely away from him.

‘Next time—’ his nostrils flared as he drew a deep breath ‘—if you want a tour, ask me. I’ll arrange to come with you or have someone guide you. Agreed? ‘

Silently Luisa nodded, her mind abuzz, her world rocked out of kilter. Could she blame shock for the fact that she wanted to fall back into the arms of the man she’d been so sure she detested?

Two weeks later, in conversation with a gallery curator, Raul found his gaze straying to Luisa. She stood before a display of botanical studies, talking to the junior curator who’d organised the exhibit.

Raul’s gaze slid appreciatively up her slender legs. It was the first time he’d seen her in a dress and he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Especially when she smiled at her companion with all the warmth of her sunny homeland.

The impact was stunning. Heat flickered along his veins and pooled in his groin.

She was blossoming into a lovely woman. That had to explain why she’d been knotting his belly with thwarted desire since Paris.

And why he’d succumbed to temptation and kissed her in the tower. His pulse jumped and a spike of something like fear drove through his chest at the memory of her sprawled out over that fatal drop. The need to hold her and not release her had been unstoppable. The hunger for another sweet taste of her lips inexplicable.

It disturbed him, the force of this unexpected attraction.

She was utterly unlike his usual companions. She was unpolished, preferring flats to high heels and avoiding even the simplest of her inherited jewellery. She had a habit of talking to anyone, particularly the staff, rather than to VIPs. He sensed she’d be as happy chatting to the gardeners as attending a glitzy premiere occasion.

Yet his heart lifted when he was with her.

He told himself that was sentimental twaddle. Yet there was definitely something about his bride-to-be.

Raul shook his head. Didn’t he prefer his women sophisticated, assured and sexy?

Why did Luisa infiltrate his thoughts at every turn? Why had he found it so hard to release her that day in the tower? Or to pursue his own busy agenda while she began her lessons in language, etiquette, history and culture?

Because he wanted her. And, almost as much as he wanted her, he wanted her company.

Raul turned to his companion. ‘Could the Princess and I have time alone to view the rest of the exhibition?’

The curator agreed enthusiastically. Such interest boded well. Two minutes later Raul and Luisa were alone. Even the guard at the door discreetly melted into an adjoining space.

‘Thank you.’ She turned to him and he saw her eyes were overbright. His heart thumped an unfamiliar beat and his hand closed automatically over hers.

‘Are you OK?’ He’d thought to please her with this visit, not upset her. Show her she did have a connection with his homeland.

‘I didn’t expect to see my mum’s work on show. It was a lovely surprise.’

Raul shrugged. ‘She was a talented artist. It’s a shame she didn’t continue her botanical painting.’

Luisa looked away. ‘She dabbled but she said it was a discipline that needed dedication. She couldn’t give that. Not with the farm.’

He nodded. It was clear what a toll that place had taken on Luisa’s family. Her mother should have more than early works on display. She would have if she’d not embraced a life of hardship. All for the supposed love of a man who could give her so little.

People were fools, falling for the fantasy of love.

So-called love was an illusion. A trap for the unwary. Hadn’t he learnt that to his cost?

‘It was kind of you to bring me.’ She touched his sleeve and looked up from under her lashes in an unconsciously provocative way that made heat curl in his gut. ‘Lukas told me you rarely have time for such things, especially now.’

‘It was nothing. It’s been a while since I visited and there were issues to discuss.’ The last thing he needed was for her to get the idea he’d changed his schedule for her. Even if it was true.

Luisa had been stoically uncomplaining through her first weeks in Maritz. Yet the change must be difficult for her. Despite her heavy tuition schedule he’d often glanced up from a meeting to see her wandering in the gardens and he had the discomfiting notion she was lonely, despite her ever-widening acquaintance.

Guilt blanketed him. She was here because of him, his country, his needs. What did she personally get out of it?

She wasn’t interested in riches or prestige. The only money she wanted was to save her friends.

His lips twisted. She didn’t see him as a prize, even if she couldn’t conceal the passion that flared when he kissed her. Luisa Hardwicke was a salutary lesson to his ego.

‘I had no idea Mum’s work was so well regarded.’ She turned to examine a delicate drawing of a mountain wildflower and he followed, not wanting to lose the warmth of her hand on his arm.

‘Tell me about her.’

Luisa swung round. ‘Why?’

He shrugged, making light of his sudden need to understand Luisa’s family, and her. ‘She must have been strong to have stood up to your grandfather.’

Luisa grimaced. ‘Maybe it’s a family trait.’

‘Sorry?’

She shook her head. ‘I thought she was remarkable. And so did my dad.’

Raul threaded his fingers through hers, pleased when she didn’t pull away. ‘Tell me.’

For a long moment she regarded him. Then she seemed to make up her mind. ‘She was like other mums. Hard working, making do, running a household and doing the books. Always busy.’ Luisa paused. ‘She made the best cinnamon Christmas biscuits and she gave the warmest hugs—guaranteed to make you feel better every time. She loved roses and had an eye for fashion, even if we couldn’t afford to buy it.’

Luisa moved to the next picture and he followed. ‘She hated ironing and she detested getting up early.’

‘Not suited to be a farmer’s wife then.’ The change from palace to dairy must have been hard. Had the marriage been a disaster? He frowned. It didn’t sound so.

Luisa laughed, a rich, lilting chuckle and Raul’s senses stirred. ‘That’s what Dad used to say. He’d shake his head and pretend to be scared she’d go back to her glamorous world. Mum would smile that special smile she saved for him and say she couldn’t possibly leave till she mastered the art of cooking sponge cakes as well as my aunt. Dad would say no one could ever make sponges like Mary, so Mum would just have to stay for ever. Then he’d kiss her.’

Raul felt the delicate tremor in her hand and watched a wistful smile flit across Luisa’s features. He knew an unaccountable desire to experience what she had. The warmth, the love. A childhood of cinnamon biscuits and hugs. How different from his own upbringing!

‘But how did it work?’ He found himself curious. ‘They were so different.’

She shrugged. ‘They came from different worlds but they made their own together. Dad said she made him feel like a king. Mum always said he made her feel more like a princess than she’d ever felt living in a palace.’ Luisa swung to face him. ‘Life with my grandfather wasn’t pleasant. He tried to force her into marrying someone she detested, just to cement a deal. There was no laughter, no fun. Not like in our home.’

Someone she detested. Did Raul fit that category for Luisa? He told himself the country must come first, yet he couldn’t squash regret.

‘They were in love; that was the secret.’

It didn’t take a genius to know that was what Luisa had wanted for herself. Till he’d come along.

Never before had Raul’s duty seemed so onerous. He was doomed to disappoint her. He didn’t even believe in love. He’d never experienced it.

‘But she loved it here.’ Luisa turned to him, her smile a shade too bright. ‘Mum wanted to bring us one day to see it.’

‘I’m glad.’ He paused, clasping her hand more firmly. ‘In time I hope you come to love it too. It’s a special place. There are no people like Maritzians.’

‘You’re not biased, are you?’

‘Surely that’s my prerogative.’ He led her towards the rest of the exhibition, regaling her with a traditional local story. It surprised him how much he wanted to hear her laugh again.

Raul strode swiftly to his study. There was a crushing amount of work to do and, though the unrest in the provinces had abated a little, he couldn’t afford to be complacent.

Yet the wedding tomorrow, a small affair since the nation was in mourning for his father, would pave the way for his coronation and go a long way to solving his problems.

Taking his bride to bed would go a long way towards easing the permanent ache in his groin.

Anticipation pulsed in his blood at the thought of his wedding night to come. His desire for Luisa grew daily.

The more time he spent with his bride-to-be the more she fascinated him. She was vibrant, engaging, determinedly independent and down-to-earth. Different from every other woman he knew.

Even now he never knew what to expect from her.

Lukas approached as he reached the study.

‘Your Highness.’ He fell into step beside Raul.

‘Yes? Am I late for my meeting?’

‘No, not that.’ His secretary hesitated, his mouth turning down. ‘You have a visitor. I wanted to warn—’

‘Raul. Darling!’ The husky female voice came from the door ahead. For one shattered instant Raul felt his feet rivet to the floor as shock vibrated through him. His hands clenched into fists. Then, bracing himself, he slowly approached the blonde draped in the doorway.

‘This is unexpected, Ana. What are you doing here?’

‘Surely you didn’t expect me to miss your wedding, darling?’ She straightened and lifted her head, her lips a crimson pout. ‘Your invitation didn’t reach me. Luckily I heard about it on the grapevine.’

He stopped a metre away, distaste prickling his skin. Foolishly, he’d thought he’d seen the last of her, for the time being at least.

They weren’t in public so there was no need for a courteous bow. And she could wait till hell froze over before he took up the invitation implicit in that pout.

Not when she was the woman who eight years ago had dragged him to hell.