Cinderella's Secret Royal Fling Page 15

  If this had been a traditional ball then Laurent would have been expected to lead the dancing, starting with Simone as wife of the guest of honour, followed by his own mother and then Bella, but the three separate dance areas swept away the usual etiquette and Laurent thankfully slipped away to explore. He had elected to dress simply in his dress uniform. If anyone asked he would claim to be Theseus, the general. All he needed was his Hippolyta. But he snagged a cloak and mask from the table to give himself some privacy, covering his uniform with the cloak and hiding his features with the half-mask.

  The disguise was liberating. When he returned to the ballroom it was with complete and rare anonymity; he was free to wander through the ballroom and stand by the French windows, open onto the terrace beyond, without acting either the host or the Prince. In fact, he could go anywhere and nobody would be any the wiser. Now he just needed to find Emilia. He knew she was here somewhere.

  Deciding to start in the gardens, he began to turn, only to come to a stop as a girl entered the room.

  She wore a soft yellow dress shot through with silver, the same silver covering half her face, soft brown hair piled high on her head. Hazel eyes searched the room and his pulse began to thrum as they rested on him. He was cloaked and masked, anonymous, but her soft smile recognised and beckoned him. Wordlessly he crossed the room to stand before her.

  He bowed with a flourish and she responded with a low gracious curtsey.

  ‘You came?’ he said.

  ‘I decided I’m tired of hiding away in the kitchen.’ Her gaze swept the room and she sighed in relief. ‘It’s all going well?’

  ‘Whoever organised it did a brilliant job,’ he assured her and was rewarded with another smile.

  ‘It’s easy when there is a backdrop like this.’

  ‘How did you recognise me?’ he asked.

  ‘I’d know you anywhere.’

  At her soft words his pulse sped even more, his blood roaring as it rushed around his body, primal possession seizing him. She knew him and he knew her. She was his as he was hers and nothing could change that. It was wrong to even try.

  ‘I heard you earlier today,’ he said quickly, needing her to know before they went any further. ‘I heard you with your father, I heard what you said. Thank you. But I didn’t need to hear it to know that you are exactly what Armaria needs, because you are what I need.’

  ‘Laurent...’

  ‘I know we haven’t known each other long. I know my life is unusual. I know being photographed and speculated about is uncomfortable, but that’s not all my life is about. It’s about this amazing country and its amazing people. It’s about taking chances. There’s fun and laughter and love in there, even though I sometimes let duty overwhelm me. I want to share that love and laughter with you. I think I rushed in too quickly before. I don’t think you should stay. I think I need to see your life and you need to see mine, that we should date. I think we should get to know each other. I think we should go to the cinema and out for dinner, take long walks and spend slow afternoons just talking, weekends away, maybe a trip to Rome. I’d like to take a Roman holiday with you, scooter and Prosecco and all. I would like to get to know you properly, Emilia. I would like to have the opportunity to woo you.’

  ‘To woo me?’ There it was, the dimple at the corner of her mouth, peeping out. He reached out and touched it, relishing the feel of her skin under his.

  ‘To woo you,’ he confirmed. ‘You see, I already know you’re the one for me. I knew it the minute I first saw you, only it took me a while to make sense of what my heart was telling me. But I can see that it might seem a little crazy to you, that you may need some time.’

  ‘Walk with me,’ Emilia said. ‘I want to see what’s outside.’

  It wasn’t a yes, but nor was it a no and, as Laurent took the hand she was holding out to him, he felt more full of hope than he had for a long, long time.

  * * *

  She couldn’t believe that she was here, walking through the magical light-filled wonderland she had created, listening to the music and the chatter. Actors performed Shakespeare in the rose garden and in the distance, through the trees, acrobats performed a gravity-defying set. To her right, on an outdoor stage, two dancers performed a pas de deux of such breathtaking beauty all she could do was stand and stare until the last lift. In the marquee ahead of them partygoers danced to the rock her father adored, in the ballroom behind her couples were sweeping around the floor in a traditional waltz. People walked by, holding a whole variety of drinks or foods, their costumes bright and ornate.

  And as she walked and stood and marvelled there was Laurent, solid and real, his hand in hers. The cloak hid his uniform, the mask half his face, but she’d know that mouth anywhere, the blue eyes, the way he held his body. The way he looked at her as if he saw her soul.

  Happiness rippled through her, so rare and fragile but real. It had been so long since she had felt this way and it was down to the man next to her. The way he made her feel, the way he felt about her. ‘You talked to Dad about me?’

  She felt him tense and squeezed his hand reassuringly.

  ‘A little, the first day they arrived.’

  ‘I don’t know what you said but he said you didn’t mince your words. You didn’t need to do that for me, Laurent—what about the factory?’

  ‘The factory is important, you know that. But integrity is important too. What kind of man would I be to sell out love for profit?’

  Love. Emilia took a deep breath. It was time she dared to show her feelings, time to dare to be vulnerable. ‘You told me once that duty dictated who you are and what you did. But it doesn’t. You just know what’s right. It’s part of you, innate. But me? Fear has dictated everything for me. Fear of not being enough, fear of being left.’

  ‘That’s understandable. Your experiences would make anyone feel that way.’

  ‘I told you I couldn’t be with you and I meant it. I thought that the memories of one night would be the most I would ever get. That a lifetime with someone is too scary to dream of, too out of reach. Better to flame briefly and brightly and die than burn out.’

  His clasp tightened and he turned to face her, tilting her chin so she met his fearless gaze. Emilia’s stomach tightened as she saw the heat in the depths of his eyes, a heat her whole body yearned to match. ‘You told me to go and, like a fool, I listened. But I’ve changed my mind. I’m not going anywhere. A flame doesn’t have to burn out; it can be constant. You light up my life, Emilia Clayton. I want to learn to read your every thought and fleeting look. I want shared jokes and known danger areas. I want to see you first thing in the morning and last thing at night. And I’ll be dammed if I spend the rest of my life thinking What-if? because I know. I shouldn’t know because I’m a rational man and I don’t believe in love at first sight, but I know we’ll be happy. If I was writing that film of yours then your Princess and Cary Grant...’

  ‘Gregory Peck.’

  He squeezed her hand. ‘Your Princess and Gregory Peck get on that scooter and they ride off into the sunset together. I want to ride into every sunset with you. I am not going to leave you.’

  ‘I wanted you to,’ she confessed. ‘Because that was easier than actually trying and it not working out. Of really getting to know you and care for you and then you leaving. That scared me—scares me—most of all. You can’t promise that won’t happen—no one can.’

  ‘Are you saying you don’t want to try?’

  ‘No. At least, a bit of me is still yelling loudly that this is too much of a risk, that it’s better to walk away now. But I am sick of being afraid, tired of letting what happened in the past define me. I don’t want to look back at a life half lived, half loved. I want to look back at a life where I gave it my all.’

  ‘And is there space in that life for me?’

  Emilia took a deep breath. ‘It seems so absurd a
fter so short a time, but I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I don’t want to imagine my life without you in it. So if you want to be there, then yes, there’s space.’ She trembled as she said the words, at how vulnerable she was making herself, knowing that now they were said there was no unsaying them, now she was allowing herself to really feel there was no way of guarding her heart. ‘There’s space to learn each other’s worlds. For films and walks on the beach, for dinners and brunches. For all the in-betweens.’

  ‘I want to be there. I know it won’t be easy. You live in England, I here, we both have lives and duties. But I promised to woo you, Emilia, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.’

  ‘I like a man who keeps his promises,’ she whispered as his mouth found hers. The ball, her fears, her responsibilities all disappeared under his embrace. She pulled back, cupping his face in hers. ‘I don’t need wooing, Laurent. I’m in. I’m yours if you’re sure.’

  ‘I’m sure,’ he vowed. ‘I know where the end point is. I know that in six months, or a year, one day I’ll know the time is right, that you’ll be ready and I’ll ask you to be my Archduchess and you’ll make the most splendid Archduchess Armaria has ever known. But, more importantly, I’ll ask you to be my wife. Not just because you’re suitable, but because I love you and I can’t imagine a life that doesn’t have you in it.’

  ‘Keep remembering those words,’ Emilia said, eyes burning with unshed tears—but, for the first time she could remember they were tears of happiness. ‘They’ll be perfect for the proposal.’

  ‘Come on.’ Laurent started to walk and Emilia allowed him to pull her along.

  ‘Where are we going?’

  ‘I want to dance with my beautiful duchess-to-be. In front of everyone.’

  They’d reached the ballroom. Emilia could see her dad twirling Simone around. He looked so happy, Simone smiling up at him. She might not like the way they’d found each other but she couldn’t deny they suited each other. In the opposite corner Bella was dancing with Laurent’s second cousin, her face lit up. Laurent halted and then slowly, deliberately removed his gown and mask before taking Emilia’s mask off her. She shivered as his fingers brushed her cheek.

  ‘No more hiding,’ he told her. ‘From now on we’re a team—and we face all our fears together.’

  Emilia could barely speak. She was no longer alone. This glorious, strong man needed her—and she needed him. ‘Together,’ she repeated. ‘I’ll do my best to make sure we both live happily ever after.’

  ‘In that case—’ he bowed ‘—will you do me the honour?’ Laurent held out his hand and she took it.

  ‘Always,’ she promised.

  His eyes flared and as he swept her into the dance his mouth found hers. Emilia kissed him back with all the intensity and passion and love she had, not caring who was watching. No more being afraid. No more watching from the sidelines. With Laurent by her side she could face and be anything. With Laurent she was finally free.

  She broke the kiss and cupped his face in her hands. ‘I love you,’ she said. ‘Not because you’re an Archduke and a prince, not because you’re the best person I have ever met, not because you make me feel invincible. I love you because you have the biggest heart, because you make me laugh, because you knew me the moment we met and I knew you too. I love you because the thought of spending my life with you makes me impatient to get started. I love you because you’re you.’

  Laurent smiled down, infinitely tender, infinitely dear. ‘I love you, Emilia Clayton,’ he said. And as the music swelled and he twirled her back into the waltz Emilia knew she would never be alone again.

  * * *

  If you missed the previous story in Fairytale Brides quartet, check out

  Honeymooning with Her Brazilian Boss

  And look out for the next book

  Coming soon!

  If you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Jessica Gilmore

  Summer Romance with the Italian Tycoon

  Baby Surprise for the Spanish Billionaire

  The Sheikh’s Pregnant Bride

  All available now!

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Whisked Away by Her Millionaire Boss by Nina Milne.

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  Whisked Away by Her Millionaire Boss

  by Nina Milne

  CHAPTER ONE

  BEN GARDINER, CEO and founder of Sahara Clothes, a global fashion house with retail outlets worldwide, stared across at his PA in horror. ‘You want to take some time off next month?’ he echoed. ‘During Milan Fashion Week?’

  ‘Yes.’ Maree looked him directly in the eye. ‘I know it’s short notice but Edward wants to take me away on a romantic break.’

  Ben opened his mouth and closed it again. ‘And it didn’t occur to Edward that you have a job?’

  ‘Of course it did. But he won it—on a radio show. A two-week safari trip—it’s the opportunity of a lifetime.’ Maree took a deep breath. ‘Actually, it’s a bit more than that.’

  ‘Oh?’ Ben studied his PA. He could tell from her expression that she was working up to breaking bad news.

  ‘We’re getting married. The safari will be our honeymoon.’ Once the words had spilled out, Maree smiled radiantly. ‘And I know marriage is your idea of personal hell, but I am really, really happy and I want you to be happy for me.’

  ‘I am happy for you.’ And he was. Though a tiny bit of him was considering the impact on his work schedule. There was also the fact that... ‘Isn’t it a bit sudden? I mean, you haven’t known Edward very long.’

  ‘I know, but I’m sure this is what I want.’

  Maree’s whole face lit up, and obscurely Ben felt a sudden pang of near envy.

  ‘I can’t explain it, and of course I know there are no guarantees, but right here and now I am one hundred per cent sure that I want to spend my life with him and I know he feels the same.’

  Any remaining tinge of green vanished as Ben manfully repressed a shudder and managed, ‘Then I wish you every happiness.’

  Which of course he did. He fully grasped that for some people it was possible to risk one’s heart for love. It was just that personally he couldn’t see the point.

  Seeing Maree’s sceptical look, he raised his hands. ‘I am. Why wouldn’t I be?’

  ‘Because you know what I’m going to say next. My role will need to change a bit. Edward does understand how important my job is to me, and he realises that it is very han
ds-on, but I won’t be able to work such insane hours any more.’

  Ben knew he expected his PA to do way more than convention demanded—to go the extra mile. That was why he made sure he paid an excellent salary and chose the right person for the role.

  ‘I thought you enjoyed this job.’

  ‘I love it—and I’ve had a blast. But my circumstances have changed. I won’t be able to travel at the drop of a hat, even if it is to a yacht party in Monaco, and I can’t be on duty twenty-four-seven. Like the time last month when you called me at three in the morning to come to a business meeting.’

  Ben gave a quick grin. ‘OK. That was a bit much. But you have to admit it worked. That was an incredible deal we got signed—profitable and ethical. He even agreed to raise the rates he pays his workers to Fairtrade standards.’

  ‘It was a fabulous deal, but I won’t always be able to be part of that now.’ Anxiety touched her grey eyes. ‘You’re not angry, are you? I’ll understand if you want a new PA.’

  ‘I’m not angry. At all. I’m happy for you and I would never do anything to jeopardise that happiness. If I start to expect too much or behave selfishly, make sure you tell me.’

  He meant it; he would not be responsible for the destruction of another marriage. After all, he’d been responsible for the breakdown of his mother’s—had been the catalyst and the unwitting cause of the rupture of a family.

  His mother had had an affair and he was the result: a universally unwanted result. Unwanted by his unknown actual father, rejected by the man he had believed to be his father for the first five years of his life and loathed by his siblings, who blamed him.

  In the bitterness of the divorce his half-brothers had elected to live with their dad and his mother had been stuck with him. She had also stuck by him, shown him care and love, and he would be grateful for ever for that. Even if in the deepest, darkest times of his childhood he’d wondered whether, if she could turn back the hands of time, she’d wish him away. And how could he blame her if she did?