you.”
His chest tightened as he spoke the words. All true. Andi’s quiet confidence and brisk efficiency made almost anything possible. The prospect of carrying on without her by his side was unthinkable.
“Was I good at being your assistant?” Her serious gaze touched him. “I don’t remember anything about my job.”
“Exemplary. You’ve been far more than my assistant. My right-hand woman is a better description.”
She looked pleased. “I guess that’s a good thing, since we’re getting married.”
“Absolutely.” Jake swallowed. How would she react when her memory returned and she realized they were never romantically involved? He drew in a breath. She wasn’t in love with him. Still, she was sensible enough to see that marriage between them would be in the best interests of Ruthenia.
And that kiss had been surprisingly spicy. In fact, he couldn’t remember experiencing anything like it in his fairly substantial kissing experience.
Maybe it was the element of the forbidden. He’d never considered kissing his assistant and it still felt … wrong. Probably because it was wrong of him to let her think they’d been a couple. But once a ring was on her finger, they really would be engaged and everything would be on the up and up.
At least until her memory came back.
“The jeweler is down this street.” He led her along a narrow cobbled alley barely wide enough for a cart. The kind of street he’d have to fold in his wing mirrors to drive down without scraping the ancient walls on either side. Thick handblown glass squares glazed the bowed window of the shop, giving a distorted view of the luxurious trinkets inside.
Despite its old-world ambience—or maybe because of it—this jeweler was one of the finest in Europe and had recently regained its international reputation as part of Jake’s Rediscover Ruthenia campaign. He’d bought quite a few pieces here—gifts for foreign diplomats and wealthy Ruthenian acquaintances. Why had it never occurred to him to buy something lovely for Andi?
He opened the heavy wood door and ushered her in, unable to resist brushing her waist with his fingers as he coaxed her through. The formally attired proprietor rushed forward to greet them. “Welcome, sir.” Jake was grateful the man remembered his aversion to pompous titles. “How can we assist you today? A custom commission, perhaps?”
Jake hesitated. Andi might well like a ring designed to her exact specifications—but he needed a ring on her finger right now to make an honest man of him. He certainly didn’t want her memory coming back before the setting was tooled. “I suspect you have something lovely in the shop already.”
He took Andi’s hand in his. It was warm, and he squeezed it to calm her nerves. “We’re looking for an engagement ring.”
The elderly jeweler’s eyes opened wide. His gaze slid to Andi, then back again. He seemed unsure what to make of the situation. Perhaps he’d been following the local gossip columns and was already designing one with Maxi or Alia in mind. “Should I be offering you my congratulations?”
“Most certainly.” Jake slid his arm around Andi.
“Wonderful.” The jeweler bowed his head slightly in Andi’s direction. “My best wishes for you both. And in time for Independence Day, too.” A smile creased his wrinkled face. “The whole nation will be overjoyed. I do think a custom creation would be most appropriate. Perhaps with the family crest?”
“Why don’t we take a look at what you have in stock?” He tightened his arm around Andi’s waist, then loosened it, suddenly aware of how intent he was to hold on to her. Not that she was resisting. She leaned into him, perhaps seeking reassurance he was happy to provide.
A large tray of sparkling rings appeared from a deep wooden cabinet. Jake glanced at Andi and saw her eyes widen.
“See if anything appeals to you.” He spoke softly, suddenly feeling the intimacy of the moment. The first step in their journey through life as a married couple. The rings were nearly all diamonds, some single and some triple, with a large stone flanked by two smaller stones. A few more had clusters of diamonds and there was a large sapphire and a square cut ruby.
Andi drew in a long breath, then reached for a small single diamond in a carved platinum band. She held it for a moment, then extended her fingers to try it on. “Wow, this feels weird. Like you should be doing it, or something.” She glanced shyly at him.
Jake swallowed. He took the ring from her—the diamond was too small, anyway—and gingerly slid it onto her slender finger. His skin tingled as he touched hers and a flutter of something stirred in his chest. The ring fit well and looked pretty on her hand.
“What do you think?” She turned her hand, and the stone sparkled in the light.
“Nice.” He didn’t want to criticize, if that was her choice.
The jeweler frowned. “It’s a fine ring, but for the royal family, perhaps something a bit more … extravagant?” He lifted a dramatic large stone flanked by several smaller stones. The kind of ring that would make people’s eyes pop. Jake had to admit it was more appropriate under the circumstances.
Andi allowed the older man to slide her choice off her finger and push the big sparkler onto it. His face creased into a satisfied smile as it slid perfectly into place. “Lovely. Much more suitable for a royal bride, if you don’t mind my saying.”
She tilted her hand to the side and studied the ring. Despite the large size of the stones it also looked elegant on her graceful hands. Jake wondered how he’d never noticed what pretty hands she had. He’d been watching them type his letters and organize his files for years.
“It’s a bit over the top….” She paused, still staring at it. “But it is pretty.” She looked up at Jake. “What do you think?”
“Very nice.” He intended to buy her many more trinkets and baubles to enjoy. It was worth it to see the sunny smile on her face, and they were supporting the local economy. “Let’s buy it and go get a hot chocolate to celebrate.”
She hesitated for a moment more, studying the ring on her finger. When she looked up, confusion darkened the summer-blue of her eyes. She seemed like she wanted to say something, but hesitated in front of the jeweler. The shop owner tactfully excused himself and disappeared through a low door into a back room.
“I guess he trusts us alone with the merchandise.” Jake grinned. “There must be a million dollars worth of rocks on this tray.”
“I’d imagine a crown inspires a certain amount of trust.” She looked up at him, eyes sparkling. “I’m still getting used to the idea that you’re a king.”
“Me, too. I’m not sure I’ll ever be completely used to it, but at least it’s starting to feel like a suit that fits. How does the ring feel?”
Andi studied the ring again. “It is lovely, but it’s just so … big.”
“He’s right, though. It makes sense to go dramatic. Do you want people muttering that I’m a cheapskate?” He raised a brow.
Andi chuckled. “I guess you have a good point.” Then she frowned. “Are people going to be shocked that you’re marrying your assistant?” She bit her lip for a moment. “I mean … did they know that we’re … intimate?”
Jake inhaled. “We kept it all pretty private.”
“Did anyone know?” Her serious expression tugged at him.
“A few people may have guessed something.” Who knew what people might imagine, even if there had never been anything to guess? “But on the whole, we were discreet so it’ll be a surprise.”
Andi’s shoulders tightened a bit. “I hope they won’t be too upset that you’re not marrying someone more … important.”
“No one’s more important than you, Andi.