in years.
Eight years in fact.
Since the feeding frenzy of press speculation about a royal love triangle. The memory sickened him.
Since he’d learned to distrust female protestations of love and displays of innocence. Since he’d rebuilt his shattered world with determination, pride and a complete absence of emotion that made a man vulnerable.
His gut cramped as he remembered facing the press, made rabid by the scent of blood—his blood. The effort of appearing unmoved in the face of the ultimate betrayal. Of how he’d had to claw back his self-respect after making the worst mistake of his life. How day after day he’d had to appear strong. Till finally the façade had become reality and he’d learned to live without emotional ties. Except for his love of Maritz.
He shut the laptop with a snap.
The cases weren’t the same. Then he’d been naïve enough to believe in romance. He’d hurt with the intensity of youthful emotions. Now, at thirty, Raul was in control of his world. What he’d felt last night had been lust, more intense than usual perhaps, but simple enough.
Besides, public interest in Luisa could be used to advantage. It wouldn’t hurt to hint that there was more to his approaching nuptials than fulfilment of a legal contract. People liked to believe in fairy tales and it would ease the way for her.
A lost princess, a romantic interlude in Paris, an early wedding. It was the sort of PR that would focus interest on the monarchy and dampen the enthusiasm for political rabble-rousing in the lead up to his coronation.
He’d planned a quiet arrival in Maritz to give Luisa time to acclimatise. Yet in the circumstances revealing her identity had definite benefits.
He’d arrange it with Lukas at the airport.
‘You can unfasten your seat belt, ma’am.’ The hostess smiled at Luisa on her way to open the plane door.
Foreboding lurched in the pit of Luisa’s stomach.
The idea of stepping out of the aircraft and into the country that had once been her mother’s, and her detested grandfather’s, terrified her. Some atavistic foreknowledge warned that this next step would be irrevocable.
Again she experienced that sense of the world telescoping in around her, shrinking to a dark tunnel where her future lay immutable before her.
Desperately she sought for something positive to hang onto. The determination to get legal advice on that marriage contract as soon as she could. To find an escape clause that would allow Raul to inherit the throne he coveted without marrying her.
‘Here.’ A deep voice cut through her swirling thoughts. ‘Let me.’ Warm hands, large and capable, unclipped the seat belt and brushed it off her lap.
Sensation jittered through her stomach and across her thighs. Luisa looked up sharply to find Raul bending over her, his eyes warm with an expression she couldn’t fathom.
Her heart rose in her throat, pounding fast. The memory of last night’s madness filled her. The feel of his tight embrace and her need for more. Despite today’s polite formality, nothing could obliterate the recollection. Even the knowledge it had been a lie. He’d felt nothing.
He stepped back and she sucked in an uneven breath.
‘It’s time to go.’ He extended an arm.
Luisa nodded, her tongue glued to the roof of her mouth. What was happening to her? She had no desire to fall into Raul’s arms again, yet she imagined warmth in his gaze. When all he cared about was her usefulness to him.
Silently she let him drape a cashmere coat over her shoulders, then stepped to the door. The sooner she reached their destination, the sooner she could sort out this mess.
A roar filled her ears and she stopped abruptly at the head of the stairs. She blinked into the bright light, wishing she’d brought sunglasses.
‘It’s all right,’ Raul said. ‘They’re just glad to see us.’
He slid an arm slid round her, drawing her to him. Instinctively she pulled away but his hold was unbreakable.
‘Relax,’ he murmured. ‘I’m just making sure you don’t trip on those high heels. Come on.’
At his urging they descended, Luisa clinging to the railing and inordinately grateful for his support. Sheer bravado had led her to wear the highest heels in her new wardrobe, determined to look as sophisticated as possible. The move had backfired when she’d come face to face with Raul and discovered the extra height merely brought her closer to his knowing gaze.
Another roar made her blink and focus on the scene ahead.
Crowds massed behind the fence at the edge of the tarmac. Maritzian flags waved and excited voices called out. Luisa’s Maritzian was rusty so all she could make out was Raul’s name. And hers.
She stumbled to a stop on the narrow stairs and only Raul’s firm grip saved her. Adrenalin pumped hard in her blood. From the near fall or perhaps from the impact of meeting his intent scrutiny head-on.
‘What’s happening?’
He shrugged and she felt the movement against her as he kept a tight hold of her waist.
‘Well-wishers. Nothing to worry about.’
Luisa frowned, battling a rising sense of unreality. ‘But how do they know my name?’
Something flickered in his eyes. ‘Your identity isn’t a secret. Is it?’
Dazedly she shook her head, beginning her descent again at his urging. ‘But it makes no sense. How could—’
The sight of a placard in the throng cut off the words mid-flow. It showed her name and Raul’s, linked in a massive love heart topped with a crown.
She swung round and read satisfaction in his face.
‘What have you done?’ Every muscle tightened as she fought the impulse to run back up the steps and hide in the royal jet.
His brows arched. ‘I authorised my staff to confirm your identity if queried. Now, it’s time we moved.’
Mutinously Luisa stared up at him, her hand tightening on the rail.
His eyes flashed, then his lips tilted in a one-sided smile that obliterated the grimness engraved around his lips, making him look younger. ‘As you wish, madam.’
He bowed. But it wasn’t a bow, she realised as his arms circled her.
Seconds later he hefted her up against his chest. The noise of the crowd crested in a swell of approval. But Luisa barely heard it over the thunderous beat of blood in her ears.
She should hate being manhandled. She did! Almost.
‘What are you doing?’ she demanded, trying not to focus on the feel of tough muscle and bone surrounding her.
His smile deepened and something flipped over inside Luisa’s chest. He shrugged again and this time the movement rippled around her, drawing her closer.
It scared her how much she enjoyed being held by Raul.
‘Carrying my bride down the stairs.’
LUISA walked across the tarmac towards the crowd. It was daunting. So huge, so excited. For an insane moment she wished she were back in his arms. To her consternation she’d felt … safe there.
Her knees shook with every step. His arm around her waist was both a torment and a support.
She swallowed hard, nervous at what she faced. And furious.
‘Don’t faint on me now, Luisa.’