Cinderella's Secret Royal Fling. Jessica Gilmore

Does he belong to you?’

      ‘Yes. As you must have realised by now, he’s Pomme and I’m Ren...’ The diminutive came easily to his tongue. And it wasn’t a lie; a very few people shortened Laurent to Ren. But never in public.

      ‘Hi, Ren.’ She straightened, one hand still buried in the dog’s thick ruff. ‘It was nice meeting you but I’d better go before we both get into trouble. I get the feeling the Archduke wouldn’t be too happy if he caught me here.’

      ‘I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.’

      ‘Maybe not. But I’d still better go. It was lovely meeting you. And thank you for not arresting me!’ And with one last pat for Pomme, a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes and a swish of her ponytail she turned and walked away. Laurent stood in the shadows and watched her walk out into the sunlight, the solitude he’d been craving suddenly not feeling as desirable as it usually did. ‘Emilia,’ he said softly, tasting her name, before heading over to the arbour to finally read the report that would help him save his country.