His Majesty's Marriage

away.”

“But Sophie-”

“What about her? She’s on her honeymoon with Luciano.”

“They’re married?”

“Yes. Several weeks ago, as a matter of fact.”

His slid his hands up her legs, as if he couldn’t help himself. She almost fainted from the pleasure of it. Then he reached in his pocket and pulled something out. “I’ve come here so the real game of life can begin for us.”

She gasped when she saw two different rings in his palm. He lifted one to her astonished gaze. It was a dazzling amethyst solitare.

“If you choose this ring you’ll live in Jackson, Wyoming, with your husband and you’ll be known as the wife of Mr Raoul Mertier. He’s a banker and businessman with holdings in Europe and America which he intends to expand in order to take care of his family. He wants three or four children. They’ll travel to Switzerland as often as they can to see their grandparents.”

When Raoul pressed the ring in her palm, it began to sink in that he was proposing to her. If she was dreaming, she never wanted to wake up.

“I brought another ring. One I know you don’t want, but it’s important to me that I tell you about it.”

He lifted it so she could see the bejeweled royal crest. “If you were to choose this one, you’d be the wife of His Royal Highness Prince Raoul Mertier Bergeret D’Arillac. There would be certain public duties attached to being my consort. You’d have private duties as well.” His eyes had kindled with desire. “You’d live in our own wing of the Chateau D’Arillac in Neuchatel. Any children born of this marriage would automatically be a prince or princess. They’d have constant access to their grandparents.”

He folded that ring in her other palm.

“Weigh them both very carefully, because once a decision is made there’s no going back.”

“I-I can’t make a decision!” she cried in pain. “You’re a prince- You’d never be happy living here.”

Before she could say anything else, he’d cupped her face in his hands. “Without you, I’ll never know another moment’s happiness. I’m in love with you, Lee Gresham.” His voice trembled. “That soul-deep, painful kind of love that won’t ever go away. It happened so fast and hard I’m still reeling. You were there when it happened, so you can’t possibly deny it. Tell me you love me,” he begged. “I need to hear the words.”

Joy had welled up inside of her until she thought she might expire from too much happiness.

“You know I love you,” she cried from the depths of her soul. “I can’t believe you love me back.”

“Mon amour-” he cried, before their mouths met and clung with voracious hunger. He pulled her into his arms and then they were on the floor, bodies, legs and arms entangled. The rings tumbled on to the carpet.

Swallowed up in a state of europhia, Lee covered his face and hair with kisses. Again and again she found his mouth, relishing its taste and feel.

“I don’t think you have any conception of how much I love you, Raoul. At my house tonight, I sat there sobbing because I didn’t know how I was going to go on without you.”

He lifted his head to look down at her. His fingers tangled in her silvery-gold curls. “I wanted to comfort you because I thought you were grief stricken that your parents weren’t there anymore.”

“Darling-you have to understand. I wasn’t grieving for them. I’ve gotten past that stage. Of course I’ll always miss them. They were wonderful. But it was you I was mourning.” Hot tears trickled on to her temples.

“Lee,” he whispered emotionally.

“I thought deep down you cared for Sophie, that she’d hurt you. I couldn’t bear it.”

“Let’s get something clear. We never loved each other, and never made any pretense about it. When I invited her to Zermatt I did it hoping she’d be so turned off by me she’d do whatever it took to break our engagement.”

“What?”

“If you don’t believe me, ask Philippe. It was his idea. You could have no idea of the feelings running through me when I saw you in the car instead of Sophie. Part of me was in agony, because it meant my plans had been dashed. But another part felt this compelling attraction to you that went more than skin deep. Within seconds I realized I couldn’t let you go.”

“I didn’t want to go.” Tears glistened in her eyes. “My behavior was so shameful, but I couldn’t seem to help myself.”

“Thank heaven for Philippe’s inspiration. We owe him everything,” he murmured huskily. “Do you have any idea how wonderful you are? How incredibly beautiful you are?”

“I could say the same thing about you. The memories of what we shared in Zermatt have been tearing me apart. I’ve relived every moment with you until I’ve made myself ill with longing.”

His powerful body trembled. “We’ve both been tortured,” he admitted. “I almost ravished you in the bedroom of the chalet when I brought you the tea.”

“I wanted you to,” she confessed honestly. “Believe me, it would have been mutual.” She stared back at him. “I love you so much. Since I’ve been home, I’ve found out what it’s like to ache for someone day and night.”

“I know the feeling,” he ground out. “There were times whe-”

“Don’t say it!” She silenced the rest of his words with her mouth. “All these weeks I’ve been terrified your parents would have picked another woman with a title for you to marry. I’m still having trouble believing any of this is real.”

“Didn’t I give you two rings to prove this is no dream?”

“Yes.”

“I told my parents you’re the princess of my heart. They know the truth of everything and are looking forward to meeting you as soon as possible.”

Lee sat up in his arms. “They don’t hate me?” Her voice quivered.

“When they found out you were willing to subject yourself to public ridicule for Sophie’s sake, you won them over.”

She had trouble swallowing. “Is the talk against you very bad, Raoul? A-are you a condemned man?”

“Far from it. If anything, my popularity has risen to new heights now that Sophie’s surprise wedding to Luciano Bernaldi has already taken place.” He smiled before kissing one corner of her mouth. “Right now they’re in Greece. My palace sources tell me public sentiment is demanding to know the identity of my mystery lover. So what I think we’ll do is fly home and get you acquainted with my family, so we can make wedding plans. The only thing they have to know is that you’re going to be my wife. Without you, there is no life.”

His voice rang with truth. She could no longer doubt the depth of his love. Flinging her arms around him, she burrowed her face against his neck. “I feel the same way. I love you, Raoul. I love you beyond comprehension.”

“Thank God.” His voice shook. After kissing her long and hard, he finally relinquished her mouth long enough to say, “Here. Madame Simoness had this couriered to the palace before I left Switzerland.”

Lee examined the letter he extended. “This is Sophie’s handwriting.” She tore the envelope open and began reading aloud.

“‘My beloved friend-I will keep the beautiful letter you sent me forever. If you’re reading this, it means Raoul found you, and you’ve put the past away. I’m so happy for the two of you, and of course for me-’”

Both of them laughed at her unique brand of honesty.

“‘I cry all the time. Luciano thinks there’s something wrong with me. He just doesn’t understand what it’s like to be let out of the prison I’ve been in all my life. Only Raoul could possibly understand.’”

“She’s right,” he murmured into Lee’s silky curls.

“‘If you’re surprised that I know everything, don’t be. Madame Simoness is my friend too. Of course we both know she loves you best’.” Lee shook her head. “That’s not true! ‘Because you are the best. Raoul already figured out you have all the qualities of a real princess. That’s why he knew it was true love the moment he set eyes on you.’”

He kissed her neck. “It was true love,” he whispered.