He chuckled at her flat-out bravado. But it was also a way of keeping him shut out. Ordinarily he didn’t mind not getting to know all that much about a woman he was dating, but Hester was going to be his wife. And he needed to trust her more than he’d trusted anyone in a long time. Yet she had no hesitation in lying to his face—to protect herself.
‘So you expect to learn personal things about me, but won’t share any of your own?’ He equably pointed out her hypocrisy.
‘I’ve already told you everything personal that’s relevant. I told you my parents died when I was a child, that I’m not close to what family I have left, that my life to date has been pretty quiet. There really isn’t much else.’
Rigidly determined, wasn’t she? That flickering spark within her fired his determination. He could quiz her on the meaningless facts too. And he could push for more beyond that. ‘Favourite pizza topping?’ he prompted.
‘Just plain—tomato and cheese.’
‘Really? You don’t want capers, olives, chilli oil?’ He shook his head. ‘You’re missing out.’
‘I don’t need a whole bunch of extras.’
‘No frills? No added luxuries—just the bare necessities? That’s what you’ll settle for?’ He was stunned and yet when he thought of that dire bedroom of hers, it made sense. ‘Tempt your palate a little, Hester. Why not treat yourself to a little something more, or don’t you think you deserve it?’
Her jaw dropped. ‘It’s not about whether I deserve it—’
‘Isn’t it?’ He leaned forward, pleased at her higher pitch. ‘Why shouldn’t you have all the extras? Other people take them all the time.’
‘What if you end up with all the frills and no foundations? Then you discover you’ve got nothing of substance. Nothing to sustain you.’ She put the tablet on the table between them. ‘Keeping things simple works for me. The basics suffice.’
The basics? Was that what she considered that soulless cell of a bedroom? But that she didn’t even seem to want to try something new was interesting. ‘Are you afraid to take risks, Hester?’
‘Yes,’ she said baldly. ‘I’ve fought too long and hard for what I have.’
Her admission surprised him on two counts—firstly, she didn’t seem to have all that much. And secondly, she’d taken a massive risk with him and she was nailing this with a stunningly cool ability to adapt and handle all the challenges he was flinging at her. ‘Yet you said yes to me—to this impulsive marriage.’
‘Because it was an offer too good to pass up.’ She gazed at him directly.
‘You mean the money. Not the pleasure of my company?’
She blinked rapidly but through those glorious lashes she kept her golden focus on him. ‘Yes.’
She sounded breathy and he’d like to think she was lying again because he really didn’t think she was the materialistic type. He’d bet even more money that this wasn’t about what she could buy but what she could do. Was this about freedom—so she didn’t have to live on campus any more, helping first-year students get their heads around essay requirements and bibliographic details? Was this because she wanted freedom, not just from work, but from being around other people?
‘Well, I’m sorry, Ms Moss, but we’re going to have to spend quite a lot of time together over the next few days.’ He reached forward, fastened her seat belt for landing and flashed a wicked smile at her. ‘I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait.’
CHAPTER FOUR
TRISCARI SAT LIKE a conglomerate of emeralds and sapphires in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. As if that giant jeweller in the sky had gathered her most prized stones in the cup of her hand and cast them into the purest blue sea in the most sun-kissed spot on the earth. And in their heart, she’d placed treasure in the form of more valuable minerals. It was incredibly attractive, wealthy and secure.
Hester already knew a lot, having researched it when she first found out she’d been selected as Princess Fiorella’s safe college roommate and tutor. But now she’d read more closely about the economic success story and envy of all other small European nations. The royal family had maintained their place on the world stage and now, as ruler of a democracy, the King was mostly a figurehead and facilitator, overseeing the rights of all its people. And promoting it as a destination of course. But that was easy given the world had long been captivated by, not only the kingdom’s beauty, but the luxury and the lifestyle it offered. Visiting Triscari topped absolutely everyone’s bucket list.
Today the sun peeked above the horizon and turned the sea gold, making the islands look like the literal treasure they were. Hester decided she’d entered a dream world. She’d survived her first ever flight—travelling in pure luxury for hours—to arrive in the most perfect, pristine place in the world.
Ten minutes after the plane had landed, Hester followed Alek down the flight of stairs and onto the tarmac. The air was balmy even this early in the morning—the atmosphere radiated golden warmth. She got into the waiting vehicle and gazed out of the window, hungry to take in more. The stunning scenery suppressed her nerves as the car sped along the street. She knew the palace was in the centre of the town while a clifftop castle was at the water’s edge. The twin royal residences had been constructed for the King and Queen of four hundred years ago. According to the legends, that arranged marriage had spectacularly failed. The couple had determinedly lived separate lives and set up their own rival courts, vying for the title of ‘best’. Both had grand halls and opulent gardens and stunning artwork that had been added to over the ages.
‘This would have to be the most beautiful place…’ Hester said, her breath taken away by the vista. She glanced at him. ‘You must love it.’
‘I am very lucky.’ His eyes glittered like the night sky.
