“I’ll share a secret.”
“I figure that’s what you’re here for,” she said biting her lip, feeling the original anger returning to take the offensive position.
“I meant about the liquor.” He smiled and seemed to take pleasure in her discomfort. “I attend many social events but the staff know I do not like the taste of alcohol and equally hate the effect it has on people’s behavior. I am served cola and juice in fancy drinking glasses and the world is none the wiser.”
“Lies? Why am I not surprised?”
“Megan, I realize our relationship is new and has suffered a great disappointment on your part this evening. But I’m banking on the hope that you feel this same attraction I do – the one that won’t allow you to slip through my fingers. In the brief time we’ve been separated, I feel as if my heart has lost a beat. My mind replays the picture of your stunned expression at my decision to leave and it torments my mind. Two hours of torture is more than I can bear.”
“I’m listening.”
“You are new to Edstrom and unaware of the recent events.” Ryan paused.
“Still listening.”
“King Julius has passed away recently. The time of mourning has passed and the people are ready to have their monarchy tied in a red bow by Christmas.”
“And this is the ugliness you eluded to that keeps you hiding? News flash! The new appointment of Prince… I don’t know – it’s some long tedious name – is all people around her talk about,” she said. “You never said what service you provided for the royal family.”
He exhaled and searched Megan’s face. “I am the replacement. My full name is Prince Ryannaus Julius Alexander Edstrom, next in line for the throne.”
Megan’s jaw dropped and the blood drained from her face. She automatically straightened her form, stood and backed off a respectable distance. “What…?”
He raised up from the chair suddenly appearing older than his twenty-nine years. He held her gaze. “This is the exact response I did not want from you. I enjoy the girl who treated me like an everyday normal, who knew no pretences or guarded her tongue to appease royalty.”
“But you are royal.”
“Yes, but I enjoy you as a woman that I’m interested in getting to know better.”
“And where could that possibly lead us – friends? We both know you’re not implying mere friendship. We’ve gone beyond that, haven’t we?”
“I have and was hoping to entice you to the other side,” he said, spreading that grin she loved across his stressed features. She’d definitely been enticed and could not deny the growing attraction between them. “From the first moment – no even before I met you – I sensed you were coming to me. Does that sound stupid?”
Megan recalled the episode with the binoculars and nodded agreement. From a distance, they’d magically connected, and somehow fate had arranged they meet in person. The gift from Ms. Claus of a royal Tiara popped into her mind and she bit her lip, tired of the fight. “Not stupid, Ryan. Sort of romantic.”
“So, Miss Fairchild, are you interested in spending time with me at the castle where we can roam free and not worry about the chaos my presence makes when I visit the village unexpectedly?”
She recalled the commotion outside. “That following outside was for you? And here I thought someone famous was staying at the hotel.” She wondered if such a comment could have her thrown out of the country for treason.
His searching eyes never stopped pleading. “Only visiting the establishment. But don’t think you can put me off with sarcasm,” said Ryan. “Can I send the car around for you tomorrow at ten? They will bring you to the castle, the staff will settle you in a guest room and we will lunch together on the south terrace.”
“Move in? I’ve known you less than a week and you ask me to move in. You truly don’t know me at all.”
“You will have your own suite and you can bring Suzanne along. My royal consultant is quite smitten with her.”
“Royal consultant? Well she’ll be pleased to hear she hit the jackpot. Suzanne has developed deep feelings for your colleague. James monopolizes her mind even when they’re not together.”
“And do I dominate your mind, Megan?”
Her growing blush gave her away but she stood strong. “I pictured a different man.”
“I’m the same man. Don’t confuse my position with the person.”
“It’s hard,” said Megan.
“Think of me as Ryan, the man you’ve helped with heartfelt words of wisdom and kindness. My kingdom should bow to you for bringing me out of myself and back into life.”
“You give me too much credit. You just needed an ear to vent.”
“And a shoulder to cry on. Do you realize only the Queen Mum has seen her son cry?” Ryan reached for her hands. “Am I swaying you? All I want is the chance to get to know you without the press hounding us and creating their own version of our relationship.”
“And what of your family, Ryan? Your mother will come for chats and share a cup of tea. And your sisters will forget that I am not of noble blood and that their brother is playing with fire?”
“My sisters will love you. Mum might not be as easy to win over, not because she won’t like you but she has stately expectations.” Ryan squeezed Megan’s hand and pulled her in close. “If I’m to be King, the country will respect the changes I bring to the table or...”
“Or what – you won’t be King and your countrymen will miss out on a great leader. I’ll not jeopardize that, Ryan – or, should I call you, Majesty?” Megan tried to pull away but he
