At His Majesty's Convenience / Her Little Secret, His Hidden Heir: At His Majesty's Convenience. Jennifer Lewis

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ market, and he’d rather share his life with a hardworking woman than one who thought she could buy her way into a monarchy. “I’ve already chosen my wife.”

      “What do you mean?” she gasped.

      He moved across the room, away from the bedroom where Andi now sprawled enticingly on the bed. She was humming again, and wouldn’t hear him. “I intend to marry Andi Blake, my longtime assistant.”

      “You’re joking.”

      “Not in the slightest. She and I have had a close relationship for six years. We intend to enjoy each other’s company for many more.”

      Already his pronouncement had an official ring to it. Marriage to Andi was a perfectly natural and practical course of action. He was confident Andi would agree, especially since she seemed to have romantic feelings toward him.

      “People are going to be very, very …” She paused, apparently struggling for words.

      “Happy for us. Yes. Of course you’ll be invited to the wedding.” He couldn’t help a tiny smile sneaking across his mouth. Maxi had clearly intended to be the featured host of the event.

      “Invited to the wedding?” Her growl made him pull the phone away from his ear. “You’re impossible!”

      The dial tone made a satisfying noise. And now he wouldn’t have to even make an announcement. Maxi would do all the legwork for him.

      All he had to do was tell Andi.

      Three

      Morning sunlight streamed through the gap between heavy brocade curtains. Hot and uncomfortable, Andi looked down to find herself wearing a long evening dress under the covers. Weirdest thing, she had no idea why.

      She sat bolt upright. Where was she?

      His room. She remembered the soft touch of his lips on her cheek. Her skin heated at the memory. “Good night, Andi,” he’d said. So she was Andi.

      Andi.

      Who was Andi? She racked her brain, but the racks were empty. She couldn’t even remember the name of the handsome man who’d put her to bed, though she knew they were close.

      How could her whole reality just slip away? Her heart pounded and she climbed out of bed. Her chiffon-y dress was horribly wrinkled and had made an uncomfortable nightgown, leaving lines printed on her skin.

      She moved to the window and pulled one of the heavy drapes aside. The view that greeted her was familiar—rolling green hills dotted with grazing sheep, rising to fir-covered mountains. The village in the middle distance, with its steep clay-tiled roofs and high church steeple.

      Looking down she saw the long rectangular fishpond in the walled courtyard. She didn’t recall seeing it from this angle before.

      But then she didn’t recall much.

      Andi what? She pressed a hand to her forehead. Blake, he’d said. How could even her own last name sound alien and unfamiliar?

      She walked to the door and cautiously pulled it open. She caught her breath at the sight of him, standing in front of the mirror, buttoning his collar. Thick black-brown hair swept back from the most handsome face she’d ever seen. Warm, dark eyes reflected in the glass. Mouth set in a serious but good-humored line. Heat flooded her body and she stood rooted to the spot.

      He turned. “Morning, Andi. How are you feeling?”

      His expression looked rather guarded.

      “Okay. I think. I … I can’t seem to remember much.” Had she slept with him last night? Her fully dressed state seemed to suggest not. Her body was sending all kinds of strange signals, though—pulsing and throbbing and tingling in mysterious places—so she couldn’t tell.

      “What can you remember?” He didn’t look surprised at her announcement. Did he know what was going on?

      “Why can’t I remember?”

      He took a few steps toward her and put his hand on her arm. Arousal flashed through her at his touch. “You bumped your head. The doctor says you’re not concussed.”

      “How long have I been like this?” Fear twisted in her stomach.

      “Just since last night. The doc said your memory will come back soon. A few weeks at most.”

      “Oh.” Andi frowned, feeling ridiculously vulnerable, standing there in her wrinkled dress with no idea of who or where she was. Except that she was very—very—attracted to this man. “What should I do in the meantime?”

      “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll take care of you.” He stroked her cheek. The reassuring touch of his fingers made her breath catch and sent tingles of arousal cascading through her.

      She frowned. How should she put a question like this? “Are we … intimate?”

      His gaze flickered slightly, making her stomach tighten. Had she said the wrong thing? She felt sure there must be something between them. She remembered kissing him last night, and the memory of the kiss made her head grow light.

      “Yes, Andi. We’re going to be married.” He looked down at her hands, gathering them in his.

      “Oh.” She managed a smile. “What a relief that I have you to take care of me until my memory comes back.” If it did come back. “It’s embarrassing to ask, but how long have we been together?”

      “Oh, years.” He met her gaze again.

      “It seems impossible, but I don’t remember your name.”

      “Jake.” He looked slightly flustered, and why wouldn’t he? “Jake Mondragon.”

      “Jake Mondragon.” She smiled dreamily, allowing herself to relax in his sturdy presence. And his face was kind, despite the proud, sculpted features. Totally gorgeous, too. She was very lucky. “So I’m going to be Andi Mondragon.”

      Jake’s eyes widened. “Uh, yes. Yes, you are.”

      Why did he seem surprised by the idea? It was hardly an odd one if they’d been together for years. “Or was I going to keep my original surname?” Curiosity pricked her.

      He smiled. “I don’t think we’d discussed whether you would change it or not.”

      “Oh.” Funny they hadn’t talked about that. After all, what would the children be called? “How long have we been engaged?”

      He lifted his chin slightly. “Just since yesterday. We haven’t even told anyone yet.”

      Yesterday? Her eyes widened. “How odd that I would lose my memory on the same day. I can’t even remember the proposal.”

      She watched his Adam’s apple move as he swallowed. He must be upset that she couldn’t even remember such a momentous and important moment. “I’m sure it will come back eventually.”

      An odd sensation started forming in the СКАЧАТЬ