The Mills & Boon Ultimate Christmas Collection. Kate Hardy

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      ‘Nathaniel, we’re having a baby together.’

      ‘I am aware of that. It’s the reason I’m marrying you.’

      There was a slight pause before she said, ‘Our marriage might only be temporary but our child is for life. Unless Dominic was telling me the truth and you have no interest in our child?’

      He sighed. It didn’t surprise him that Dominic would tell such a lie. ‘He must have his wires crossed. I will want to play an active part.’

      ‘Then show me the courtesy of meeting with me.’

      There was something in her voice that gave him pause.

      ‘If I agree then I want it to be somewhere neutral and not in the palace,’ he said slowly. If he never had to set foot in that palace again he would die a happy man.

      ‘I was going to suggest the same thing.’ There was definite relief in her words. She went silent again before asking, ‘Do you like opera?’

      ‘No.’

      ‘Good. My family have a private box at the Monte Cleure Royal Theatre. There’s a production of La Bohème on this week. Our box is free on Friday so we can have it to ourselves.’

      ‘I just told you, I don’t like opera.’

      ‘Then you won’t find the singing a distraction when we talk.’

      Rebuffing Catalina’s assistant was a lot easier than rebuffing his fiancée personally. It would be easier if she were issuing hysterical orders but her sheer calmness made him feel foolish for his previous avoidance.

      He knew beyond doubt that the less interaction they had as a couple, the better it would be for them both. But especially for her.

      ‘Okay then, Friday,’ he agreed, before terminating the call.

      He rubbed the nape of his neck and closed his eyes.

      * * *

      The theatre manager greeted her personally, hurrying Catalina through a private side door and up the red-carpeted staircase to the House of Fernandez’s private box before the general public had time to notice her appearance.

      They’d arranged to meet in the royal box at eight p.m. She was fifteen minutes early.

      To make the time pass quicker and in an attempt to smother the nerves swirling in her gut, she tucked herself into the corner and opened the programme. She had made it to the section describing the careers of the secondary players when Nathaniel slipped into the box, all six foot plus of him, looking dashingly handsome in a black tuxedo and bow tie, with a tumbler of Scotch in hand.

      He was exactly on time.

      Her heart battering against her ribcage, she got to her feet and gave him her hand. Dutifully, he put it to his mouth and razed his lips across her gloved knuckles. The heat from his breath sank through the satin.

      ‘You’re looking well,’ he said, stepping back and openly appraising her.

      ‘Thank you.’

      ‘No sickness?’

      ‘Not right now. It comes and goes.’

      He gave a half-smile. ‘That must be difficult.’

      ‘I’ve been told it comes with the territory.’

      Below them, the theatre was filling, the buzzing sound of pleasant chatter filling the air. The royal box had been specially designed for privacy, the curvature of the balcony allowing the occupants an unhindered view of the stage while protecting them, along with clever lighting, from prying eyes.

      ‘How long does this go on for?’ he asked as they took their seats.

      ‘About three hours including intervals.’

      He didn’t bother hiding his grimace. ‘Have you seen this before?’

      ‘Oh, yes, it’s a beautiful story and perfect for the Christmas period.’ She looked at him and arched a brow, smothering the churn in her stomach at his obvious wish to be elsewhere. ‘Even if opera’s not your thing, I’m sure you can cope with my company for three hours. After all, you seemed happy with my company at Helios and Amy’s wedding. Or has the thrill gone now that you’ve slept with me?’

      He ran his fingers through his hair, mussing it up in the same manner he had moments before he’d placed his lips against hers for the last time.

      ‘At this moment, the only thing I’m not happy about is spending three hours listening to ear-splitting wails being passed off as singing. I give you no guarantee I’ll stay until the end.’

      ‘So you don’t deny you have no interest in my company at all?’ She kept her voice even but the humiliation burned.

      They were only supposed to have been for one night. They had both made that clear. No ties, no regrets. Catalina had imagined hugging their secret night close to her heart for the rest of her life and, as vain a hope as she now knew it to be, she’d imagined it would be the same for him too.

      She’d thought—wished—that he would see the one positive of their marriage as being able to share a bed again.

      She’d overestimated his boredom threshold.

      ‘You’re a beautiful, interesting woman. I doubt there’s a man alive who wouldn’t want to be in your company.’

      ‘But you’re not one of them.’

      Nathaniel finally allowed himself to look at her properly. It was at moments like this that Catalina’s royal upbringing became transparent. There was a directness in her speech that, while not arrogant, was certainly assured. It was clear she was used to having direct questions answered. She was always beautiful, but tonight she looked stunning in a shoulderless figure-hugging long black satin dress with matching elbow-length gloves. Her raven hair had been curled and pulled into a chignon, long ringlets loosened to frame her porcelain face.

      ‘It was thinking with the anatomy below my waist and not my head that’s got us into this trouble. Now, why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?’

      A range of emotions flickered over her sweet, heart-shaped face but she held his gaze.

      He truly would have to be dead from the waist down not to desire her. There had hardly been a moment since he’d left her room in the Agon palace when he hadn’t thought of her.

      When they’d made love that night, she’d been a virgin. He’d taken things slowly, gently coaxing her eager responses. As a married couple, even with the imposed time limit, they would have all the time in the world to explore each other’s desires. To imagine peeling that dress off and discovering all her secret, hedonistic fantasies...

      He couldn’t act on it.

      Catalina was a princess, and that shone through her every word and deed. He should never have seduced her in the first place.

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