Royal Heirs Required. Cat Schield

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СКАЧАТЬ heart sank. Now she knew what he expected from her. There would be no partnership, no working together. She would attend ceremonies and support charities while he ran the country and dealt with its problems alone.

      “She’s smarter than you’re giving her credit for, Gabriel. You should use her to your best political advantage.”

      “Thank you for your opinion, brother.” And his tone said that was the end of the conversation.

      With a mocking bow, Christian retreated. While part of Olivia regretted his departure, she was glad for a moment alone with Gabriel. Or she was until he began to speak.

      “I know you haven’t seen much of Sherdana since your arrival,” he said, his polite formality pushing her to greater impatience. “But maybe that can change in the next week or so.”

      “That would be lovely.” She bit back her thoughts on how unlikely it was. With the wedding only a month away she would scarcely have the opportunity to sleep, much less take a tour of the countryside. “I’m eager to visit the wine country.”

      “Sherdana takes pride in its wine as you well know.”

      “As it should,” she murmured, her boredom coming through in her tone. “I’m glad you were able to get your business resolved so you could return to the party so quickly.”

      “Business?” There wasn’t the least suggestion of understanding in his manner.

      “I saw your private secretary approach you with some news. It seemed to be something unpleasant. And then you left. Christian explained it was old business you needed to take care of.”

      “Ah, yes. Just a misunderstanding with Stewart. It was nothing.”

      “I’m glad.” But her mind was busy cataloging all the nuances of his tone and expression. Her future husband was skilled at deflection.

      “Would you care to dance?” he asked, his deep voice rumbling through her like distant thunder.

      Not really. She was tired and her shoes pinched. But she smiled. “Of course.”

      A waltz began to play as Gabriel took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. Keeping her expression pleasant and neutral was torture as his palm slid against her back. The gown she wore had a modest cut, showing no cleavage or bare shoulders, but the material was silk and the heat of Gabriel’s hand burned through the fabric and set her on fire.

      “Are you feeling compelled to marry because your father wishes it?”

      The abruptness of his question was so unexpected, she almost laughed. “Why would I need to be compelled by my father? You’re rich, handsome and going to be king one day. What girl wouldn’t wish to be queen?”

      “You didn’t answer my question.”

      “I’m not being forced to marry you. I have been given an opportunity many would envy.” She assessed his expression, curious where this line of questioning originated. “Are you worried that down the road I’ll regret my choice?” She cocked her head and regarded him intently. “Or are you looking for an excuse to break our engagement?”

      “Nothing like that. I am just wondering if perhaps you’d have preferred a different life.”

      “I’m sure many people wish every day that they’d done something different. Mostly, we must play the hand life deals us. For some, it’s struggling with poverty. For others raising a child on their own or dedicating themselves to their career and forgoing a family.” She pitched her voice into sympathetic tones for the next example. “For you it’s ensuring your kingdom’s economic security. I get to marry a prince and someday become a queen.”

      For some inexplicable reason, he grew short with her. “But is that what you want?”

      “To marry you and become a queen?” She let her surprise show. “Of course.”

      Gabriel didn’t appear convinced. “We haven’t had much time to get to know each other,” he said. “I hope that will change over the next month.”

      “Perhaps we could begin now. What is it you’d like to know?”

      “Let’s begin simply. How do you come to speak French and Italian so fluently?”

      “I had a whole army of tutors from the time I was small.”

      “Your accent is quite good.”

      “I’ve been told I have an aptitude for languages. I speak quite a few.”

      “How many?”

      “Six, but I understand three more.”

      “That will come in handy when dignitaries visit us.”

      Once again it hit her that she would never return to her home in England for anything more than a short visit. As princess, she would be expected to spend most, if not all, of her time in Sherdana. At least she would see her father frequently because he would want to keep an eye on his investment.

      “You don’t smile much, do you?” His question was more reflective than directly aimed at her.

      His observation caught her off guard.

      “I smile all the time.”

      Gabriel’s gaze slipped intently over her features, arousing a frantic thrumming in her chest. “Polite smiles. Political smiles, but I’m not sure I’ve once seen you smile because you’re happy.”

      “I assure you, I’m quite happy.”

      “Stop telling me what you think I want to hear. That’s not what Sherdana needs of its princess and definitely not what I expect from my wife.”

      The intensity of his tone and the nuances of his observation did not belong to the man she’d known up to this point. His frank speech loosened her tongue.

      “Are you giving me permission to argue with Your Highness?”

      He made a face. “Gabriel.”

      “Of course.”

      “Olivia.” Tone commanding, he somehow managed to caress her name in a way that vibrated through her. “It would make me very happy if you would start thinking of me as a man and not a prince.”

      His demand sent a ripple of excitement up her spine. She decided to speak her mind.

      “I will if you stop thinking of me in terms of economic gain or financial dealings and realize I’m a woman who knows exactly what she wants.”

      At her words, Gabriel blinked. Surprise quickly became curiosity as he regarded her. For the first time she believed he was seeing her as a person instead of the clause in the contract he needed to satisfy so her father would build a plant in Sherdana and create technical jobs to bolster the economy.

      “I’m beginning to think there’s more to you than I realize,” Gabriel remarked, executing a turn in the dance that left her breathless.

      “Thank СКАЧАТЬ