Noting down everything he said, Cassidy looked up in time to see their car pass through a large stone archway that separated the countryside from the city of Trinia, Arrantino’s major metropolitan and business centre.
‘Wow, it’s beautiful,’ she murmured, her eyes glancing over a city that seemed to perfectly blend centuries-old buildings with brand-new constructions. ‘And hardly any traffic. That’s amazing for a city with just under a million citizens.’
Logan gave her an amused look. ‘That’s because the traffic has been cleared for our arrival. Once we’re through, this boulevard will resemble Fifth Avenue at rush hour.’
‘Oh, sorry.’ She turned her attention back to the tablet, embarrassed.
Logan took her chin in his hand and turned her face so that she was looking at him once more. ‘Why are you sorry?’
His fingers felt warm and strong and a liquid bubble felt like it burst deep inside her. ‘I just keep making mistakes.’
‘That wasn’t a mistake. You don’t know the royal protocol.’
‘No.’ Her throat felt thick and she swallowed, wanting to move and not wanting to move at the same time. ‘It’s just a little overwhelming, I suppose.’
Logan’s brows arched. ‘You’ll be fine. This will be all over before you know it.’
Cassidy sucked in a soft, deep breath when Logan released his hold on her, her traitorous skin tingling from his touch. Within moments they were turning into the wrought-iron gates that led to the Royal Palace. The cars rumbled slowly over the wide cobblestoned drive that opened out into a massive forecourt.
‘That’s my great-grandfather, Javier,’ Logan said, noticing her staring at a large statue of a military figure on a rearing horse as the cars stopped at the main entrance to the palace. ‘He prevented the French from invading our humble country, thus aligning ourselves more closely with the Spanish, and becoming a national hero.’
‘That would explain why Arrantinians speak a version of Spanish.’
‘We were part of Spain for a long time before my great-great-grandfather seceded, so we go back a long way with our neighbour. That wasn’t the easiest of battles either and you’ll see his painting front and centre as you walk through the front doors.
‘The palace is amazing. There must be a thousand windows on this side alone. I’ve seen pictures of it, of course, but in the flesh...’
‘It’s imposing. But it’s meant to be that way. To put off any interlopers who thought we were fair game for a small kingdom, and to make any others envious of Arrantino’s wealth.’
‘Ah, the shock and awe trick.’
Her lips curved into a smile, but Logan obviously didn’t share her humour because he turned away as a footman opened his door.
‘Your Highness.’
She tried not to let his abrupt dismissal affect her by reminding herself that she was here to work, not to entertain him, but she wasn’t completely successful.
He held his hand out to assist her from the car and Cassidy took it, even though she didn’t want to. He gripped her fingers firmly, releasing her as soon as her feet touched the ground as if he felt the same tremor that she did when they touched. Which was probably the most fanciful thought she’d had yet and was evidence that maybe she wasn’t as completely back to normal as she would like.
Something to work on.
Turning toward the stone steps, she was just in time to see Logan grin widely at the portly man in a suit and waistcoat standing to attention in front of him.
They greeted each other in Arrantinian before Logan turned back to her. ‘This is my assistant, Cassidy Ryan. Cassidy, this is Gerome. He has been with our family for, what is it, Gerome? One century or two?’
‘Sometimes it feels like two, Your Highness,’ the retainer deadpanned.
He shared a look with Logan that seemed to suggest that right now it seemed like even more.
‘Indeed.’ Logan shook his head. ‘Is my mother about?’
‘Her Highness has a meeting with the director of the festival of the arts but she has been informed of your arrival. Housekeeping is preparing your apartments for your return and the King advised that you are to have free use of his offices.’
‘Very good. Please arrange for a selection of pastries and extra-strong coffee to be delivered there.’
Now that they were here, Cassidy sensed the huge responsibility that truly faced her boss and she couldn’t help feeling sorry for him. Her small problem of having to find another place to live seemed minute in comparison.
‘Follow me,’ Logan directed, striding through two huge wooden doors that stood about twenty feet tall.
They made their way towards the rear of the palace and Cassidy barely knew where to look as they passed through the vaulted, richly carpeted hallways lined with antique furniture and centuries-old artwork interspersed with oak-tree-thick marble pillars. The feeling was one of peace and serenity and if she hadn’t been rushing to keep up with her boss she would have slowed her pace to fit the setting.
The King’s formal offices were made up of four rooms, large and airy with French-style windows that overlooked emerald-green lawns bordering the river. The Arrantino mountain range majestically filled in the backdrop, the sky already a blinding azure blue.
The main office was uncluttered and contemporary, a large walnut desk taking up the centre position with comfortable cream sofas beneath French windows, and centuries-old paintings and modern bookcases lining the walls. This room alone was the size of her apartment back home and it was difficult not to gape.
‘Do you want me to use the desk we passed on the way in?’ she asked, her tablet in her hand as she prepared to stop gawping and get down to business.
‘No. Set up on the sofa for now. I’m assuming Leo’s private secretary uses that desk so I’ll have another one brought in here temporarily.’
As soon as he spoke a slender woman with the grace of a dancer stepped into the office. With midnight-black hair, red lips and the build of a greyhound, she looked like she belonged on the set of a nineteen-fifties French film noir.
‘Welcome, Your Highness.’ Even her voice was smoky-soft with mystery. ‘The King sends his apologies for not being here to greet you.’
‘Margaux. It’s good to see you again. This is Cassidy, my assistant. We’ll need a desk brought in here. Can you arrange it?’
‘Of course, sir. Is there anything else?’
‘You don’t happen to know the whereabouts of my brother, do you?’
‘No. He didn’t say.’
Logan’s mouth pressed into a flat line. ‘I’ll want a debrief soon, but I’ll let you know when.’
‘As you wish. I’m at your disposal.’
Wondering just how much the other woman would be at his disposal, Cassidy caught the catty thought and banished it. Margaux had acted like a consummate professional—just as she needed to do—and she set her phone and laptop on the coffee table while she replied to a new email that had just come in requesting data on a deal they had not long closed.
Relieved to have work to focus on, she emptied her mind of everything else, only stopping to enjoy a delicious pastry and welcome cup of coffee from a team of servants who came and went as discreetly as mice.
An hour later an older woman who was sharply beautiful with styled blonde hair and timeless blue eyes a shade lighter than Logan’s entered, almost breathing fire.
‘Logan.’ She didn’t bother knocking as she swept into the room. ‘It’s good to see you. Leo said that he had brought you up to speed on the crisis.’
Logan bowed in greeting before kissing the woman on both cheeks. ‘He’s informed me of what he intends to do. I plan to change his mind about it. May I introduce you to Cassidy Ryan, my executive assistant.’
The woman cast Cassidy an appraising glance under which she felt like squirming.
/> ‘Cassidy, my mother, Her Majesty, Queen Valeria.’
His mother?
Shocked, Cassidy wobbled to her feet and lowered into what she hoped was a decent curtsy. ‘Your Majesty, it’s a pleasure to meet you. You have a lovely home.’
The Queen barely gave her a nod, dismissing her out of hand as she turned back to her son. ‘Do you know where Leo has gone? He hasn’t apprised me of his whereabouts.’
‘Not specifically,’ Logan said. ‘Only that he’s taking care of the woman he’s currently seeing.’
His mother made a moue of distaste. ‘That is so like Leo. He’s such an emotional animal.’ She shook her head as if that were a very bad thing. ‘Don’t think for a minute that you will be able to talk him out of his current plan of action. He’s very set about abdicating. And so he should be, given the scandal.’
‘You only think that because of the past.’
‘I’ve forgotten the past,’ she said briskly. ‘As should you. The future is all that matters and our country needs you. You can’t distance yourself from us for ever, and you will make a great king. You’ve always been level-headed in a crisis.’
‘I don’t want the role,’ Logan ground out.
‘Maybe not.’ His mother eyed him, then continued, ‘The new modern art wing at the national museum must be opened this afternoon, and then there is a meeting with the cabinet tomorrow. If Leo’s not back, you’ll need to attend that as well.’
‘Isn’t there someone else who can open the museum?’
‘No. I have a choral exhibition to oversee. And the director of the museum will be expecting someone of senior rank since he’s already been promised an audience with the King.’
‘Fine. Just tell me that I’m not expected to make a speech.’
‘Of course you are. And there’s one more issue I need to table.’ His mother gave him a pointed look. ‘Your future intended.’
Logan shook his head and scowled at his mother. ‘I haven’t agreed to take over yet,’ he pointed out. ‘And neither do I have an intended.’
‘Which is why I’ve put together a list of potential candidates for you to consider.’
‘Your Majesty.’ Logan’s voice was dangerously soft, his blue eyes piercing. ‘Finding a wife is the lowest item on my list of priorities.’
‘I know it is.’ His mother arched a brow that suggested that she didn’t care a whit what was on his list of priorities. ‘Hence the need for someone to take charge in this regard. And before you regale me with your intention to find your own wife, may I remind you that you haven’t found one so far and as the King-in-waiting you need to produce an heir. But this time we don’t want any outsiders. You must choose someone from our echelon of society who knows exactly what is expected of one in royal life. The monarchy won’t survive another mistake or another scandal.’
Logan gave a growl under his breath and ran his hand through his hair. ‘If I am to become King, I’m aware of what my future obligations will entail.’
‘Good, then there won’t be any issues about it. I’ll have Margaux forward the list to your email.’
‘I’m sure it will make riveting reading. Cassidy, can you liaise with Margaux to see if Leo had drafted a speech for this afternoon? I may as well start with something that actually needs my attention.’
‘Of course.’
Cassidy curtsied again to his mother before quickly leaving the room. Frankly she couldn’t get out of there fast enough. She was used to being the least important person in the room, but to his mother she had been all but invisible.
‘I really don’t think you should be calling your assistant by her first name,’ she heard his mother say before she had fully closed the door behind her. ‘It has a tendency to make them believe that they are closer to you than they really are.’
‘Cassidy is my employee. That’s all she has ever been and all she ever will be, and she knows that.’
‘I hope you’re right, Valeria replied. ‘If she developed personal feelings for you she would have to go.’
‘I’m well aware of that. If she developed feelings for me I’d want her to go.’
‘Can I help you?’
Caught eavesdropping when she really hadn’t meant to, Cassidy jumped. Margaux was watching her with open curiosity.
Logan’s comment that she knew exactly what she was to him was a timely reminder that whatever she had been feeling up to now about her boss was completely one-sided. Which she already knew, but there was nothing like having something confirmed to really bring it home.
‘The King’s speech for the museum this afternoon.’ She gave Margaux what she hoped was a confident smile. ‘If you have one, can you please forward it to me as soon as possible?’
CHAPTER FIVE
AN HOUR LATER Cassidy had almost convinced herself that she was working out of her own New York office until Logan stopped beside the sofa and she glanced up and then around to see antique furniture and blue and gold flock-covered walls.
Logan’s presence here seemed more imposing than ever. His handsome face was grim and Cassidy’s belly did a mini-flip to find him standing so close to her.
Clearly his mood hadn’t improved from earlier that morning and she once more found herself feeling sorry for him. He’d been fielding calls from New York since speaking to his mother, sorting out issues with the bank and acting as if it was business as usual when it was anything but. At least for her. This palace...his mother...the gravitas that permeated the air was a step up from even the bank’s hallowed hallways. Not to mention the information that he was expected to marry someone from a noble family. The thought made her throat thicken because she had never considered that Logan would give up his bachelor lifestyle for anyone. He had always seemed so unattainable and she supposed he still was because although he might have to marry if he became King, it wouldn’t be to an ordinary woman like her.
‘No contact from Leo yet?’
His voice was calm, but she knew he was growing impatient.
‘I’m afraid not.’
His mouth tightened as he rolled his shirtsleeves down over his muscular forearms and fastened his gold cufflinks. ‘I’ve given him your number in case mine is busy and I don’t care what I’m doing. If he calls, interrupt me.’
‘I will.’
‘How have you found Margaux?’
More sophisticated than she could ever hope to be.
‘Great. She’s very particular and thorough, and she’s been very helpful. She forwarded your brother’s speech and I’ve reworded some of the components to make it sound more like you. I sent it to your phone.’
‘Then we’re good to go.’
‘We?’ There was that word again and Cassidy pushed her glasses closer to her face with the tip of her little finger. She hadn’t anticipated that Logan would want her to go with him on an official visit. He’d been handling royal affairs since he came out of nappies, whereas the most formal occasion Cassidy had attended was her niece’s high school awards night.
‘Yes. I want you there. I need an update on the Westgate tunnel deal.’
‘Actually, I can give you that now.’ She swallowed heavily. ‘Kellard are definitely interested and I’ve arranged a tentative video conference with the trustees this Thursday. That way if it all comes off we’ll still sign off on the tender bid by close of business that day. Everyone is on standby pending your approval.’
‘And this is why I can’t do without you.’ He gave her a smile that made her breath catch. ‘Of course I approve. We can set it up at the conference room down the hallway. You’ll have to clear it with the IT depart—’
‘Already done. I’m waiting for the head of IT to get back to me about it.’
Logan nodded. ‘Let me know as soon as he does. In the meantime, pull the relevant information together and get any new figures from Accounting.’ He
glanced down at his phone, frowning. ‘What are the Cliff Notes on this speech I’m expected to give?’
‘The contemporary art movement in Arrantino and how it has influenced the direction of art on the world stage. There are also some awards to give out to the students who received grants last year.’
‘Great. I know more about tropical fish than I do about contemporary art on any stage.’
Unprepared for his sudden display of humour, Cassidy barely kept a laugh from escaping her throat. The last thing she wanted was to find her boss funny, it would only make him more appealing when she was trying to find reasons for him to be less so. ‘It sounds quite fascinating, actually. Apparently the light in Arrantino during the summertime would make Van Gogh weep.’
‘You’re an art buff?’
Cassidy instantly bristled at the implied surprise in his voice. ‘When you grow up in a small country town you become curious about everything.’
He cocked his head, studying her far too intently. ‘It wasn’t a criticism. Where you grow up doesn’t define who you are as a person.’
Doesn’t it?
Cassidy felt the knot of bitterness well up inside her at how easily the folk of her home town had judged her family as no-hopers after Peta’s pregnancy, and then her own drastic miscalculation when she’d tried to win a boy’s affection when she had agreed to send him a photo of herself in her underwear... Had she known he was going to share it with his friends...laugh about it...call her a...
She shook her head, the shame of knowing she had been as naïve as to think that one of the most popular boys at school had actually liked her for her still made her feel ill. She’d embarrassed herself and her father and the only good thing about it was that it had no bearing on her life now. No one else would ever have to know. Logan would never have to know.
Turning back to him, she reached for her handbag, feigning a lightness she didn’t feel. ‘Forget I said anything. Shall we go?’
Crowning His Unlikely Princess (Mills & Boon Modern) Page 6