Of course it remained to be seen if Finn wanted to be any part of it.
She looked down at her watch. ‘I’ve got my tour guide hat on again. The sun sets by five, and I would like to show you around the old town and through the cathedral while it is still light. I don’t want to rush you, though. The town is beautiful, and you’ll want to be able to divert down a cobbled lane or into a market square if something interests you. Our clock tower dates back to the sixteenth century. When the clock strikes the hour, medieval figures appear in rotation to strike the bell. It’s quite a tourist attraction.’
‘Another one of your favourite things about your home?’
‘It never fails to fascinate me.’
‘I look forward to seeing it. We Australians are interested in old buildings because we don’t have many of our own.’
‘So that timing suits you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then this evening you will dine in Tristan and Gemma’s private apartment at the palace. It will be much less formal than the soirée last night. And it goes without saying that any food Gemma serves will be superlative.’
‘Will you be there too?’
‘Of course.’
Finn leaned over the table to be closer to her, so their heads nearly touched. He lowered his voice to barely above a whisper as there were curious onlookers at other tables in the tea room. ‘Will there be a chance for us to spend time alone together?’
‘Is that what you want?’ She also kept her voice to a whisper.
‘You bet I do.’ Her heart leapt. ‘What about you?’
‘Oh, yes,’ she said, perhaps too fervently. ‘But I will have to work around a directive from the Queen that I must avoid being alone with you.’
He frowned. ‘Why is that? Does she think I can’t be trusted with you?’
‘I believe she thinks it is me who can’t be trusted with you.’
‘What the hell—?’ he said, forgetting to keep his voice down. ‘I mean, what the hell...?’ he whispered.
She laughed.
‘Laugh number three,’ he said.
‘What do you mean by that?’ she asked, puzzled.
‘I’ll explain later,’ he said.
She drew back from the intimacy of their heads nearly touching, made a show of pulling out her phone and scrolling through it, then spoke in a normal tone of voice.
‘Tomorrow, according to your timetable, Tristan has you scheduled for morning meetings in our administrative capital of St Pierre. Tristan will accompany you for those. On your return to the palace you will be placed once more in my hands.’
Finn gave a discreet, suggestive waggling of his eyebrows, with just a hint of a leer that made her smile. ‘I like that idea very much,’ he said.
‘Me too,’ she murmured, trying not to think about what she would like to do to him with her hands. ‘There’s a visit to an artisan cheese producer. Then I’d like to take you out of town to visit our family’s mountain chalet. It’s our ski chalet in winter, but we often don’t get good falls until January. A visit at this time of year will give you a taste of traditional Montovian rural life and an opportunity to hike. If we’re lucky, there might be a dusting of snow.’
‘I like that idea very much,’ he said. ‘But how—?’
She leaned over the table again. ‘I’m working on how we can spend time alone. Trust me.’
‘Can I really trust you?’ he whispered with a wicked grin.
‘Oh, yes,’ she said.
At that moment the middle-aged woman Natalia had been expecting arrived and headed towards their table. Finn immediately got up from his chair.
She greeted her guest briefly in Montovian and then switched to English for introductions. ‘Finn O’Neill—Anneke Blair.’
They shook hands.
‘Anneke, Finn is here from Australia on a brief business trip and I’ve been charged with showing him around.’
Finn gestured around the tea room. ‘Natalia has brought me here to chocolate heaven. What an excellent idea.’
‘It is indeed,’ Anneke said with a big smile.
‘Anneke is married to Henry, who is originally from Surrey in the UK. He has been my English tutor since I started to speak. Anneke also speaks excellent English, and she knows more about the old town, its stories and secrets than even I do. So she will be joining us for our tour.’
‘Thank you, Anneke,’ Finn said. ‘I appreciate you taking the time to do so.’
Her mother could have no complaints about her inclusion of Anneke. It would divert the Queen’s focus from her and Finn, and it would send her the message that Natalia was, once again, being the dutiful royal daughter.
But not for long. She had plans for the chalet. Plans for Finn.
CHAPTER NINE
SEATED AT TRISTAN’S very hospitable dining table that evening, Finn was able to relax for the first time since he’d arrived in Montovia. The reason? He and Natalia were the only guests. And, as Gemma and Tristan were in the know about Natalia’s visit to Sydney for Eliza’s wedding, that meant he didn’t have to hide the fact that he had met her before his visit to the palace.
Of course the extent of the time he and Natalia had spent together was still a secret shared only between them. As far as the others were concerned Natalia had danced with Finn and some of the other guests before waving the bride and groom off on their honeymoon when the wedding had wound up. Then Natalia and Finn had gone their separate ways.
That they had done nothing of the sort was a deliciously private secret between them that bubbled under their conversation and heightened the awareness between them with every glance.
Natalia sat across the table from him. She looked regally beautiful in a deep ruby-coloured velvet dress with long, tight sleeves. Adorning the creamy skin revealed by the V-neckline was an antique pendant of pearls, diamonds and rubies—no doubt a priceless family heirloom. Her hair swung loose, one side fastened over her ear with a pearl-covered hairpin.
She looked every inch the Princess, but warm and approachable too. Was it his imagination or did she look a little happier since he’d been able to make her laugh? He’d now lost count of the number of times he’d enjoyed the sound of her laughter.
To call the Crown Prince’s private quarters an ‘apartment’ was clearly an understatement. Over two levels, it was more like a mansion. However, in contrast to the other parts of the palace Finn had seen, the design was sleek and contemporary. Natalia had whispered to him that Tristan had had the apartment gutted and redesigned after he’d inherited the Crown Prince title from Carl, to eliminate sad memories of his beloved older brother’s tenure.
Wherever Finn was in the palace he was aware of the immense wealth of this royal family. Even the guest suite where he was staying was luxurious. But tonight’s dinner reminded him of an evening with friends at home. Gemma had even cooked most of the meal, although there was a maid to serve and clear up.
And Gemma was obviously delighting in having a fellow Australian to chat to. ‘Did you really not recognise Natalia at the soirée last night?’ she asked, looking from him to her sister-in-law.
‘I honestly didn’t,’ said Finn. ‘It came as a complete surprise to me that the girl who sat next to me at the wedding was a princess in disguise.’
It was good to be able to discuss, even superficially, what he’d bottled up for three months. The way Natalia had stood him up in Sydney had been too devastating for him to share with anyone.
‘I thought she looked gorgeous as a blonde,’ Gemma said. ‘I reckon long blonde hair is your look, Nat.’
‘Thank you, Gemma,’ said Natalia, smiling. She and Gemma were clearly good friends. ‘But it was way too much upkeep. I’m happy to be back to my natural colouring.’
‘I like it too,’ said Finn, careful to keep the compliment discreet and respectful. Sh
e would look beautiful whichever way she did her hair.
‘What would you have done if you’d known she was a secret princess?’ Gemma asked.
‘Probably not have dared to speak to her, let alone asked her to dance,’ he said.
‘And that would have been a shame,’ Natalia said lightly.
‘Natalia tells me your business meetings have gone well?’ Tristan said.
‘Very well,’ said Finn. ‘And I enjoyed my tours of the castle and the old town.’
‘Thank you, Finn,’ Natalia said, doing a good job of appearing not to show any personal interest in him. ‘Tristan, that brings us to our schedule for tomorrow. After Finn’s visit to St Pierre with you, we have a visit to our favourite artisan cheese producer scheduled. As it’s on the way to the chalet, I plan to take Finn up to the chalet afterwards. That area is a great showcase for rural Montovia without us having to go further afield.’
‘You might be cutting it fine in terms of daylight,’ Tristan warned.
‘You’re right. And if it snows those roads could be dangerous at night... I wonder if we should plan to stay there overnight? I’ve invited Marco and Amelie for dinner and they’re keen to stay over. Would you and Gemma like to come too?’
‘I’m afraid I can’t,’ said Gemma. ‘Shame... I love the chalet. However, I have other plans for tomorrow.’
‘So do I,’ said Tristan. ‘But it sounds like a good idea. It’s like the land that time forgot up there.’
The whole place had that air about it, Finn thought. Though he was discovering that—palaces, medieval castles and quaint towns aside—Montovia was a forward, prosperous country, and highly successful as a financial centre.
‘I’ll inform the housekeeper at the chalet you’ll be having guests for dinner and breakfast,’ said Gemma.
‘That’s settled, then,’ said Natalia, in a very businesslike tone.
Finn didn’t dare catch her eye. Clever princess. He had no doubt she’d concocted the visit to the chalet to give them some time alone together, without flagging up the fact that there might have been more to the way they’d met in Sydney.
‘Well planned,’ he whispered to her when he got the chance.
‘Even better than swapping place cards,’ she whispered back, straight faced.
The dinner had started early and ended early, as Gemma was tired. Natalia, taking her place as hostess, escorted Finn back to his room on the floor below. She didn’t have to—he knew the way—but he welcomed the extra few minutes with her.
Perhaps there were security cameras about, or simply observant eyes, but she acted purely within the boundaries of her role. Until she leaned forward for just a second as she shook his hand goodnight and whispered, ‘I can’t wait until tomorrow.’
Finn didn’t know where this thing between them could possibly go. But he was only in Montovia for another two days and he was going to grab any time he could with her without worrying about what might come next.
CHAPTER TEN
NATALIA’S ACQUAINTANCESHIP WITH full-blown insomnia had been well and truly renewed. Last night she’d hardly slept. Thoughts of Finn had relentlessly churned around and around in her mind, keeping her eyes wide open until way into the early hours.
Her obsession with Finn was almost adolescent—what was a twenty-seven-year-old woman doing, getting in such a tizz about a man she’d only known in total for a few days? For all that wedding guest psychic’s predictions, and for all her mother the Queen’s warnings, not a word about anything serious had passed between her and Finn.
But to her it was a very big deal.
She had never felt like this about any man. She doubted she would ever feel it again.
The disaster of their parting in Sydney had been forgiven, if not forgotten. She needed to see if Finn saw the possibility of any kind of relationship blooming between them. This sneakily planned visit to the chalet might be the only chance she got.
* * *
He returned from his meetings in St Pierre at the agreed time. Natalia had been counting the moments until she saw him again—conscious of how limited they were. They met at the top of the circular palace driveway, which led to the road that twisted its way from the castle down the mountain to the town.
Finn had changed from his business suit and was appropriately rugged up in black jeans, a grey cashmere sweater and a smart charcoal quilted coat. He was as sophisticated and stylish as any prince or duke, and a heck of a lot more handsome. Just looking at him sent shivers of want through her. But she forced herself to be professional and impartial—as if she were simply dealing with a business contact.
‘A four-by-four and a uniformed chauffeur,’ he said. ‘Interesting choice of transport.’
‘The roads can be rough around the chalet. Ice and possible snow can make them dangerous,’ she said.
‘Not quite what I expected for a princess-mobile.’
‘The glass carriage and white horses won’t cut it for today, I’m afraid,’ she said, with a regretful shake of her head.
‘I’m disappointed,’ he said, with the grin that had the magic power to lift her spirits.
‘But a princess doesn’t drive herself around town,’ she said. And then added as a murmured aside, ‘And this way I get to sit in the back seat with you.’
Her heart was racing—not only at the thought of being alone with Finn but also at the audacity of her plan.
Being accompanied at the chalet by her cousin and his wife—both close friends who wanted to see her happy—might not be quite what her mother had in mind. But she’d had a lifetime of obedience. Her time in Sydney had made her see life with different eyes. Made her realise you had to grab opportunities when they were offered to you. You weren’t always given a second chance. She fully intended to seize this one.
‘Tell me about the chalet,’ said Finn as he slid in next to her in the back seat. Close, but not too close.
He knew what was expected of him in public. But in private...? She shivered in anticipation.
‘The chalet has nothing but happy memories for me. It’s high up on the mountain, above the snow line. The building started life as a farmhouse about three hundred and fifty years ago. It must have been a long way from civilisation then. In the old days the farmers were cut off from the town for most of the winter. Those remaining still live a traditional life.’
‘I was beginning to think everything was ancient in your country until I saw St Pierre today. That’s a very modern city.’
‘Our country has one foot planted in the past and the other striding towards the future. I’m very proud of it.’
‘And the chalet now?’
‘My grandfather had it converted to make a private residence. It’s rustic, traditional, built from stone and timber, with sloping roofs because of the snow. Humble in its own way. But the bathrooms are new and the heating has just been updated.’
‘I wouldn’t expect anything less from one of your family residences,’ he said.
‘Be warned—it’s no palace. My grandfather used it as a hunting lodge and it still has that kind of décor.’
‘I don’t hunt,’ he said.
‘Neither do we. We only shoot animals with a camera. The land around the chalet is a conservation area now. Some of the animals that were hunted to the point of extinction are coming back. My brothers and I were able to run wild there like we were never able to at the palace—well, our version of running wild.’
‘Do you use it for skiing?’
‘The chalet is not near any commercial skiing areas. But we use it as a base for cross-country skiing. The trails are wonderful. Do you ski?’
‘I like skiing. But I prefer sailing.’
‘Er...of course,’ she said.
Natalie hoped he wasn’t remembering how she’d stood him up for their sailing date in Sydney. Then she wondered if
he was a mind reader.
‘Just a reminder—you don’t need to say sorry again,’ he said.
Compassionate. That was the word for the expression in his eyes. He now seemed to understand the challenges that came with the expectations of her privileged way of life, not just dismiss her as a ‘poor little rich girl’.
She ached to reach over and take his hand. She knew it would not be wise, and yet some new rebelliousness wanted to draw his head down to hers for a kiss and do what any ordinary girl had every right to do but a princess of Montovia did not.
Instead, she shifted just a little farther away from him and forced herself to stick to the more sensible plan she had already put in place. Though his nearness, his scent, his warmth meant she was in a constant state of yearning for him.
What if he didn’t feel anywhere near the same for her?
They had left behind the old town and the newer suburbs on its edge, flown through the cobblestoned villages, and were now steadily climbing the twisting roads up the mountain.
‘Everywhere I look is a postcard,’ said Finn. ‘The land’s still so green, with the colour from the trees holding the last of the autumn leaves, the black and white cows. Then there are the rustic houses and the stacks of chopped wood underneath, ready for the winter, the pumpkins piled in baskets. It’s like it’s all been posed for the camera.’
‘Even the three tractors trundling down the middle of the road that we’ve had to overtake?’
‘Even those,’ he said with a smile. ‘They were actually very smart tractors. Everything is so different from Australia—like a different world.’
‘You must have seen a lot of the world for your business?’
‘Yes—although I travelled first with my parents and grandparents, to visit family. Hong Kong, then Italy, Ireland later. I had a stake in all those countries—I belonged by blood. But even with our diverse background and urge to travel, we’re an Australian family, through and through. Australia was good to my family. It will always be my country.’
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