At His Majesty's Convenience

by Jennifer Lewis

  “What a relief.” His voice was oddly flat. He still made no move toward her.

  Andi’s eyes dropped to her ring, which seemed to sting the skin underneath it. “It’s strange, I remember working with you for years, but I don’t…” Her voice cracked as fear rose in her chest. “I don’t remember anything about us.” She faltered. “I mean us being…romantically involved.”

  Jake stepped up to her and took her hand. Her heart surged with relief and she was about to smile, but his deadly serious demeanor stopped her. “I’ll be completely honest with you.”

  “About what?” Her pulse picked up and a sense of dread swelled inside her.

  “We weren’t involved. Our relationship was strictly professional until two days ago.”

  “We weren’t dating? Not even in secret?” Her heart hammered against her ribs.

  “No.”

  Andi swallowed hard and her rib cage tightened around her chest. The ostentatious ring suddenly seemed to weigh down her hand and drain her strength. “So, the engagement is fake?” Her voice came out as a rasping whisper, filled with every ounce of apprehension and terror she felt. “It was all pretend?”

  Jake tilted his head. “No.”

  Andi wanted to shake him. “Could you be more explicit?”

  He frowned. “It’s hard to explain. You were going to leave, and I didn’t want you to. I was under pressure to choose a bride, and then you lost your memory. Things fell into place and I realized you’re the ideal woman to be my wife.”

  She blinked, trying to make sense of his words. “So we are engaged?”

  “Absolutely.” His dark eyes looked earnest.

  Then a cold sensation crept over her. “But you’re not in love with me.”

  He swallowed. “Love is something that grows over time. I’m confident that we’ll enjoy a happy and successful marriage. The important thing is to provide stability for Ruthenia, and as a team we can do just that.”

  Andi struggled for breath. The man of her dreams, whom she’d fantasized about and mooned over for six long years, wanted to marry her.

  Because she’d be a key member of his team.

  A cold laugh flew from her lips. “Wouldn’t it have been easier to just offer me a higher salary?”

  He raised a brow. “I tried that.”

  “And I said no? Wait. Now I remember saying no. You were so sure you could talk me around, just like you always do.” Her vision blurred as tears rose to her eyes. “And you really thought I’d go along with this crazy plan?”

  “You’re sensible and practical. I knew you’d see the sense in it.”

  “In spending my life with a husband who doesn’t love me? You never even noticed I was female.” A flashback to their lovemaking filled her brain. He’d noticed it then. But maybe he’d just pretended she was one of the glamorous socialites that usually buzzed around him. He’d had no shortage of girlfriends in the time she’d worked for him.

  “My parents married because their families were both exiled Ruthenian nobles. They were married nearly fifty years.”

  His parents had died before she met him. She knew little about them except that they were part of New York society. “Were they happy?”

  He hesitated. “Of course.”

  “You don’t sound convinced. Did they love each other?”

  “It was a successful marriage, and they achieved their lifelong goal of producing an heir who’d be ready to take the throne of Ruthenia when the time came.”

  “Lucky thing you were cooperative. It would be a shame to throw away fifty years of your life and have your son insist he was going to be a pro skateboarder. Did you really think I’d just go along with your plan?”

  “Yes.”

  His calm expression exasperated her. He still thought she was going to go along with his scheme. He obviously didn’t care about her feelings at all. “We slept together.” Her body still sizzled and hummed with sensual energy from that amazing night.

  The passion they’d shared might have been fake on his side, but on hers it was painfully real.

  “I didn’t intend for that to happen.” His expression turned grim. “I understand that you must be furious with me for taking advantage of your situation.”

  “You’re right. I am.” Devastated would have been a better word. Their lovemaking wasn’t the fruit of a long-term and loving romance, at least not for him. On her side she’d probably had enough romance in her head to last a lifetime.

  He must have found it hilarious that she fell into his arms so easily. “Didn’t you think it was wrong to sleep with an employee?”

  His eyes narrowed. “Yes. I didn’t intend to sleep with you until I’d explained the situation.”

  “Until you’d explained to me that you needed a wife and I was handy?” She still couldn’t quite believe he took her so totally for granted.

  Obviously he had no respect for her feelings and wishes. A chill swept through her and she hugged herself.

  “You were confused after losing your memory. I didn’t want to complicate matters when I knew you were in no state to make an important decision.”

  “So you just made it for me.”

  He drew in a breath. “You know me well enough to trust my judgment.”

  She struggled to check her anger. “I trust your judgment perfectly in matters of business, but not where my personal life is concerned. You already knew I intended to leave because I wasn’t feeling fulfilled.”

  No need to say she couldn’t stand to see him marry another woman. He’d assume she was thrilled that he’d made a coldhearted and clinical decision to marry her. “It’s downright arrogant of you to assume I’d marry you.”

  “I know you’re capable of rising to any challenge.”

  “But what if I don’t want to?” Her voice rose a little and she struggled to check tears. A romance with Jake was such a heartfelt wish. Suddenly it had become a duty.

  No doubt sex with her was supposed to seal the pact in some way.

  What a shame she’d enjoyed it so much. Right now she wanted to chastise her body for still craving his touch. She should hate him for what he’d done when she needed his help the most.

  Jake still stood there, calm and regal, chin lifted high.

  A sinister thought crept over her. If he could plan something so outrageous as marriage to a woman who didn’t know who she was, perhaps he contrived to put her in such a vulnerable position.

  “Were you responsible for me losing my memory?” If he’d gone this far in his deception, who knew what he could be capable of?

  “No.” His answer was decisive.

  She wanted to believe him—and hated herself for it.

  “Then what did happen?” So many pieces were still missing.

  “I don’t know how you lost your memory. I found you outside dancing around on the grass in the moonlight.”

  Andi blushed. Had she done anything embarrassing? She couldn’t remember a single thing about that night. Though now that he mentioned it, she did remember telling him she was going to leave. A cold sensation slithered through her. She was leaving to protect her heart.

  Right now her heart was being flayed open. Jake’s desire to keep her had nothing to do with him wanting her as his fiancée, or even his friend, and everything to do with keeping his office running smoothly.

  And he’d seduced her into his bed on the pretext that they’d been dating for years.

  Her insides still hummed with sense memories that would probably torment her forever. She’d thought they were making love—and her whole spirit had soared with the joy of it—but he was just cementing a deal.

  On instinct she pulled the big ring from her finger. It wedged a bit over the knuckle, but she managed to get it off. “Take this back.”

  His eyes widened. “Oh, no. You must wear it.”

  “I don’t have to do anything.” She shoved it forward. “It’s not real.”

  “I assure you those stones are genuine and worth a
large sum of money.”

  Andi’s mouth fell open, then closed shut. How could he not understand a word she was saying? She walked to his desk and put the ring down on the polished surface. It looked odd there, sparkling away amongst the piles of papers.

  “I don’t intend to wear or own any kind of engagement ring unless I’m actually engaged. And since we’re not really engaged or even involved, I don’t want anything to do with it.” Tears threatened in her voice. She crossed her arms, and hoped it would hide the way her hands were shaking.

  “But we are engaged.” Jake’s words, spoken softly, crept into her brain and heart. “I really do want to marry you.”

  Andi blinked, trying to catch her breath. How could a dream come true in such a horrible, distorted way?

  The odd expression in his eyes almost made her consider it. There was something like…yearning in their dark depths.

  Then again, she was obviously good at dreaming stuff up.

  Now that her memory was back she knew—in the depths of her aching soul—that she’d loved Jake for years, pined for him and hoped that one day he’d see her as something other than an efficient assistant. She’d adored him in silence, occasionally allowing herself to fantasize that things might one day be different if she waited patiently for him to notice her. Their time as an engaged couple was the fulfillment of all secret hopes—and now she’d woken to find herself living a mockery of her cherished dreams.

  Anger flared inside her, hot and ugly. “You honestly think I would continue with this charade that you sprung on me when I was at my most vulnerable? To let people think that we love each other when we’re nothing more than boss and assistant, as always?”

  “We’ll be equals, of course, like any couple.”

  He said it simply, like he really believed it. But then Jake could convince anyone of anything. She’d watched him in action for too long. “I’m not sure that many couples are equals, especially royal ones.” She’d be the official wife, sensibly dressed and courteous as always. The one who got left behind with her embroidery—not that she did embroidery—while he was out having affairs with other women.

  “I need to leave, and right now.” If she continued with this pretense for even another hour, she’d get sucked into hoping their official engagement might turn into true romance. Even with every shred of evidence pointing to that being impossible and hopeless, she’d already proven herself to be that kind of softheaded, dreaming fool.

  “The story’s gone around the world already.”

  She steadied herself with a breath. All her relatives knew, probably all her old friends. Everyone she’d ever known, maybe. “You’ll just have to explain that it was all a big lie. Or a joke.” Her voice cracked on the last word. It did feel like a cruel joke at her expense. She’d never experienced such feelings of happiness and contentment as during the last couple of days as Jake’s fiancée. Their night of lovemaking had raised the bar of pure bliss so high that she’d likely never know anything like that again.

  “I’m going to pack my bags.” She turned for the door. Her whole body was shaking.

  Jake caught hold of her arm and she tried to wrench it away, but his grip was too strong. “The people of Ruthenia are counting on you. I’m counting on you.”

  His words pierced her soul for a second, but she summoned her strength. “I’m sure the people of Ruthenia can find something else to count on. Television game shows, perhaps.”

  “We’re going to be on television tonight. To talk about celebrating our engagement during the Independence Day celebrations.”

  Andi froze. “Independence Day. That’s what this is all about, isn’t it?” She turned and stared at his face. A memory of Jake’s public promise to choose a wife formed in her mind. “You committed to picking a bride before Ruthenia’s third Independence Day.” She squinted at him, looking for signs of emotion in his face. “Your deadline had come right up on you and you had to pick someone or you’d be a liar. And there I was, clueless as a newborn babe and ripe for duping.”

  “Andi, we’ve been partners for years. It’s not that big a leap.”

  “From the office to a lifetime commitment? I think that’s a leap. You can’t just get a plane ticket and leave a marriage.” She lifted her chin as anger and hurt flashed over her. “Though apparently I can’t just get a plane ticket and leave my job with you, either.” Fury bubbled up inside her. “Do you think you can control everything and everyone?”

  “I’m not trying to control you, just to make you see sense. We’re a great team.”

  “I’ve never been into team sports. When I marry, it will be for love.” Her heart ached at the thought that she’d loved Jake almost since the day she met him.

  Though right now she hated him for tricking her into a relationship that meant nothing to him.

  “Think it over, Andi. Be sensible.”

  “I am sensible. That’s why I know this would never work.”

  Jake’s expression grew impenetrable. “Stay until after Independence Day, at least.”

  “You think I’ll change my mind? Or maybe you think I’ll just be guilt-tripped into marrying you by seeing all those smiling Ruthenian faces. What if people don’t like the idea of you marrying your lowly assistant? They’d probably rather see you marry some Ruthenian blue blood with twelve names.”

  “They’ll all know I made the right choice.”

  His words hung in the air. The right choice.

  Impossible.

  Still, his quiet conviction both irked and intrigued her.

  She stared hard at his chiseled face. “You really do want to marry me?”

  He took her hands in his. Her skin tingled and sizzled, and she cursed the instant effect he always had on her. “I do want to marry you.”

  Those accursed hopes and dreams flared up inside her like embers under a breath.

  He doesn’t love you. Don’t get carried away.

  Still, maybe something could come of this crazy situation. Could she live with herself if she didn’t at least try to make it work?

  She inhaled a shaky breath. “If I agree to stay until Independence Day, then decide it won’t work, you’ll let me go?”

  His expression clouded. “Yes.”

  She wasn’t sure she believed him. Jake didn’t often admit, or experience, defeat. But she could always sneak away this time.

  Or stay here for the rest of her life.

  Her heart thumped and her stomach felt queasy. “I can’t really believe this is happening. We’ll sleep in separate rooms?”

  “If you prefer.” His cool reply sounded like a challenge. He probably intended to seduce her again. She silently determined not to let him.

  “Independence Day is three days away.” Could she stand to be Jake’s unloved but practical fiancée for seventy-two hours? She really didn’t want to let everyone down and ruin the Independence Day celebrations. She could look at it as her job, as long as there was no kissing or sex involved.

  And then there was that insane hope that they really could live happily ever after.

  Jake picked up the ring from among the papers on his desk. “You’ll need this.”

  Andi eyed it suspiciously. Putting the ring back on would mean agreeing to his terms. Clearly he expected her to, and why wouldn’t he? She’d always done everything he asked in the past.

  He picked up her hand without asking permission. Her skin heated instantly at his touch and she made the mistake of looking up into his face. His dark gaze dared her to refuse him—and she knew in that instant that she couldn’t.

  Why did he still have so much power over her?

  She was disoriented right now. Confused. Her memory slipping and sliding back into her head while she tried to take in the strange new reality of Jake wanting to marry her.

  Wanting to marry her.

  It should be a dream come true—so why did it feel more like a waking nightmare?

  Seven

  The following afternoon, Andi ad
justed the collar of her new and fabulously expensive dress. Fit for a queen. The rack of designer clothes had arrived with a coordinator from Ruthenia’s most snooty bespoke tailor to help her choose the right look and make any necessary alterations.

  She’d tried not to tremble when the seamstress stuck pins in around her waist and bust. Now the freshly sewn green fabric draped over her like a second skin of luxurious silk.

  But did she look like a future queen? She’d be paraded on TV as one tonight. RTV was setting up cameras in the ballroom to interview her and Jake. She’d tried to beg off and delay any public appearances until after she’d made her decision, but endless calls from the television station had hounded her into it and at this point she’d appear snooty and uncooperative if she said no again.

  “Earrings.” A representative from the jeweler where they’d bought the ring opened a case filled with sparkly gems. Andi hadn’t even noticed her come in, but then people were coming and going in a constant scurry, preparing for the evening shoot. The earrings blurred into a big shiny mass.

  “You choose.” Andi didn’t even want to look at them. Better to let these professionals decide whether she looked like a future queen or not.

  She certainly didn’t feel like one.

  Was it her job to act this part? It felt more like her patriotic duty. Which was silly since she was American, not Ruthenian. At least until she married Jake.

  If she married Jake.

  She tried to keep her breathing steady as the girl clipped big emeralds to her ears and murmured, “Perfect.” The seamstress nodded her approval and beckoned across the room.

  A middle-aged woman with a blond pompadour and a rat-tail comb approached with a gleam in her eye. She picked up a strand of Andi’s limp hair between her thumb and finger and winced slightly. “Don’t worry. We can fix it.”

  Thirty minutes later her hair hung around her shoulders in plump curls that everyone assured her looked “lovely.” The woman staring back at her from the mirror, wide-eyed and pale beneath her carefully applied makeup, didn’t even look like her. She’d barely managed to remember who she was, and now she was being turned into someone else.