The Prince Who Charmed Her

by Fiona McArthur

  Stefano opened her door and shielded her from the waiting throng. ‘For the moment, of necessity and to save face for my family, we are engaged. Perhaps some of the damage can be repaired. The engagement can be terminated when enough time has passed.’

  His statement hit her like a blow to the chest. This day just kept getting worse.

  ‘I’m not pretending any such thing.’

  She would not be the outsider again, like during her whole childhood. She wanted to fit. To be loved, not tolerated. To be the centre of someone’s universe, not a distant moon floating in his orbit until he was ready to evict her from his gravitational pull.

  ‘It is not pretence.’ He pulled a box from his pocket and lifted her unresisting hand, slid on the heavy stone. The ring hung like a shackle from her finger, a monstrous square-cut diamond, mocking her newly engaged status. ‘It is temporary.’

  ‘That’s all right, then.’ A semi-hysterical laugh slipped out. ‘I’m used to temporary.’

  His hand tightened on hers. ‘Can you not see you have done enough damage?’

  She felt so tired. What about the damage to her?

  This time when he took her hand no sparks flew. Their misery separated them completely and she should be grateful for that. What did she expect? That he would take her in his arms and weep with her, say he was sorry he hadn’t been there for her? Unlikely. But it would have been nice.

  He turned inscrutably to introduce her to those who waited.

  She didn’t understand any of this. How could a fake engagement help this situation? It would have to end some time. But she tried to smile as she mumbled, ‘Hello.’ Then she was towed across the forecourt to a line of servants, where another flurry of introductions was performed until finally it was over.

  The wall between them must be visible to all who watched, but no doubt the loyalty of his people would colour it differently.

  Once inside the palace Stefano dropped her hand and strode ahead, so she followed him up the inner staircase to the family apartments, more unhappy with every step.

  They even passed the stained glass doors without opening them—so much for her favourite place—and climbed another staircase to a redwood landing.

  He gestured her through some white doors and followed her in. ‘These were my mother’s rooms. It will be expected that you stay here. There is a turret if you wish for a quiet place to sit until I return. A place to gather your thoughts.’

  He was just going to leave her here? Alone?

  His face softened a fraction and she thought he was going to say something less harsh, but in the end he shook his head. ‘This whole thing is a fiasco. I must see my father.’

  And then he was gone.

  CHAPTER TEN

  MORE OF A tragedy than a fiasco.

  Kiki stood, shivering, in the vast apartment with several doors that were closed, like strangers shutting her out. She didn’t know what to think or do. She hadn’t felt this numb and directionless since that night when her baby had left her.

  * * *

  Stefano strode away, but in the back of his mind was the picture of Kiki’s white face and how small she’d looked alone in his mother’s rooms. But he had to harden his heart to that because his weakness with this woman had caused all this. He must put aside the guilt that whispered to him that in truth he had not tried hard enough to touch base with a woman who had given him everything he had asked for.

  And this new pain—this gnawing emptiness he had never experienced before—could it be the loss of something he had not thought would affect him so powerfully? But over it all was the disgust that he had let his family down again. That he could not forgive. He wasn’t even sure where to start to repair the damage.

  * * *

  Kiki had fallen asleep on the sofa, and when she woke Stefano was back, sitting opposite, watching her with an unreadable expression on his aristocratic face.

  She sat up, ran her hand through her hair and tried to straighten her clothes unobtrusively. Hard to gather her composure when he continued to stare.

  ‘Do you feel better?’ Not friendly, but at least the freezing tone of his voice had risen a few degrees.

  She blinked and sat up straighter. ‘That depends. Was it all a bad dream?’

  He shook his head. ‘It is still a bad dream.’

  She sighed. ‘Then I don’t feel better.’

  He almost smiled. ‘So, I must apologise for assuming you told the papers.’

  That was one bright moment in a bad day. ‘You believe me?’

  He had the grace to look away. ‘I have the truth from your doctor friend, Hobson, who has been concerned for your safety.’

  She sighed. ‘Of course you didn’t believe me.’ She looked around then, hoping for a glass of water or a cup of tea. Anything for her dry throat. She saw the ring lying on the table where she’d taken it off. ‘How long do I have to stay here?’

  He too looked at the ring and his eyes narrowed. ‘Is the apartment as well as the ring not to your liking?’

  She shrugged. ‘I haven’t seen the rooms. And you haven’t answered my question. In fact you’ve said precious little, and I’ve had just about enough of being kept in the dark.’

  He said implacably, ‘You must stay until I say you may go.’

  She shook her head and stood up. ‘That doesn’t work for me.’

  It was his turn to sigh. ‘Again we are at loggerheads. And if I were to ask what will work for you?’

  ‘I need to find a job.’ She glared at him. ‘Thanks to you. Find a place to live. Leave this fiasco behind and get on with my life.’

  He lifted his hand. Gestured to the room. ‘All these things you can do on Aspelicus.’

  She shook her head. ‘I’m not staying in the palace.’

  He shrugged. ‘For the moment needs must. But in a few weeks perhaps you could move to the village through the week and stay in the castle during the weekends.’

  As she lifted her head to dispute that he went on.

  ‘You will be undisturbed in these apartments, of course, but for the next two weeks at the very least we must be seen together.’

  She didn’t understand. How could it help her, being here? She didn’t want to be reminded every day that he hated her. ‘Why perpetuate a myth that will be found out in the end?’

  He stood and walked to the window. ‘Because my father is old-fashioned. Because he and my people wish desperately for my heir and they are greatly distressed to think I would leave the woman who carried my child alone. The loss of that dream and the blow to my esteem has created a furore. If they think I am engaged to you then not all is lost.’

  ‘Your father hated me from first sight. Let alone now.’ The way Prince Paulo had stared her up and down the first time they met had promised little rapport.

  ‘You imagine things. My father is very focussed on the good name of Aspelicus. He believes I should marry a woman of similar social standing, but this is my decision.’

  ‘And mine. And I’m not marrying you.’

  ‘But you will remain engaged to me for the time being, because you owe me that.’

  Kiki felt as though her head was going to explode. ‘I owe you nothing.’

  But he was not having any of it. ‘Is two weeks too much to ask? For the damage that has been done?’

  She could feel the trap closing. ‘Can’t we just be seen together at the hospital? I can work with that.’

  ‘In due course.’ He stood up. ‘For now, there will be a formal reception this evening. You are guest of honour. At seven I will come for you. The timing is poor, with the Prince’s Cup next week and all the functions that require my presence.’ He looked at her with a cynical smile. ‘And now your presence too.’

  She was sick of it all but too exhaus
ted to fight. What did it matter? She looked down at her crumpled clothes. ‘I’m going to look fabulous for the event.’

  He stood. ‘One of our local designers will take care of everything. She has several outfits she wishes to show you. Please try for a demure neckline.’

  Her eyes glittered. ‘Shame it isn’t fancy dress. She might have a habit and I could go as a nun.’

  ‘You look good in black.’ His tone was less than flattering.

  ‘With a wimple? So would you.’

  He turned and left and Kiki stared at the closed door. What was she going to do? She had no idea how to survive what he was asking. Especially the way she felt at this moment.

  And the wall around him was so thick she couldn’t see the man she had once thought she loved. How had this happened? She was alone, held on an island where the ruling family decided whether she could go or stay. No allies except her family, and she didn’t want to involve them until she could see her way out.

  Before she could think of anything else there was a knock on the door and a maid brought in some tea and a cake.

  Kiki decided the world might look less disastrous if she at least drank something.

  By the time she’d finished her tea the designer had arrived and they discussed Kiki’s fashion needs for the next two weeks.

  It seemed there were mammoth requirements for the Prince’s Cup. Shoes and handbags had been chosen, undergarments arrayed.

  Of course Stefano hadn’t mentioned the beauty technician who arrived to manicure, pedicure and mini-facial her before the hairstylist arrived...

  * * *

  It was perhaps fortunate that Kiki felt like a rag doll, able to be pulled this way and that, because her brain was whirring like a machine as she realised that she was truly officially engaged to a prince—albeit short-term—even if the world thought she had trapped him into it. And she would be expected to know what to do.

  For the moment, she let them have their way. Perhaps externally she would look the part, and it required no mental energy from her.

  To her surprise, all the attendants seemed genuinely glad to be of service to her, and she wondered why Stefano’s subjects didn’t hate her for putting him through the gossip mill.

  But it seemed that despite what he had said to Kiki personally Stefano had cast her as the victim, not the offender. Shame he didn’t believe it himself, because that shift would make this whole scenario so much easier to bear.

  She didn’t know if she could do this without his support. Her emotions were shot, and she had been getting more fragile every day—until here she was, on the eve of the day she had dreaded for months.

  Never would she have believed it would be overshadowed by something else.

  Even some direction on what she should do or say would be helpful in her current fragile state. How dared he not see how lost she was and how in need of support from him, no matter how pressing the affairs of state?

  The only other person who might possibly be able to help her was Elise, but the housekeeper had been conspicuous by her absence and, given her extreme loyalty to Stefano, that was not surprising.

  Just disappointing, because Elise was the one woman in the palace who would know what was going on. And maybe even understand how Kiki couldn’t possibly be responsible for airing something so privately tragic. Elise might just understand because she too had lost her dreams of children.

  * * *

  At one o’clock the attendants had gone. A maid knocked and delivered a small salad and a roll for lunch, and a pot of coffee. Desperately Kiki stopped her as she was about to disappear.

  ‘The housekeeper—Elise. Is she here today?’

  ‘Of course, Dr Fender. Mrs Prost lives in the palace and is on duty whenever Prince Stefano is at home.’

  She should have known. No surprises there. That’s how he’d like me, Kiki thought cynically, on duty whenever he wants.

  She nodded. ‘Lovely. Then could you ask if she has a moment? I would like to see her, please.’

  ‘Of course, Doctor.’ The maid curtsied and slipped out through the door.

  When Elise arrived, not many minutes later, Kiki wasn’t even sure what she was going to say to the housekeeper. One glance at her impassive face showed Elise was withholding her own opinion.

  Kiki needed this woman as her ally—she had to have at least one in the castle—and nothing but the truth was going to secure that.

  ‘Please sit down, Elise.’

  The woman perched uneasily on the edge of a chair. ‘I hope everything is to your satisfaction, Dr Fender?’

  The lines were drawn, then. ‘I thought we were on a first-name basis?’

  ‘That was before you became engaged to Prince Stefano. It would not be proper now.’

  Kiki sighed. ‘Fine. I need you to understand that I would never ask you to do anything that would harm Prince Stefano or the royal house of Mykonides.’

  The woman’s eyes flashed. ‘And I would rather die.’

  ‘I had already guessed that.’ Kiki smiled. ‘It is good to have that said.’ She folded her hands in her lap. ‘But I also need you to understand that I had nothing to do with publishing or giving the information that was printed by that newspaper.’

  ‘So His Highness has said.’

  She wasn’t getting anywhere. The woman still distrusted her, and how could she blame her? ‘Elise. I met Prince Stefano and we were very drawn to each other. As a woman who has lost her own children surely you can see that a mother would not share her grief with the world as has happened to me?’

  Elise stilled, stared at her, and finally nodded.

  Kiki felt the first glimpse of hope she’d felt all day and went on.

  ‘I believe the Prince is a good man and is distressed by the news. Did you know I tried to contact him? I had no idea his royal duties were so arduous, or that his recent accident was the reason he didn’t answer me.’ She saw the moment Elise understood and finally sighed with relief. ‘There is still a chemistry that neither of us thinks sensible. Now this has happened, and for the moment at least I must stay here. Behave as his betrothed. I don’t want to let him down again. But I need help.’

  Was that an imperceptible relaxing of her face? Was she imagining just a little more warmth in the woman’s eyes?

  ‘I see.’ Elise looked away to the tall windows for a moment and then looked back. ‘And I am sorry for your loss.’ She nodded. ‘Yes. You will need help. I will help.’ She added primly, ‘Also, I can say there has been a retraction in the paper, stating the fact that His Highness was gravely injured at the time of your miscarriage, and that he found you only a few days ago. Things do not look so bad when the true facts come to light. Legal action has commenced.’

  Kiki could almost spare a thought for Ginger and her boyfriend. Almost.

  Elise stood up. ‘I can see that it will help if you sail smoothly through the next two weeks.’ She paused at the door. ‘I will return with your itinerary and discuss what is required of you.’

  * * *

  For Kiki, at least, things improved after that. Elise’s support, once offered, was beyond generous. By the time Stefano came to escort his new fiancée to dinner she knew the correct curtsies, the names of the five most important people she would meet, and the itinerary for the evening. Even the menu.

  It felt good to have a little more control.

  And Elise’s final suggestion had come in words from her late princess—‘God rest her soul.’

  She’d told her, ‘See only one person or the occasion will overwhelm you. Look, speak and smile at one person and you will be in control of the room.’

  Kiki nodded. Sound advice and she’d certainly try. Because it seemed that no help would come from the man who had let her down when she most needed him. Again.

 
; Kiki wore a classic black floor-length gown, with just enough cleavage to say, so this is why the man is smitten. Her dark hair had been artfully piled on top of her head, and with her faultless make-up her composure appeared complete. Too complete. Because she felt like a figurine in a wax museum—incredibly life-like but numb to sensation. But she would get through this without his help.

  * * *

  Stefano didn’t know what to expect when he reached the door to his mother’s rooms. He hoped Kiki was still not slouched in the chair.

  When he opened the door, for the first time in his life Prince Stefano Mykonides felt intimidated.

  She looked at him with such indifference his blood chilled.

  ‘I am ready, Your Highness.’

  His Dr Fender looked like a film star.

  The besieged and crushed victim whom he’d rescued from the press had been replaced by a self-assured young woman waiting calmly and coldly to take his arm.

  He glanced around the apartment as if to see the other person he’d expected. This woman did not look out of place. The room could have been designed for she who consistently stunned him when he least expected it.

  The grandmother clock in the corner chimed and he was jolted back into reality. Now was not the time to mull over questions that required thoughtful answers.

  ‘Of course. Let us go.’

  She put her hand on his arm without hesitation as he led the way and her fingers did not waver. It was his turn to feel the wall between them.

  All rose as they entered. Kiki smiled slightly and nodded—not effusively, but that was good. She curtsied to his father with such gracefulness that even the women of the court smiled and Stefano felt his chest swell just a little with pride. This morning he would never have dreamed that she would carry this off so magnificently. This morning there had been no pride to be had.

  ‘She has presence,’ his father grunted for his ears alone. ‘But it remains to be seen if you have ruined someone else’s life by your reckless actions.’