The King's Bride By Arrangement - Annie West Page 0,45

as little sleep as he, then remembering the weary smudges beneath her eyes as they’d said goodnight and hoping she’d got some rest.

She needed rest. And looking after. And...him.

Silently cursing his circular thoughts, Paul scraped the back of his neck with his palm and turned away from the window.

‘The media summary is in, sir.’ His secretary appeared in the doorway. Usually the summary of relevant media reports was in by the time Paul reached his office. This morning he’d arrived so early, he’d had to wait.

‘And? How bad is it?’ Early stories following the press conference had been generally positive, but you never knew for sure.

‘Pretty good, considering.’

‘Ah.’ Considering the inevitable outliers who’d prefer a sensational story to the truth. Paul nodded and returned to his computer, opening the report.

Most of the stories were sympathetic to Eva. There was an editorial about curbing violence against women. Another story used statistics on the number of assault cases in the country in the last year, lower than for many places, but more than anyone wanted.

Then came two, both originating outside St Ancilla, that ran with the ‘profligate party girl’ theme, trying to paint the picture of a self-absorbed woman whose public face hid a scandalous wild side. Paul wondered how long they’d be able to continue such reporting when they couldn’t dredge up any more incidents to support it.

She’d been a virgin till two nights ago.

The knowledge slammed into him like a fist thudding into his temple.

Which was yet another reason why he needed to tread softly now she’d stipulated no sex. Especially after that assault behind the night club.

Both those factors could explain why he felt not only culpable for this furore, but protective.

No, it was more. He felt possessive.

Once again Paul rubbed the back of his neck, trying to relieve taut muscles.

He’d never felt this way about any woman.

It must be taking her virginity that explained it.

And the fact that they’d been tied together for four years, even if only via a formal arrangement.

And the fact that he liked her. Admired her.

Was desperate to have her again.

Was that what this was? Thwarted lust?

No, he’d felt proprietorial about Eva when she’d been in his bed.

He gritted his teeth, pain shooting up from his jaw.

‘Can I get you anything, sir? A headache tablet?’

Paul shook his head. ‘I’m okay, thanks.’ Or he would be when he worked out how to deal with his fiancée. ‘Give me ten more minutes then bring in the week’s schedule, and the Princess’s new assistant.’

‘My assistant?’ Eva stared at the woman before her. Paul had been busy. It was only yesterday they’d given their press conference.

‘Yes, ma’am. I thought we might begin by mapping out a schedule for you.’

Eva looked at the young woman, only a few years older than herself, her demeanour serious yet eager. She wanted to warn her that this was only a temporary arrangement. She wouldn’t be staying in St Ancilla permanently, so the position of assistant wouldn’t be long-term. But, reading her new assistant’s enthusiasm, she didn’t have the heart. Besides, she and Paul had agreed no one else would know their arrangement was temporary.

She drew a fortifying breath, remembering the scurrilous headlines and the tension in her mother’s voice when she’d rung to explain the situation. No, this was the best way forward. It was silly to have second thoughts now.

‘Thank you, Helena. That’s an excellent idea.’

Helena nodded, passing over a surprisingly large printout.

‘I’ve colour-coded a range of events. Those in gold are ones King Paul thought you could assist him with.’

Obediently Eva scanned the first page. There was at least one gold-shaded event each day, sometimes more. She stifled a sigh. Impossible to expect to avoid him.

She was torn between wanting to be with him and knowing it was best to keep her distance. Being close to him, like on their dinner date last night, made it too easy to forget their relationship had no future.

‘As for the others, they’re suggestions only, based on my reading of your work in Tarentia and knowing your interest in art and education.’

Eva looked up, surprised.

Helena shrugged. ‘I researched you. I know you studied both at university and about your volunteer work in disadvantaged schools.’

‘You are thorough.’ Back in Tarentia, she got press attention when attending royal or high-profile charity events, but her few hours a week volunteering generally went under the radar.

‘It’s my job. You’ll see I’ve marked those in green.’

‘And the blue?’

‘Designed to build positively on yesterday’s press conference.’

Eva scanned the list.

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