being taken care of.”
Max’s confusion was evident. “But what do you want?”
That was the million dollar question, wasn’t it? “I don’t know,” she said, sighing heavily.
Max leaned back again. “Do you love him?” he asked.
Marabeth laughed. “I barely know the man. I don’t think I’m in a position to love him,” she said, but a voice in the back of her mind was calling her a liar. She suspected that she really did love him. Unfortunately, she also wanted his love in return. And she didn’t think there was any reason for him to love her.
Venturing into strange territory with her ever so proper brother, she asked, “Max, why do you think Sam wants to marry me? I mean, he could have any woman he wants.”
Max raised an eyebrow as he took in the delicate beauty of his sister. Her red, flaming hair was her best asset but that was only because her soft, white skin didn’t compete but complimented it. And her eyes! Good grief, he thought. His baby sister was a raving beauty. “You’re kidding, right?” he asked, sure she understood her worth.
Marabeth shook her head. “No. I can see how marrying me would ensure his place within the Cordova government.” Her voice was strong but her insides were sad. She put a bright face on it for her brother though.
Max smiled broadly. “Well, I know hearing this from your brother won’t mean much to you, but you’re very pretty, Marabeth.” He turned his head to one side, considering her features. “Some might say stunning.”
Marabeth was grateful for his compliment but he was right. It didn’t mean much coming from him. She suspected that he was only trying to make her feel better. It worked, but it didn’t help her to understand why Sam wanted to marry her.
“Listen, if you’re thinking he’s marrying you for title or position, or even your wealth, then forget it. You don’t know Sam if that’s what you’re thinking. Sam is incredibly wealthy in his own right. Probably wealthier than you but no one knows his actual net worth. And it took a lot of convincing by father and me to get him to take this job. So I can pretty much guarantee that it isn’t to maintain his place in the government. He’d be out of here in a heartbeat if we could find someone to do the job better than he could. But the fact is, he’s the best man for the job. His changes are already being felt and I know he has a lot more to implement. If you don’t believe me, just ask father or even better, talk to Sam.”
Marabeth nodded, smiling her appreciation for his talk. “Thank you, Max.”
“But you’re not going to listen to me, are you?”
“I’ll take your words into consideration.”
“And marry him?”
“Maybe,” she said tartly, smiling to ease the non-answer.
Max stood up, preparing to leave but he said one more thing before he left. “Don’t doubt Sam, Marabeth. He’s his own man. If he says he wants to marry you, there are no ulterior motives,” he said.
Marabeth sat back and absorbed his words, turning to stare out the window again. What Max had said fit in with what she knew about Sam, but her whole life, she’d been the ugly duckling. So it still didn’t make sense. Why, after so many years and horrible men like George rejecting her, would someone as handsome, charming and intelligent as Sam want someone like her?
Sighing, she picked up her pencil and forced her mind back on her work. She knew she had many things to research and, now that Sam wouldn’t let her leave the palace, she had plenty of time to do that.
Thinking of the restrictions, she made a mental note to talk to Sam about them. She hated these silly, overly protective restrictions.
The three days without Sam helped her put her relationship in some sort of perspective. Sam was wonderful and, in the dark hours of the night, she knew she was falling in love with him. Without him here to muddy up the air, she was able to think more clearly and see that her feelings for him were deeper than she wanted, but they were what they were.
She also realized that she needed to get out of the palace. It was a huge building with offices on one end and the private wing on the other. It really was a complete city unto itself but that didn’t mean she liked not being able