protocols are concerned that a poor Australian fisherman tried to hold your hand, and the news might be leaked to the press.”
She sighed with frustration. He was being difficult again. She tried a different tactic. “No one will know what we do in private.” She smiled at him again hoping he would be reasonable.
“Does that mean I can visit your bedroom in the middle of the night?”
She should have instantly corrected him but some imp inside her made her rebel and she gave him a coquettish look from beneath her lashes.
He leaned forward, his face inches from hers. “Lara, you’re playing with fire.”
Suddenly she couldn’t breathe as his sheer closeness and magnetism made her giddy. “I know,” she whispered, her tongue licking her dry, bottom lip.
“Your Highness. Dinner will be served in half an hour. May I offer you an aperitif?”
Saved. She nodded and accepted a glass of French champagne. To her surprise, Jack also took a glass and clinked it against hers. “To us and the next three weeks,” he said, and although she hadn’t taken a sip, she felt instantly intoxicated by this man.
Dinner was served on the central table, which doubled as a conference area. Now it had been set with the finest china and cutlery and crystal glassware. Fortunately for her, Jack had decided to ease the sexual tension and they were able to talk comfortably.
She took the opportunity to tell him about her country, including its impressive history and the royal lineage dating from the fifteenth century. “My brother Carl is the crown prince and will succeed my father when he dies,” she explained as she finished her main course of veal with mushrooms, realizing how hungry she had been.
“The royal family doesn’t have a say in the ruling of the country?” He appeared genuinely interested and plied her with inquisitive questions throughout the meal.
“No. Not now. It used to, but like most of the small European countries, we have a government in power. The royals are figureheads. We continue to exist by the grace and favor of the government and our people.”
“What’s the population?”
“Only two hundred and fifty thousand people. Our main language is German, but we also speak Russian and French.”
“Do you speak all of those languages?”
“Yes.”
“Clever girl.”
“It is part of my heritage and for most Europeans, languages come naturally. English is our second language.”
“Why did you take a fine arts degree at university?”
“When you arrive, you will realize Challoner is a very beautiful country steeped in history with many classical buildings, statues and art galleries. Tourism is the country’s main source of revenue. It is important that I’m familiar with the arts as well as political sciences.”
Jack was quiet and seemed lost in thought. She took the opportunity to study his features as if she couldn’t stop drinking him in. The straight chiseled nose and strong, slanting cheekbones, his face bronzed by the wind and sun. His long, sensitive fingers holding the elegant wine glass were toughened by the rough work he did to make a living. Their lives were literally poles apart. How could she ever think anything could come from a relationship with him?
“It is winter there, Jack. Did you bring warm clothes?”
He grinned. “Yeah. I remembered at the last moment when I was packing.”
She placed her serviette on the table, the signal for the attendant to clear the plates. “I’m sure my parents will arrange suitable clothing for you if you don’t have it.”
“You mean, like a dinner suit?”
She hesitated. She hadn’t thought about him not being able to afford the necessary suits to wear. “You won’t need to attend formal functions,” she said quickly, afraid she would embarrass him.
“Oh, but I want to.” Stubbornness was written across his face.
“It’s not required,” she said, equally as stubborn.
“What’s the problem, princess? Afraid I will show you up with my bad manners and ill-fitting clothes?”
“I’m not going to get into another argument with you.” She rose from her chair and Jack stood also. They glared at each other across the table.
“I told you on the island that you were a snob. Nothing has changed,” he said, tossing his serviette on to the table.
“And you are an uncouth, ignorant, common…man. You should thank your lucky stars you weren’t thrown into prison for a very long time.”
“What?”
“You seduced me—a royal princess.”
“And you loved every moment of it. In fact, if you’d had your way, you would be pregnant now with a royal bastard.”
“Oh. Oh.” Lara was mad. “This is a large enough plane