head reared back as he choked out a laugh. “Was that a joke? You have changed.”
“Yes, that I have.” I’d learned not to dream of impractical things and torture myself by letting my heart run away with me.
“But you’re still cross with me.”
I was, for a myriad of reasons. But only one was of any relevance now. “Not about that stupid trip. I’m cross because you know as well as I do that the chances of you successfully completing the Triumph campaign are exceedingly small.”
“Not at all. What good is it being king if you can’t make the rules?” He simply shrugged, and I laid the magazine aside to give him my focus.
“That’s not how it works, and you know it.”
He grinned over at me. “I know no such thing. Just wait, Alice, and I’ll have you eating your words.”
I tucked some loose hairs behind my ears. “No one wishes for it more than I.” Having our sales problems disappear would be a dream. “Well, except perhaps for Ms. Vorhees.”
“So, she’s a good boss, is she?”
I reclined my seat a touch, stifling a yawn. It must have been nearing ten and we’d have a long day ahead of us. “Yes, she is.”
“As opposed to, say, me?” Malcolm crossed his arms over his chest while he attempted nonchalance.
“I’d never say that, sir.” I couldn’t help the slight grin pulling at my mouth.
“But you’d think it?” Was that a growl? He turned in his seat again, the overhead light casting a shadow over much of his face. “What can I do to make our situation better for you? Clearly, you were unhappy with some aspect of it or you wouldn’t have resigned. Were the hours too long? Did Reggie give you an ultimatum?”
My grin dropped like a stone. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Well, I don’t know. I’ve never been engaged to be married.” He ran a rough hand through his hair, clearly agitated.
“Reggie is not an issue anymore.” Why had I said it like that? I’d meant to be vaguer.
“So he’s fine with staying behind in the States? I suppose I should have invited him on the flight, now that I think about it.” There was the hand in the hair again. He’d make himself bald before long.
“He’s not in the States; he’s home.” Why I felt the need to keep explaining was a mystery, but this time I succeeded in assuaging Malcolm’s anxiety.
“Ah, so I’ve actually done you a favor bringing you home. No need to thank me.” He relaxed back into his seat once more while I tried not to roll my eyes. “When is the wedding anyway?”
“There isn’t going to be a wedding.” I gritted my teeth, waiting for the onslaught of questions, expression of despair, or maybe some violent cursing—anything was possible at this point.
But he simply raised his palms to me. “Rest assured, I wasn’t presuming to invite myself.”
Was he daft? I took a deep breath and finally put an end to the topic with a calm, clear explanation. “There isn’t going to be a wedding because Reggie and I have split up. Now, I’d advise you to get some rest. It will be midday when we touch down and you need sleep if things are as hectic as I imagine them to be so close to the coronation.” I closed my eyes and began my nightly mental process for falling asleep. Malcolm had always had the ability to effortlessly drop off to sleep at a moment’s notice, so I wouldn’t have been surprised if he hadn’t even heard my response.
“Alice.” So, not asleep then.
“What?” Regretting my impatience, I sighed. “Do you need something, sir?”
“I’m sorry about Reggie.” His voice had turned soft.
My eyes remained shut, but a sting in my nose warned me of impending tears. “Nothing to be sorry about.” I was the one who’d so badly wronged Reggie.
But Malcolm wasn’t done. “It’s his loss.”
A laugh slipped out before I could stop it, joined by two fat tears falling from my eyes and sliding down my throat until they soaked into the fabric of my top.
I did my best to keep my voice from cracking. “That’s kind of you, sir, but, really, I’m quite all right.”
“Even so.” This man. This man was oh so dangerous.
“Goodnight, sir.”
“Goodnight, Alice.”
The sound of the engines and movement of the plane eventually lulled me to sleep, but not before I’d spent more time than was wise watching the rise and fall of Malcolm’s chest while picturing the sparkling sapphire tone of his