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“Damage? To her reputation?” Nic repeated slowly as if misunderstanding. And then he gave an ugly laugh. Something in Lexie shriveled at the sound. She had only ever heard him being tender and indulgent that night. “That’s rich. I don’t see how an indiscretion with me could be more damaging to her reputation than her previous affair with a married man.”
No one made a sound. The words hung in the air for several agonizing seconds.
So he knew. He had probably researched her, too. And pretty soon the press was going to rehash that old story in light of her newfound notoriety. They had a very, very long memory, Lexie thought bitterly. She had hoped that by now they would have moved on and had forgotten her “affair” with Peter Wainwright, the tragedy with her grandmother and the way it made a circus of what was supposed to be a solemn and historic occasion at the time − Stefan’s coronation. It seemed she would have to be made to confront her foolishness along with the rest of the world time and again.
It was Stefan who spoke first. His voice was even. “We all make mistakes, Mr. Fernandez. In our case, those mistakes headline as fodder for entertainment. I can live with that and so can Alexandria, but not if it will in any way undermine our standing in the eyes of our people. Seirenada is on the brink of economic reform, which has taken me years to get the Council to take seriously. We can’t afford to be seen as royals whose existence is purely for entertainment value.”
“Again, I don’t see what this has anything to do with me,” Nic said grudgingly.
Theia glanced furtively at Lexie, who was staring out the window, her hands folded across her chest. “As I have said, His Royal Highness and I think that to mitigate the circumstances surrounding the ’situation‘, it would be best if you and Princess Lexie pretend to have a relationship until the interest of the media dies down.”
“What?” Nic and Lexie cried simultaneously.
“Rather than a one-night− one-night−” Theia floundered as she sought for a diplomatic term, her color heightened.
“One-night stand,” Lexie issued baldly again. Nic wished he hadn’t seen the bleakness in her hazel eyes.
“Princess Alexandria is due to fly off to Seirenada tonight, but we can rearrange her schedule so that she can be seen with you. It is fortuitous timing that Mr. Fernandez also has business to attend to in Los Angeles.” Nic frowned, not taking kindly to having his itinerary investigated. “We have arranged for you to be seen together in several places to establish that you are in a romantic relationship. After several weeks, we can run a story that you have amicably agreed to break off the relationship and go your separate ways.”
Nic shot out of his chair, his nostrils flaring. “Is that how you are spinning it? The whole thing is crazy. I don’t give a fuck what people think. I have better things to do than go along with some hare-brained scheme to ’sanitize‘ Her Royal Highness’ reputation. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
He had already taken a few steps towards the door when Stefan’s voice stopped him. “It will not be a complete waste of your time, Mr. Fernandez.”
Just stay the hell away from my daughter, the congressman’s stentorian voice echoed in Nic’s head. I did not raise her so she could marry a polo player from some farm in South America. It was in another study, similar to the one they were in, but in another time. He had ripped up the check in defiance, love fueling him with bravado. Bitterly, he wished now he had just kept the check.
He turned around and unflinchingly met the Prince’s gaze. “There is nothing you can say that will tempt me to engage in your unpalatable proposal.”
But Stefan just said one word. “Pygmalion.” Nic stiffened.
“Stefan, if I may just have a word alone with Mr. Fernandez, please?” Lexie’s voice was controlled, but he could hear the tension underneath.
Her brother appeared reluctant to leave but nodded just the same. “Come along, Miss Alano.” Theia gazed at her with worry, but she briskly followed Stefan out of his study.
Lexie faced Nic squarely. He stared straight back, his stance relaxed, but his eyes were veiled. She caught herself tugging on her pearl choker nervously, and folded her arms across her chest to anchor them and stop herself from reaching out to touch him.
