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‘As in…?’

‘The…the ruling families…’

She raised her brows in mock confusion. ‘I thought there was just one ruling family.’

‘Well, obviously, yes, but the support of the—’

She cut across him. ‘So, basically, the families are the power behind the throne—historically, I mean. A lot of weak rulers must need pointing in the right direction, I totally get that,’ she said, innocently earnest. ‘And they want to inspect me… Obviously, I am terrified at the prospect. Joke,’ she laughed. ‘Yes, that sounds like fun, deal me in! But I really think you should run it past the King first, I’m sure you have more influence with him than me. Come on, girl,’ she added to the dog with her nose in Elsie’s armpit. ‘Sorry, Count, I think nature calls.’

As she strode away, she kissed the dog’s head. ‘Yes, Mabel, you are such a good judge of character—he is a total shit!’

* * *

Elsie selected a scrap of cheese off her plate and offered it to the waiting dog, only to find she had fallen fast asleep.

‘A reception? Why am I hearing about this now?’

She got to her feet and turned to face Leandro wearing one of his scowls.

‘Hello, have you had a good morning, darling? Oh, gosh.’ She opened her eyes wide in fake shock. ‘I thought you were Franco.’ She executed a low mocking bow. ‘Majesty, I feel so honoured.’

‘Is this about getting my attention?’

‘It was that or strip off and wander through the Palace naked.’

His eyes darkened to midnight but he didn’t react.

‘Lucky I wasn’t trying to amuse you.’

‘I learn from Count Tomaz…’

‘Such a sweetie.’

‘That you have requested a meet-and-greet soiree.’

‘Request might be stretching it, but yes, why the hell not? At the moment, I have people with long lenses trying to catch me blowing my nose. Negotiating a corner involves people accidentally stumbling into me, pleading their case for the good old times when plebs knew their places. Or the others who stumble across me and happen to know that my mother was actually the illegitimate daughter of a very dicey royal duke with a gaming issue. I am happy to explain that he won more than he lost, sort of a successful black sheep.’

‘That is happening?’

‘Oh, yes, on a daily basis.’

‘Why didn’t I know this?’

She laughed at his indignant attitude. ‘Maybe because you never asked?’ she challenged. ‘Our conversations tend to consist of groans and moans… Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy it, but we don’t do much How did your day go, darling? do we?’

‘Well, I’m here now,’ he bit back, not quite meeting her eyes. ‘You can snipe or—?’

‘I know the Count’s motives are likely malevolent, but I thought why hide away? If they want to take potshots, fair enough, then maybe I can go for a walk without being highjacked.’

‘I had no idea.’

But then why would he? He had been actively avoiding her. The problem was she was a distraction when he needed all his energy to be focused on saving his throne. Compartmentalising his life had never been a problem for him, but extracting himself from the warmth of her sleeping body in the mornings was proof, had he needed it, of the necessity of keeping an emotional distance.

‘Relax, I really don’t need you riding to my rescue, Leandro.’

‘The last week has been—’

‘I know, but only because Franco has told me how tough it has been. Great communicator, Franco.’