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Her next exhalation was decidedly shaky. ‘But that means...’
‘That means I’m required by law to consummate my marriage in order for it to be legitimately recognised. But when I take you to my bed on our wedding night it’ll not be so you can bear my children.’
Why that only caused that wrenching ache in her heart to intensify, Maddie couldn’t comprehend. It was clear that Remi needed time to come to terms with his new future. They were in the same boat.
But were they?
He was looking after his people’s future, but in many ways he was stuck in the past with his dead fiancée.
The cold wave that washed over her was still present when they landed and were met by a sizeable delegation on the tarmac.
After a swathe of introductions and hearing names she would struggle to remember, they boarded a royal motorcade of sleek limos. Minutes later Maddie caught her first glimpse of the stunning capital city.
Just like everything Montegovan she’d encountered so far, Playagova was a stunning mixture of ancient and modern architecture, every corner pulsing with a rich history she was dying to explore.
But with each mile closer to the royal palace, Maddie’s nerves grew tighter, until by the time they arrived at the stunningly magnificent building her pulse was racing and her fingers were a twisted mess in her lap.
Remi’s long fingers reached for hers, triggering a whole new range of nerves. Ever since he’d mentioned their wedding night a deep, carnal ache had settled in her pelvis—one she couldn’t suppress no matter how much she tried. And she was beginning to think it was useless to fight it any more.
She was wildly attracted to him. And he intended to possess her completely, if only for one night. Maddie shivered, then caught his sharp inhalation. Turning her head, she met his gaze full-on, unable to stop the wave of heat that engulfed her.
His eyes dropped to her lips and they parted automatically, responding to the hunger sparking between them. That hunger turned ashen when his jaw abruptly tightened and he removed his touch.
With the ghost of his fiancée placed solidly between them, Maddie was left with the distinct feeling that the non-turbulent future Remi had promised was less than certain—at least for her.
Unless she found a way to cage her emotions in this clinical marriage she’d agreed to, she risked exposing herself to a pain far greater than the pain she had suffered at Greg’s hands.
She was reminding herself of that as she waited with Remi outside Queen Isadora’s private dining room. Once again dressed impeccably in a bespoke suit, he was a jaw-dropping vision, with a presence that absorbed her to the exclusion of all else.
Butterflies took flight again as she cast a furtive glance at his remote expression. ‘Any tips on how to deal with this?’ she attempted with forced levity.
His expression didn’t change. ‘Simply be yourself.’
‘You mean my charming self, don’t you?’
His response was to conduct a slow, thorough perusal of her body, taking in the orange gown a palace stylist had presented her with less than an hour ago. The capped sleeves and respectable neckline projected a classic elegance she desperately hoped for.
‘You captivate whether you mean to or not, Maddie. You’ll have no problems with my mother,’ he rasped.
She wanted to hate him for leaving her tongue-tied once again. But she was still busy attempting to breathe as elegant double doors opened before them and a steward stepped forward.
‘Her Majesty is ready to receive you,’ the man announced.
The dining room held a table large enough for three dozen people. Seated at the head was the Queen of Montegova.
Eyes similar to Remi’s tracked them until they reached her. Queen Isadora neither frowned nor smiled, but Maddie felt as if her every secret was displayed in bold scarlet letters above her head as she held the queen’s gaze.
‘Maman, it’s good to see you.’ Remi bowed and brushed kisses on her cheeks.
Queen Isadora ruthlessly assessed her son. ‘Is it?’
‘Let’s not make this any more difficult than it needs to be,’ Remi replied.
‘I see we’re dropping all semblance of diplomacy,’ the queen responded, and then her gaze swung to Maddie as Remi pulled out a chair for her.
Maddie caught herself before she sat down, manners and what little she’d read of royal protocol kicking her into giving a curtsy. ‘It’s an honour to meet you, Your Majesty,’ she murmured.
‘She has manners. That’s something, I suppose,’ Queen Isadora quipped.
