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Matteo felt as if he was being suffocated. ‘I had friends in
the music industry. Some of us decided it would be fun to raise money through a rock concert.’
‘So you get to enjoy yourself and raise money at the same time. Smart move.’ She threaded the head of the daisy through the stalk of another. ‘The concert has some really high-profile sponsors. You have powerful friends, Your Highness. I suppose you speak a million languages?’
‘Didn’t you discover the answer to that when you did your “research” on me?’ Matteo found himself fascinated by the dexterity of those slim fingers as she skilfully wove herself a daisy chain. And somehow his brain managed to move from daisy chains to something altogether less innocent.
‘I found out that you have a shockingly high IQ.’ Her voice was matter-of-fact. ‘And that you joined the air force. You flew fast jets until the palace decided it was too dangerous and you had to switch to helicopters. That must have been difficult for you.’
‘Did your research tell you that?’
‘No need to be snappy, especially when someone is being sympathetic.’ She tilted her wrist so that the delicate daisy chain slid to the right place on her arm. ‘Being forced to give up something you are burning to do can sometimes feel like not breathing.’
It had felt exactly like that but Matteo had no intention of discussing anything that personal with anyone, let alone her.
Undaunted by his lack of response, she glanced at him. ‘So why did you give up flying helicopters?’
That was a more comfortable question to answer. ‘I had a heavy workload of official engagements. That became my priority.’
‘Because your brother was too busy pursuing his own business interests to do his share.’
Matteo’s eyes narrowed. ‘Just how in depth was this research of yours?’
‘If we’d got as far as a conversation I wanted to be prepared. I wanted to understand you. So while he was off doing his own thing, you were covering for him. And last night, you were protective of him…. Hmm …’ Twisting a daisy between her fingers, she glanced at him thoughtfully. ‘So I’m guessing you’re just relieved not to be the eldest and have all that rule-the-world stuff ahead of you. You have powerful ideals and a strong sense of duty but you don’t want all the pomp and attention that goes with being Crown Prince. That’s why you like it here. You can fulfil the role expected of you, but still live by your own rules.’
Astounded by the depth of her perception, Matteo lifted his eyebrows. ‘You discovered all that from a search engine?’
‘I filled in the blanks.’
And she’d filled them in with astonishing accuracy. ‘Wealth and privilege come with responsibility. I have always understood that.’ It wasn’t true, of course. He hadn’t always understood that. It had taken a brutal lesson for him to really see the obligation that came with his role.
‘People have expectations of you. It’s a bit like running a business, I suppose.’ She picked another daisy and started another chain. ‘Royalty, Inc. or Monarchy.com. So that would make your dad sort of the CEO, right?’
It took Matteo a moment to work out who she was talking about because he’d never before heard his father referred to as ‘Dad.’
‘I suppose so.’ He marvelled that she took such pleasure in something as simple as making a daisy chain.
‘And it would make the public your customers.’ With a pleased smile she slipped the second daisy chain onto her other wrist and admired it.
‘I suppose so.’
‘And right now you have unhappy customers. There are grumblings about you being detached from the real world and that’s why you’re all so hyped up about this engagement.’ She glanced at him briefly. ‘The scandalous Jacksons wouldn’t be your ideal pick, but you’re hoping Allegra will be the bridge between your family and the public.’
‘This was Alex’s choice—’
‘But your parents are allowing it because they think it might help the reputation of Monarchy, Inc.’ She stuck out her wrist and smiled at her bracelet. ‘Cute, isn’t it? I haven’t done that since I was about six. Shame it has to die.’
Normally he found this part of the grounds restful and tranquil but today there was a dangerous tension in the air. A tension not helped by those tiny shorts. Never had an item of clothing been so well named.
‘I need to get back to work. From now on I’d like you to tell someone where you’re going when you leave the palazzo.’
‘I’m supposed to file a route every time I leave the house? What if I don’t know where I’m going until I get there? This place is huge. Exploring will be fun.’ She squinted across the grass towards the cliffs. ‘So what’s that white building? You haven’t shown me that.’
‘It’s my recording studio.’
He saw her face change. Saw the moment that she sensed opportunity, like a hound on the trail of a fox.
‘You actually have a recording studio in your grounds?’ She virtually salivated, her eyes hungry and hopeful at the same time. ‘A real one? With a vocal booth and everything?’
