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“How small?”
“A child-sized electric car. My assistant said her son loves to drive his cousin’s. He is about Marc’s age.”
She hissed out a breath. “You can’t just do that.”
“Of course I can.”
Once upon a time she’d have teased him about his arrogance. Once upon a time she’d been madly in love with him.
“An electric car is an expensive toy. I want Marc to value art and stories and music. Not things.”
“He’s a four-year-old boy,” Christian scoffed. “They want to get muddy and have adventures.”
Noelle knew it was ridiculous, but she could feel Marc slipping away from her with each word Christian spoke. Her son would love this thrill-seeking prince and want to go live in a palace, and never once miss his mother. “And you’re an expert on four-year-old boys?”
“I was one once. And he’s a prince. He should always get the best.”
Panic rose. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “That’s not how I’m raising him.”
“We need to be together for Marc’s sake.” Christian caught her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “He shouldn’t have to grow up without a father.”
Christian seemed sincere enough, but Noelle couldn’t ignore that he needed an heir and knew just how stubborn Christian could be when he wanted something. She tugged her hand free and squared her shoulders.
“I can’t possibly be with you,” she said. “I’m involved with someone and we’re quite serious.”
Christian absorbed Noelle’s statement with a slow eye-blink, his thoughts reeling. He’d come in too confident, certain that he could win over Noelle with a few roses and a bit of persuasion. She’d always been there any time he needed her. It had never once occurred to him that she might be in love with someone else. Acid burned in his gut at the thought of her with anyone besides him.
“You didn’t mention anyone last night.”
Her expression, once so transparent and open, betrayed none of her thoughts. “All I thought about was Marc and the effect your sudden appearance in his life would have on him.”
“Who is this man you’re seeing?” The question sounded more like an interrogation than a friendly inquiry.
“Someone I met shortly after I moved to Paris.”
Five years. Had she run into his arms after Christian had sent her away? A knot formed in his chest.
“I’d love to meet him. Does he live in Sherdana?”
“Ah.” Suddenly she looked very uncertain. “No. He splits his time between Paris and London.”
Christian was liking this more and more. “Long distance affairs are so difficult,” he purred. “As I’m sure you’re finding out.”
“Geoff loves Marc.”
Christian saw resolve blazing in the depths of her chestnut-colored eyes.
“And Marc loves Geoff. They have a great time together.Weare good together.”
He wondered at her vehemence. Was she trying to convince him that this Geoff character was father material or convince herself that he was husband material? Either way, Christian saw a foothold that would allow him to breach her defenses.
“When does he plan to come to Sherdana next?” A long unused oubliette beneath the castle on Christian’s vineyard might be the perfect place to stash Geoff until Noelle came to her senses.
“Why?” Noelle regarded him with narrowed eyes.
“I’d like to meet him. Does he visit regularly?”
“Of course.” But she didn’t sound all that sure of her answer. “That is, when his cases permit. He’s the managing partner of a very successful law firm specializing in human rights law and extradition.” Pride softened her lips into a fond smile. “And of course, Marc and I travel to London and Paris quite often to visit him.”
