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‘What’s the deal with being a prince? Why keep it a secret?’
He wanted to throw his hands up in frustration. No one really understood what it was like. The constant scrutiny. Living your life under the spotlight. Saying hello to a woman and having a story in the press the next day saying that you were getting married.
He gave a slow nod of his head. ‘When I’m in Corinez, I’m Prince Philippe, through and through. It’s my role. I’ve been brought up to fulfil that purpose. But I had a few years’ leeway—time to come and train as a doctor and gain experience that would help me fulfil my ultimate duty when it was time to go home.’
‘And is it time to go home now?’
He closed his eyes for a second. ‘It is.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Come with me.’
The more he thought about things, the more it all made sense in his head. ‘Come with me and help me set up a safe haven scheme in Corinez. The last patient I dealt with back home was a baby who’d been abandoned. We don’t have a national healthcare system. People have to pay for all medical services, and finances have changed in Corinez. The recession has hit hard. We have more and more incidents of babies being abandoned. I hope to campaign for free maternal healthcare in Corinez—at least to start with. But I also need to put in place a scheme like you have. I need to ensure these babies can be safe, can be looked after.’ He leaned forward and grasped her hands. ‘And you can help me do that.’
She pulled herself back. ‘But...’ Nothing else followed. She seemed stuck for words.
‘Think of it as a mix between a holiday and a humanitarian effort. I can show you a little of Corinez and you can advise me on the best way to set up the scheme while you get your visa sorted out and look for another job that you really want.’
She was still stunned. He kept going, conscious he was babbling, but he just wanted her to agree. He didn’t want to leave here without her. She looked up at him. ‘Look at the trouble I’ve just had with London. Won’t I need a visa to work in Corinez—no matter what role I’m doing?’
He waved his hand. ‘That’s one of the few perks of being a prince. I can sort that for you.’ His gaze connected with hers. ‘You’ve already told me that you’ve got the time here covered. There’s no need for you to stay. You could look for some kind of temporary cover or sick-leave type of job—but do you really want that? Why not try something different? Come with me, help me in Corinez. Help me set up the same scheme you have here.’
He hadn’t moved his hands. They were still clasped over hers.
‘You’re a prince,’ she said again, looking him square in the eye.
He nodded again and gave her a resigned smile. ‘Yes, I’m a prince.’
She wrinkled her nose. ‘Where, exactly, is Corinez again?’
‘It’s near France, Italy and Monaco.’
She blinked. ‘What?’
He shook his head. ‘Forget it, it’s not that important. It’s an island. It has mountains that people ski on, it has a casino—no, scratch that, it has many casinos—it has a huge port. We laugh and call it the cruise ship depot because so many stop there.’
Arissa let out a long slow breath. ‘You’re a prince.’
He smiled. ‘Yeah, you said that, a few times. I am a prince. It’s not gonna change. But what can change is what you can help me do. Come with me, Arissa. Come with me to Corinez. Be my champion.’
‘Your champion?’
He smiled. ‘It’s what I always say to my patients when they have to take a deep breath for something.’
It was as if something flicked in her brain. She smiled then spoke carefully. ‘This project. I won’t be in the spotlight. I won’t have to deal with press. I won’t have to be...anything?’
She shook her head. His heart gave a lurch. She was considering coming. She was actually considering coming.
He didn’t know exactly what was behind this, but it wasn’t the first time she’d told him she didn’t want to be in the spotlight. And right now he would agree to anything.
‘Arissa, if you agree to come we can focus entirely on the project. You won’t need to worry about anything else.’
