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“There have been plenty of women.”
“Then why agree to this?”
“Probably the same reason you’re talking to me right now.”
When I pass him a questioning look, he flashes a sad smile.
“Because we’re powerless to fight this. When those photos of us dancing together were published and all of Europe salivated over what an amazing couple we made, this was bound to happen. My father would never allow me to turn down this kind of opportunity, not when marrying you would raise our family’s social standing higher than it already is.
“So, he gave me an ultimatum. Agree to this arrangement or he cuts me off financially. And before you accuse me of needing Daddy’s money, I don’t. I can support myself. Perhaps not at the level I’ve grown accustomed to, but I’d be fine. Unfortunately, all the charities I’ve spearheaded would suffer, and I couldn’t stomach that.
“Plus, we both know how things really are for people like us. So many people think you can do anything you want when you’re born into a wealthy family. In reality, there are certain expectations placed on your shoulders. Marriages are essentially business transactions entered into in order to increase power or further concentrate wealth. It may be the twenty-first century, but some vestiges of the past remain, including parents arranging marriages.”
“But what about love? Don’t you want to marry for love?”
I glance his way as his expression falters, emotion sneaking through the cracks. And not just any emotion. Heartache. Sorrow. Despair.
“Let’s just say love isn’t in the cards for me.” His Adam’s apple bobs up and down in a pained swallow. “Lightning rarely strikes the same place twice. I’m not holding out for another strike of lightning.”
“I’m sorry.” I want to press for more information but sense it’s not something he’s ready to share.
“And you?” he asks after a brief pause. “Don’t you want to marry for love?”
I push out an annoyed laugh. “When you grow up being told there’s no place for love in a monarchy, you give up any adolescent notion of a fairytale ending.”
He nods, processing my response. Then he comes to an abrupt stop, grabbing my hand and forcing me to face him.
“Listen, I’m not a bad person. I’m just as much a pawn as you are. Maybe not to the same extent, but that doesn’t mean we have to torture ourselves for the rest of our lives. I’d like to think I have some rather endearing qualities. I don’t slurp my soup. I don’t ask a thousand questions during a movie, all of which would be answered if I’d shut up and watch.”
My mouth relaxes into a natural smile, the noose wrapped around my neck loosening.
“And I promise our dinner conversations will never be boring. I tend to be a sieve of useless information.”
“Is that right?”
He nods. “Did you know that you’re fourteen times more likely to die on your birthday than any other day of the year?”
I tilt my head, biting my lower lip. “Really?”
“It’s true. They did a study in Switzerland.”
“Leave it to the Swiss to research what day of the year you’re more likely to die. What other tidbits of information do you have stored?”
“Dragonflies have six legs but can’t walk. They can stand, but their legs are too weak to support their bodies to walk any distance.”
“Interesting.”
“And did you know when the telephone was first invented, most people answered with ‘ahoy’ instead of ‘hello’? Personally, my inner pirate thinks we should go back to that. In fact, I may start just to hear everyone’s reactions.” He winks. “Perhaps throw in a few scallywags and mateys for good measure.”
I struggle to stifle my laugh. “People will think they reached the wrong number.”
“All the more reason to bring it back. The world would be a better place if everyone was forced to speak like a pirate.”
“I can’t disagree with that.”
He treats me to another smile, the sun reflecting off his brilliant white teeth. Then his expression sobers. He inches closer, his gaze narrowing on me.
“In all seriousness, I am a good person. I won’t stand here and tell you I’m perfect. That the sun shines out of my arse, pardon my language. Based on the things said earlier, that’s what everyone wants you to believe. Like everyone else, like you, I have my faults. I know we won’t always see eye to eye. But I’d like it if you’d allow me to show you who I am before rushing to judgment. Can you do that?”
