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It wasn’t like Clem not to reply to his messages, but a couple of hours after letting her know he was free, Akil had still not heard from her, nor was she at the hospital. He had tried to be discreet about visiting her at the Palais d’Artega, not wanting his presence there too often to be noted, but when his third call went to voicemail his worry intensified and he headed out towards the country estate, discretion the last thing on his mind.
It wasn’t just that it was unlike her to go AWOL. He needed to see her. It had been hard to settle to work that morning; every hour that passed was a reminder that summer was nearly over, and Clem would be returning to England soon. It had been easy to ignore that realisation; when they had started to get close, summer had seemed endless. Besides, they had both known the score. Theirs was just a holiday fling, some fun while Clem was in Asturia.
But what they had was stronger, deeper, than a fling. And now, as every day got dark a little earlier and the noonday sun sank a little lower, reality was setting in. He loved her.
The irony didn’t escape him; he was a man who didn’t really believe in love and certainly didn’t believe in love at first sight, but he couldn’t deny that something in him had shifted the very first time they’d met. He’d grown up to think of love as weakness, as destructive, but being with Clem just made him stronger. Talking to her, listening to her, finding out her perspective made him a better politician, a more strategic thinker—look at his plans for the hospital inspired by her. Was she the politician’s wife of his dreams? No, but he was very glad he hadn’t met the well-connected and diplomatic hostess he’d thought he wanted to marry. He needed someone to challenge him, someone to complement him. Love wasn’t weakness, as he had feared, but strength, allowing himself vulnerability in front of another human being.
And he was sure that she needed him, too. For all her strength she needed to be loved, to be needed; she’d been alone too long. Which was why Akil was going to ask her to stay in Asturia. To stay with him. A smile curved his mouth at the thought of evenings curled up and days out exploring, of long nights loving and laughing. It was more than he’d ever thought he’d have and now it was within his grasp. How could one person change everything so completely?
He’d known since the first night on the boat that he couldn’t just let her leave, but now time was running out and he still hadn’t found the right time or words. He’d even considered proposing, but his natural caution urged him against making such an irrevocable move just yet. After all, his parents’ marriage stemmed from a summer romance gone wrong, and he didn’t want to repeat that mistake. He and Clem needed to spend every season together before making such a commitment. But he was looking forward to every one of those seasons.
He knew it wouldn’t be easy. Even if she were just an English tourist here for the summer then there would still be some obstacles to overcome. Her life was overseas, she had no job here, and his work and the obligations of his title were both demanding. But she wasn’t just an English tourist, she was the illegitimate daughter of the King, and from everything she’d told him he knew Zorien and those court officials who knew of her existence would not welcome her presence in Asturia full-time. But they couldn’t let that stop them. If she wanted to stay, they would find a way to make it work.
By the time he reached the Palais d’Artega he’d still not heard from her, and tension gripped him as he turned in through the gates. As usual he was waved through but, this time, he was aware of some curious glances from the usually inscrutable guards and knew that he wouldn’t be able to visit her here again. If his presence here was being noted, it had to stop.
As he drove along the formal driveway another car was coming the other way and Akil slowed and pulled in to allow it to pass. As it drew close, Akil saw Zorien at the wheel, his expression dark and filled with pain. His gaze met Akil’s and he nodded curtly. Akil’s pulse began to hammer as he noted what looked like pity in the King’s eyes and the feeling of tension increased as he sped a little faster than usual past the palais and out towards the villa.
He pulled up outside and jumped out of his car, making his way around to the back of the house, instinctively knowing that Clem would be standing by the lake. He knew at times of stress she gravitated towards water and sure enough she was standing on the platform where he had first seen her, wearing a long green sundress that fell around her ankles. Her head was bent but she looked up as he approached, and he saw her eyes were red. Her father had made her cry.
He clenched his fists; he knew better than anyone that family relationships were complicated, but Clem had nobody. Surely Zorien understood that? Would it have cost him to be kind?
‘Hi,’ she said, her voice a little husky.
‘I’m glad you’re okay. I got a little worried when I didn’t hear from you.’
‘Sorry, my father was here. I haven’t had a chance to check my phone.’
‘I saw him on the way out. I’m glad he managed to visit you. How was it?’
Her smile was tremulous. ‘As expected. He’s given me my marching orders.’
Anger and possessiveness rose in him, almost overwhelming as he strode forward to take her hands. ‘He can’t do that.’
‘He’s the King. I’m pretty sure he can do anything he likes.’
‘We’re a democracy and you’re of age. You can do anything you want, Clem.’
She pulled her hands away and tried another smile. ‘What does it matter, Akil? We knew this day was coming, it’s just a little earlier than expected. This was only a summer fling.’
He took her shoulders and looked down at her defiant face. ‘Is that really true, Clem? Because it isn’t for me. I love you—and I think that you love me.’
CHAPTER TWELVE
CLEMSTAREDUPat Akil, her eyes filling with unwanted tears. She tried to blink them back, not wanting to show any sign of weakness. ‘Love is a big word, Akil.’
‘It’s not one I use lightly.’ His voice was teasing, warm, but his face was full of concern—for her.
She twisted away, not sure she’d be able to do what had to be done if he was touching her. ‘Say I was falling in love with you, what difference would it make? My life is far away from here, and there’s nothing for you in Cornwall.’
‘Apart from you.’
She closed her eyes, trying to regain control of her voice. ‘But I wouldn’t be enough. We both know that. You have your role here, your title, the promise you made to your father. You couldn’t give that up for me.’ Although a selfish part of her wished he could.
‘No, maybe not long term, although I’d love to visit your home,’ he conceded. ‘But, Clem, you could stay. You could extend your role at the hospital; we could look into funding to make it a real job if that’s what you wanted.’
‘And what? Live with you?’
‘Why not?’
