“Oh,” I lean forward and practically press my face to the windshield of the cute little silver Mercedes that was at the airport waiting for us when Prince Lucas’s private airplane arrived at the French airport. “Is this the place?”

Lucas nods and downshifts. “It is.”

“It’s gorgeous.”

After carrying me away from the press conference, Lucas was quiet. He’d barked a few orders at servants I hadn’t even noticed until he said something and by the time we reached the front of the castle, a car was in the drive. Lucas deposited me in the back seat, climbed in beside me, and we’d sped to the airport.

The private plane was a true delight. I’d spent the better part of the flight exploring all the different features which included a bathroom that was double the size of the one in my Boston apartment, an entertainment center, the most comfortable couch I’d ever sat on, and more.

I could happily spend the rest of my life living in the plane.

Lucas didn’t break his silence until we were starting our descent into the French airport. He explained how he had a lovely little villa and that by marrying me, I’d prevented it from landing in the hands of Roderick and Tim.

Since I was responsible for helping him maintain ownership of the villa, he felt it only appropriate that we spend some time there while we waited for the press to cool down.

Romantic, right? Still – I’m happy to get used to this kind of life…

When he’d said French villa, I’d conjured up a picture of a modern design that seems to be nothing but plaster and glass, but this … it’s a work of art.

When we pull up in the car, the early twentieth century style villa rises gracefully from the land. It’s impossible to tell from this angle, but Lucas told me that one of the reasons he purchased the property was that it provided an outstanding view of the French Rivera. Expertly tended rose gardens surround the building.

As Lucas parks the car in front of the house, I spot an old barn on the eastern side of the property.

“It’s beautiful,” I tell Lucas. “I understand why you were so desperate to keep it.”

Lucas slides out of the low-slung car and jogs around the front and opens my door for me. I’m charmed by the act.

I follow him into the house.

It takes over an hour for Lucas to give me a tour of the entire house. We need every minute. After all, it consists of a reception hall, a gallery, five different lounges, and 9 bedrooms, plus a terrace that’s even bigger than the one at his family’s castle.

And don’t even get me started on the basements.

Plural.

Lucas leads me to one of the two rooms he hasn’t already shown me.

“It’s getting late,” he says with an apologetic glance back, “so I’m afraid we’ll have to postpone the tour of the grounds until tomorrow.”

I nod and decide to address the one thing that has been bothering me. “Where are all the sevens?”

I hadn’t seen one.

“I purchased this villa with the idea that it would turn into my – I guess you could call it a sanctuary. I retain the services of a few villagers who not only keep the grounds and the house in good repair, but who can also have it ready for me whenever I decide I need a break for my home life. Otherwise, I’m alone while I’m here.”

Lucas raises a brow. “Is that a problem? If you prefer, I can make arrangements to-”

“Really, it’s fine,” I insist, a grin stretching across my face as I think of all the things I want to do to Lucas – in private. “Not all of us were born with a silver spoon, after all. I can take care of myself.”

“Of course.” Lucas hesitates and appears to want to say something, but after a moment’s indecision he pushes the door open and leads me into the largest, most beautiful bedroom I’ve ever seen.

“Wow!” I move into the middle of the room and turn a slow circle, marveling at how much space a single bedroom can occupy. Not only is the room stunning and beautifully appointed, but despite the gathering darkness, I can tell that it provides the promised view of the Riviera.

“This is where you’ll be staying.”

“I still have some concerns, but right here, right now, marrying you seems like one of the smartest things I’ve ever done.” I make another circle. “This is the swankiest place I’ve ever stayed in. Everything’s just wonderful.”

My eyes land on the bed.

Like everything else in the room is ridiculously oversized, at least it looks that way, but I bet that with Lucas in there with me, it’ll be quite cozy.

The thought makes me blush. We haven’t discussed sleeping arrangements. Or in fact, any of the other terms of the relationship. If that’s what this is.

Maybe I should call it a contract?

And now I’m thinking about it, I’m not sure how to bring my concerns up. The problem is – based on the make out session last night in the limo, and again this morning, and the way he kissed me during the press conference, I don’t imagine Lucas is expecting a chaste marriage.

As much as it embarrasses me to admit it, I’m curious – and more than a little afraid – of what the conjugal aspects of our marriage hold in store.

“I arranged for the woman who tends the house to pick up some clothing for you and gave her your measurements,” Lucas says. “You should find them in the dresser and the closet.”

“Thank you.”

If I was someone else, the thought of having someone buying clothes for, especially when they didn’t have any idea who I am, would upset me. But since I would rather have my left arm amputated than go clothes shopping, I’m thrilled to have that particular chore handled for me.

"I'm assuming you're both hungry and tired. The kitchen is kept fully stocked with basic things for making sandwiches," Lucas says.

"If you'd like something fancier, there are menus in the drawer next to fridge for all the local take-out restaurants in town."

I nod. "What are you in the mood for?" Our first dinner together, it seemed only fair that I let him choose what to eat, especially since he'd been the one to whisk me to this amazing place."

"I'm not hungry. I'm going to spend a few hours in the barn. Working out."

"Oh," I try, but don't quite manage to hide the hurt in my voice. I'd spent the past few hours having a lovely assortment of fantasies about him, and he didn't want to spend any more time in my company than necessary.

I should probably have seen it coming.

Lucas stands by the door, one hand resting on the frame, hesitating.

"You can go," I tell him. "I'll be fine on my own."

Still, he doesn't move.

"How much do you remember about last night," he finally asks.

"Bits and pieces. Why?"

Lucas reaches into his pants pocket and withdraws a folded piece of paper and hands it to me. I have a funny feeling that whatever it is, it’s the reason he’s acting so strangely.

I don't know what the paper is, but my instincts tell me I'm not going to like it. It takes all my resolve to not throw it at Lucas. "What's this?"

He doesn’t meet my eyes. "A pre-nup, of sorts."

"Of sorts?"

"Before I met you, my best plan to win the bet was to marry Eileen, my mother's assistant."

"I know who she is." The bitchy ice queen who is always glaring at me when no one's looking. "Did she know about you plan?"

That, at least would explain why she'd decided to dislike me. Because that’s obviously what’s going on.

Lucas's shoulders rise and fall. "We didn't exactly put it into words, but she knew which direction I was leaning."

"I see."

I do. Suddenly everything’s very clear. Last night was nothing more than a night Lucas has already clearly come to regret. Now that he's stuck with me, he’s clearly wishing he'd gone with his original plan.

I just don't know what that has to do with the piece of paper in my hand.

"My lawyer drew up a pre-nup, protecting my assets."

"Okay."

"Last night. Things happened so quickly that there wasn't time to get the pre-nup to the church. The only reason I was able to get a wedding license and find a vicar to officiate the ceremony is because I'm the prince."

I nod.

"So, I sat down and wrote that before we took our vows."

I lift my hand. "This is our pre-nup. I don't remember signing it." Not that it mattered, when our marriage dissolved, the only thing I planned on taking with me was the money Tessa and I earned for creating a museum.

"Not a pre-nup. At least not exactly. It’s more of a contract. Listing the things each of us will contribute to this marriage ... and some other issues."

Other issues?

"I've already scanned the paper and sent a copy of it to my lawyer who will make sure it's properly filed, but I thought you should have a copy too."