For the briefest of moments, I’m afraid she might pull away from me. But then I hear the crash of her practice equipment hitting the floor, and before I can ask her if she’s all right, her arms are around my neck. I kick the equipment away from us and pull her closer, crushing her against my body. Her mouth opens further beneath mine, and I back her toward the wall beside us.

She surprised me when she revealed she could fence. What more don’t I know about her? What secrets has she yet to reveal to me? The prospect of discovering those secrets excites me more than I want to admit.

She pulls her mouth away from mine. “Don’t think you’ve escaped having a proper fencing match with me.”

“I fear I would find myself outmatched,” I say, tightening my grip on her waist. “But perhaps you could teach me a thing or two.”

I don’t give her time to respond. Instead, I kiss her again, pressing my body fully against hers once more.

It’s only been a couple of days since we last kissed on the plane, but it feels like an eternity. I barely restrained my desire for her last night, and now my hunger comes forward in a rush. I groan deep in my throat as my hands slide up her sides and over the sides of her breasts.

Why bother with a bed? I should take her right here. Right against this wall. The way she’s kissing me, I don’t think she’d have any objections.

Suddenly, there’s a cough and a laugh behind us. Both Victoria and I freeze.

“I thought you said things weren’t like that between the two of you,” William says, the amusement clear in his voice.

I step away from Victoria and turn to face my brother. Sophia is still with him, and she’s clearly trying not to laugh.

I straighten my clothes. “Can’t anyone get some privacy in this damn palace?”

“Don’t look at me—I was practicing alone before you lot showed up,” William says.

“You knew we weren’t far,” Sophia adds. “Don’t blame us for the fact that you two got caught.” Her smile widens. “Of course, if you’re asking for privacy, I’m sure William and I can leave you to it—”

“Not necessary,” I bark. “It shouldn’t have happened anyway.” Not where anyone could—and did—see. I’m about to conduct a very public search for a wife. It won’t do to have half the household knowing that I’m having any sort of sexual feelings for the woman handling the press. Should my father get word...I can’t imagine exactly what he’d say. This is reckless. Foolish. Unfitting of a man in my position, especially one looking to marry for the good of Montovia.

Behind me, I hear Victoria make a sound of disgust. When I turn back toward her, she pushes past me and out the door before I have the chance to stop her.

What the hell was that for? When I glance back at Sophia, though, she gives me a look that suggests I should know exactly what I did. I don’t pause to ask her. Instead, I hurry outside after Victoria.

She’s already far ahead of me on the gravel path.

“Victoria!” I call. “Victoria, wait!”

I stride after her, and though she doesn’t stop, she seems to slow slightly.

“Victoria,” I say again. I’m finally close enough that I can reach out and grab her arm. “Why did you storm out of there so—”

She spins on me. “Why does it matter? It shouldn’t have happened, right?”

I frown. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I think that’s exactly what you meant. And I think you’re right, too. It shouldn’t have happened. Not here. Not on the plane ride here. Nowhere. It’s all a mistake.”

“Not all a mistake,” I say, stepping closer to her. “You can’t kiss me like you kissed me in there and then tell me there’s not something very right between us.”

“It’s called lust. And nine times out of ten, it is a mistake.” She shakes her head. “I shouldn’t have come out here—”

“You should have. And I’m glad you did.”

“You didn’t sound very glad just now.” She crosses her arms. “Tell me—if you don’t think this is a mistake, then why are you so opposed to your siblings knowing there’s something going on between us?”

“I’m not opposed—”

“You told your brother nothing had happened.”

“So you’d prefer me to tell the entire palace that we’ve slept together every night since the crash? Or that on the airplane, if Christoph hadn’t interrupted us, I would have—”

“Are you just ashamed of this because I’m a commoner?”

“I’m trying to protect you. Rumors spread very quickly in this palace, Victoria. And given the circumstances of our business arrangement, I thought we might conduct ourselves with some delicacy.”

“Don’t worry, I get it,” she says. “And given the circumstances of our business arrangement, I think that’s my cue to go.”

“Victoria—”

“Goodnight, Andrew. If we’re to proceed with our business arrangement, then I request that all other arrangements stop immediately. I swear, if you show up at my door tonight, I’ll be on the first plane home in the morning.”

From the tone of her voice, she means it.

“Victoria.”

“Goodnight.” She turns and marches back toward the palace, leaving me standing alone on the gravel path.

Needless to say, I sleep little that night.

Part of me hopes her night is just as difficult, that tomorrow she’ll find me and beg me to sleep with her again. But the other part of me chastises myself for such selfishness—and in truth, I wish no pain or hardship on Victoria. Quite the opposite, actually.

After I shower, I survey myself in the mirror. The dark circles are quite visible under my eyes, but there’s nothing I can do about that. I have multiple counts of business to attend to today, including a meeting with my father to discuss the selection of my bride. I know I should probably invite Victoria to the meeting as well, but I’m not sure how receptive she’ll be.

She made it clear last night that she’s only here for the story now, I remind myself. She should be there for these meetings.

I call for a footman and scribble down a quick message:

---

Meeting with my father to discuss my marriage in an hour. I’d like you to be there, if you’re available. If so, please meet me outside his office at ten til the hour.

---

I frown at the message as I lift my pen from the paper—part of me hates to send her something so formal, so impersonal, but I have a feeling it’s the only way to get her to agree. When the footman arrives, I fold up the piece of royal stationary and hand it to him.

“Please deliver this to my guest,” I tell him. “No response is necessary.” If she comes, she comes.

The thought gives me little comfort. And in spite of my efforts to the contrary, I find my mind wandering back to Victoria constantly as I continue to prepare for my day.

If she doesn’t show up, I have my answer about her. But if she does… If she does, there’s hope. Right now, hope is all I have.

The hour creeps by at an abominably slow pace, but finally, it’s time for the meeting with my father. I run my hands down my front, smoothing my clothes, then leave my room.

I tell myself it doesn’t matter whether she’s waiting for me or not, that at the end of the day, I have more important things to worry about. But it’s not until I round the corner and see her standing there—and feel the relief rush through me—that I realize how tightly I’ve been holding my jaw.

“Victoria,” I say, grateful that my voice sounds as steady as ever. “Thank you for attending this meeting.”

Her eyes search my face, but her expression remains blank. I’m not sure what she’s looking for. I’m not even sure what I want her to be looking for.

“This is my job,” she says finally.

I simply nod. I have a feeling that’s the best explanation I’m going to get—though I also have a feeling she’s not telling me the entire truth.

“Are you ready?” I ask her. “My father can be…intimidating at times.”

“I’ve spent most of my professional life covering your family,” she replies. “I know what your father’s like.”

I don’t point out that she didn’t really answer my question.

Together, the two of us head through the double doors and into his office.

My father is sitting at his desk, and he looks almost calm as Victoria and I enter. That worries me—my father never looks calm.

“Father,” I say, bowing slightly. Beside me, Victoria lowers herself into a curtsey befitting her station.

My father’s eyes flick to Victoria and linger on her for a moment. Then his gaze moves back to me. The wheels are turning behind his eyes, and my stomach tightens slightly. I still have no idea what’s about to happen, and with my father, that’s never a good thing.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, he spreads his hands.

“I think we should begin the proceedings immediately,” he says.

I blink. “I… What exactly are you referring to, father?”

“Your impending marriage, of course. Isn’t that what you’re here to discuss?” His eyes move back to Victoria again for the briefest of seconds. “I think it’s a brilliant publicity ploy, and it’s exactly what this country needs after your…” He clears his throat. “After the recent press surrounding you. We need to give them something to celebrate. And something to remind them that you are alive and well and ready to serve this country. I’ll admit, it took me some time to warm to the idea—we must keep this respectable, after all—but I think your instincts are right. We need to do something bold, or our efforts will be drowned beneath the other noise.”

I nod, and he stands, walking slowly around his desk.

“Sometimes, a little drama is necessary to distract from unsavory rumors,” he continues.

I swallow. Unsavory rumors? Could he have heard about that night in Prague and my business with Prince Reginald?

But if he knows any more than the handful of vague details I told him, he makes no sign. If he knew the full truth, I doubt he’d look so calm.

“So now all we need to do is decide on a few details,” my father says. He goes over to the sideboard and pours himself a drink. “You mother has made it quite clear to me that you get to select who will ultimately become your bride, but I wouldn’t be doing my job as your father and your king if I didn’t give you my counsel on the situation. There are a handful of women who might do, women who have the proper bearing and experience and…” He gestured in the air as he searched for the word. “…the right disposition for the job. But I thought I might make a recommendation. There is one candidate who I think you might do well to give special consideration to.”

I wasn’t even sure my father would approve of this plan in the first place. The fact that he agrees with me, that he believes in this crazy plan enough to actually recommend a candidate… It should encourage me, but instead it only worries me. I’m not entirely certain this will end well.

“I’ll certainly put her under consideration,” I say carefully. “I’ll make sure someone reaches out to her and—”

“No need,” my father says, raising his glass toward me. “I’ve already had her contacted, and she seems very open to the idea.”

Shock rolls through me. “You what?”

“Don’t look so surprised, son. I’ve already told you I fully support this little idea of yours.” He returns to his seat behind the desk and settles back down in his chair. “In fact, she was so enthusiastic that arrangements have already been made for her arrival. She says she’s looking forward to discussing her potential future with this family.”

I don’t even know what to think, let alone what to say. Beside me, Victoria looks just as shocked—but her expression goes blank again the moment she notices me looking at her.

“I…” I straighten, collecting myself. “I look forward to making her acquaintance—assuming I haven’t already. Who is she, exactly?”

“That, son, is part of the surprise.” The hint of a smile plays at his lips.

This is going to be even more complicated than I anticipated, I think. Maybe I’ll be able to get the information out of one of my father’s advisors later—at the very least, I want to make sure I’m prepared.

“Will you at least tell me when she’s scheduled to arrive?” I ask. “I still need to make some arrangements.”

“That’s the best part,” my father replies, setting down his glass and lacing his fingers together. “I told her that we wanted to begin as soon as possible, that there was no reason to delay. She should be here as soon as tonight.”