She gripped the armrest. With Lucca this close to her, she couldn’t think clearly. “Uncle Yuri thought you were serious about your marital intentions.”
“I am. I wish I could convince you this is a good way out for both of us.” An almost mournful quality had crept into his voice. “You gave me the impression you would do whatever it takes to pay the debt, even if it requires eight years at medical school to accomplish, but it appears I was wrong.”
Alex edged against the door. “Everyone will say I’m just like my mother, running after a prince for his money.”
“You’re a princess in your own right and don’t need anyone’s money, but it doesn’t matter what other people think,” he came back suavely. “We’re the only two people who know the truth or need to know.”
She kneaded her hands. “We’d never be able to fool your parents,” her voice throbbed.
“We don’t have to. They’re painfully aware I’ll be struggling to do my duty, but it’s expected.”
Her thoughts reeled. “So there is a woman.”
After a slight pause she heard him murmur yes.
Alex shouldn’t have been surprised by his last-minute confession. He loved a woman with whom he could never share his life openly or marry. He couldn’t have children with her, couldn’t grow old with her. From the moment he was born, he’d been robbed of his free agency. How dreadful.
“No one else has knowledge of our situation, Alexandra, not even my sister, and she’s my closest confidante. You’re the only person who knows the truth.”
She lowered her head. “I can’t imagine your pain. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m sorry your mother’s debts have placed such an unbearable burden on you. We could help each other out, but if you can’t bring yourself to do it, then I won’t pressure you further.”
Alex clasped her hands together, not having expected this kind of honesty from him. He was in love with someone. What could be more natural, except that he couldn’t marry a commoner. When it got right down to it, how many men were honorable enough to sacrifice their personal happiness to this degree?
Earlier he’d indicated that his interest in women lay with nonroyals, but not until this second did she realize what exactly he was being forced to give up for the sake of his father’s health and the kingdom.
No matter how hard Alex fought it, she felt a wrench in her heart for him. For the first time all day it didn’t seem quite so ridiculous that he’d chosen Kathryn Carlisle’s daughter of all people to carry off this charade. Through the backhand of fate she had enough Grigory royal blood in her veins to satisfy his parents. Lucca knew her darkest secrets. There would be no pretense between them in private, no surprises. She’d already told him she never planned to marry. There’d be no expectations of love on either side.
From her point of view she’d be getting the best of the bargain by being able to pursue her education toward a career. If she became a doctor, she would eventually pay him back. If she couldn’t get into medical school, she’d find another career and pay him back. When that became a reality, she’d start paying off the twelve million dollars.
What would he get besides a titular wife?
Not much … unless she helped him find a way to be with the woman he loved. Now that would be worth something no one else could give him.
Alex could do that! She wanted to. It would even things up and they’d both get what they wanted.
“We’re approaching the lane for the airport,” he said, breaking in on her chaotic thoughts. “Tell me the terminal where your flight will be taking off so I can alert the driver.”
Her pulse throbbed against her temples. By the timbre of his voice you’d never guess the turmoil going on inside of him, but she knew.
“What princess will you choose?”
“I have no idea. If we had more time I’d let you pick her for me. Somewhere over the Atlantic I’ll have to make my choice. We’re almost there. Where shall we drop you?”
She closed her eyes tightly. “You really want to go through with this?” It was a stupid question of course.
In the quiet that followed, his hand slid over her wrist. “Let’s put it this way. I would never have come into Defore’s office otherwise.” While she digested that revelation he added, “If you’re saying what I think you’re saying, be very sure, Alexandra. There’s no going back.”
Her breath caught. “I know.”
In the next instant he lifted her hand and kissed the palm. It set off a charge that ignited every atom of her body.
Lucca felt her quiver. She was frightened, but not too frightened to have agreed to his proposal. He’d counted on her desire to pay back her mother’s debts being greater than any other consideration and she hadn’t disappointed him. Later he would deal with his guilt over allowing her to think he was in love with Sofia. Right now his overriding emotion was one of exquisite relief bordering on triumph.
They drove the rest of the way in an electrifying silence he felt no compunction to break. She could change her mind at any moment. He wouldn’t be able to relax until she was safely on board the jet and they’d attained cruising speed.
When Lucca was on business for the monarchy, he traveled with a staff of twelve, not including the pilot, copilot, steward or his bodyguards. By the time they reached the plane, everyone in his entourage had assembled ahead of him. At seven in the evening there was still plenty of light.
As Alexandra climbed out of the limousine, the sun gilded the white-gold strands of her hair swirled among the darker blond shades. She reminded him of an aviatrix who’d just jumped down from her biplane and pulled off her cap to reveal a riot of jaw-length curls. There was nothing artificial about her. She wore no lipstick, but with her wide, seductive mouth it wasn’t necessary.
His first impression of her hadn’t changed. She was totally unaware of herself. He found himself studying her naturally arched brows. They framed large, sad, luminous gray eyes set in a classically shaped face. Sometimes they were inscrutable. Other times when she talked about the debt she couldn’t pay, he was shaken to the gut by their emotional intensity.
The woman he’d chosen for his bride had an innate glamour that couldn’t be manufactured or purchased. He saw shocked wonder in the eyes of his pilot and staff as he introduced her. Not only was he flying back to Castelmare with his intended, but they’d just learned that Princess Alexandra Grigory was Kathryn Carlisle’s daughter.
He could hear their minds making comparisons between the screen idol and her flesh-and-blood offspring. Alexandra’s impenetrable gaze added a certain mystery to her demeanor that set her apart from her mother.
After a word to his pilot, Lucca joined her. Once up the steps he ushered her through the body of the plane to his study. “As soon as we’re in the air, the steward will show you to your cabin where you can freshen up.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, not looking at him as she found a place to sit. In case she was getting cold feet, it was too late to renege on their arrangement now.
Per his instructions the pilot started the engines. Lucca noted with satisfaction that the Fasten Seat Belts sign had flashed on. The sound of her strapping herself in was music to his ears. For the first time all day he was able to let go of the tension gripping him. He fastened his.
Soon they were taxiing out to the runway. He glanced at her striking profile. She had a proud nose. He liked that. He liked everything about her. “Once we’ve reached altitude, I’ll ask dinner to be served.”
“I’m afraid I’m still full from lunch.”
“Even so, you might change your mind later.”
In