The Wedding Party Collection. Кейт Хьюит

of the lights and cameras. ‘And of course everyone is dying to hear your side of the story...as well as your bride’s.’ The talk show hostess’s gaze moved speculatively to Alyse, and she didn’t think she was imagining the glint of malice in those over-wide eyes. No matter how Larissa gushed to Leo, Alyse knew she’d still be cast as the scarlet woman. It made for a juicy story.

      ‘Well, it’s really rather simple, Larissa,’ Leo began in a calm, even voice. He had one arm stretched along the back of the sofa, his fingers grazing Alyse’s shoulder. ‘When that photograph was taken all those years ago—and you know the photo I mean, of course.’

      ‘Of course.’

      ‘Alyse and I barely knew each other. We’d only just met that very evening, actually.’

      ‘But you looked so in love,’ Larissa said, eyes widening even more. She glanced rather accusingly at Alyse, who only just managed to keep her smile in place. Nothing about that photo, she thought, had been deliberately faked. It was, perhaps, the one honest moment the press had actually captured between her and Leo.

      Leo lifted a shoulder in a ‘what can I say?’ shrug and Larissa let out a breathy sigh. ‘But it was love at first sight, Prince Leo, wasn’t it? You haven’t actually been faking your engagement all these years, as people are so cruelly suggesting?’

      Smiling, he held up one hand, his wedding ring glinting on his finger. ‘Does that look fake to you?’

      ‘But your feelings...’

      ‘Alyse’s and my marriage was always one of convenience,’ Leo said and Alyse stiffened in shock. She had a feeling this would not have been part of Paula’s brief.

      Larissa drew back in exaggerated shock. ‘Convenience? No! Not the prince and his Cinderella bride?’

      Leo just smiled and shrugged. ‘Royal marriages often are.’

      ‘But you’ve been portrayed as being so in love, an inspiration to couples—as well as singles—everywhere.’

      ‘And we are in love,’ Leo replied steadily. ‘Now.’ A moment of silence spun out as Larissa stared at him; Alyse stared at him. What was he saying?

      ‘It took a long time for those feelings to come, especially on my part,’ he continued in that same steady voice. ‘But they have come, and that’s really the important thing, don’t you think? Not what happened—or didn’t happen—before.’ He let this sink in for a moment before continuing. ‘The main thing—the beautiful thing—is that I love Alyse now. I’ve fallen in love with my wife.’

      And then he turned to her, while Alyse tried not to gape like a fish, and gave her a smile that felt both private and tender, and was being broadcast to a billion people around the world.

      A smile that was surely a lie...wasn’t it? Wasn’t he just pretending, as always?

      ‘Alyse, you look surprised,’ Larissa said and, blinking, Alyse tried to focus on the talk-show hostess rather than her husband.

      ‘Not surprised so much as thrilled,’ she managed, barely aware of what she was saying. ‘And so happy. I admit, it’s been a rocky road to get to where we are. Leo and I have always been committed to marriage, but love isn’t something you can force.’

      Larissa pursed her lips. ‘Let’s talk about Matthew Cray.’

      ‘Let’s not,’ Leo interjected swiftly. ‘Whatever happened was a single moment many years ago, and not worth our time or discussion. As I’ve said before, what matters is now—and our future.’ Again he smiled at Alyse, but this time she looked into his eyes. They looked dark and hard and her heart quailed within her. He didn’t look like a man in love. She could feel the tension thrumming through him and her insides roiled. He was faking; of course he was. This was just another part of the pretence, and she was a fool for thinking otherwise even for a second.

      She didn’t remember the rest of the interview; her mind was spinning too much and Leo did most of the talking.

      After an interminable half-hour they were done and Larissa and her crew were packing up. Leo ushered her from the filming area, one hand firmly on her elbow.

      ‘Hopefully that did the trick,’ he said, and that last frail hope died.

      ‘A very clever way to spin it,’ she managed and Leo gave her a sudden, penetrating look.

      ‘Is that how you saw it?’

      She stared at him, longing to ask him what he meant, but so afraid to. Afraid to trust his feelings, or even hers. What was real? ‘I...I don’t know.’

      ‘Prince Leo... Your Highness.’ Leo turned and Alyse saw one of his father’s aides hurrying towards him.

      ‘Yes?’

      ‘Your father requests your presence in his private study immediately.’

      Leo frowned. ‘Is something wrong?’

      The aide looked uncomfortable as he answered, ‘Prince Alessandro has arrived at the palace.’

      Leo went completely still, his face draining of colour, and Alyse felt shock blaze through him. Prince Alessandro...Leo’s brother. He’d returned.

      Leo swallowed and then his expression ironed out. ‘I’m coming,’ he said shortly, and walked away from Alyse.