Falling For Jack (18 page)

When they had left the palace grounds, they had been joined by a land rover carrying four plain-clothed policemen who provided the necessary protection and escorted them through the old part of the city. Throughout the ride, Hubert had pointed out the historical features of interest to Jack who, in return, had asked many questions. Francesca was at her most charming and continued to make a huge fuss of Jack.

For Lara it had been a ride of exquisite torture. She was aware of the slightest movement Jack made. His hands chopping the air as he emphasized a point in his conversation with Francesca, the perfection of his profile as he half turned to her, the occasional pressure and warmth of his thigh against hers and most of all, this inane desire she had to fling herself into his arms and have him hold and protect her and love her. Why then was she being so stubborn when it would have been much easier to accept his proposal? Then everyone would be happy. But, what about a year from now, or five years? They could end up hating each other.

As they turned into the palace grounds on their return, Jack took advantage of Francesca’s distraction as she discussed some estate matters with Hubert.

He leaned toward her and whispered, “I’ve been trying to grab the opportunity of telling you how beautiful you look.”

She desperately wanted to stay calm but the color rose beneath her skin at his compliment. “Thank you,” she said, lowering her head.

“You’re like a fairy tale princess set against the backdrop of her magical palace.”

She daren’t look up, knowing her emotions would be reflected in her eyes.

“Thank you again, but I’m still not going to marry you,” she said quietly, glad that at last she was in control and could talk calmly about his proposal, while on the previous night she had lost it completely.

“I don’t know why you’re flirting with me,” she added, glancing across at Francesca who was still deeply immersed in her conversation with Hubert.

“I won’t rest until I have you in my bed, Lara. You started this little game and the more elusive you are, the more determined I am to have you. Whether that involves marriage or not, I really don’t care.”

She did look at him this time. She couldn’t help it. Was he teasing her? Sure enough, his eyes were alight with devilment as he flashed a cheeky grin. Not to be out done, she murmured, “You could have had me. I was all yours without you giving up your precious freedom to marry me. But, you’ve left it too late. Although my parents have betrayed me by trying to sell me off, I can cope with their attitude. While I may not agree, I understand why they’re doing it. But you, Jack, you want to marry me for all the wrong reasons.”

“What are the two of you whispering about?”

“Lara was saying she would like to sit next to me at dinner, ma’am,” he replied, digging her in the ribs.

Expelling a deep breath into the cold air, she retaliated. “I was actually saying you will want me to sit next to Prince Michael and Jack will need to sit between my great aunts.” She turned to Jack and gave a dazzling smile. “You’ll love the aunts. They are both over eighty and quite eccentric. Unfortunately, their English isn’t too good but they adore handsome young men. They will positively drool over you.”

He returned her smile and touched her nose with one gloved finger. “Touché, princess,” he said, and once again her heart beat crazily as his eyes flirted with her.

“I can assure you both I can manage the seating arrangements very well on my own.” Francesca gave her own quiet smile and then continued her conversation with Hubert.

~ * ~

He aimed his cue and parted the rack of billiard balls with a loud crack wishing Michael’s head was at the end of the cue.

“Good start, Jack.” The king was in an affable mood following, what was to Jack, a long and laborious dinner. Johann had insisted the men retire to the games room with their ports and coffee and he and Carl had challenged Jack and Michael to a game of billiards.

I need this like a hole in the head.
Jack shot a couple of balls into the pockets and wished he was anywhere else but here. He wasn’t sure he could cope with any more royal functions and he certainly couldn’t cope with another evening of Michael pawing Lara as if he owned her.

Missing the next shot, he shrugged and leaned against a chair making room for Carl to move to the table. It was odd that Carl was here for a start. He was supposed to have left for Monaco that morning but had changed his mind and attended the dinner to welcome Michael and the aunts.

I wonder if his mum and dad had a go at him.
He was certainly subdued during the meal but so was Lara. Something was really wrong with her. She was pale and sort of shell-shocked. Also, Francesca had placed her next to bloody Prince Charming instead of me while I had to put up with Francesca and Aunt Bertha.

He chalked the end of his cue as his mind went over the disastrous evening. Funnily enough, he had enjoyed the company of the aunts who were lively and very entertaining, but his attention had been constantly drawn to Lara and the creep next to her. Jack knew he was suffering from an enormous attack of jealously. The agony of it had twisted his insides at every look Lara gave Michael, every word she said to him.

But what had grated with him the most was the way Michael had been so familiar with Lara. Throughout the dinner, he had constantly touched her arm, kissed her hand and whispered to her. At any time it would have been rude, to say the least, but to Jack, it was like a red rag to a bull. Nobody remarked about Michael’s behavior, they were too polite for that, but he could see Lara was embarrassed.

His Lara. No one else’s, he thought savagely as he watched Michael prepare to take his turn at the billiard table. He had messed things up completely by springing his marriage proposal on her. He should have handled things differently. He had floundered hopelessly. No wonder she had refused him, assuming she was part of the business deal he had made. Unfortunately, as far as her parents were concerned, she was. But not to him. He wanted her as his wife because…because…

Jack frowned. Because he loved her? Or was it sheer pig-headedness because he hadn’t got his own way. He wasn’t sure. He did know he was trying to make up for his earlier crass mistake. They needed quality time together, time to get to know each other. She needed to be courted, for God’s sake. Who could blame her for acting this way? He could see she was still vulnerable to him. He had seen it when they were on the sleigh ride when she had opened up to his flirtatious remarks and blushed at his nearness. He would have done anything to have taken her in his arms tonight and protect her from that fool Michael.

“Jack, your turn.”

Wearily, he played a shot and missed the pocket giving Carl the opportunity to play and win the game.

“Johann, why don’t you and Carl play the next game? That will give my new friend and me the opportunity to chat,” Michael said, in his strong guttural accent.

Christ! That’s all I need—to sit and talk to you.
At this point, Jack would much rather have disappeared somewhere and drown his sorrows in a bottle of whisky. However, he followed Michael and they sat in the armchairs either side of the roaring fire.

“I understand you are interested in marrying Lara?”

Jack was suddenly wide awake as the older man posed the question. “Yes, I am.” As if it’s any of your business, he wanted to add.

“I’m afraid you might be a little late, my dear man.”

“What do you mean?”

“As you may know, Lara and I are second cousins and it has always been understood that we would marry.”

“Then why haven’t you?”

Michael laughed unpleasantly. “Because I needed to wait until she was ready to accept the responsibility of becoming my wife. Oh, I’m aware she’s had a little dalliance with you and that’s fine. It gets it out of her system. But in the future when we are married, there will be no more affairs. Not for her, anyway.”

Jack stiffened and his jaw clenched as he placed his coffee cup on the table beside him. “What if she’s pregnant?” His words were as cold as ice but Michael didn’t seem to notice.

“
C’est la vie
, as they say.
I will insist she has an abortion and afterward, I will make sure I impregnate her with my child, a child of royal blood who will be a fitting heir to the throne of Challoner. I have waited many years for Lara and when I have her, I intend to enjoy her, if you take my meaning.”

Jack waited knowing he had to continue to play Michael’s rotten little game and keep his cool or he was in danger of punching him right in the mouth.

“Are you going to pay any money for the privilege of acquiring Lara as your bride, Michael?”

“Heavens, yes. I’ve topped your offer, the difference being Lara was always going to say yes to me. It took a little negotiation with her parents. Besides, she would never let Carl down. She adores him.”

Jack raised an eyebrow.
What the hell was this slime ball talking about?

Lowering his voice Michael said, “I suppose they didn’t tell you. They do like to keep such a …delicate matter in the family.”

“Tell me what?” He was rapidly losing patience.

“The king and queen don’t want money just to prop up Challoner’s economy, Jack, dear boy, although that is certainly required. They need it to pay Carl’s gambling debts, which amount to many millions of dollars. If word leaked out, the royal family would be finished and a dynasty that has lasted centuries would come crashing down.”

Keeping his face expressionless, Jack casually stretched his long legs toward the fire. “Oh, really,” he said casually. “I wondered why their majesties seemed so concerned on what should be a government matter. So, Lara was aware of her brother’s gambling problems, you say?”

“Of course. That’s why Francesca and Johann were putting pressure on you when they found out you had a bit of money. Luckily for us all, I stepped in and let you off the hook.”

“Indeed. Lucky me. Well, thanks for filling me in. I think I’ll call it a night, if you will excuse me, prince.”

~ * ~

Dear Diary,

The most terrible thing has happened. I don’t know what to do.

Let me start with the sleigh ride. I thought it was going to be awful and Jack would be difficult but, he was wonderful. I’m more in love with him than ever, heaven help me. I was on a knife’s edge but all the time I had this warm glow inside me. Even though Jack was talking to mother and Hubert, I knew he was aware of me. I have made the most dreadful mistake in refusing to marry him and now, dear diary, it’s too late.

Before dinner HM came to see me and told me Carl was in trouble. Over the past five years, he has gambled away millions and now, unless we can pay his huge debt, the news will come out and we will be disgraced and ruined.

Then HM told me Michael had offered a few million more than Jack as long as I promise to marry him. HM says Michael doesn’t care about my affair and any possible pregnancy. I told her then that I couldn’t be pregnant and explained why. I have never been so embarrassed talking to my mother about something like that. But, she was pleased at the news, so I suppose that’s something.

I couldn’t answer her when she said I had to agree to Michael’s proposal. I couldn’t! So, HM has given me until the morning to make up my mind.

I don’t know what to do but deep down I know I will have to say yes. How can I let our family be disgraced? Tonight, Michael was all over me and I hated it. He’s never been like that before and I was aware of Jack watching us. It was agony. I’m so unhappy.

She passed a weary hand over her eyes and closing the diary locked it in the safe. So much for that, she thought.
Words aren’t going to get me out of this. I’m trapped. Really trapped
.