Not Fit for a King?

He hated himself for even thinking of her, much less desiring her.

The fact that he could imagine taking pleasure in her body baffled him after everything that had happened.

Why was he even thinking about her? How could he want her? She’d manipulated him and played him and he should hate her.

He didn’t. He couldn’t. Not when he loved her.

Zale ran a hand through his short hair, knowing he’d only been in love once before. It’d been six years ago when he’d lived in Madrid. She had been young, brilliant and vivacious, a breathtaking Spanish beauty, but when his parents had died he’d retired from football and ended their love affair, moved back to Raguva and never once looked back.

Zale knew how to move on without looking back. He knew how to be ruthless, relentless, hard.

And he’d force himself to be ruthless and hard now.

She was gone. And there would be no forgiveness. No second chances.

But when he pictured Hannah, he didn’t want to be ruthless and hard.

On the third day Zale woke, even more angry and frustrated than when he went to bed.

He would find her. He would. He’d take her in his hands and make her pay.

But first he had to find her.

Zale spent the morning making inquiries before turning to Krek at noon. Turns out he should have started with Krek as his butler already knew where Hannah could be found. “The Divok Hotel, Your Majesty, under the name of Hannah Smith.”

Zale tried to hide his irritation. “How did you know where she was?”

“Her Highness is distinctive. Word quickly spread.” “No one told me.”

“Everyone knew you were unhappy with her—” “Does everyone know why?”

Krek shrugged vaguely. “Lovers’ quarrel, something of that nature.”

“They are aware the wedding has been called off?” “Yes, Your Majesty, but they’re all hoping that you’ll come to your senses and forgive her so the wedding can be on again.” “It’s not going to happen.” “Whatever you think is best, sir.”

“Krek, I know you heard us fighting. I know you and half the palace must know the truth. She isn’t Emmeline d’Arcy. She’s an American impostor.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Krek.”

The butler bowed. “Will you be going out, sir?” Zale glowered at him. “Yes.” “Very good, sir.”

Zale was annoyed that he’d be showing up at the unassuming Divok Hotel with full escort, but he couldn’t very well go alone. He was a king. There was protocol. And safety was always an issue, even in his own country.

Zale waited in his armored car as his security guard checked out the hotel, securing the front and back entrances before allowing him inside.

The front desk clerk’s welcome was effusive. Beaming and bowing, she showed him and four of his bodyguards up to the top floor, which was where she’d given Hannah Smith a room. “It’s one of our best rooms,” she said, “and every day I make sure she has fresh flowers.”

Zale thanked the clerk for the kindness she’d shown Hannah Smith, and knocked on Hannah’s door.

He waited a moment, gut tensing, and then knocked again. Finally she opened the door a crack and peered out, her long hair messy, her face pale with deep shadows beneath her eyes. The interior of her room was dark with the blinds still drawn although it was almost noon.

She blinked at him, obviously stunned but sleepy. “What are you doing here?”

“I don’t know,” he answered grimly before gesturing to her room. “May I? The hallway isn’t the most private place for us to talk.”

She nodded, tucked her hair back behind her ears and opened the door wider. “Come in.” While his security detail waited in the hall, Hannah turned on the lights and opened her blinds and smoothed the covers of her rumpled bed.

He glanced around the small, Spartan room with the bouquet of violets in a little glass vase next to the bed. “Why are you still here?”

She winced at his sharp tone. “Because I can’t afford to leave.”

“You should have told me.”

“And what would you have done? Laughed in my face? Or thrown me in prison?”

He shrugged. “I was angry. I still am.”

She sat cross-legged on the foot of the bed and tilted her chin up at him. “My father has sent me a credit card and my passport by express mail. It should arrive this afternoon. I’ll be leaving soon.”

“Not if I arrest you.”

“Is that why you brought so many of your palace guard? Expecting me to put up quite a fight, aren’t you?”

“You don’t sound remorseful at all.”