The Playboy Prince and the Nanny (Royal Duology 1)

“May I come in, Rose?”

“Of course.” She wasn’t in the mood for food, but Senora Ortiz had been the first friendly face here and there was something comforting and motherly about her that Rose needed very badly. She stepped aside and closed the door behind the cook.

“You’ve been avoiding the kitchen,” Senora Ortiz said plainly.

“I’ve been avoiding everyone,” Rose admitted. “It’s been a strange few weeks.”

“I brought you a few things.” Senora Ortiz took the cover off the little dish. “The orange cake you love so much. Some very English tea. A flower to brighten your day.”

Rose’s throat clogged at the thoughtfulness. “Gracias, Senora Ortiz.” She sniffed a little.

“Oh now, pequeña,” she murmured, coming over and giving her a hug. “It will all work out, I promise. And you should know that this wasn’t my idea. Someone suggested it.”

“Who?”

“Someone who knows you love my orange cake. And who specifically said I should put a white rose on the tray.”

Rose looked at the blossom and back at Senora Ortiz. Maybe it should make her feel better, but it didn’t. It just served as a reminder of painful feelings, and how Diego had left without a word. Why would he send this kind of message now? She found it hard to believe that he’d be that cruel, but she also didn’t trust her instincts or her feelings anymore.

“Rose,” the older woman whispered, “don’t cry. It will all work out, you’ll see. He loves you.”

“I don’t think so,” she replied. She hadn’t realized she’d started crying, but a touch of her fingers to her cheek confirmed it.

“Have some faith. And don’t give up yet.” She patted her hand. “I need to get back.”

“Thank you for trying,” Rose said softly. “I do appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. Eat the cake. You’ve barely eaten enough to feed a bird these last days.”

When Senora Ortiz was gone, Rose poured herself a little tea. Then the aroma of the cake hit her nostrils and she tried a tiny bite. Before long the whole piece was gone and Rose was crying, the stress of it all finally coming out. Desolate, she opened a bottle of wine and poured a large glass. If she was going to resign her post, she might as well enjoy a fine vintage before giving her notice.

And if she managed to drown her sorrows in the process, all the better.

* * *

Diego sat at the plain, makeshift desk and ran his hand through his hair again, staring at the papers before him. This nearly made sense now, and the proper permits had all been filed. Two weeks of being visible at night and working all day had taken their toll.

“Diego. For God’s sake, man, shave or something.” Ryan stepped into the office, looking clean and trim and not at all like he’d polished off the remainder of the whiskey last night.

“I will. As soon as I’m done here. I can’t go out tonight. I need to get one night of decent sleep.”

“Then maybe you can do it on the plane, eh? I have a message for you. Your brother says you’re to go home.”

Diego lifted his head at the surprising news. “Really?”

“He didn’t say much, but he did say that he’s got all the information you need and that you should be there.” Ryan raised his eyebrows. “And he also said that I was to tell you thank you. Seemed a bit odd to me.”

“It is.” Diego sighed as relief flooded him. “Raoul hasn’t always appreciated my . . . efforts on behalf of the family.”

“Maybe he knows this time there was a personal cost. You still haven’t heard from her?”

That was the one thing that kept bothering him. He’d left his private number for Rose in the letter that explained everything. Her silence had troubled him for days. When Senora Ortiz had said she was barely eating, he’d sent her a message in the best way he knew how. Senora Ortiz, at least, he trusted.

“So go back.” Ryan came over and put his hand on his shoulder. “Brenna and I will stay here and oversee things for a week or so if you want. It’s so close to going forward that things will be fine.”

Diego looked up at his friend and felt a wave of affection and gratitude. “You and Bren have been amazing,” he said. “Through everything.” The fact that Ryan’s little sister had agreed to come along and be a romantic decoy was friendship above and beyond. That she’d proved an incredible asset working with the authorities to finalize all the legalities was a pleasant surprise. Diego was considering putting her on his staff, if she could be enticed away from her job in Dublin.

Ryan handed over a paper. “The assistant—Steph, I think she said—gave me these details for your travel.”