Crowning His Unlikely Princess

‘I don’t want the role,’ Logan ground out.

‘Maybe not.’ His mother eyed him, then continued, ‘The new modern art wing at the national museum must be opened this afternoon, and then there is a meeting with the cabinet tomorrow. If Leo’s not back, you’ll need to attend that as well.’

‘Isn’t there someone else who can open the museum?’

‘No. I have a choral exhibition to oversee. And the director of the museum will be expecting someone of senior rank since he’s already been promised an audience with the King.’

‘Fine. Just tell me that I’m not expected to make a speech.’

‘Of course you are. And there’s one more issue I need to table.’ His mother gave him a pointed look. ‘Your future intended.’

Logan shook his head and scowled at his mother. ‘I haven’t agreed to take over yet,’ he pointed out. ‘And neither do I have an intended.’

‘Which is why I’ve put together a list of potential candidates for you to consider.’

‘Your Majesty.’ Logan’s voice was dangerously soft, his blue eyes piercing. ‘Finding a wife is the lowest item on my list of priorities.’

‘I know it is.’ His mother arched a brow that suggested that she didn’t care a whit what was on his list of priorities. ‘Hence the need for someone to take charge in this regard. And before you regale me with your intention to find your own wife, may I remind you that you haven’t found one so far and as the King-in-waiting you need to produce an heir. But this time we don’t want any outsiders. You must choose someone from our echelon of society who knows exactly what is expected of one in royal life. The monarchy won’t survive another mistake or another scandal.’

Logan gave a growl under his breath and ran his hand through his hair. ‘If I am to become King, I’m aware of what my future obligations will entail.’

‘Good, then there won’t be any issues about it. I’ll have Margaux forward the list to your email.’

‘I’m sure it will make riveting reading. Cassidy, can you liaise with Margaux to see if Leo had drafted a speech for this afternoon? I may as well start with something that actually needs my attention.’

‘Of course.’

Cassidy curtsied again to his mother before quickly leaving the room. Frankly she couldn’t get out of there fast enough. She was used to being the least important person in the room, but to his mother she had been all but invisible.

‘I really don’t think you should be calling your assistant by her first name,’ she heard his mother say before she had fully closed the door behind her. ‘It has a tendency to make them believe that they are closer to you than they really are.’

‘Cassidy is my employee. That’s all she has ever been and all she ever will be, and she knows that.’

‘I hope you’re right, Valeria replied. ‘If she developed personal feelings for you she would have to go.’

‘I’m well aware of that. If she developed feelings for me I’d want her to go.’

‘Can I help you?’

Caught eavesdropping when she really hadn’t meant to, Cassidy jumped. Margaux was watching her with open curiosity.

Logan’s comment that she knew exactly what she was to him was a timely reminder that whatever she had been feeling up to now about her boss was completely one-sided. Which she already knew, but there was nothing like having something confirmed to really bring it home.

‘The King’s speech for the museum this afternoon.’ She gave Margaux what she hoped was a confident smile. ‘If you have one, can you please forward it to me as soon as possible?’

CHAPTER FIVE

AN HOUR LATER Cassidy had almost convinced herself that she was working out of her own New York office until Logan stopped beside the sofa and she glanced up and then around to see antique furniture and blue and gold flock-covered walls.

Logan’s presence here seemed more imposing than ever. His handsome face was grim and Cassidy’s belly did a mini-flip to find him standing so close to her.

Clearly his mood hadn’t improved from earlier that morning and she once more found herself feeling sorry for him. He’d been fielding calls from New York since speaking to his mother, sorting out issues with the bank and acting as if it was business as usual when it was anything but. At least for her. This palace...his mother...the gravitas that permeated the air was a step up from even the bank’s hallowed hallways. Not to mention the information that he was expected to marry someone from a noble family. The thought made her throat thicken because she had never considered that Logan would give up his bachelor lifestyle for anyone. He had always seemed so unattainable and she supposed he still was because although he might have to marry if he became King, it wouldn’t be to an ordinary woman like her.

‘No contact from Leo yet?’

His voice was calm, but she knew he was growing impatient.

‘I’m afraid not.’