‘It’s complicated.’
‘I’d still like to know.’
‘And I will tell you.’ Deep breath her
e. ‘When I walked into the stable I was annoyed, upset...’
‘Why?’
Well, partly because he had felt the imminence of the metaphorical ball and chain, but that was not something he would share with Gabi. To tell her marriage was anathema to him would hardly prosper his suit and anyway that anathema was now irrelevant. Because he had accepted the necessity and he would make the best of it. ‘Because I had not been consulted about the gift of Ferron and Arya,’ he admitted, and was rewarded by a sympathetic smile. For a moment he felt a pang of guilt, which was foolish, as his words were truthful. ‘Ferron was a particular favourite of mine.’
‘I understand that and if you want I will gift him back. Happily.’
‘That isn’t necessary.’
‘Then please know that whenever you wish to ride him you can. But I still don’t get why you didn’t tell me who you were.’
‘Well, my annoyance disappeared as soon as I saw a beautiful woman sprawled on the straw.’
Again true, and he derived a pleasure from seeing the flush on her cheeks, felt an immense gratitude that they were indeed true, that there was a genuine spark between himself and Gabi, a spark that he believed and hoped would make all the difference to their marriage.
‘Fine words,’ she said, ‘but they don’t answer the question. Unless you’re going to try to spin me that my beauty gave you temporary amnesia?’ The words were tart but with an undertone of honey and her lips curved upwards as she spoke, calling an answering smile from him.
‘Would you believe me if I said that?’
‘Nope. So, come on, no more sugared words.’
He raised a hand in acknowledgement. ‘To begin with I assumed you would recognise me. Arrogant? Perhaps. But I thought that you would have been studying the Asturias family.’
Her sigh was deep. ‘I did. I have. But...’
‘I didn’t stick in your mind?’ He allowed mock chagrin to crease his face, put one hand on his heart as if wounded, and she grinned.
‘Obviously not... But to be fair to me it was dark, secondly, I felt like a fool having been caught hiding in straw, third, I thought that there was no way Prince Cesar of Aguilarez would ever come into the stables.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because I didn’t think the suave, sophisticated playboy ambassador would get his hands dirty.’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘Plus, I made the not unreasonable assumption that Prince Cesar would introduce himself. Not mislead me into believing he was a member of staff.’ She pulled lightly on the reins, murmured to Arya and came to a stop. ‘And you still haven’t told me why.’
He too halted.
Deep breath. Choose your words carefully.
‘I wanted to see what you were like. Really like. The real you.’ The real her. The woman who had admitted to doubts and fears, the woman who had told him she would keep his words confidential, the woman he’d caught in his arms, the woman he’d desperately wanted to kiss. ‘If I had told you who I was you would have been much more formal.’
‘I’d also have been a whole lot more discreet.’
‘Exactly. The whole political stance, the Asturias-Valenti relationship would have been a priority. I didn’t want that. I wanted a chance to get to know you, without that layer.’
‘Why?’
The million-dollar question. Looking round, he saw they were very nearly at their destination. ‘Why don’t we get some food...? And I will answer. I promise. First I want to show you this.’
* * *
Gabi realised she had been so absorbed in their conversation she had lost track of time and their surroundings. Now she realised that they would soon approach the maze, a truly incredible complex creation, the boxwood hedges dating back centuries.
But nothing had prepared her for how it looked this evening, in its Christmas splendour, and she gave a gasp of wonder. ‘It’s magical.’ Gabi stared in utter delight. The twinkling lights had been woven and twisted into the verdant greenery to form an iridescent beautiful pattern of stars. Beautiful coloured lanterns lit the path leading to the maze, hung from the trees, each lantern a bauble of Christmas glittering beauty highlighted by the moon’s beams.