The Prince in the Royal Suite

‘Never more so. Well? Will you throw in your lot with a crazy playboy prince who needs –’

‘Don’t you dare say ‘organising’, she warned him.’

‘I was about to say, who needs you at my side every day – and who is more than ready to swap the title of playboy prince for husband.’

‘You do mean it,’ she said.

‘You sound very serious.’ Lucaj’s lips pressed down in a wry grin as he stared at her. ‘Is that a bad sign?’

She sounded serious, because she wanted to smile and she didn’t dare to in case she broke the spell. More than smile, she wanted to shout and jump for joy, because crazy was infectious tonight.

‘I’m serious, Libby – me, the great cynic, who has laughed in the face of love at first sight more times than I can remember. From the moment I saw you at the front desk, that was it. And the way I feel now?’ Lucaj stared down at his chest as if his heart were the offender. ‘This ache inside me is either indigestion, or a bad case of love. We have to be together, Libby. I have to know everything there is to know about you. Nothing else matters to me but you, so you’ll have the future of a country on your conscience, or you’ll come with me. Which is it to be?’

‘Blackmail now?’ Libby stared with love into Lucaj’s eyes.

‘I’ll stop at nothing,’ he confirmed.

Her heart was beating like crazy, but she had to be sure. ‘If this is just your way of inviting me to share your royal straightjacket until the flame between us burns out, my answer must be no.’

‘I was thinking of us staying together until we’re two little old people, still holding hands, still with lots to talk about, and with a happy future to look forward to, as well as a rosy past to share.’

‘That’s a compelling picture,’ Libby admitted searching his eyes. ‘And you’re a romantic,’ she added softly, ‘Who would have guessed?’

‘You’ve got everything to learn about me.’

‘Good and bad,’ Libby agreed wryly.

Lucaj slanted her one of his wicked smiles. ‘Just so long as you don’t expect me to be a saint in the bedroom.’

‘Lucky for you, the insatiable satyr type’s my preference, so you definitely get a bye where that’s concerned.’ A slow smile was creeping onto her lips as she dared to believe that what she felt for Lucaj wasn’t as crazy as she’d thought.

‘So, you’ll come with me?’

‘I’d have to speak to Lucinda first,’ she murmured thoughtfully.

‘Lucinda?’

‘To make sure she can spare me,’ Libby explained.

‘I think Lucinda’s already given you her answer to that question.’

‘You still think I was holding her back?’ she asked with concern.

‘You were and are the best of friends to Lucinda, but now it’s time to let Lucinda live her life as you’re going to live yours. It’s your turn now, Libby. It’s your turn to fly – literally – as I’m inviting you to come with me when I fly home to the beautiful principality of Molokov. I want to introduce you to my people –’

‘As the playboy prince’s latest squeeze? I don’t think so, Lucaj.’

‘No. As the woman their prince loves, and is very proud of.’

She was tempted, but this was crazy, and she was always so sensible…

Gently peeling back her fingers, Lucaj removed the four-leaf clover and its chain from her hand. ‘We have excellent silversmiths in Molokov. We’ll get the chain repaired while we’re there, and when we return to London I’ll show you round the children’s hospital. We could do with someone with your organisational skills sitting on our steering committee.’

‘You certainly know how to lay on the pressure, don’t you, Lucaj?’

‘I know how to fight for something I know is right for both of us.’

‘Are you offeri