Playing the Royal Game

‘You agreed to this, Allegra, the money is sitting in your account.’ He looked down at the paper. ‘Of course, we could tell the truth...’ He gave a dismissive shrug. ‘I’m sure they have photos of later.’

‘It was just a kiss....’

‘An expensive kiss,’ Alex said. ‘I wonder what the papers would make of it if they found out I bought your services yesterday.’

‘You wouldn’t.’ She could see it now, could see the horrific headlines—she, Allegra, in the spotlight, but for shameful reasons.

‘Oh, Allegra,’ he said softly but without endearment. ‘Absolutely I would. It’s far too late to change your mind.’ He drew in a long breath, and even if he wasn’t prepared to share it, Anna’s tearful words seemed to replay in his head. “I guess you can’t argue with love.” He had been right; it was the only dignified way out for them both, and to have Allegra back out now, to think of shaming Anna even further by releasing a story that implied he had bought his way out of marrying her, was unthinkable.

She could hear her father running up the stairs; he ran everywhere, was fitter than most men half his age. ‘What the hell’s going on, Allegra...?’ Bobby’s voice petered out as he realised his daughter had company. She wanted to run over to him, to tell him, to let him sort it out, except it was Alex who walked towards him.

‘Mr. Jackson, I apologise that you had to find out this way.’

‘It’s true then?’ She watched a look that could only be described as incredulous sweep over her father’s face, could see him actually try to fathom that his serious, rather plain daughter had just got engaged to a prince. Somehow his shock hurt Allegra, that it might be so impossible that she might actually be desired by someone as stunning

as Alex.

She felt Alex join her, his arm slip around her waist and when she couldn’t speak he did. ‘We were going to come and visit you this afternoon,’ Alex explained. ‘I was going to formally ask for your daughter’s hand.’ Allegra saw her father’s eyes widen, saw Bobby rather taken aback by Alex’s formality, but he was saved from responding as Alex’s phone rang and he excused himself to take the call.

‘Gawd!’ Bobby pulled a face. ‘He’s not your usual—’

‘No,’ Allegra said. ‘In fact, he’s not remotely interested in football.’ There was a distinct edge to her voice, because all too often she had found that her dates were rather more interested in impressing her father than her. ‘Look—’ she swallowed ‘—we were hoping to take things a little more slowly. It’s all got a bit out of hand....’

‘That’s what happens when the press get hold of things.’

‘I know it’s a shock, Dad,’ Allegra said. ‘I’m sorry—’

‘Sorry!’ Bobby laughed. ‘Why on earth would you be sorry? He’s a bit straight-laced, but...’ His voice trailed off as Alex came back to the room.

‘I’ve spoken with the palace, Mr. Jackson.’ He took her hand as he addressed her father. ‘Given the news is already out, they think we should formally announce it. There will be an engagement party just as soon as it can be arranged.’

‘A party...’ Allegra felt his hand tighten around hers. No! she wanted to shout, and not just to halt things here. Alex had no idea what he was suggesting, no idea what her family could be like.

‘A party!’ Bobby’s face lit up, and Allegra found she was gripping Alex’s hand back. She wanted to pause things, to get not just the cat but a hundred kittens back into the bag, because Alex needed to know what he had let loose.

‘I can’t imagine...’ Her voice was a croak and she turned urgent eyes to Alex. ‘Perhaps something smaller, we don’t need to do anything grand.’

‘Nonsense.’ It was Bobby who answered. ‘Why wouldn’t you want to celebrate, Allegra? I’ve got loads of contacts, we can find somewhere—’

‘In Santina,’ Alex interrupted, and she watched her father’s jaw tighten just a fraction. ‘Of course, we would love to have your blessing...for your family to join us in Santina to celebrate our engagement.’