Playing the Royal Game

‘I saw you kiss her, saw you hold her....’

‘Allegra, you’re being ridiculous.’

‘I don’t want to hear your excuses. You’re sleeping with your ex!’ Her voice was rising. ‘What about Leo, what about my brother? How could you!’

‘She’s pregnant, for God’s sake.’

‘I know that.’ Allegra sobbed; she was hysterical now, weeks and months of pain, all rising up and there was no horse to jump on to flee away. ‘How do I know it isn’t yours? You’re screwing your ex and—’

He’d heard enough. He grabbed her, his only thought to put an end to her tirade. He could feel anger bubbling up within him, his grip tightening on her, his hand raising to slap her silent and it took every ounce of self-control to lower his hand.

She stared, stunned, appalled, and she waited, breathless, for him to apologise, to recant, but he stood there resolute.

‘There would be no self-control if anyone spoke that way of you.’

He meant it.

She knew that and it was not the pain of his hand on her arm but the strange honor in his words that brought tears to her eyes.

‘Anna and I have never slept together—she kept herself for me. As future queen this was to be her expected gift. Of course things have changed,’ he hurriedly added. ‘I have had harsh words with my father that you are never to be questioned, that your past is your own....’

She closed her eyes in shame, because even if it felt things moved at a snail’s pace, he had ensured changes, had moved impossible mountains, even if she had not known.

‘I went to see Anna because I wanted to speak with her and it seemed imperative I do that before the wedding. For so long there had been guilt. I never intended to hurt her with our engagement, never intended that she find out the way she did, through the press. Ours was supposed to be a brief fling, and now she has had to come attend our wedding. I needed to put things right with her. She’s happier than she ever has been. She sees it was the best thing that could happen. Anna and I could never have divorced.’

‘Unlike us.’

And she could never read him, could spend the rest of her life trying to work him and still not get him, for even as she stood, he surprised her again.

‘I don’t want a divorce, Allegra.’ He said it as if he meant it. ‘I am going to do everything that I can to make this marriage work. There was no attraction with Anna—I care for her,’ he admitted, ‘but...’ How could he say it? ‘It would have been my parents’ marriage all over again—perfunctory sex to produce an heir.’

‘You couldn’t put her through it, yet you will me.’

‘There would be nothing perfunctory about us.’

‘A loveless marriage, but with good sex?’

‘I can think of worse things.’

‘What about Belinda?’ Her eyes were savage again. ‘She said—’

‘Never listen to a scorned woman—you know that. Belinda is bitter. I have not slept with her since you and I met. As of tomorrow, she no longer works for me. I have ensured her position in my old company, or a package if she prefers, but—’

‘She wants you.’

He nodded.

‘She can’t have me though. I will be adhering to my vows. It’s up to you if you marry me, Allegra. I am not going to beg. I’m certainly not going to grovel. The choice is yours, but when tonight you make your decision, there is one thing you ought to know. I have no intention of staying celibate, and as I have just told you, no intention of sleeping around—which means you and I will sleep together,’ Alex said. ‘If you marry me tomorrow we will share a bed.’

‘And if I don’t?’

‘Then don’t turn up. I love my brother, but I am not living like a monk for his sake. You know that whatever there is not between us, that much there is....’

‘You’re so sure.’

Tender now were the fingers that moved along her arm, yet she flinched. He roamed a hand down her body and she curled inside. Then he moved a hand to her cheek and she turned it away, but cool were his lips on her flesh and she closed her eyes, berating the bliss his mouth delivered.