Crown Prince's Bought Bride

He’d read her medical report—knew a discussion had taken place with her new doctor for her to start after the wedding, in case she developed side effects.

The responsibility had therefore fallen squarely on him. How could he have failed so spectacularly?

There may be no consequences...

He wasn’t reassured. He’d fallen at the first hurdle, just as he’d failed to come clean and admit that Celeste hadn’t crossed his mind more than a handful of times since he’d returned to Montegova. That he’d been consumed with thinking about Maddie and finding ways to keep her to their agreement.

Because admitting it would have been too revealing?

Yes.

Was tonight’s slip a subconscious effort on his part to ensure she remained at his side? Even after vowing never to be careless with another’s health again?

That unnerving thought froze him in place until the next one arrived hard on its heels.

Fatherhood. His new wife might well be carrying the next king or queen of Montegova. His child.

The reality shook through him, and then confounded him further by staggering him with need and...hope.

No. He couldn’t possibly want this. Not when it could come at such a cost.

The hands he dragged through his hair shook. The notion unsettled him deeply. He stared into the middle distance, attempting to recall Celeste’s face, remind himself of why he’d chosen this path. But he saw only Maddie, her anguish as she’d hurled accusations at him.

He swallowed, then gritted his teeth.

This couldn’t happen again. If any consequences came of this night he would do everything in his power to ensure Maddie’s safety. If nothing came of it—if fate saw fit to give him a second chance—he would do the right thing going forward. The only thing.

She’d slipped beneath his guard and under his skin. If he couldn’t think clearly around her then his options were severely limited.

Skirting his desk, he sank heavily into the chair behind it, not sure which scenario he preferred. Both settled iron vices around his chest, strangling him. But he had no choice. It was the safest option.

He dragged his hands down his face, prolonging the moment for as long as possible.

Then he picked up the phone.

CHAPTER TEN

THE SUN WAS creeping beneath heavy silk curtains when Maddie opened her eyes. Anxiety and despair, coupled with the long, emotional wedding day, had finally taken their toll and she’d tumbled into a dreamless sleep just after midnight.

Heart hammering, she jerked upright, a fist-sized stone settling in her chest when her fears were confirmed. Remi hadn’t returned to the suite. Or if he had, he’d chosen not to wake her.

Deep down, she knew she’d slept alone. Her senses were too attuned to him not to have noticed his presence.

Willing calmness to her thudding heart, she dragged herself out of bed. A quick inspection after using the bathroom showed only Remi’s clothes in the dressing room. The thought of wearing the evening gown Remi had peeled off her body last night made the knots inside her tighten harder, so she retrieved the robe she’d never got round to wearing last night and shrugged it on.

With a deep breath she left the suite—to find a young maidservant hovering in the stunning hallway that looked even more spectacular in daylight than it had last night.

The girl, a few years younger than Maddie, gave a deep curtsy. ‘Your Highness, I’m to escort you to your suite and ready you for breakfast with His Highness.’

Relief fizzed deep inside Maddie. A part of her had been afraid Remi had left the palace altogether.

Murmuring her thanks, she followed the girl to the only other door in the vast hallway. It turned out to be the suite adjoining Remi’s. And inside the decidedly more feminine suite, set out in similar but more delicate amber tones, she found a whole new wardrobe ready for her.

After a quick shower, she selected a pale lemon sundress, slipped her feet into stylish mules and brushed her hair out. Light blusher to disguise her pale cheeks and a quick dab of lip-gloss and she was ready.

Remi sat at the head of a banquet-like dining table made of polished cherry wood, his fresh clothes and neatly combed hair evidence that he’d slept and dressed somewhere else.

The rigid expression that greeted her further evidenced the unsurpassable chasm between them.