Roarke's Kingdom
“Has it ever occurred to you that I might be the best person to ask about me?” Jennifer stopped walking and swung around to face him.
Roarke’s brows lifted. “I’ve tried that, remember? You keep saying that you’re fine.”
“I am. I mean, I’m recovering from the accident.” She took a deep breath. “But I’m bored to death.”
His mouth thinned. “Yes. That’s what I thought. An island with no television, no radio, no clubs or restaurants or theatres must be dull as hell for—”
“There’s nothing dull about peace and serenity.”
His eyes fixed on hers. “No?”
Jennifer pushed her damp hair from her face. “No. I’m bored because no one will let me do anything.”
“I left orders that—”
“I know. And that’s the trouble.” She threw her arms wide. “I’m going crazy. I’m not used to doing nothing hour after hour.”
Roarke folded his arms against his chest. “And what would you like to do?” A taut smile twisted over his mouth. “Paint? Sculpt? Take up Swahili?”
“How about making my own bed, for openers? Or making my own toast for breakfast? Or even laying out my pajamas—”
“Have you given up going to bed in my shirt?”
There it was again. That hot, electric rush.
“The point is,” she said quickly, “I’m perfectly capable of doing something useful.”
“You’re a guest here.”
“I am a woman who believes in work.”
“Sorry. There’s no work for you here.”
“How about letting me take care of your daughter?”
Her words were as unplanned they were unexpected, but as soon as she spoke them she knew that the idea had been tumbling around in the back of her mind for the past two days. Here she was, aching for a child she’d never seen, and there she was, Roarke’s daughter, no doubt properly fed and clothed and all the rest, but lacking the love she deserved.
Roarke was looking at her as if she’d suggested the sea might be convinced to stop beating against the sand.
“And what exactly is that supposed to mean?”
Jennifer swallowed against the sudden dryness in her mouth. “I’ve seen her nanny—”
“Emilia.”
“Whatever her name is. And—I’m sure she’s competent. But she hasn’t done anything with your baby for the past two days. She hasn’t even had her out of the house…” Jennifer paused. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“For a woman who’s so certain she knows everything there is to know about me,” he said quietly, “you really know remarkably little.”
“Look, I’m not criticizing you.”
“Aren’t you?” His tone was silken.
“I just thought, as long as I’m going to be here another couple of days—”
“You just thought, since the evil emperor has locked his child away in the castle, you would set her free.”
Jennifer flushed. “No. I mean—”