Page 17 of Royal Surrogate 1

I release my buckle and take the seat beside her.

She startles, stiffening against the window.

I chuckle, holding the box out to her before I open the top.

She frowns, her gaze narrowing as she stares at the ring.

I look down at it myself—I thought I’d done well. It’s not as extravagant a ring as I’d choose if I were marrying her for anything but convenience, but it’s lovely all the same. At least I thought it was.

“You don’t like it?” I ask, looking between the ring and Renae.

“It’s not that…” Her frown deepens.

“Oh,” I say, realizing suddenly what she must mean. I drop from my seat, onto one knee beside her. “Forgive me, my lady. I want to make it official.” I smile, though I can still see something is wrong.

“Caspar…” She shakes her head.

But I ignore her, forcing my smile to widen. “Renae, will you marry me?”

CHAPTER 12

Renae

I knew this was coming. I thought I’d prepared myself for it. But it’s one thing to contractually agree to marry a royal and carry his baby, and quite another to be confronted with an engagement ring with a diamond the size of a small bird’s egg.

I’ll admit it—my heart flutters at the sight of that ring. And at the fact that he’s bothered with a ring and a proper proposal at all, considering I’m obligated to say yes either way.

Another part of me, though, is suddenly confronted with the enormity of this thing I’ve agreed to—I’ve promised to marry and bear the child of a practical stranger, and even though it’s for a good reason, and even though he’s rich and charming, I can’t keep pretending that this isn’t going to change my life, possibly in irreversible ways.

Caspar must see some of those thoughts on my face, because his charming smile has fallen somewhat.

You’ve already made your choice, I remind myself. You’ve signed the papers. There’s no backing out now. So you might as well make the most of it. Besides, when else are you going to be able to wear a ring like that?

“Of course I’ll marry you,” I say, and my smile is only partially pretend.

I can see the relief flicker across his expression—Did he really think I might say no? —before he takes my left hand and gently slips that enormous ring onto my finger.

Like every time we’ve touched so far, accidentally or on purpose, I experience that little shiver of attraction. This time is different, though. He continues to hold my hand in his, taking a moment to admire the enormous diamond against my skin. His grip is firm, his hand warmer than I remember, and I can feel calluses along his fingers in several places. Despite myself, I start to imagine what those callused hands might feel like sliding up my bare legs, or gliding up my sides to wrap around my?—

I shake my head, cutting off that thought. I should not be thinking about Caspar’s hands like that.

“It suits you,” he says, looking up from the ring.

It’s not just flattery—I can see that in his blue eyes as they meet mine. My cheeks warm, and I find myself pulling my hand out of his.

“You don’t think it’s too…ostentatious?” I hold my hand up in front of me, and the diamond nearly blinds me as it catches the light.

He frowns. “Hardly. In fact, I was initially considering something bigger. I don’t want anyone thinking I was stingy with my own betrothed. Then no one would have believed this charade.”

“I guess you’re right.” I lower my hand, folding it into my lap. “And speaking of this charade…I finished that etiquette book you gave me. It seems simple enough.”

“Really?” He seems pleased. “I know my brothers’ wives find all the new rules they must follow a bit tedious.”

“Oh, it definitely sounds tedious,” I agree. “But not impossible. And I’m assuming I’ll get a little bit of leeway since I’m new.”

“True,” he nods.

“A lot of you Montovian royals end up marrying Americans, don’t you?” I say. “I’m surprised that isn’t more of a scandal.”

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