Page 23 of The Duke

He held up his hand. “Say no more.” He nodded. “I know this is tricky right now.” He sat bag and grinned. “But you still think I’m hot.”

“Ugh. Seriously Trane.” She didn’t have time for this. But at least they were joking together. That was an improvement on furious.

He stood. “I’ll pick you up at five tomorrow.”

“I’ll be ready.” She didn’t really know if her insides would ever be ready to be on Trane’s arm, to dance with him, to spend several days together working for the environment and not melt at his feet in begging agony. Her typical inner voice said, “Get a grip Phina.” But it did nothing to calm her fluttering stomach. Tomorrow would either be the restart of something wonderful, again, or a complete disaster.

Chapter 13

The limo ride to pick up Seraphina for the gala took longer than any ride should. The crowds lining the streets were a credit to him and the summit, a tribute and a celebration for all that Torren had been trying to accomplish all these years. She waited for him in the lobby with half of the press from his country. As soon as he arrived, they all started flashing their cameras, shouting questions. “It’s the Duke!” “How do you feel when Princess Seraphina calls you out?” “Are you predicting success for the summit?” “What about the Valdez yachts?”

He just waved to them all, smiled and his aide told everyone no questions until the press conference at the Summit. They parted so that Trane had a clear view of Phina and he almost forgot they were surrounded by people. She looked stunning, bright and glittering in a blue dress; she reminded him of the ocean. How fitting. When she smiled he forgot even what she was wearing, he was so struck by her beauty and the intelligence that shown from her eyes. As he approached, she met him partway. “Trane.”

Cameras flashed from every direction. “You are stealing the show. Gorgeous dress.”

She grinned. “I couldn’t miss it.” She indicated her press tags. “A little pleasure with business never hurt anyone.”

With a rush he remembered her real reason for agreeing to be his date, perhaps her real reason for returning his attentions in the first place, and his happiness dimmed. But he held out his arm and they hurried to the limo, with aides pushing through the crowd of reporters.

The VIP meeting with cocktails went better than he had hoped. With Phina on his arm, they answered questions in turn and helped sway opinions further in support of preserving their natural ecosystems. She was a wonder over and again, charming everyone around them. Trane was reminded with that familiar torture just how beautifully she fit in his life.

Dinner followed with more of the same. After, they had a small break before the speeches, ribbon cutting, and dancing. He walked her up to her hotel room. “You are fabulous, Phina.” They stopped in front of her door and she leaned against it, to face him. “So are you, Trane. We’re doing a good thing here.”

He stepped closer. “There’s good we could do all over Torren, together.” His placed an arm against the door and stepped so close he could feel the rise and fall of her breathing. “Phina.”

She paused, then lifted her chin, and her eyes shone with a brilliant yearning. “We can’t Trane.”

“Can’t what? Can’t kiss at your door?” He frowned. “And why not?”

She smiled and ran a finger along his frown lines. “Because I can’t let this get in the way of the job I have to do.” Her eyes held pain and he was confused by it.

“And what job could our relationship interrupt?”

She just shook her head. “See you at the ribbon cutting.” Then she turned, opened her door and slipped inside without another look in his direction.

* * *

As soon asthe door shut behind her, Phina kicked off her shoes and rushed to her computer. She had learned so many things about the major players in the fight to preserve the environment. She wanted to take good notes on all her impressions before she lost the feel of the evening. She flipped open her laptop and began typing furiously. Most of all, she was impressed with Trane. He really was everything he professed to be to the press. He was dedicated to the cause, lived his life to prove it, and helped encourage others. This whole summit was a testament to his efforts.

A small ping of guilt nagged at her. He didn’t deserve the protestors she knew were coming, and he didn’t deserve whatever staged event EcoFresh had planned for the cutting. Poor Trane. And she wasn’t sure what relationship they could salvage once it was all over. But she pushed those thoughts aside and began to outline several articles.

Two hours passed quickly. She jumped up and refreshed her hair and makeup and changed into her ribbon cutting dress. All the people participating at the actual facility would wear black tie formal so for this, she chose a simple black dress. She would change into something fantastic tonight for the actual gala and dance, in case Trane still wanted to dance with her.

A knock at her door caused a skip in her heartbeat and she rushed to answer, feeling breathless. Trane in a tux standing at her door was something she would not soon forget. He shimmered with confidence and an air of strength, yet she knew he was sensible and caring underneath. He was her everything, she knew. And again, she questioned whether she wanted to give him up. “You ready to wield the scissors?” She placed her hand on his arm and they moved down the hallway.

“I’m so proud of this facility. It’s the first of its kind in the world.”

She resisted the urge to say, “I know.” She was just as proud. “It’s fantastic what you are doing, Trane. Everyone always says, ‘we should do something’ and here you are, doing it.” Again she regretted her part in the resistance EcoFresh would play at the event.

He stood taller. “Thank you Phina. It is the thing I am most proud of in my work for the crown.” His gaze flickered to her out of the side of his eye. “And you as well. Your work with the press has brought additional change already.”

She blushed furiously, ridiculously, at his praise. But she was so grateful to hear it, knowing it had caused trouble for him personally. “Thank you.”

They were driven across town in a line of limos. As soon as everyone was in place onboard the platform at the edge of the water, Trane pulled her close beside him and then began his speech. He talked of his years of work for reform, his desire for all of the countries along the Mediterranean to join him, his anticipation for the groups to sign a productive accord at the summit meeting, and his happiness that such a facility as they now stood on exists. “We can drink the water. As ocean levels rise, we can utilize this resource in our countries for much needed fresh water. The process is simple and can outlast the generations.” He spoke with power and infectious excitement. Everyone around them held smiles. Reporters recorded every word. Cameras flashed throughout. It was a monumental day, and he should be proud.

“And now, to officially get this boat pumping water.” Those nearest chuckled. He held up the scissors and slit open the ribbon.

As he lowered them and turned to Phina, the boom of an explosion shook the platform and vibrated under her feet. She wobbled and would have fallen to the ground, but his arm was immediately around her waist, holding her up. Her heart pounded in a rush of panic. They were surrounded by security who rushed them off the platform and into limos in a matter of minutes. She craned her head to see what was happening but tall men in suits blocked her way. She knew from drills at home the best thing for her to do was walk swiftly and quietly. She worried for the others on the platform but she knew they too would be rushed to safety. Lucan was the best at this job she had ever seen.

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