Page 3 of His Royal Bride Replacement

Yes, she was in shock, Rosy conceded ruefully. The boss got too close and she got way too embarrassed. ‘You know her, Aldo?’ the Prince remarked in surprise, standing up with a friendly smile to greet the older man.

‘Dr Rossi,’ Rosy said awkwardly.

‘Yes, she works with Lucy Ragusa.’

‘Lucy’sstillaround?’ Alessio commented in surprise. ‘I thought she would’ve been retired from the conservation department by now.’

‘Lucy’s job is her life,’ the small, bespectacled doctor responded as he bent down to examine Rosy’s ankle and asked her to perform a series of small movements, some of which caused her considerable pain. ‘Clear the room, Alessio. Our patient doesn’t need an audience.’

Rosy breathed a sigh of relief as some of the faces disappeared. Silence fell as the older man tended to her wounds and she closed her eyes tight against the discomfort of gravel being removed from her legs and arm while the icebag was wrapped round her ankle and the chill soothed some of the hot, throbbing discomfort.

‘A sprain. Get the swelling down, prop it up and rest it for a few days and you’ll be fine. There’s bound to be a pair of crutches somewhere in the household. I’ll take my leave, then,’ the doctor announced and a door closed.

A cup of tea was eased into Rosy’s hand. Involuntarily, her hand trembled and the cup was swiftly withdrawn again. As she opened her eyes, she could feel the hateful prickle of tears burning behind them and she sucked in a steadying breath.

Alessio towered over her, looking anxious, and then he sank down on the lounger beside her but still at least a foot away from her. ‘It’s normal to be upset. You almost had a very nasty accident and naturally you’re in shock.’

Rosy snatched in a shuddering breath. If she cried in front of him, she would die.

‘Breathe in, breathe out, slowly,’ he advised stiffly.

Gently, carefully, she followed his advice, one breath in, one breath out.

‘Shall I fetch Lucy?’

‘Oh, heavens, no!’ Rosy gasped in dismay, her tension reclaiming her at that prospect. ‘She would think I’m making such a fuss and I’m late—’

‘I’ll ensure that Lucy is informed of the accident,’ he hastened to assure her as he tugged a phone from his pocket. ‘You are not physically capable of working today.’

‘That’s not true,’ she protested.

‘You won’t be capable until you are off the crutches and able to walk again,’ Alessio pointed out.

Rosy’s pink lips down-curved at that reminder. It was horribly true. Her boss depended on her being able-bodied because Lucy Ragusa wasnot. Lucy got breathless just climbing the stairs and suffered from several health conditions. Unable to stand up easily, her arm bruised from smashing against the road surface and her whole body aching, Rosy knew that she herself would be incapable of even painting. A solitary tear escaped and rolled down her cheek.

‘It’s not the end of the world,’ Alessio chided.

‘Itisto Lucy,’ she contradicted ruefully. ‘We’re trying to finish the restoration of your great-grandfather’s portrait for the tours that have been organised.’

Steeling himself against his innately sensitive nature, Alessio held himself back and pressed a tissue into her hand. ‘Imagine a hug,’ he murmured huskily. ‘If I could give you one, I would. None of these things matter right now. What matters is that you are safe and you need to go home and rest… Where is home?’

Thoroughly disconcerted by the very concept of the future king of Sedovia giving her a hug, Rosy flushed and the desire to cry ebbed. She mentioned the hotel. ‘I live there with my sister and her family,’ she told him.

‘My driver will convey you home.’

‘Oh, but—’

‘No buts. You go home and rest until you can walk again,’ Alessio cut in.

With difficulty, Rosy snatched her gaze from the black-lashed brilliance of his, her complexion warming again. ‘Lucy will beso—’

‘Ticked off but she’ll get over it,’ the Prince interposed as a knock sounded on the door.

* * *

A maid appeared carrying a set of crutches.

Alessio vaulted upright to collect them, relieved that the unchaperoned meeting was at an end. She was too beautiful.Piccola volpe,he had almost called her when she cried. Little fox, utterly inappropriate. He had wanted to comfort her but that would have been an even more questionable move. He wasn’t married as yet but he might as well have been, he reflected wryly. ‘My driver will take you home and I don’t want to see you back at work until you’re fully recovered,’ he told her succinctly.

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