Page List

Font Size:

Anna gaped. “He’s your boss.”

“That doesn’t make him any less male or any less prone to their fits of stupidity.” Kate turned to the mirror and leaned forward to check her teeth. “Besides…you look amazing, you do amazing work and you’ve been busting your ass to get this event off the ground. It’s your night—take it. Now, fix your lipstick, dab some perfume on and let’s go knock them all dead.”

“You’re right,” Anna said after a long silence.

“Of course I am.” Kate winked and gave her arm a friendly pat. “You ready for it?”

Not even a little. I’d rather go have my teeth extracted than walk back out there.

“No, but let’s do it anyway.” Anna fixed her smile, burying the hurt beneath a veneer of professionalism. She would do it. She would give the crowd a show—maybe not the romantic love story they came seeking, but she would make the most of the opportunity to fill the scholarship fund’s coffers and raise enough money to send a thousand kids to the colleges of their choice.

She could get through the next few hours.

Right?

Chapter 17

Armand

“In what may be the most shocking turn of events this evening, the Andraste Grand Duke, Armand, arrived at the Event Center almost forty-five minutes late for the gala he is hosting with not only another woman on his arm, but three women, including internationally renowned Nikole. As you may recall, just a week ago, Nikole ‘announced’ that she and the prince were engaged. She later retracted that statement, but with her unexpected appearance at her side tonight, could the reunited love affair with Anna Novak be over already? They don’t call him the playboy prince for nothing. Back to you, Kym.”

Anna disappeared long enoughthat Armand began to worry. Glad-handing his way through the crowd, he headed in the direction she disappeared. Pulling free of Nikole, he sent her off to mingle and find a drink. He was halfway across the ballroom when Anna reentered. Her chin up, she didn’t look in his direction at all. Her dazzling smile focused on the British ambassador and his wife. She shook hands, gestured tosome of the prints hanging around the room that detailed the scholarship and moved on.

Relieved that she was okay, he turned his attention to the New York bankers seeking a deal with Dagmar International. It never failed to surprise him how many corporate heads would attend a charity event as a negotiating tactic. The next thirty minutes passed in tedium. Per his instructions, his personal security maintained a discreet distance, allowing him to flow through the crowd.

Two representatives from Belaria actually put in an appearance, the middle Kachusov son and his attaché. “Your Highness, it is good to see you looking so well.” His tone disagreed with the words.

“Colonel—isn’t it?” Armand enjoyed the look of surprise rippling across Kachusov’s face. He didn’t wear a uniform, but the prince made it a point to know his enemies.

“Yes, Your Highness. Although I am retired presently.”

“Ah, but the life of a military man is never complete unless his country has need of him again.” They shook hands briefly. “Thank you for contributing to the cause. My cousin will be thrilled by the outpouring of international support for something so close to her heart.” Years of practice kept his smile firm and his tone even. He stared into the eyes of a man who may have sent death threats to his family—or at least instigated them.

“It is a sad event to know that even princesses can grow up in abject poverty. My family wept for yours when you were at long last reunited.” The colonel touched a hand to his chest over his heart. “Though we were surprised that you allowed her to marry a commoner such as Daniel Voldakov.”

“Love knows no caste system and nor should it. Will you be writing a check to the fund tonight? I would be happy to take your donation.” He accepted a glass of champagne from the bodyguard working in the waitstaff.

“Forgive me, sir, but one wouldn’t expect you to… What is the American colloquialism? Panhandle for funds?” Kachusov’s aide’s thinly veiled contempt certainly needed some work.

“I do not think any job is too menial when the cause is precious. And I have nothing to prove—” he fixed his gaze on Kachusov, “—to anyone inanycountry about my intentions or otherwise. I am a content man when I can serve the needs of others—sending foster children to university is a worthy cause. As are all causes that the Dagmar Foundation champions.”

“I see. So you enjoy the simple pleasures and aren’t looking to create new ones?” The man studied him, doubt clear in his expression.

“None.”

Nikole chose that moment to breeze up to him and wrap an arm around him. He settled a hand on her hip and smiled at Kachusov. “And what more pleasures could I need than these?” He switched to Russian, because he had no interest in encouraging Nikole’s behavior further than what suited the situation.

“Excuse me.” The silky thread of Anna’s voice cascaded through the room’s sound system. Conversations halted and eyes turned toward the stage. Anna stood there, smiling and graceful. “I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for joining us this evening and to our host, the Andraste Grand Duke for his generosity reflected in this event. In a few moments, we will invite you into the next room for dinner and a small presentation about the scholarship fund. For those of you that have already opened your hearts and your wallets to support the Princess Alyxandretta Dagmar Scholarship, I cannot thank you enough, but by your very presence here tonight you are sending a clear message that everyone deserves the opportunity to fly.”

Her gaze landed on him, like a butterfly, gentle and seemingly serene, before moving on. Even the quietest of whispers faded as they listened.

“My parents had six children—all of us big dreamers with huge plans because they encouraged us to seize every opportunity, to fight for what we believed was right and to take risks. With risk comes great reward and sometimes great disappointment. But whether you have a lot of money or none, what truly makes a difference is having the support of people who believe in you.”

She licked her lips, the gesture so open and vulnerable could captivate even the hardest of hearts. “I learned the hard way that support comes in all shapes and sizes. It comes from telling the truth…and sometimes from lying. It comes from meaning well and wanting the best… To doing what is right and what is just. It comes from walking away when nothing else can be done and staying to fight even when all hope is lost. I learned that education is more than facts and figures, history, and dates. It’s discovering who you are—because that is the person you will always be—even when the world batters you, challenges you, tries to tear you down and build you up—” She swallowed hard.

Nikole leaned over to murmur in his ear and he silenced her with a look. She withdrew her arm and backed away a step. On the stage Anna collected herself. “This scholarship says that hope is never lost and even if you don’t know who you are yet, I—” she stretched her hand to the crowd, “—webelieve in you. We know you can be the person you were meant to be, the person you can be, and we will support you in your choices and your decisions.”

He didn’t imagine it. She looked right at him.