Page 20 of Pregnant With His Majesty's Heir

‘Incredibly aware that I know nothing about raising babies.’

Aurélie almost said that was okay because she had experience. But that might imply she thought they’d raise their child together. Nothing was more unlikely.

Yet she had to know.

‘Do you want to be involved? As a father?’ That was why she’d come. To find out.

Lucien moved so swiftly he took her by surprise. One minute he was standing on the other side of the fireplace, looking brooding and thoughtful, the next he was hunkered before her, his hand capturing hers.

Aurélie concentrated on steadying her breathing, hoping her runaway pulse would ease before he noticed how he affected her. He shouldn’t, not now, but—

‘Of course! This is mychild.’ He paused and she saw a flicker of expression on his face that might even have been awe. His fingers tightened around hers. ‘I’d never turn my back on my child, my family.’

She remembered those headlines about the double tragedy in Vallort. How Lucien had lost his remaining family.

Was that why he was so eager to marry his beautiful Princess? To start making a new one as soon as possible?

Was he in love?

Aurélie ignored the ache behind her ribs. It was none of her business.

Except it would be, if she shared her child with Lucien and his other children from a royal marriage. She tried to imagine ferrying their child between the palace and her flat in Annecy and failed. Besides, she wouldn’t be there. She’d have to find a place more suited to raising a child. In her home town? Or would she find a way, somehow, to attend university?

It was too much to think about now. She felt so weary and so disturbed by this man who felt no qualms about holding her hand and invading her space.

Aurélie told herself she didn’t want to feel his warmth or inhale that teasing hint of male skin scent. Yet she didn’t disengage her hand.

‘So, we’ll have to work out a way for you to be involved.’

Because the traditional solution, marrying to provide a home for the child they were expecting, was out of the question. He was a king and she was a waitress. There was no question of a match between them, even without his aristocratic bride waiting in the wings.

‘We’ll find a way.’ His hand squeezed hers. ‘But not now. You’re tired and you’ve had enough stress for one day.’

He drew her to her feet and Aurélie didn’t resist. It was a welcome novelty to have someone concerned for her instead of expecting her to look after them.

She didn’t even object when he kept hold of her hand, telling herself she simply found comfort in the touch of another person, after weeks of feeling incredibly alone, worrying how she was going to manage.

At least the nausea had subsided. Her knees were shaky but she’d be fine.

‘I’ll get my luggage and find a room for the night.’ A glance at the window told her it was getting late. She had an impression of looming mountains shrouded in cloud. Spring in this Alpine kingdom was slow coming.

‘It’s taken care of. Come.’ He stepped away, releasing her hand, and she bit down an instinctive objection. Not at someone booking a room, but because her hand felt empty without his.

That was a bad sign.

She followed him, rubbing her palms together, trying to obliterate the sense memory of his touch.

Five minutes later she was lost. Surely it didn’t take this long to reach the palace entrance?

Lucien pushed open a door and invited her to precede him. Aurélie stopped in a high-ceilinged room, her breath catching.

It was glorious. The walls were cream but the curtains and upholstery on the antique furniture was a fresh lemon shade that made the heart lift. Vases filled with yellow primroses, snowdrops and blue forget-me-nots gave the elegant room a welcoming feel. Beyond the window was a view of charming old buildings in a range of pastel colours and, rising beyond them, the dark blue slope of a mountain.

‘Lucien?’

She turned. His gaze fixed on hers. That stare was so intense the blood in her arteries slowed to a ponderous, thrumming pulse.

Then he moved into the room and the spell broke.

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