Page 36 of Claiming His Virgin Princess

He sensed Ilsa hesitate. Despite her forthrightness about many things, there were aspects of her life she guarded closely.

A noise made them look up. A group of tourists chattered and exclaimed as they approached. Noah led Ilsa towards the sheltering trees. When they were out of sight they settled on some marble slabs dusted with pine needles.

‘Hear that?’ Ilsa asked, looping her hands around her knees. Noah tilted his head, registering the rustle of a breeze through the trees and a warbling bird. ‘The peace here is incredible. No crowds, no press, no one expecting anything. Like the freedom of a ski slope at dawn.’

‘That’s why you’ve enjoyed this trip so much.’ Amazing that he hadn’t realised before. ‘Apart from us being together. It’s not just the historical sites but the chance to escape and be almost anonymous.’

Despite his high profile, he could still often be anonymous. Royalty was different.

Ilsa nodded. ‘Yes. Being able to breathe and just be me has been wonderful.’ She reached out and touched his hand. ‘And being with you. Thank you, Noah.’

He didn’t pause to examine that warm feeling inside. ‘Something’s wrong. Do you regret leaving Lucien?’

Noah felt her jolt of surprise, saw her eyes widen. ‘I like Lucien, but it wasn’t a good match.’

‘And your first engagement? Was that a better match?’ Maybe she still carried a torch for the fiancé who’d died.

Ilsa’s scrutiny turned sharp and assessing. ‘You want to know the truth behind my betrothals? The private story everyone is slavering for?’

Her words jabbed like blades. Damn right he wanted to know. But only because he cared about her. The thought of her pining over a lost love made him queasy.

Noah flexed his fingers, releasing her hand. ‘I want to know what’s bothering you, that’s all. If I were going to sell a story about you I already have plenty of material.’

Her shoulders dropped as she exhaled. ‘I apologise. Hiding personal matters has become a habit. I don’t really believe you’d do that.’

He shrugged. ‘I understand. It can be hard to trust.’ He too had developed a tendency not to admit strangers too far into his life. This connection with Ilsa was unusual.

‘I knew Justin most of my life. I liked and respected him and was sorry when he died. Because I grew up knowing the marriage was expected it didn’t seem odd. Especially as I no longer trusted my judgement of men or romantic love.’

‘That makes sense.’

His doomed love affair had changed his whole outlook on romance, women and the notion of settling down.

Ilsa darted a look his way. ‘The engagement to Lucien was another arranged match, to strengthen ties as our countries enter a new phase of economic cooperation and partnership.’

Surely that didn’t require marriage? But then Noah didn’t understand the workings of royal kingdoms.

‘I liked Lucien but that was all.’

Noah felt a surge of lightness in his chest and head. Relief? Surely not. Or maybe just relief for Ilsa’s sake.

‘So you’re not in love with him.’

‘Hardly.’ Her gaze shifted to the magnificent view just visible through the trees.

‘But you’re still in contact.’

Why did he push?

‘We unleashed a furore when we split. It was a serious diplomatic incident. There was talk of not proceeding with the shared economic zone. On top of that the media was desperate for details, making up stories when they couldn’t get the truth.’ Her mouth turned down. ‘They hounded Aurélie, the woman Lucien loves. The lies they printed about her, saying she deliberately split us up...’ Ilsa shook her head. ‘The vitriol only eased a little when...’

She turned, her blue-grey gaze snaring his.

‘When what?’

‘When I let you sweep me off my feet.’

The press had been in a frenzy.

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