Page 68 of Stranded with His Runaway Bride

‘Why, Leo? Why was it so damn necessary to rip my heart to shreds?’

‘I would have hurt you eventually anyway, because I can’t give you want you want.’

‘And what is that? What is it you think I want that you can’t give me?’

‘You know the answer to that already.’ He shot a look at her over his shoulder. ‘Love,’ he said.

‘Leo, you already behave like a man in love. I know you’ve been using your influence to help me.’

He waved a dismissive hand. ‘I’d have done the same for any neighbouring monarch in difficulties.’

‘Including going to great lengths to make a social pariah of her uncle so he couldn’t embarrass her further?’

His jaw tightened, and his mouth compressed into a determined line of silence.

She studied him sadly. ‘Thank you for that. It helped me a lot at the time.’

He half turned towards her as if drinking in that nugget of information. But then he looked straight ahead.

‘It doesn’t matter anyway. Love does not work well in royal marriages.’

‘Nonsense. There are numerous examples where it’s thrived.’

‘Very well, I’ll amend that. Love would not belong inmymarriage.’

‘And why is that?’

‘It’s not something I want.’

‘That’s only because you’re scared.’

He kept a determined silence.

‘Admit it, Leo. You’re frightened.’

His jaw tightened...again.

‘I’ll live with it,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t change anything.’

Oh.Oh.

Finally she might be getting somewhere. He’d erred, he’d revealed a tiny weakness in his hard shell of supposed indifference. He knew it too. He straightened himself, his posture even more tense.

‘And how’s that working for you? Being alone up there in your big old fortress? I’ve heard you’re miserable. That you haven’t been the same since I left.’

He folded his arms across his chest and transferred his glare to an entirely innocent bed of rosemary. ‘You shouldn’t believe everything you hear.’

‘You’re going to deny it? You’re going to deny that you miss me?’

‘I’ve been extremely busy.’

‘How is that an answer?’ She moved in front of him. Blocking his way out of the arbour. He’d have to pick her up to get past her, to touch her, and she had the sense that if he did, he wouldn’t be able to stop. ‘Well, that’s not good enough for me any more.’

‘You have no choice.’

‘No? Perhaps not, but you know me. I’m big on finding alternative solutions to a problem. I’m taking charge here and I’m going to paint a picture for you, so you can truly understand the consequences of the choice you’re making.’

She lifted her chin to stare right at him.

---