Page 3 of Desert King's Forbidden Temptation

‘We’re close, yes, Your Highness,’ she murmured with deference.

His eyes narrowed once again. ‘And she asked you to come to these negotiations and report back to her?’

Eloise hadn’t expected the challenge, but it didn’t bother her. She was used to being challenged, and if he wouldn’t accept her presence, then the marriage would be in serious trouble. ‘Is that a problem?’

‘Not at all.’ He surprised her by responding instantly. ‘It’s wise. The Princess and I met some years ago, but only briefly. I’d consider her a fool indeed to agree to this without a little more information.’

‘Her advisors will assess the merits of the match,’ she said after a moment, strangely pleased by his reasonable reply. ‘But my job is...of a more personal nature.’

‘I see.’ And hedidsee, of that she was certain. If Eloise was an expert at reading people, then it was a skill she was certain she shared with this man. ‘And if you don’t approve?’

‘The rest of the delegation is thrilled with your proposal,’ she said instead.

‘I am asking about your approval, though.’

She hedged the question again. ‘Is there a reason you think I won’t approve, Your Highness?’

His lips quirked in a quick sign of appreciation of her response. ‘I don’t know enough about you to say. After all, your own life experiences will colour your judgement, will they not?’

‘I try to be impartial when advising Her Highness.’

‘Even on matters such as this?’

She lifted her slender shoulders. ‘This is the first marriage proposal I’ve considered on her behalf.’

Another quirk of his lips and her heart lifted. She liked seeing him smile. She really liked it. That scared her into straightening, the smile slipping from her face completely, her features assuming a mask of cool command.

‘Does my presence bother you, Your Highness?’

‘No.’ His eyes homed in on hers. ‘But your answers are illuminating.’

‘Oh?’ Her heart kicked up a gear.

‘Am I right in presuming your input will matter most to the Princess?’

Her lips parted in surprise and his gaze dropped swiftly to her mouth, lingering for just long enough to scatter her thoughts in a billion directions, before his attention moved back to her eyes.

Eloise licked her lower lip, frowning a little.

‘It is not a difficult question.’

‘Isn’t it?’ she murmured, lips once more pulling to the side in an unconscious gesture of amusement.

‘You tell me.’

‘Well, Your Highness, while I hate to disagree...’

‘Go on,’ he invited, leaning forward.

‘Well, then, if I answer in the affirmative, I’m essentially admitting to sidelining the members of her advisory cabinet who’ve travelled here to meet with you,’ she pointed out sensibly. ‘I would also be suggesting your time, which is, I’m sure, very valuable, has been wasted in these meetings about citizenship amnesties and debt forgiveness.’

‘Because, despite the common-sense nature of those proposals, and the clear advantages to Ras Sarat in both of those arrangements, if you return to the Princess and tell her you don’t like me, she won’t go through with the wedding?’

Eloise pulled a face. ‘It’s not about whether or not I like you.’ The last words were somewhat breathy. She cleared her throat. ‘Your Highness.’

He ignored the addition of his title. ‘Approve of me?’

‘That’s closer to the truth.’

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