One-Click Buy: November Harlequin Presents by Susan Stephens Page B

found her situation remotely amusing. And there must have been five hundred people or more in the banqueting hall, including the royal family seated on a raised dais. And now the waiters were pressing at her back, and she had no way to turn around….
    And then, incredibly, Nico was at her side. Her chest was in a vise at the sight of him and she could hardly breathe. Nico helping her to straighten her dress…Nico steadying her as she tried to take her first wobbly step…
    â€˜Wait,’ he snapped.
    She clung gratefully to his arm, keenly aware of the solid strength of him. Being with Nico validated her presence at the banquet. And, of course, he was immune to the titters and murmurs coming her way…unkind comments that were very quickly dying away.
    And now there was only silence. But still Nico appeared in no hurry to move forward. He stood as if everyone was lucky to have this opportunity to feast their eyes on them. And as far as Nico was concerned she had to admit that he was right. He was dressed splendidly and wore his official uniform with pride. On any other man it might have appeared effete, but on Nico it only emphasised his blistering masculinity.
    But she didn’t need him to put her on a leading rein. She could manage perfectly well without him. ‘Nico, I’m quite capable of—’
    â€˜Not now, Carrie.’
    Taking her hand, Nico locked her in his grip, giving her no alternative but to accompany him. Halting at the foot of the dais, he bowed to the king and indicated that she should do the same. ‘When is this going to end, Carrie?’ he murmured as they lowered their heads, and then, raising her up again, he led her forward to join the royal family.
    By the time she was seated next to Princess Laura, Carrie felt as if someone had drawn a running thread through her stomach and pulled it tight. And there was no softness in the princess’s gaze, just a look that willed her to be strong. She had only been in her seat a few moments when Nico leaned down to murmur to his mother, ‘Don’t worry, Mother, I’m sure I’ll be able to find another chair.’
    Realising her mistake, Carrie blushed and went to stand up again, but Princess Laura stopped her.
    â€˜He’s quite old enough to look after himself,’ she said with a twinkle.
    Glancing up, Carrie thought she saw a flicker of amusement on Nico’s face, too. Was he laughing at her?
    As he sat down Nico reflected that he had just shared the warmest look with his mother he could remember for years. It seemed Carrie’s pluck had impressed both of them; she had certainly taken the stuffiness out of the occasion. How long since he’d relaxed like this at a state banquet? How long since someone had broken all the rules only to endear herself to the king? Who couldn’t take his eyes off her, he noticed now. Driven to move closer to Carrie, he moved his seat to sit next to her.
    Carrie tensed as Nico came to sit beside her. She was aware of nothing now but his mocking gaze on her face.
    â€˜My mother tells me there’s been some mix-up over your gown,’ he said, leaning closer. ‘I’m sure there must have been. Do something about that, will you?’
    He was staring straight down her cleavage.
    â€˜And what do you suggest?’ Carrie demanded, though she could feel her face turning red when she checked. Her breasts had almost escaped the confines of the uncomfortable bodice and she had to make some speedy adjustments in order to avoid a very public disaster.
    â€˜Charming,’ Nico murmured, bringing his face even closer. ‘Such style and grace…As a royal guest you make a very good sideshow, Carrie Evans.’
    â€˜If you had listened to me in the first place, I wouldn’t be here,’ Carrie pointed out tensely.
    â€˜But then I would have missed this…’
    â€˜Perhaps you think this is funny, because you’re used to events like