Prince of Scandal by Annie West Page A

Luisa swung to face him. ‘Life with my grandfather wasn’t pleasant. He tried to force her into marrying someone she detested, just to cement a deal. There was no laughter, no fun. Not like in our home.’
    Someone she detested.
Did Raul fit that category for Luisa? He told himself the country must come first, yet he couldn’t squash regret.
    ‘They were in love; that was the secret.’
    It didn’t take a genius to know that was what Luisa had wanted for herself. Till he’d come along.
    Never before had Raul’s duty seemed so onerous. He was doomed to disappoint her. He didn’t even believe in love. He’d never experienced it.
    ‘But she loved it here.’ Luisa turned to him, her smile a shade too bright. ‘Mum wanted to bring us one day to see it.’
    ‘I’m glad.’ He paused, clasping her hand more firmly. ‘In time I hope you come to love it too. It’s a special place. There are no people like Maritzians.’
    ‘You’re not biased, are you?’
    ‘Surely that’s my prerogative.’ He led her towards the rest of the exhibition, regaling her with a traditional local story. It surprised him how much he wanted to hear her laugh again.
    Raul strode swiftly to his study. There was a crushing amount of work to do and, though the unrest in the provinces had abated a little, he couldn’t afford to be complacent.
    Yet the wedding tomorrow, a small affair since the nation was in mourning for his father, would pave the way for his coronation and go a long way to solving his problems.
    Taking his bride to bed would go a long way towards easing the permanent ache in his groin.
    Anticipation pulsed in his blood at the thought of his wedding night to come. His desire for Luisa grew daily.
    The more time he spent with his bride-to-be the more she fascinated him. She was vibrant, engaging, determinedly independent and down-to-earth. Different from every other woman he knew.
    Even now he never knew what to expect from her.
    Lukas approached as he reached the study.
    ‘Your Highness.’ He fell into step beside Raul.
    ‘Yes? Am I late for my meeting?’
    ‘No, not that.’ His secretary hesitated, his mouth turning down. ‘You have a visitor. I wanted to warn—’
    ‘Raul. Darling!’ The husky female voice came from thedoor ahead. For one shattered instant Raul felt his feet rivet to the floor as shock vibrated through him. His hands clenched into fists. Then, bracing himself, he slowly approached the blonde draped in the doorway.
    ‘This is unexpected, Ana. What are you doing here?’
    ‘Surely you didn’t expect me to miss your wedding, darling?’ She straightened and lifted her head, her lips a crimson pout. ‘Your invitation didn’t reach me. Luckily I heard about it on the grapevine.’
    He stopped a metre away, distaste prickling his skin. Foolishly, he’d thought he’d seen the last of her, for the time being at least.
    They weren’t in public so there was no need for a courteous bow. And she could wait till hell froze over before he took up the invitation implicit in that pout.
    Not when she was the woman who eight years ago had dragged him to hell.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    ‘L UISA, you look so lovely!’ Tamsin said. ‘This pearly cream is wonderful with the golden tone of your skin.’
    ‘You think so?’ Luisa stood stiffly, uncomfortable in the full length gown of silk. The fitted bodice covered with cobweb-fine hand-made lace. The diadem of finely wrought gold and pearls.
    The bridal dress showcased the finest traditional Maritzian products. Lace from one province. Hand woven silk from another. The exquisite filigree gold choker necklace that made her throat seem elegant and impossibly fragile was by craftsmen in yet another province. Beaded slippers from still another.
    Only the bride hadn’t been involved in the design of her wedding clothes.
    Gingerly Luisa turned to the mirror, feeling a fraud under the weight of this charade.
    Yet the image awaiting her took her breath away. Could that really