The Prince She Had to Marry by Christine Rimmer

will do it, you will go with me and your men can keep an eye on us from a distance.”
    “I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this....”
    “Just say it. Say yes.”
    “Do I have a choice?”
    “Say it, Alex.”
    He hesitated. And then he surrendered. “All right.”
    She allowed herself a tiny smile of triumph and squeezed his hand. “Don’t sound so grim about it. This is going to be fun.”
    * * *
    Alex knew he must be losing what was left of his mind.
    He should have told her no, they absolutely could not go speeding off across the Adriatic to some semideserted Croatian island in the day cruiser. It wasn’t wise. Wasn’t safe.
    But he hadn’t told her no, because he wanted to get away from all the artifice and pretense just as much as she did.
    Besides, he knew her. If he didn’t go with her, she would find a way to go by herself—or at the very least cause him no end of trouble trying. For a female he’d always believed to be silly and superficial, Liliana was turning out to be much too clever and resourceful for his peace of mind.
    He suggested that now their getaway wasn’t a big secret anymore, they could leave the next morning.
    Lili insisted it must be that night—at midnight. “Because midnight is the witching hour,” she replied when he made the mistake of asking her why. “Midnight is...magic. And we need a little magic, Alex, you and me.”
    At that point he reminded himself that she had no understandable reason for half the things she did anyway. Her insistence on leaving at midnight was only more of the same.
    He gave orders to have the Lady Jane well provisioned and re-inspected for seaworthiness. He made very certain it was understood that preparations should be accomplished discreetly, with the rest of the Princess’s crew and staff kept unaware of their preparations. He also gave specific orders for each piece of safety equipment that must be stowed aboard: the flares, the smoke signal device, the distress light, the large bell with clapper, the paper maps, the extra drinking water, the fire extinguisher, the air horn and most especially the best in emergency flotation devices, including life rings, an inflatable raft and vests.
    No, he did not explain to Lili the various preparations he had ordered. She would only mock him and call him paranoid and overly controlling. He already knew he was both of those things. He didn’t need to hear it again from her.
    He instructed Lili to dress for walking, in layers. She could wear her bathing suit beneath her clothing if she wished, but she was to wear practical, water-friendly flat-soled shoes and sturdy lightweight trousers. Her shirt should be cotton and she would need a zip-up sweatshirt or canvas jacket with hood. The night winds would be cool. “Also, a canvas or straw hat would be good against the sun. And plenty of sunscreen. And a change of underwear.”
    Lili laughed. “What about weapons? Should I bring my harpoon? It’s good for catching whales and for self-protection.”
    He granted her a glance of endless patience. “I want you to be comfortable. We won’t return until dark tomorrow. But you won’t have Pilar and I don’t want you trying to drag along half your wardrobe.”
    “As a matter of fact, I wasn’t planning to bring anything more than what you’ve just told me to bring. So there.” She actually stuck out her tongue at him.
    “Lili, will you ever grow up?”
    “I am grown up. I’m a married woman with a child on the way.” She patted her still-flat stomach for emphasis.
    The gesture gave him pause. “How are you feeling?”
    “I am perfectly fine, thank you.”
    “When you speak of the child, you remind me how downright foolish this whole escapade really is. Reconsider, won’t you? Give it up.”
    “No.”
    “It’s mad.”
    She put her soft fingers against his lips. “Stop. Please. Let’s not go over all of this again. We’re going. It’s settled.”
    He wanted to grab her close and kiss her