Had she really thought that she would have emotionally recovered from the devastating effect he had had on her? He’d been in her head pretty much every day for four years. That in itself should have been a vital clue telling her that he was still dangerous when it came to her emotions, yet she had turned a blind eye to that peril and bought into the illusion that she would be able to handle whatever was thrown at her. She had thought that it would be easy because at the end of the day, as Tilly’s mother, she would always have the last word.
But Abbas Hussein was a crown prince, which made having the last word a great deal trickier. He was a man of honour and duty and those qualities had come to the fore in his unhesitating response to the situation he had faced.
Surprising? Maybe not. He might have walked away from her all those years ago—and she could almost,almostfollow his logic in doing that—but the truth was that she would never have fallen in love with someone whowasn’tdecent and honourable.
And that decent and honourable man wanted, of course, to do the decent and honourable thing.
Like finding herself in a maze, she could now look over her shoulder and see that every step she took would inevitably lead her to where she was now even though she’d imagined herself to be completely lost during the journey.
He’d laid out his reasons for marriage with a level-headed logic that characterised this new Abe that she was starting to get to know. He’d shown her, in small steps, just how willing he was to involve himself in Tilly’s life, to incorporate her into his magnificent royal world, even though he had never asked for her to be born.
He had been thoughtful and patient in his handling of the situation, even if Georgie suspected that he had known from the very start where things would end up.
And of course the one thing she hadn’t anticipated, but should have, had happened.
She had fallen in love with him all over again and with love came hope and that was something that had no place in her situation.
And now this...
The chemistry between them, a kiss that had sent her soaring into orbit and the knowledge that, although he might not love her, he still wanted her.
Marry him, a voice whispered inside her,and you’ll do what’s right for Tilly... Marry him and you won’t have to live your life watching from the sidelines as he moves on with someone else... Marry Abe and you can have him in bed with you at night, wake up with him in the morning...
He was right, they did get along, when she wasn’t busy remembering how much she hated him, and she knew that she only hated him because of what he did to her, what he made her feel for him, and not because he was a hateful person. He wasn’t. His very response to what she had thrown at him was testimony to that.
‘Well?’ he prompted, stroking her cheek with one finger and making it impossible for her to think straight. ‘Respect...trust...and mutual physical attraction. It’s enough for a successful marriage, enough to give our daughter the life she needs and deserves, don’t you think?’
‘I c-can’t think when you’re looking at me like that,’ Georgie stuttered with utter sincerity, and he laughed just as he used to.
‘Good. Maybe I don’t want you to think. Maybe I just want you to agree with every word I say.’
‘That’s the most arrogant thing anyone could ever say!’ She gasped but he was still laughing, still looking down at her in a way that was making her blood boil, and she lowered her eyes and smiled reluctantly.
‘I suppose it makes sense,’ she told him. ‘I never thought I would marry someone because it makes sense, but this does.’
I’m marrying him because it makes sense but also because I love him, Georgie thought suddenly.
He would never know that, it was a pointless love that would never be returned, but she knew that if she really hated him there was no way she could ever accept his proposal, regardless of his arguments.
‘Could I have something a little less lacking in caveats?’ he teased, further lowering her defences.
Georgie looked at him, eyes clear. ‘Well, then, yes. I accept your marriage proposal.’
She paused and he cupped his ear with his hand, frowning.
‘Why are you doing that?’
‘I’m waiting for thebut...’ He smiled, eyes lazy. ‘And I am very glad there appear to be none. You’re doing the right thing. Give this a chance and I promise you will find in me a husband who will not let either you or Tilly down.’
He curved his hand along the nape of her neck and then smoothed it over her shoulder.
Desire bloomed inside her in a sudden, shocking burst. It was as though, in accepting his proposal, she had mentally freed herself from the business of denying her attraction to him.
He must have sensed that because he drew just a tiny bit closer, his breathing quickened and there was a slumberous look to his eyes as they rested on her flushed face.
‘Come upstairs,’ he urged, and Georgie made a feeble attempt to tell him not to be crazy.
‘I have to go and see how Tilly is doing,’ she said, but she didn’t pull away as he continued to stroke the side of her neck, his touch so soft and gentle that she almost moaned aloud.
