His eyes narrowed as if he read her changing emotions. ‘My intentions are of the old-fashioned variety. I want to marry you, Rosa.’
Shock compounded on shock, but somehow each one was easier to take. She was learning to like the surprises Fotis offered today. Love. Wooing. A future together.
From the corner of her eye she saw heads turn in their direction. They’d forgotten to keep their voices down. She didn’t care, and nor did Fotis, given his expression.
Nevertheless, she stepped closer, close enough to slip her hands beneath his jacket and plant them on his solid chest. The steady throb of his heart eased the last ache in her chest.
‘Yes, please. I still love you, Fotis. I always will.’
His arms went around her, pulling her in as he groaned deep in his throat and kissed the top of her head then peppered kisses over her face. ‘I don’t deserve you, Rosa. I was petrified you’d changed your mind.’
‘Never,’ she whispered as she lifted her mouth to his. ‘I want to spend my life with you. I’ve been so miserable—’
‘Sh,asteri mou. I was a blind idiot but I’m going to make it up to you. We’re going to be so happy.’
She slid her hands up to clasp the back of his neck, luxuriating in how good they felt together. In the impossible excitement of knowing this was only the beginning. ‘I know.’
Then the globe’s most reclusive billionaire and the world’s most talked-about princess kissed passionately, ignoring the gathering crowd and raised phones.
They were in love and didn’t care who knew it.
EPILOGUE
THE HUGECHRISTMAS TREEtwinkled with lights. Rosamund stifled a laugh as her toddler nephew stood at its base, wonderment in his eyes as he looked up to where it almost reached the frescoed ceiling. He craned his neck so far he lost his balance and abruptly sat on the floor, beaming.
‘He really is the jolliest little boy,’ she murmured, watching her sister-in-law, Susanna, scoop him up and carry him over to Leon.
‘You want one like that?’ Fotis’ voice was like liquid velvet in her ear. His arms came around her, pulling her back against his tall frame, hands possessively smoothing her baby bump.
She sighed and relaxed against him. ‘A child who laughs more than he cries? That sounds wonderful. But,’ she covered one of his big hands with hers, ‘whatever our baby’s like, I’ll love him or her.’
They were so lucky, to have each other and soon, a child. Beneath their joined hands the bub moved and, though she knew it was coincidence, Rosamund couldn’t help imagining it was communicating with them.
‘Didn’t I tell you she’d be a footballer?’
Rosamund shook her head. What was it about men and football? ‘He could be a chess player or a mathematician.’
She shivered as Fotis kissed her neck, his words tickling her skin. ‘Or a world-famous author.’
‘Sorry to intrude.’ Leon appeared, comfortably holding the heir to the throne, who grinned and drooled over his jacket. ‘But can I borrow you for a few minutes, Fotis? It’s about the children’s services initiative I’m planning.’
‘You’ll need to consult Rosa too.’
‘I already gave my thoughts when you were out for a run.’ She stroked her nephew’s soft cheek, overcome by the ideatheirbaby would be here soon. She straightened and turned, realising Fotis was thinking the same thing. His expression made her melt. All that tender protectiveness and anticipation. ‘Don’t be long, you two. I know what you’re like when you get your heads together over a project.’
Fotis’ slow smile made her wish they’d already had Christmas dinner and were heading to their suite.
‘I promise to be back soon.’ He kissed her cheek, sending ripples of delight across her skin.
Rosamund moved to the group around the fireplace, chatting with relatives and family friends. Laughter rang out and she turned to see Dimitria Politis and Susanna’s younger brother grinning together. Old Mr Politis was deep in discussion with Rosamund’s elderly second cousin. Knowing both, they were either righting the world’s wrongs or planning a new business venture.
Fotis and Tassos had spent ages planning a fireworks display back in Greece to see in the new year. Her family—herfamily!—would all travel from Cardona to Greece after Christmas and stay with them over New Year’s to share the celebration.
How things had changed.
Her sister-in-law stopped beside her. ‘What are you looking so happy about? Might it have something to do with a fascinating, dark-haired Greek?’
Rosamund shrugged. ‘What can I say? I’m a lucky woman.’
