‘So we do agree on something?’ she said wryly, hoping she was right.
When Cesar didn’t answer, she decided it was time for bed. Getting up from her chair, she said, ‘If I do find out anything else that might be helpful, I’ll let you know.’
‘You do that,’ Cesar agreed. ‘Goodnight, Sofia.’
‘Goodnight.’
He didn’t call her back or come after her. And, of course, she was glad about that.
Was she?
The sound of the door closing behind Sofia rang in Cesar’s ears for some time. Not that she was angry, or even disappointed he hadn’t pulled a rabbit out of a hat to show her when it came to his plans for Howard Blake. When he did decide what to do, he’d be the only one with that information. It was safer that way.
External influences hadn’t made Sofia leave in such a hurry, he concluded, but the pull between them had done the damage. They’d shared a look. She’d moistened her lips. Her cheeks had flushed pink and her breathing quickened, but instead of taking things further he’d made it clear that wasn’t going to happen, at which point she’d left the room. Sex was the answer to a lot of things, but not this.
Exhaling a long, steady breath, he sat back. What was this woman doing to him? When things looked as if they might become complicated by feelings, he always pulled back. Capable of feeling the deepest emotion, he also knew how to hide it well, thanks to understanding the cost of love. He had idolised his father, the strongest and noblest of men, but still found it hard to accept that a fall from a horse during training could have brought such a well-lived life to a sudden and unalterable end.
He and his father were the same in that they solved problems and found solutions. His father’s tragic death was the first time Cesar had been faced by a catastrophe he could neither change nor soften. The end of one way of living and the beginning of another, quite different life had been brutal. One minute his father had been laughing and joking, poised and confident as he’d cantered around the arena, and the next his horse had stumbled, throwing him over its head. And that was it. The end. Over. Never to move, breathe, speak, or offer loving advice again.
Everything had changed on that day. His mother had been hysterical, his sister numb with shock. From a confident, hard-living youth, home on furlough from the army, he had been catapulted into a world where caring for people was more important than crowns. Stability for family and country had become his guiding light from that moment on, just as personal feelings had become a complete and utter irrelevance. All that mattered had been putting things back on an even keel.
The bombshell of the King’s death had spread a shroud of fear across the citizens of Ardente Sestieri as people had wondered what would come next. Prince Cesar, the wild youth whose exploits had entertained them, was surely not fit to be King? Cesar’s lifestyle hadn’t mattered to his people when his father had been alive, but for such a solid and reliable presence on the throne to be replaced by someone unknown had taken a lot a lot of living down. The trust he’d won since then could be lost in a heartbeat.
At one point he’d wondered how his mother would survive the loss of his father. They had been two sides of the same coin. How would that one, lonely side of the coin weather the wear and tear of ruling, with only one face, one opinion, one decision-maker to hold the reins, with no one to advise, curb or recommend? His mother had needed him to step up, and he’d answered her call gladly. With her so-called suitor dismissed, the Queen would rule alone with Cesar as her chief advisor. Nothing must stand in the way of that.
It was in everyone’s interest to bring Howard Blake to account. But there was another reason. Sofia had shown him her vulnerable side. He couldn’t walk away from that. This was a time to keep her close. He had to, if he was to keep her safe.
What other reason could there be?
Pushing his chair back, he left his study to track her down.
He found her in the empty stable where she had gone to sort out her thoughts. Whatever else was going on in her life, animals always soothed her. Cesar lost no time in delivering his broadside. ‘I can’t let you approach Howard Blake on your own. I won’t allow it!’
Brain and body moved as one for Cesar, and he was in front of her in a heartbeat. Scrambling to her feet, she faced him down. ‘Cesar—’
‘Yes, Cesar!’ he cut across her. ‘Who the hell else do you think would chase you down to stop you walking blindfold into danger?’
He really cared? She could see the concern in his eyes. How did she feel about that? Thrilled. Surprised. And also keenly aware that Cesar’s concern could stand in the way of her setting things right.
‘I’m glad you came,’ she said, quickly marshalling her thoughts. ‘I wanted to let you know what I’ve done so far.’
‘What you’ve done?’ Far from this enticing him to back off, Cesar’s expression was thunderous. ‘Without telling me first?’
‘My plans are still in the very early stages,’ she explained in what she hoped was a soothing tone. ‘I won’t need an army or strong-arm tactics—’
‘Just tell me what you’ve done,’ Cesar bit out.
‘I just made a call.’
‘Who did you call?’ She’d never seen him like this. She could only describe it as anguished. ‘Tell me what you’ve done, Sofia. I hope you haven’t put yourself in danger?’
‘I called a woman who lives at my retreat, the same woman who passed on the original request from Howard Blake for me to write an article. I trusted her. Dante always says I trust everyone too quickly. Now I must face the possibility that Dante’s right, and this woman and Howard might be in league.’
Cesar frowned. ‘But how would she know the dates in my diary?’
‘Maybe there’s more than one conspirator,’ Sofia allowed. ‘Howard Blake’s pockets are deep enough to hire an army of moles. All I offer is a haven until people are ready to face the world again, while he offers a lot of money. Who could blame her if she was tempted?’
‘I could,’ Cesar said coldly. ‘You’re far too soft, Sofia.’
