‘There is another possibility,’ she suggested.
Her words made him tense. Was Rose about to disappoint him like all the rest by being so overcome by the obvious value of the jewels, she’d see no further than his bank balance? ‘What’s that?’ he queried mildly.
‘I agree to become your mistress,’ she said, perfectly straight-faced. ‘Then, I can wear jewels like this all the time.’
Disappointment slapped him in the face, to the point where he almost missed what she said next.
‘Even when I’m mucking out,’ she added with a grin. ‘In fact, I’d like to order a tiara to complete the set. As Head Groom, I should have some sort of badge of authority, don’t you think...?’
There was a moment of stunned silence and then he laughed as such a strong sense of relief flooded through him. He’d certainly met his match in Rose. ‘I think that’s an excellent idea—’
‘Hold on!’ She held up her hand. ‘I’ve thought of an even better one.’
‘What’s that?’
‘You donate the jewels to the charity auction tonight.’
‘Donate the jewels?’ he exclaimed with surprise. ‘I had intended for you to keep them—to wear on occasions like this.’
Rose gasped, hand to chest. ‘What a responsibility! Where would I keep them—in the hay store? Look, I don’t mean to be ungrateful, but there are some fabulous fakes out there at a fraction of the cost, if you think it’s important for me to wear jewels. Personally, I just can’t see why they’re necessary. Either people are interested in what I have to say about your ponies, or they’re not. And, just think about it,’ she confided, bringing her fragrant head close to his, ‘the proceeds from the sale of these gems could be put to far better use.’
He shrugged. ‘You make a good argument. Auction them, by all means. I’m only sorry I didn’t think of it myself.’
‘That’s what a head groom’s for,’ she teased.
‘Do you take anything seriously?’ he asked as Rose’s eyes fired with an engaging triumph that had nothing to do with her going one better than him, and everything to do with Rose’s generous nature finding an outlet tonight in the charity auction.
‘Oh, yes,’ she told him with a level stare. ‘I take my job very seriously indeed.’
‘Which is exactly why I brought you here.’
‘Then I’d better get to work,’ she said, breaking the spell.
Their lips had been close, stares locked, as the fate of the jewels was decided.
Feelings he’d ruthlessly subdued for years continued to bombard him as he stepped back. ‘The Prince is already seated. We should join him.’
‘Is that you hinting I’ve said enough?’ Rose asked with a twinkle.
‘More than enough,’ he confirmed mock-sternly as he took the greatest pleasure in escorting Rose to the Prince’s table. Lavishing extravagant gifts on a woman had always been his way of easing his guilt at feeling nothing for them, but Rose needed no such gifts or grand gestures. She thought with her heart when it came to riches, and had touched him deeply with her suggestion to auction the jewels.
‘You look happy,’ she remarked as they approached the Prince’s table.
‘I am,’ he admitted. Rose made him look outwards, instead of brooding on the past. How could he not feel happy about that?
Dinner, as expected, was excellent, and it was further enhanced by Rose, who once again played her part to perfection, charming everyone. When the plates were cleared the auction began. There were some big-ticket items, attracting huge sums of money, but when Rose was introduced, and stood to offer her stunning jewels for the charity, there was a collective gasp. The Prince, who had already been informed of the donation, had invited Raffa to take the rostrum, to handle what was confidently expected to be a record-breaking sale.
The first bid was a million, and it went on from there. At one point, Raffa jokingly reminded his audience that Rose was not part of the deal. She smiled sweetly at him, to a chorus of groans, but it was the look that passed between them that briefly stilled the crowd. The magic of a supposed liaison between them had the added bonus of driving bids even higher.
‘Congratulations!’ The Prince stood to applaud them both as Rose’s jewels were sold for an astonishing amount. ‘You make a great double act,’ he remarked. ‘Thank you both for your most generous donation.’
Rose handled the praise with her customary modesty, and soon had the Prince laughing at some quip she’d made. Later, when His Serene Highness had left the table, she reached across to hand Raffa something. ‘What’s this?’ he asked. Instinct drove him to close his fist around Rose’s pale, cool fingers.
‘If you let go of me,’ she whispered discreetly, ‘you’ll find out.’
‘And if I don’t?’
‘You’ll have one cufflink, instead of a pair. You dropped it at the wedding, when we were in the stable.’
