She held herself with poise but also determination and didn’t seem to be intimidated by the situation. She was likely accustomed to handling a wealthy clientele, since the ranch was designed to cater to the rich and famous.
“My duties,” she continued politely but firmly, “include scheduling activities, planning outings, and ensuring that your stay here at the ranch is an unforgettable experience.”
“That sounds grand.” Max answered before Braun, wanting to prove that he wasn’t as weak and helpless as this woman thought. “I am looking forward to aprivateweek here.”
Emberly nodded at his emphasis on the wordprivate.
“Veryprivate.” Max lowered himself onto the nearest couch, which was filled with pillows bearing distinct patterns—one with diamonds and arrowheads, another with a barbed-wire pattern, and one with the skull of a steer. Apparently, the decorations were intended to provide a Western American feeling.
“I’ll do my best to keep everything as private as possible.” Emberly studied him. Was she attempting to discover what was motivating his need for privacy?
“Thank you. That is very accommodating of you.”
“Since I was expecting Mr. Milton, I have an itinerary tailored to his interests. Sometime soon, after you have the chance to settle in, I’ll sit down with you and you can share your interests, and I’ll make up a new schedule of activities for you—one that ensures your privacy.”
“Perhaps.” He had briefly looked at the ranch’s website and noticed the variety of activities offered—trail rides, ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, range shooting, and more.
However, he had more than enough work to keep him busy all week—especially the new high-profile client portfolios heneeded to assess. He also had investment data to analyze, the plans for a Tokyo bank to scrutinize, and the growth advice of several senior advisers to examine.
The demands of his position were never-ending. Being CEO kept him busy day and night. And he hadn’t planned on doing anything but working when he wasn’t in meetings.
“Why not do something today?” Braun’s eyes held his. Braun had just been telling him, as they’d pulled in through the main gate, that he should try to enjoy the time at the ranch and not work the whole time. “The first board meeting isn’t until tomorrow morning.”
Max glanced at his watch.
“You know you have the time.” Braun started back down the steps again. “Besides, doing a few ranch activities will be good for you. You never make time for relaxation anymore.”
Maybe he should take the time to enjoy the ranch just a little, especially if it would ease the stress. A couple of activities wouldn’t interfere too immensely with all he had to get done.
“Very well.” He beckoned Emberly toward the plush armchair positioned beside the sofa. “Please sit. We shall arrange the activities now.”
She took a look at her phone. Was she also taking note of the time? Or her schedule?
He had assumed she was available, but maybe he should have asked first. “Or we can wait—”
“No.” She was already typing on her phone. “If you’ll give me one moment to respond to messages from my staff, then we can proceed with the planning.”
“Of course.”
She cast a brief look his way. “Excuse me.” Then she pushed open the door and stepped out onto the covered front porch of the cabin before closing the door behind her.
As soon as she disappeared from sight, Braun started tsking. “That woman is not respectful enough.” He lapsed into German. “If only she knew who you are.”
“This is how I want it, Braun.” When most women discovered he was a prince, their whole demeanor changed with him, especially when they learned he was still single.
He could admit he had put off finding a wife when he was younger. First, he’d attended Cambridge, and his time there had been full of too many parties and too much reckless living. Once he had grown up a bit, he’d devoted himself to his career in finance and had gone to the University of Salzburg for his MBA.
After earning the degree, he’d immersed himself in the world of banking and investments. His primary focus had been expanding KWB to Asian and Middle Eastern countries. In the process, he’d multiplied the wealth of the bank exponentially, during which he’d become the youngest CEO the company had ever known.
By that time, the marriage deadline had already been looming. It wasn’t a Karltenberg law that the heir apparent had to get married by thirty-five. But it was a tradition. If he couldn’t find a wife by his upcoming birthday, then his father had asked him to step aside and allow his second-born brother to become the heir apparent. Parliament had been pushing Max to do so for the past year, primarily because Alex was already married and had three young sons. As a result, Alex would be able to carry on the lineage of the House of Karltenberg.
Alex wasn’t as ambitious or outspoken and was a gentler soul with an artistic side. He was in charge of the Prince of Karltenberg Foundation, which helped maintain the family’s castles, cultural assets, collections, and museums, and did a fine job of ensuring the future of the important historical and artistic artifacts that belonged to the royal family.
Alex had married when he was twenty-four, and now, at thirty-one, his oldest son was six years old, healthy, strong, and smart. Parliament liked Alex, liked his family, and liked the stability he brought to the royals—unlike Max, who, at thirty-four, was still unmarried, had no heirs, and had no prospects. Even his youngest brother Joseph, at twenty-eight, was engaged and planning a wedding to take place later in the year.
Over the past several years, Max had attempted to form serious relationships. Most recently, he’d tried for at least six months with Sarah, the Duchess of Bavaria. At twenty-three, she’d been a bit immature and hadn’t liked him overly much but had stayed with him because she was enamored with the prospect of becoming queen.
His father and mother had been frustrated when he’d walked away from Sarah. While they understood he didn’t want to enter a marriage that would make him unhappy, they were also upset that he wasn’t doing more to make the relationship with Sarah work. They thought he should be focusing all of his attention on finding another woman who would make him happy, which was easier said than done.
