Page 109 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

She heard the challenge in the statement and told herself it had been unexpected. Told herself she wasn’t holding her breath and hoping in a way she’d never known to hope before.

‘How remiss of everyone else here. How can they have left you standing on your own so long?’

Something unfamiliar trembled inside of her. A sense of want. She ignored it out of habit but it was difficult to completely suppress it.

‘I suppose most people feel I’m unapproachable.’

‘Why do I suspect you quite like that?’

She bit back a gasp.

‘I have no idea.’

‘Don’t you?’

‘Are you implying I’m lying? Because I have to tell you, I’m pretty sure some arcane law still exists that would have you put in prison for treason…’

‘For daring to suggest her majesty is anything other than scrupulous at all times?’

Her lips twisted with a hint of genuine amusement. It was like a flash of warmth, because it had been so long since she’d felt anything other than performative appropriateness.

‘Indeed. So, which is it to be? Prison or a retraction?’

‘Perhaps there’s a third option.’

‘And what might that be, Javier?’

A thrill rushed over her as she said his name. She husked the first syllable, as he had when he’d introduced himself, and could almost taste the raw masculinity of it.

‘Dance with me, Your Majesty.’

Her stomach twisted and her nerves leaped into action. Dance with me. Outwardly, she was the calm, reserved person she was renowned for being, but inside everything was going haywire.

‘How does that undo your crime?’

‘You’ve never danced with me.’

‘Are you saying you’re that good?’

Heat spread inside her at the unintended, but entirely delicious, double entendre. She was aware of their surroundings and of the ballroom full of dignitaries. In the back of her mind, she was distantly aware of the danger she’d be in if they weren’t in the midst of such a crowd. If it were just the two of them, alone, in a room such as this.

‘That’s exactly what I’m saying.’

Her eyes flared at the way his voice rasped, his meaning abundantly clear.

Despite her best efforts and years of practice, her voice emerged slightly off-kilter.

‘You do realise you’ll become the centre of attention for a week or so, as the country speculates on us being wildly in love.’

His eyes ran across her face and she felt a litany of questions he wasn’t asking. A statement he didn’t utter.

‘It’s been a long time since I’ve cared what anyone has to say about me. And believe me, love is the last thing on my mind.’

‘In that case…’ She held her hand out to his once more, pleased that it gave no hint of the way her nerves were trembling. ‘Let’s dance.’

CHAPTER TWO

THOUGH SHE HAD danced with his brother a scant half hour earlier, Astrid was aware now, in a sense she hadn’t been then, of the way the entire room seemed to grow silent and watch. Of how faces were turned, eyes widened, speculation tangibly igniting. Otto Diamandi was her friend and he was known to these people.