Page 77 of Her Royal Houseguest

It wasn’t hard to guess why. He saw her as a whole person. He challenged her and fought her as if she weren’t handicapped. When their eyes caught and held, she was aware of herself as a woman while parts of her jolted to aching, hungry life.

What a miracle he was. And what a miracle to be her in his presence.

By the evening of Prinny’s grand celebration, she was excited, aroused and so damned happy that she could barely stand still. When Prince Deva entered the room in his finery, it was all she could do not to fling herself into his arms and beg him to have her.

He was dressed fully Siamese this evening, except for his very practical British shoes. That was his one concession as he appeared at the top of the stairs. Wide, silky chong kraben covered his lower body in bright red. A sash of royal purple draped diagonally across his chest. Gold chains, armlets and rings adorned him. On his head sat a pointed headpiece of gold richly encrusted with rubies. All sported elaborate motifs of Siamese mythical creatures. Indeed, they’d spoken of how their different mythologies compared.

All of that should have impressed her but it didn’t. What absorbed her was the fact that beneath his sash and jewellery, Prince Deva’s chest was completely bare. She knew he was a fit man but never had she seen such blatant masculinity revealed for all to see. Broad chest, rippling muscles and the lifted chin of a man who knew he was powerful.

He took her breath away.

Behind him came the abbot and Prince Vaji, both in their saffron robes, their shaved heads looking polished in the afternoon sunlight. The abbot carried a large fan that Anna knew was decorated to show the Wheel of Dharma. Prince Vaji, however, carried a staff with his royal headpiece attached by silk cords to the top. Behind them came Clarke dressed in his finest livery looking for all the world like a royal servant. Which, of course, he was.

Despite all that, Anna couldn’t stop staring at Deva. Images kept flashing through her mind of her touching his body. She’d felt the power of him against her—inside her—and the sight of him brought the memory back a thousand-fold. She wanted to touch him again, feel him again and know that she was his only love.

It was that last bit that soured the moment. Because, of course, she was not his, nor would she ever be.

A week ago, he’d said he needed to think. And she’d said she’d be a terrible burden to him in Siam. She’d thought—well, hoped—that he’d try to change her mind. That he’d tell her she could absolutely help him in Siam. That she only needed a bit of teaching.

But he hadn’t. He’d done everything to help her confidence in England but he’d never once touched her again. Not in the way she’d wanted. Not in the way of a man who desired a woman. And so he’d told her in no uncertain terms that they would not wed. That he did not desire her in that way. So, she’d pushed down her feelings and allowed that truth to exist between them.

But it was so hard now when she saw him in all his royal glory. Here was a prince of Siam. And he took her breath away.

Even her mother was impressed. ‘Goodness, what a sight!’

Her father, however, grimaced. ‘It’s three people,’ he muttered. ‘Prinny won’t be impressed without a full retinue.’

That was why Clarke and the ship’s captain were joining the procession, plus a few sailors who would carry gifts for Prinny. But her father was right. That was nothing compared to the kind of full court presentation monarchs usually expected.

‘Does Prinny know that their retinue died of illness en route?’ she asked.

Her father nodded. ‘He does but that won’t matter. It’s all about the spectacle and this is a rather puny one.’

Anna winced. How could anyone think the Siamese were puny?

Deva made it to the first floor. He kept his chin lifted but she could see frustration in his eyes. He must have heard her father’s comment but there was nothing they could do about it. He greeted the duke and duchess in the English fashion, then he turned to her and said something in Siamese.

She’d been trying to learn his language but it was not among her talents. What he said meant nothing to her. But the warmth in his gaze told her he was impressed by her looks. And the startled gasp from the abbot said that his words were probably inappropriate.

He shot the abbot a quelling look before he turned back to her.

‘I will enter the palace as leader of my delegation,’ he said.

‘Yes.’

‘There will be a formal greeting, presentation of gifts.’

‘Yes.’

‘Ceremonies.’ He glanced at the abbot. ‘Blessings.’

‘Yes.’ She and Prince Vaji had made sure that the exact protocol would be followed.

‘There will be a ball afterwards. I will be expected to dance first with the queen.’

‘Yes.’ She’d gone over that with him. They’d practiced the dance until he could do it perfectly.

‘After that, you will dance with me.’