Page 93 of Her Royal Houseguest

‘My, don’t you look handsome in that new waistcoat!’ she said. In truth, he looked handsome in everything, though she much preferred him half naked with his hair askew and his gaze drowsy as he caressed her cheek.

‘Your advice on that regard was most excellent,’ he returned.

She smiled as she took her seat. ‘Speaking of which, I have received notice from the tailor that he has something you must get fitted. Do you think Prince Vaji could cover the negotiation this morning?’

Prince Deva frowned. There was no reason that she would hear from his tailor instead of him.

‘What are you thinking, Anna?’ her father asked. ‘This is important business. He can’t go trotting off on your whim. Or his tailor’s!’

‘Of course, Father,’ she said as she pinned Deva with her gaze. ‘It’s only that the message was so very urgent. I don’t know what the matter is but it seemed vital.’

She watched Deva’s eyes widen. He must realise that she was trying to tell him something important. Something her father might interfere with. But would he trust her enough to agree?

‘Vaji has been pressing me for more authority,’ Deva mused aloud.

‘What?’ her father scoffed. ‘You’re the head of the delegation. They might take insult if you disappear when you feel like it.’

‘Or,’ came Prince Vaji’s voice as he entered the room, ‘they might find a better compromise with me.’

Deva’s brow rose. He clearly didn’t like that idea. Vaji, on the other hand, gave Anna a stealthy wink as he headed to his seat.

‘Never fear, brother,’ Vaji said, ‘I won’t give away your palace.’

‘And I’ll be there,’ inserted Anna’s father, ‘to make sure nothing untoward happens.’

‘Really?’ Deva challenged. ‘And what would be untoward?’

There was a bite to his tone. He clearly understood that her father didn’t have the welfare of the Siamese people in mind. Typically, her father brushed it off with a wave of his hand.

‘Never mind that. I’ll see everything stays cordial.’

‘It’s settled, then,’ Vaji said as he clapped his hands. ‘I’ll handle the discussion while you get your clothes fixed.’

Deva muttered something caustic under his breath that prompted a hearty laugh out of Vaji. Anna didn’t care. Her ruse worked. Deva would see the queen with her, assuming she could get them both dressed for a royal audience without anyone else being the wiser.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Deva didn’t trust easily and he certainly didn’t delegate. Not on something as important as these negotiations. But since the night of Vaji’s disrobement, Deva had learned a measure of trust he’d never experienced before.

Anna could be trusted. He had failed her—twice now—enough that he had been forced to apologise. And she had forgiven him, for that was her nature. And in her generosity, he realised that she was a woman of great power.

He had insulted her and yet she still greeted him every morning with a smile.

He had hurt her and yet she still saw to his comfort in her home.

He had blamed her for his own failings and yet she still worked on his behalf. Yes, she had shared what she had learned from Lord Patrick and her father. She had told him of her outrage at their treatment. And she had looked at him with such warmth that he…

He trusted her. He believed in her.

And he loved her.

So when she asked him to attend to his tailor, he did not question it. Not until after her father, Vaji and the abbot had departed. Then he spoke to her, his voice low.

‘Why have I given ammunition to my enemies?’

‘What?’

‘The abbot will report that I missed today’s negotiation. I will need to explain why.’