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‘I found out what Francesco had over my father and used it against him.’ A hard look sharpened his already steely expression. ‘Money. It’s been coming a while but in the last year he got into a position where others could control him. As monarch that’s untenable. Cash for access, cash for deals.’ He shot her a look. ‘Cash for you.’

‘You’re sure?’ Her stomach roiled. ‘When did you find out?’

‘Last night.’

Her heart walloped. When last night? ‘Before the ball?’

‘You need to move. Everything is going to change. Quickly.’

Yes. Too fast for her to comprehend. ‘When did you force him into it?’

‘I went to his suite this morning and made it clear he had little choice. Eventually he grasped the inevitable and has agreed to do the right thing.’

She felt a flare of pride. ‘That can’t have been easy. Would’ve taken courage, Alex.’

He looked directly into her eyes for the first time since she’d come back into the room. He almost smiled, but his lips twisted. ‘Anger.’

Yes. Her breathing quickened as he turned away. He was now King. He’d not included her. Not confided in her. Not trusted her to tell her his plan before enacting it. She’d thought last night had been special, but maybe he’d just been seeking a couple of hours of light ‘escape’ before dealing with his very real, very large problems. Alone.

No wonder he’d said nothing when she’d told him he could have ‘everything’. No wonder he’d kissed her quiet.

‘Please pack, Tilly. I need to know you’re safely away.’

‘Why can’t I stay?’

‘I’m about to walk into a month’s worth of meetings, and I need to focus one hundred per cent on Montaurella.’

‘And can’t I help you with that?’

His gaze shifted to the left of her. ‘I can’t handle any distractions.’

‘Is that what I’d be?’ An annoying distraction?

‘I didn’t know about my father’s failed deals. I wasn’t paying attention, but thanks largely to you, I’ve realised what a mess he’s made. I need to focus on the transition, you need to focus on you. Go to London, do whatever you want from there. You’ll have security, Bianca has offered to accompany you for the first few weeks if you would like.’ He bent his head. ‘She would handle correspondence and press enquiries so you’re not inundated. Decline everything and it will ease off as they get the message.’

Tilly’s hurt deepened. He’d discussed this with his staff before springing it on her as a fait accompli. ‘You’ve been busy.’

‘That’s only going to get worse.’

Yes. Soon he would be so busy she would have to book an appointment three months in advance just to have a five-minute phone call with him.

‘Some of my father’s deals will be exposed—that will suck most of the media oxygen. There’ll be interest in you at first because of me, but keep your head down and your anonymity will grow. I have to take action now that I’ve discovered the problems. Transparency is the only way the monarchy might survive. Even then, it still may not. I can’t hide everything he’s done, but I’ll focus on the deals and keep you out of it.’

It was a crisis for the small country. ‘Do you want the monarchy to fall?’

He shook his head. ‘An impartial figurehead is important—the Crown employs a lot of citizens. I’ll review every one of the contracts personally.’

‘The other museum guides are paid,’ she said flatly.

‘Probably not enough. I promise I’ll do the work, Tilly.’

I. I. I.

It was all to be him alone. His message rang loud and clear as the city bells did now. Tilly remaining in Montaurella wasn’t an option. ‘You don’t think I—’

‘You’ve been in survival mode your whole life…now you get the chance to build a future you actually want.’

‘The same could be said for you, but you don’t get to do that.’ She watched him transform before her eyes—this was more than a uniform, this was a suit of armour.