I shoot upright so fast my grace evaporates entirely. “That’s exactly what I told him. Now that the public thinks we’re engaged, why not keep up the story, one that benefits both of us?”
Athol seems delighted. Rodrick . . .not so much.
“You planned this?” my former guardian—and now fiancé—demands.
“No. I came here fueled by pure hatred. I wanted to make you pay for being such an arrogant jerk. That stupid museum message was the last straw. It drove me insane.”
“More insane than me keeping your future boyfriend from touching you?”
“You know very well he didn’t come close to being that. I’ve never even seen the man in person.”
“And you’ve never kissed him,” the bastard adds, triumphant.
I swallow my irritation. He is, for now, my ticket to freedom. “No one has kissed me but you. Now that we’ve established that, can we move on? Marry me. A marriage of convenience. I’ll agree to whatever clause you put in the contract, as long as after a pre-set number of years you give me my freedom back, permanently.”
He studies me, silent, and I desperately wish I had enough romantic experience to read his expression, but I don’t. Not even close.
“I think the young lady should know,” Athol blurts, “that the kind of marriage the duke intended doesn’t involve—”
Rodrick stops him with a raised hand. “We can discuss that later.” He turns back to me. “Are you sure this is what youwant? It won’t be a real marriage, only a union so we both get what we need.”
“Yes. Because it means freedom after we divorce. I won’t ever have to marry a prince or any other man my father or brother chooses. In Rheadur, a princess’s second marriage doesn’t need to be political—it’s her choice.”
“And what about Kaled? I won’t lie to him.”
“We’ll tell him it’s a marriage of convenience, but not that divorce is a certainty. That’s not a lie. Just . . .an omission.”
“You’re very sensible, Your Highness,” Athol praises. “I like how your mind works.”
“She became sensible about five minutes ago, or she wouldn’t have dropped that insane story in the papers.”
“Well, not so fast. I may be impulsive, but thatinsanestory, as you call it, is the reason your noble title is safe, my dear duke. So a ‘thank you’ would be nice.”
Chapter 28
I’ve always considered myself a black-and-white kind of man. Never hesitated before making a decision. But I had also never been proposed to until now.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” Athol says. “I don’t know if I should congratulate you yet, Your Highness, so for now . . .good luck.”
“Just Jazmina, Mr. Athol.”
“Then call me only Athol, dear.”
He slips out. It’s one of the things I like most about my former guardian: his impeccable timing, along with his loyalty. He always knows when to disappear.
Her posture shifts. She’s sitting straight now, hands folded in her lap, her usual boldness gone. What I see instead is the girl who’s used to being judged.
Jazmina is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. A breathtaking combination of flawless looks and a personality that challenges and ignites me.
Full of life. Passionate. Sharp.
Perfect in every way that matters.
Which is exactly why I can’t subject her to the kind of marriage I had in mind.
“It’s not going to work.”
“But you said you wanted a wife of convenience! I can fit that role. Can’t you see this arrangement would be ideal?”