If she was right, then what did that mean? She searched her heart to find out if she had any regrets about what they’d done, and she found she didn’t. She trusted Mitch. He wouldn’t go running off to share details with a tabloid. He wouldn’t use their intimacy against her, or try to make her feel obligated or cheap. He was a good man.
‘‘If you’re trying to pretend you’re listening, you’re not doing a very good job.’’
Her mother’s voice jolted her out of her reverie. ‘‘Sorry,’’ Alex said. ‘‘I was—’’
‘‘Woolgathering. Yes, I could tell. Do you want to tell me what’s going on?’’
‘‘Nothing really. I have a lot of things to do today.’’
‘‘You’re not a very good liar, Alexandra. Does this have anything to do with the reason you’re not with your sisters in Aspen?’’
Alex opened her mouth, but no words emerged. Had her parents guessed what was going on? ‘‘Not at all.’’
‘‘I see.’’ Her mother’s voice was clipped. ‘‘You’re not staying at a resort, are you? I was surprised when you first said you were relaxing at a spa. Elizabeth might do that, or even Serena, but never you. You’re not the spa type.’’
‘‘I’m…’’ She straightened in her chair, as if her mother could see through the telephone lines, not to mention across the thousands of miles, and comment on her posture. ‘‘I’m staying at a working ranch. You’re right, I would be bored silly at a spa, but I did want to get away. The owners have let me set up an office here. I work in the morning, then ride in the afternoon. I’m having a wonderful time.’’
She bit her lower lip and wondered if her mother was going to believe this cleaned-up version of the truth. The only thing she was leaving out was the ongoing search for James…and her relationship with Mitch.
‘‘It’s more than that,’’ her mother said, then sighed. ‘‘What is it, my dear? I can hear something in your voice. Something…’’ The older woman gave a short laugh. ‘‘If I didn’t know better, I would say there was a man involved.’’
Alex didn’t want to know how her mother had guessed. Maybe it was some secret learned while raising her four daughters. At least she hadn’t guessed about the investigation.
She was about to deny the presence of any significant man when she realized she desperately wanted to talk about Mitch to someone who would understand. ‘‘It’s not what you think,’’ she began slowly.
‘‘I don’t know whattothink,’’ her mother admitted. ‘‘If you’re attracted to someone, I must confess to being relieved. I was never happy about your decision not to get emotionally involved with someone inappropriate.’’
‘‘You wanted me to fall in love with someone I shouldn’t?’’ Alex asked, stunned.
‘‘Not at all. My complaint was with your determination to keep your heart so completely closed off until a political match could be made. You are impossibly practical, Alexandra. Just once I would like you to be impulsive, to act with your heart, rather than your head.’’
‘‘Serena does that enough for all of us,’’ Alex said.
‘‘Perhaps, and at times she’s found her way into trouble, but I would guess her happiness is guaranteed. She will always do what is right for her, rather than what is correct for the kingdom.’’
‘‘That’s irresponsible.’’
‘‘Perhaps, but who will have the better life?’’ Her mother paused. ‘‘I want you to be happy, too, my dear. Life is more than duty. So if you’ve finally noticed an inappropriate but handsome, charming man, I’m pleased. Tell me about him.’’
Alex was still dealing with all that her mother had said. ‘‘I have duties.’’
‘‘Yes, I know. But sometimes it’s important to remember the duties to one’s self. Personal happiness is allowed. Everything doesn’t have to be for the greater good. Now, what about this mystery man?’’
Alex leaned back in her chair and smiled. ‘‘His name is Mitch. He is handsome and charming, but those are the least of his qualities. He’s strong and sure of himself, yet very gentle. He keeps forgetting that I’m a princess, Mother. He treats me like a normal woman.’’
‘‘Ah, thatwouldbe hard to resist.’’
‘‘It is. And he’s honest and stubborn and can be difficult.’’
‘‘But you like that about him.’’
Alex laughed. ‘‘I do,’’ she admitted. ‘‘I like that he doesn’t back down from me. I don’t frighten him with either my title or my strength of character. But…’’ Her voice trailed off. She drew in a breath. ‘‘But he’s tied to the land. He’s a rancher and all he wants is here.’’
‘‘What do you want?’’
‘‘I don’t know. I want to be happy. I want to fulfill my responsibilities. I want to do the right thing.’’ She squeezed her eyes shut. ‘‘What if I become queen? Mitch would never be comfortable in the role of consort. He would never want to leave his ranch, and even if he did, even if he was willing to try, it would destroy him. All that I admire about him would be crushed. Then where would we be?’’
‘‘It’s quite a problem. What does Mitch say about it?’’
