‘‘I—I’ve always expected to marry for my country,’’ Alex said slowly. ‘‘I planned to respect my husband. I had hoped love would come with time.’’
She was only saying what she’d thought a thousand times before, but for some reason the statements made her uncomfortable. Even as she spoke, a voice in her head screamed that she wanted more than duty and respect. She wanted love and passion. Did she really think she could marry another man and let him touch her the way Mitch touched her? Alex shuddered. How repulsive.
‘‘I have to go,’’ she told her mother. ‘‘I have to…’’ She stumbled over an excuse.
‘‘That’s all right, Alexandra. I understand. Your father and I will be in touch. Take care.’’
‘‘Yes. You, too.’’
She didn’t remember hanging up the phone, but when next she became aware of her surroundings, she found herself staring out the window at the paddock. Several horses raced back and forth in the bright morning light. At first this view had been unfamiliar, but now she knew each tree, each bush and the way the color of the sky would change with the movement of the sun from east to west. She’d always found it beautiful, but today the vista was restful as well.
The phone rang. She turned to face it, but didn’t move from her spot. After three more rings, the answering machine clicked on. She heard her message, then a squeal that could only come from Serena.
‘‘Alex, are you there?’’ her sister asked. ‘‘We’ve seen the pictures and we all think he’s very yummy. And here we thought you were in Arizona actually searching for James. I can’t believe you’ve found a man. Call us back and plan to tell everything. Bye.’’
The machine had barely stopped recording when the phone rang again. This time she recognized her sister Katherine’s voice. ‘‘Alex, I’m guessing you’re avoiding calls, which I don’t blame you. I heard about the pictures.’’
There was a slight pause and Alex imagined her sensible sister smiling. ‘‘Who would have thought you’d find a handsome cowboy when we were supposed to be looking for our brother? I think I’m the tiniest bit jealous.’’ Katherine laughed. ‘‘Anyway, I wanted to phone and say ‘well done,’ then let you know that the infamous Bill Lewis has gone missing. I’m going to speak with his partner, Trey Sutherland, to find out what he knows.’’ She laughed again. ‘‘I feel a bit like a spy, sleuthing out clues. If this princess bit ever gets boring, I believe I might have a career as a detective.’’
Alex smiled as well. Who would have thought their time in the States would have changed them so much? If Alex had taken a lover and Katherine was considering a career as a detective, she could only imagine what Serena would get out of her visit.
‘‘That’s all,’’ Katherine said, obviously preparing to hang up.
Alex moved across the room and picked up the phone. ‘‘I’m here,’’ she said. ‘‘You’re right, I’m hiding out. I’ve already heard from mother and Serena.
‘‘The press won’t be far behind,’’ Katherine warned.
‘‘First they have to find me.’’ Alex twisted the phone cord around her fingers. ‘‘So you’re off to where?’’
‘‘New Mexico. As I said, no one has seen Bill Lewis in a while. His partner should be able to send me in the right direction.
‘‘Are you all right with this?’’ Alex asked. ‘‘Do you want me to send Elizabeth with you?’’
Katherine sighed. ‘‘I believe I can handle an interview with a businessman, thank you very much. I’ll be fine.’’
‘‘I worry,’’ Alex said.
‘‘As I worry about you.’’
‘‘Be careful,’’ Alex told her. ‘‘Let me know what you find out.’’
‘‘I promise to do both. After all, I’m the sensible sister, remember? If you want to lose sleep over anyone, try Serena. You wouldn’t believe the things she’s threatening to do. Someone needs to lock her up.’’
Alex laughed. ‘‘I’ll write a memo. Take care.’’
‘‘Bye.’’
Alex heard a soft click as her sister hung up the phone. She replaced the receiver. It rang as soon as it rested in the cradle. Alex ignored the call. Instead she grabbed her jacket and ran from the room.
Fifteen minutes later she had Princess on a lead line and was exercising the mare at a slow trot. The activity was enough to keep her hands busy, but her mind still raced. She replayed her mother’s conversation and tried to make sense of all that had happened in the past few weeks.
Was she in love with Mitch? Is that what had happened? But she couldn’t have fallen for him. He was all wrong for her, or at the very least, he was complicated. They lived in different countries, they wanted different things. Or did they? She knew she wanted a caring partner and a family. Were Mitch’s dreams so very far from that?
‘‘It doesn’t matter,’’ she said aloud. ‘‘I have my duty to worry about.’’
Her duty. That was part of the problem, she realized. What was her duty? If they found her brother alive, then he would be heir to the throne. But what if they didn’t? She felt there was a good chance that parliament would change the law, which meant she would be queen of her country. That would change her life entirely. As just one of four princesses, she would have more freedom in choosing her mate and her place of residence, but as queen, she would be limited by location, if nothing else. She couldn’t live on a ranch. Besides, even if she could adjust, what about Mitch? He wasn’t the kind of man who would wear the weight of being a consort well.
Alex stood in the center of the corral, holding the lead line and turning slowly as the mare trotted around her. She looked at the beautiful mountains, the house and the barn, at the well-kept grounds. This ranch had been in Mitch’s family for generations. He wouldn’t want to leave it. She would never ask him to. So there was no point in worrying about their feelings because it would never work. Except…
