"I was trying to look like a princess, but I didn't think a ball gown worked so early in the morning. I went for a simplerdress."
Was she joking? Her curved lips indicated that she was teasing, but he wasn’t sure. He saidnothing.
Amy walked beside him until they reached her door, where she fixed her pearl necklace and turned. "Can you talk to me? I'm not sure how to communicate withbrooding."
His eyes widened as she opened the door with the key in hand. "I don'tbrood."
"Right." She shook her head while she held her key to the lock. "And the last time you laughed was whenexactly?"
"I laugh." He answered automatically but then considered his words. She closed the door behind them and locked up. Perhaps it had been at a movie? He frowned, thinking back. He wasn't sure when he’d last laughed. It wasn't ahabit.
She crossed her arms. "Well, I don't see how we'll suit each other for long if we don't find a way tocommunicate."
"Communicate? Fine. I will brief you on my plans every day and expect you'll do thesame."
She lowered her arms to her sides and went downstairs. Once they were both at the bottom, he held the front door open for her. She met his gaze with those brown eyes of hers. "Sounds like a business deal, which I guess this is, but I was hoping we could try forfriendship."
He placed his hand on her back, guiding her back from the street to keep her safe. "Once we are married, you'll be my wife, not myfriend."
She looked up at him while they made it to his car. "I'd rather be both. Marriage works better that way, though we have to learn to trust eachother."
His chauffer took Amy’s bag from him. Lucio kept his hand on her lower back and directed her into the backseat. He followed and said, "Amy, I'm not someone who opens up all the time, but I'lltry."
"Why are you so reserved?" The driver slid behind the wheel. "And don't blame it on growing up in England because that'suntrue."
"Not many people are interested in the same things I am, so I’ve learned that less talking allows me to get along with more people." The driver must have heard enough because he closed the partition. Lucio glanced at Amy. "And I don't expect you to suddenly find my interests your interests. I cannot stand fake people and your interest is clearlypolitics."
She placed her purse at her feet, then fisted her hand on her knee. "I think we should talk without judging. I can be a goodlistener."
The last thing he needed was a wife who pretended to care about him. The worst type of women were like Sylvia the woman his parents had been so keen to be their future daughter, who always pretended and who carried on with her lies. At least he saw through her. He placed his hand on Amy’s closed fist. "Let's just take it day-by-day and we'll go fromthere."
"Okay..." She took her hand away from him. "I assume you're still reading all about quantum mechanics for fun? Honestly, that’s never been my thinganyway."
"It's conceptual," he shrugged. "Most people aren't interested." Her eyes widened slightly and he found her gaze hypnotic, her energy vibrant. He waited for her next move. "The electricity I feel near you isintriguing."
She half-smiled. "You must say that to all the girls." She dropped her hands so they rested on either side of her on the leather bench seat of the limo. "But we'll learn each other’s quirks." The driver signaled to the left, then parked. She looked over his shoulders through the tinted windows. "Why are westopping?"
"We're getting breakfast." The driver opened his door. "I'm hungry and thought you might betoo."
"I guess I can eat more than the toast I made for myself before you picked me up." He scooted out and waited for her on the sidewalk that was slightly wet from last night's rain, giving the air a cleanscent.
She had wanted conversation, so while he waited for her to cross into the restaurant, he asked, "What made you change your mind? I assumed I'd have to send gifts and persuadeyou."
A blush appeared on her cheeks. "Gifts might have been nice," her tone hinted at a laugh. "No, I didn't speak to myparents."
A hostess escorted them betweentables.
"I never said you did." They followed the hostess to a private room in the back. A round, dark wooden table had been set for breakfast with a candle in the center despite the earlyhour.
He held her chair for her and sat on the edge as he scooted her closer. The hostess said she’d bring back coffee then left them alone. Amy placed her napkin on her lap. "Your question was implied. While I wanted to speak to them I had to leave a message. I found out later that they are already in yourcountry."
He took the seat opposite her. A smiling, slightly plump waitress rushed in and poured them both coffee, then hurried out. Lucio leaned forward, his elbow on the table. "So, why did you change yourmind?"
"I could lose my position at Whitehall and Fisk." She picked up the goblet of water that was left for her on the table and held ittight.
Lucio thought back to their conversation the night before. He'd never threatened her career, he was certain. "That's not areason."
"It is. My parents had connections which was how I landed the job." She put her water down and leaned forward. "While I enjoy analyzing governments and their strengths and weaknesses of the regime running the country, it has always felt temporary because they found it for me. With my sister, they were excited to be tied to a duke who also owns a large rock quarry. I wanted to avoid the "married for business" strategy, though I know my parents depend on me to help them. I guessed at some point I'd be a bargaining chip. It’s because we’re distantly related to Charles II and they’ve wanted royal relations all my life. If I say no to you I’m quite sure they will lose patience with me and I’ll be booted from the family." Her laugh held no humor. "They have the power over my employment, which leaves me withnothing."
