Good. Business. Coldness soaked into her, freezing her solid as she said, “I’m not the one making decisions here.”
His fingers traced her arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps as he said, “Not yet, but you will be. Can you open your heart and forgive me?”
“If we had a way to bring a baby into our family to raise as ours, without causing a royal scandal, I would.”
“I can’t risk people losing faith in the crown. It’s all they have keeping our kingdom from coups… the loyalty of the people.”
“I understand.”
The way he kept saying that was like he dared her. But to her this wasn’t about the baby. It was about Francesca and Leo and what happened could not affect the kingdom. And what if Francesca didn’t give away her baby, demanding to make it public and wanting to raise her baby on her own? Anna wouldn’t seek the limelight but she’d keep her own child. No dollar sign would change her opinion on that. She’d have to talk to Francesca. She looked at the door. “I don’t want to think I’m stealing anyone’s baby.”
He stood taller. “You’re protecting what’s mine, which is your duty as my wife.”
Duty. Work. Loyalty. Dependability. All of this was who she was to Leo. The eternal employee-she’d been so stupid for simply agreeing to be his wife. She sighed. “I have always followed your orders, Leo.”
He stopped and her hair stood on end as she waited for his words. Finally he said, “That’s the first time since you found that you said my name.”
The position she was in wasn’t easy. He had to know that. “Leo…”
He cupped her face and she stared at him as he asked, “What?”
How she loved him and it was clear that he didn’t love her. She was still his secretary and she was a fool. “I don’t know what I want to do.”
He pressed his forehead on hers as he said, “I want you beside me.”
Her lips tingled, anticipating a kiss. She backed away. “Because you think I’ll make a good queen.”
He shrugged. “There is no question that you are the best hope for Avce’s future.”
Maybe if she was power hungry she’d be satisfied. But she’d never sought the crown. Maybe she could settle for helping others, but only when she was sure her heart wouldn’t break anymore. She had to put a border around it. She walked toward the window and glanced at the sunbeam on the ocean as she said, “But not because you love me. This is all about putting Avce first.”
Leo followed her and his eyes reflected in the glass. “And watching out for my child.”
The baby. She could never forget. Someone else had given him a family. She walked around him, circling him and keeping her distance as she headed toward the door. “I don’t know, Leo. I’ll need time to figure out what I want.”
He didn’t follow her but asked, “How much time?”
Good question. Once she was sure she wouldn’t cry in front of him, then she would be able to talk some more. “Maybe ten minutes. Maybe the rest of our lives. Are you sure you don’t want an annulment? Getting your son or daughter will be easier if you marry Francesca.”
Leo’s strong voice followed her as she reached for the door handle. “I will never marry Francesca or set you aside, Anna.”
“Give me a half an hour.” She lifted her chin and hoped it was enough time to put herself back together—she was cool outside but a mess where she could hide it. She spoke without one tear. “Let’s take that tour and wave at the locals as we planned this afternoon. We’ll wave at cameras and pretend nothing is wrong. Then we’ll talk about this after we do our duty.”
“That’s my future queen,” he called out as she hurried from the room.
If she didn’t get out soon, she’d break in half. And there was no way she’d ever let Leo see that she was crying.
Anna never cried and she’d not start now.
