Page 15 of Winter Wedding for the Prince
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I simply had too much work to do to get away.”
“Funny, Armando didn’t mention you were working. In fact, he didn’t seem to know where you were.”
But he hadn’t been looking for her, either. “I worked at home,” she replied. “Armando...that is, he didn’t know I was behind.”
“Is that so?” Rosa tried not to react when the princess looked down at her pristinely organized desk. People with neat desks could be busy, too.
“Maybe he should get you some help. It’s not fair that you have so much work that you have to miss a Corinthian tradition.”
“That’s not necessary, Your Highness. I’m caught up now.” That was all she needed, to look like she couldn’t handle her workload.
“Glad to hear it,” Arianna replied, “because I would kill Armando if you were too busy to celebrate with us next week. Which reminds me, you are coming to the dinner, are you not?”
“I—Are you sure you want me there?” The dinner was a private affair for family and dignitaries the night before the ceremony.
“Of course I do,” Arianna replied. “You’re family, aren’t you?”
“Technically, no.”
“Close enough. You’re an important part of Armando’s life, and therefore you’re important to all of us.”
“How can I say no after that?” Rosa replied, surprised to feel a lump in her throat. It had been a long time since someone had said she was anything other than a stupid waste of time. And while the idea of spending an evening watching Armando and Mona get acquainted left a sour taste in her mouth, the princess was smiling such a sweet, sincere smile, Rosa didn’t have the heart to decline.
Besides, she would have to face Armando—and Mona—eventually. Maybe seeing them together would kill the weird feelings she was having.
Meanwhile, Arianna’s smile grew broader upon Rosa’s acceptance. “I’m so glad. Max’s best friend from New York is coming, too, and I can’t wait for the two of you to meet. Not for romantic reasons,” she added when Rosa started to say something. “I just think he needs a dinner partner who will keep him on his toes.”
“Oh. Thank you, I guess.” She couldn’t imagine keeping anyone other than Armando on his toes, but if Arianna thought so, she would try.
“It’s a compliment, I assure you.” Perching on the edge of Rosa’s desk, Arianna turned the newspaper around. “Future princess, huh? Wonder where they came up with that idea?”
“I read the article. It’s mostly speculation.”
Arianna arched her brow. “I’m going to blame your naïveté on not having enough coffee. Armando hasn’t dated since Christina passed away, and out of the blue the press start speculating on the exact woman he plans to marry? Impossible. Someone whispered in a reporter’s ear. The only question is who is doing the whispering—Armando or King Omar. My guess is on Armando.”
Rosa didn’t understand. Princess Arianna’s explanation about a leak made perfect sense, but she would think King Omar the more likely source, not her brother. “Why would His Highness leak information about his private life?”
“Because I know how my big brother’s mind works. I’m starting to show. It’s obvious to anyone who can add that I’ve been pregnant longer than I’ve known Max.” A soft smile curled her lips as her hand patted her abdomen. She glanced back at the photograph. “This is Armando’s way of diverting attention away from my growing bump.”
Made sense. After all, he’d arranged a marriage to prevent scandal. Why not arrange for a little well-timed tabloid gossip, too? “He’s trying to be a good king,” she said.
“That’s Armando. Corinthia and family first.”
Responsible for every light in every window. “He takes fulfilling his duty very seriously,” she replied.
“Always has,” Arianna said. “Although he’s gotten worse the last couple years. Sometimes I think he’s decided that if he can’t be happy anymore, he’ll make sure everyone else in Corinthia is.”
Rosa’s heart twisted at the thought. She didn’t know what bothered her more, Armando falling for his wife or him going through the motions for the rest of his life.
“Speaking of my brother, what do you think?”
It took a moment for Rosa to realize the princess was talking about Mona herself. Took a lot of discipline, but she managed to swallow the sour taste in her mouth before replying. “I wouldn’t know, Your Highness.”
