Her Own Prince Charming. Eva Rutland

not used to being waited on.”

      “Enjoy. Tonight, I am here to grant your every wish, my fair lady.”

      The savory scent of Harry’s famous Maiale al Pepe drifted from the plate. She looked at the succulent circles of pork in the tasty herb sauce, the tiny, crisp, not overdone string beans, rice with its separate grains still steaming. Amazing. Sent all the way from the galley and kept piping hot on—

      He looked at her from across the table. “Now what are you thinking?”

      About how the other half lives, she thought. “That this is very delicious,” she said.

      “Then bon appetit!” He lifted his wineglass.

      She touched it with hers, trying to relax.

      “And stop looking as if you’re about to pull that Cinderella act again!”

      “What?”

      “As if you might run out on me any minute.”

      “I . . . I do feel a little awkward,” she said honestly. “It’s like... Well, you have run out on your guests, and—”

      “I did no such thing. I welcomed each one as they came aboard.”

      “But now you’re here, and they—”

      “Are eating and drinking, just as you and I. The decks, dance hall and private parlors are at their disposal. They won’t miss me.”

      “But you...” She stopped, taken aback by the revelation. He really didn’t know that he was the main attraction.

      “Well?” he prompted. “You were saying?”

      “That you should be with your friends. It doesn’t seem right for us to be hiding away up here while your party goes on below.”

      “But I’m trying to make a new friend.” He smiled, and she was caught by the way his eyes laughed as if at some mysterious joke. “That’s the whole point. I wanted us to have this time to ourselves so we could really get acquainted and...” He paused, his fork halfway to his mouth, and frowned. “Hiding? Oh, I hadn’t thought... You’d prefer us to be more public?”