The Prince's Chambermaid. Sharon Kendrick

‘Excellent,’ he murmured.

      Rupert beamed. ‘Well, if that’s all sorted—perhaps you would like to come with me, Your Serene Highness, and then I’ll show you to your suite.’

      ‘No, no.’ Xaviero’s voice was soft as he flicked his hand dismissively at Rupert. ‘Go and leave us,’ he ordered. ‘The girl will attend to my needs.’

      Rupert hesitated for one slightly puzzled moment before he left the reception area like a small child sent out into the rain to play and Cathy was left alone with the Prince. For a moment, there was silence and she didn’t know where to look or what to say. All she was aware of was the prickle of her senses and the wild thunder of her heart as he caught her in the crossfire of his gaze.

      ‘You look wary,’ he commented softly as he reacquainted himself with the aquamarine beauty of her darkening eyes. ‘Are you?’

      She swallowed. Wary as anything—and frighteningly excited, too. ‘Why would I be wary, Your Highness?’

      ‘That doesn’t answer my question.’ Dark eyebrows arched in arrogant query. ‘Are you wary of me?’

      There was a pause. ‘Not at all,’ Cathy answered, but she lowered her gaze lest he read the lie in her eyes.

      Xaviero’s lips curved into a speculative smile. Didn’t she realise that desire was shimmering hotly from her tense and voluptuous frame, no matter how much she tried to disguise it? And yet the fact that she was trying to resist him was proving to be an irresistible aphrodisiac.

      From the cold, bleak space which seemed to have inhabited his body for so long, he felt the answering tug of desire.

      ‘Then show me to my suite,’ he commanded softly.