Mills and Boon Christmas Joy Collection. Liz Fielding

up behind her next to the mirror, and she’d been so dazzled by the diamonds that she hadn’t noticed how handsome he looked. The black dress uniform suited him perfectly, with its sweeping red sash across his chest and adorned with several gold medals.

      It hadn’t even occurred to her that the sash was the exact same red as her dress. Had Alex done that deliberately?

      They walked through the ballroom doors side by side. It wasn’t so bad. There was no audible hush when they appeared, just a few quiet gestures and murmurs.

      Alex immediately went into charm mode—working the room and talking to lots of the guests, his arm behind her, gently guiding her from person to person. Sometimes he spoke in French, sometimes in German. After the first few words she was mainly lost, and just nodded and smiled along, shaking a proffered hand when appropriate.

      The diamonds had felt dazzling in her ears upstairs—if a little ostentatious—but in this room it was clear that Ruby was the least adorned woman there. Everywhere she turned there were rings the size of rocks and twinkling tiaras.

      She’d recognised a few faces from royal families across Europe, all in dazzling jewels. And even the movie stars and supermodels were adorned with diamond necklaces and bracelets.

      A blonde actress—one of her favourites—was right in front of her. She was immaculate, as usual, in a figure-hugging black dress high at the neck but with virtually no back. How she kept the dress in place was a mystery to Ruby.

      She spun on her heels and tilted her head, unashamedly studying Ruby. Waves of discomfort washed over her, along with a distinct flow of blood to the cheeks. She was determined not to be intimidated.

      She held out her hand. ‘Maria Cochette? It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Ruby Wetherspoon.’

      Her hand stayed in the air for the longest time.

      ‘I know who you are.’

      The Italian accent that sounded so cute on screen was harsh in real life. Maria’s eyes swept up and down Ruby with obvious distaste. The dress that had felt so perfect upstairs suddenly felt old-fashioned and overdone.

      This was a woman who had charmed in every interview Ruby had ever watched. She exuded elegance and grace. But the look she was giving Ruby now held none of those things.

      She moved closer, still ignoring Ruby’s outstretched hand. Her voice lowered. ‘So how did you do it? How did little Plain Jane manage to catch the Prince’s eye?’ She sneered. ‘Or was it just too easy for him to do the hired help?’ The vulgar words were spat out. ‘Lydia Merr told me about you. She said you weren’t even eye candy—and she was right.’

      Ruby had never been a girl for conflict. But if she’d been any other place, at any other time, she would have punched the perfect Maria clean in the face. Alex had warned her that Mrs Merr was a renowned gossip, and it seemed their kiss hadn’t gone unnoticed.

      For the first time that night she drew herself up to her full height. She almost felt her dress lift from the floor. Up close, Maria wasn’t so perfect. Botox had made her eyebrows arch unevenly. Her suntanned skin couldn’t hide the wrinkles around her eyes.

      Ruby lifted her hand up to her ears and smiled sweetly, though she knew her eyes would be shooting daggers. She’d dealt with too many difficult patients and members of staff over the years to simper around a woman like this.

      ‘I guess some of us have hidden talents, Maria. Or maybe our core values and ethics are just apparent.’ She let her fingers run over the sparkling drop diamonds. ‘Do you like the earrings Alex gave me to wear? They were his mother’s.’

      The diamonds were elegant, in contrast; the bling from Maria was almost blinding her.

      She met the cold grey eyes with another smile. ‘I always think that less is more, don’t you?’

      She didn’t wait for an answer—just turned and walked away, ignoring the stifled noise of indignation behind her.

      Ruby never behaved like that. But something had burned inside her. Was it the way Maria had looked at Alex? Or her total disrespect for Ruby?

      Her stomach flipped over. Would this be something she would need to get used to?

      She almost stumbled over her feet. Where had that thought come from? This was their first official outing together. It might lead to nothing.

      But all of a sudden, even after all their talks and all this time, Ruby felt woefully unprepared. Alex had said nothing to her, but this almost felt like a test to see how she would do. A test she was about to fail spectacularly if her exchange with Maria was anything to go on.

      She looked around the room. She didn’t have a single friend here.

      It was a sobering thought.

      And all of a sudden she felt very alone. When was the last time she’d spoken to Polly?

      She was planning on spending Christmas with her parents in France—that was only a few weeks away—but for the first time since she’d got here she missed her colleagues, she missed her friends, she missed her flat.

      It was this. It was here—standing in this room with hundreds of people and the only person who had her back was Alex.

      It was as if he felt the vibe across the room. He looked up and his gaze met hers, and he gave her a quizzical are-you-all-right? look. It was impossible, but she felt as if she could see the bright blue of his eyes even from this distance.

      He started to walk towards her and her feet automatically moved in response. All she could do was smile. It didn’t matter who else was in the room. The only person who mattered was Alex. And he was looking at her as if he felt exactly the same way.

      The voices, the jewels, the chatter all around her just faded to background noise. Her smile was getting broader by the second. It was the strongest urge, the greatest pull she’d ever felt. Like metal being drawn towards a magnet from a million miles away.

      Several people tried to talk to him as he made his way towards her, but Alex didn’t even blink—he just kept his eyes focused entirely on her.

      Seconds later he filled her entire view. For another second both of them hesitated. Then his arms were around her waist, her hands were resting on his shoulders.

      ‘Are you okay?’

      ‘I am now.’

      She’d never felt more sure of anything. This time there was a hush in the room. Their actions had attracted everyone’s attention.

      But Alex’s bright blue eyes were still fixed on hers. ‘You’re the most beautiful woman in the room, Ruby.’

      His voice was low, for her ears only.

      ‘That’s the way I always feel around you,’ she murmured.

      ‘Good.’

      His lips met hers. She could hear the audible gasps around her but she didn’t care. Alex was kissing in her in front of everyone. Alex was making his intentions clear.

      It was as if she could soar. Soar above the shocked faces in the ballroom and soar above the pink palace. The kiss in Paris had been special—had been electric—but this kiss was everything. He spun her around as he kissed her and they both started to laugh. Knowing entirely how it looked.

      He pulled his lips back, their noses still touching. ‘You’re mine, Ruby Wetherspoon. And the whole world knows it.’

      ‘And you’re mine right back.’

      She’d never thought she’d say those words. She’d never thought she’d believe them. But this moment was hers. Hers and Alex’s.

      ‘I don’t really want to look around,’ she said. ‘I don’t want anyone to spoil what’s happening between us.’

      His eyes were still fixed on her face. He was smiling. ‘Who could do that?’

      It