A Ring To Secure His Crown. Kim Lawrence

was Luis who had pointed out the similarity during a day trip her family had made the previous year to take lunch with the royal family at Vela Main.

      ‘His eyes really do follow you around the room,’ she had said, staring at the original of the much-reproduced image.

      ‘Sebastian has the same trick,’ Luis had said.

      ‘He was very handsome. Him,’ she’d added, pointing at the portrait and adding hastily, ‘Not your brother.’

      Luis had laughed at her embarrassment. ‘You might change your mind when you two finally meet. I’d like to say Seb got the looks and I got the brains, but...’

      ‘I think you’re very smart, modest and good-looking.’

      Whenever doubts had crept in Sabrina had reminded herself that Luis couldn’t have been more unlike his hateful brother if he’d tried.

      They were day and night, Sebastian definitely being night, even though his eyes had made her think of the brightest, most blindingly blue summer sky when he’d bent his head and fitted his cool, firm lips to hers.

      She felt the guilty heat rise through her body as she reminded herself that she could have stopped it from happening!

      Belatedly aware that Chloe was staring at her, she shook her head.

      ‘A bit,’ she conceded before changing the subject. ‘God, you look like an advert for something healthy...or toothpaste?’

      ‘And you, sweetie, look like you were doorstepped by the national media.’ She held out her arms. ‘Hug?’

      ‘Yes, please.’

      Sisterly hug exchanged, they sat down on the window seat side by side.

      ‘I’m quite jealous of the number of hits you got...did you watch it?’

      Sabrina did not pretend not to understand; she had heard she had gone viral. ‘No, I was there.’

      ‘Don’t look so gloomy. I know many women who would pay to get chucked into the back seat by Sebastian Zorzi, and you were wearing nice undies.’

      Sabrina’s eyes widened. ‘You couldn’t...?’

      Chloe chuckled at the shocked reaction. ‘No, just a lot of leg.’ Her expression sobered. ‘Seriously, though...?’

      Sabrina angled an enquiring look at her sister’s face.

      The grin re-emerged. ‘He is seriously gorgeous! How about a double wedding? I’m up for it if you are!’

      ‘What, and share my day in the spotlight?’ Sabrina said, struggling to reply in kind because the image of her sister, dressed in white, standing beside a tall, lean, handsome figure made her feel a little queasy.

      ‘Because we all know how much you love that.’ Chloe’s smile vanished. ‘Brina, are you all right? I’m just trying to lighten the mood, you know. Are you really going to do it?’

      ‘Do what?’

      ‘Go through with this crazy medieval marriage of convenience? You can’t let yourself be used this way, Brina. It’s so wrong.’

      ‘I don’t have a choice.’

      ‘There is always a choice, Brina.’

      Sabrina shook her head and veiled her eyes with her lashes. It was true, but now the time was here she wished she believed it. ‘I want to marry Luis. He’s a nice guy.’

      Chloe’s expression grew serious as she took her sister’s hands in hers and said gravely, ‘Don’t you think you deserve better than nice? A husband who thinks you are more important than anything?’

      After a shocked moment Sabrina brought her lashes down in a protective sweep as she swallowed the emotional lump in her throat. Chloe had voiced the thoughts she didn’t dare even allow herself to think.

      ‘Since when did you become a paid-up member of the soppy romantic club?’

      Chloe’s smile was back as she jumped to her feet. ‘I hide it well. So how about I do wear this tonight?’ She moved her hand down the tiny skirt she wore. ‘And flirt with the sexy Sebastian?’

      Sabrina struggled to respond to her sister’s teasing smile, managing some sickly approximation of an answering smile despite the tight feeling of rejection in her stomach.

      ‘Chloe, be careful. Sebastian Zorzi, he isn’t the sort of man you play with.’

      She thought of eyes so blue they took your breath away and felt a little shiver trace a sinuous path down her spine as the memory surfaced, both terrifying and seductive. She didn’t want Chloe to be exposed to the danger he represented.

      Or maybe you don’t want her to be kissed.

      ‘He’s dangerous.’

      Chloe laughed. ‘He sounds better and better. Now how about a glass of wine to get us in the mood, or to at least prepare me for the undoubted cold shower that awaits me when I go to my room? Perhaps when you’ve sold your body for the good of the country we can get the plumbing fixed?’ She grinned and produced a bottle from the capacious handbag she had dumped by the door. ‘Glasses?’