The Prince in the Royal Suite Page 2

  ‘Oh?’ Her gaze flicked to his wedding finger.

  He laughed. ‘Nothing like that, Libby.’

  She took in the navy blue eyes, fringed with thick black lashes, and for some crazy reason, she believed him.

  ‘I overheard you at the front desk,’ he explained, ‘and I’m curious to find out how you got on with sorting out a room.’

  ‘I accepted the last room they had. I didn’t realise you were at the front desk at the same time as me. Is that why you started talking to me just now?’

  Pulling his head back to stare down at her, Lucaj frowned. ‘No. I wanted to talk to you. That’s it –’

  As he opened his arms in a disarming shrug, she melted a little more. ‘I didn’t sound rude to you at the front desk, did I?’

  ‘Not a bit, considering the room they gave you. All hotels have a last-resort room, and it sounded to me as if that’s what you got.’

  ‘That’s a relief – that I didn’t sound rude, I mean.’

  ‘You’re not a troglodyte, nor are you an infectious disease, so I think it’s quite reasonable to request a noise-free, light-filled room that isn't cut off from the rest of the hotel by the service lift and the night porter's luggage store. To be honest, I thought you were extremely restrained. Cheers!’ Lucaj raised his glass of amber liquid. ‘Here’s to you…’

  ‘I was happy with the emergency room, honestly –’

  ‘You deserve something better, that’s all. In my humble opinion,’ Lucaj added with a mock bow.

  She was still staring at him, still absorbing his evaluation of her, and the fact that, however improbable it seemed, Lucaj was definitely interested in her. Maybe all it took was a pair of sassy heels.

  ‘Something wrong with your drink?’ he demanded.

  She loved the way his sexy lips pressed down when he asked a question, while his eyes lit with amusement. It took her a moment to drag her gaze away so she could juggle her brain cells into some sort of order. ‘Would you mind if I changed the scotch for lemonade?’ Lucaj was a real distraction, and what she needed right now was a clear head.

  ‘Break the rules,’ he reminded her, ordering a bottle of vintage champagne.

  She could definitely get used to this, Libby concluded as Lucaj chinked his glass against hers. And as for breaking the rules? She was tempted.

  Chapter Three

  But enough was enough. She had honoured her pledge to Lucinda, but Lucaj was major league, and when she re-entered the dating scene – if she ever did – it would be with the modern equivalent of a pipe and slippers man. She envisaged a nice gentle start, rather than a full-on rampaging affair with a man who might well be an international playboy –

  ‘I really must go.’ Collecting up her belongings, she prepared to leave.

  ‘Let me escort you to the elevator – ’

  She looked up at Lucaj with surprise. Her heart thundered. He was going to escort her to the elevator?

  She was a little bit pleased. No. Quite a lot pleased. It was flattering and exciting, and well into the reckless zone she had never inhabited before tonight.

  ‘Really, I’m fine.’ Okay, so she’d chickened out. It wasn’t easy to change the habit of a lifetime, and cautiousness was stamped throughout her DNA.

  But Lucaj wasn’t so easily dissuaded. She could feel him behind her as she walked to the door. Ripples of sensation were running up and down her spine as his stare burned into her. She blamed the heels. They made her walk differently, sexily, she supposed, her hips swaying from side to side without her even meaning them to.

  They’d reached the door into the lobby, and she still hadn’t turned around to tell Lucaj she could open doors all by herself too. And then the duty manager waylaid them. ‘Ms Lancaster – I apologise for interrupting your evening, but I had to catch you before you went upstairs.’

  ‘Yes?’ She looked at the man with surprise.

  ‘Please allow me to apologise for the mix-up with your room, Ms Lancaster. I’m delighted to tell you that we’ve managed to arrange something else for you.’

  Luce came through, was Libby’s immediate thought. Of course she had. Lucinda must have staged a last-minute rescue. She waited to hear what else the manager had to say.

  ‘We’re giving you the very best accommodation the Chatsfield can offer, Ms Lancaster –’

  ‘Oh, that’s really not necessary.’

  Now she was embarrassed, especially as Lucaj was standing just behind her, but before she had chance to say a brighter, quieter room would be lovely, but she could quite happily stay where she was, rather than cause any inconvenience by moving now, the manager insisted.

  ‘Please don’t say anything until you’ve had chance to inspect this suite for yourself, to make sure it meets with your requirements.’

  ‘A suite?’ She was instantly catapulted from the glamorous world of the dress and high heels, to a far more realistic world in which Libby didn’t have enough money to pay for a suite.

  ‘Our best,’ the manager assured her.

  ‘You’re very kind, but – ’

  ‘Not at all. We at the Chatsfield insist. Our guests’ comfort is our only concern.’ He gave a winning smile. ‘We want you to come back, Ms Lancaster.’

  Libby managed a nervous laugh, and as she did so, she noticed how the manager’s eyes lit up every time he looked at Lucaj.

  ‘Libby?’ Lucaj prompted.

  He was right. She had to say something. She couldn’t stand here with her brain frozen, blocking the entrance to the bar. She had around two seconds to decide.

  ‘That’s very kind of you,’ she said.

  ‘Would you both like to come with me?’ the manager invited, gesturing towards the elevators.

  Both? Did he really say both?

  Bad girl? Good girl?

  Which was it to be?

  ‘Lucaj…?’ she murmured.

  ‘Yes?’ Dipping his head with his lips already tugging in the suspicion of a smile, Lucaj looked as if he knew what she was going to ask him.

  ‘Would you care to inspect the suite with me?’

  He barely missed a beat. ‘Of course. I’d love to. After you…’

  She’d never seen elevator doors as the entrance to Sodom and Gomorrah before, and this was her last chance to turn back –

  Idea rejected.

  Going back on a decision was a sign of weakness. Changing her mind was acceptable, but she didn’t want to change her mind, because she was here, at last, on her own, after years of playing extra in a crowd. She could do exactly as she liked – or she could do nothing. She could follow her nose, her instinct, or none of the above. She could go to bed, maintain the status quo, and wake to a new day that would be just the same as every other day, or she could be adventurous and take a step into the unknown.

  Better still, she could be quiet, dependable Libby, whose clothes were probably back from the hotel laundry by now …

  The elevator door slid open. Lucaj and the duty manager stood back to allow her to precede them. She could be bad, or she could be good.

  Wait – there was a third possibility. She could be good and adventurous – take a look round the suite with Lucaj – imagine he was hers for the night, and then, because she was essentially a realist and all good things had to come to an end, she would say goodnight to him.

  Perfect.

  Except she got the strangest feeling when she walked past the two men into the lift, that she was entering the world of the bad girl. And it felt good.

  She had talked herself into such a high state of confidence by the time the elevator slowed down that she got a little careless. Turning to avoid touching either man as she prepared to step out, she swung the strap of her handbag onto her shoulder and succeeded in flipping the contents onto the floor. Two heads collided as Lucaj and Libby dipped down to sweep up her debris while the manager held the lift. The first thing Libby picked up was the hotel magazine, and she had to try very hard not to show any reaction at the sight of Lu
caj’s face on the front cover.

  ‘I haven’t read it,’ she assured him red-faced as she scrambled to her feet. She didn’t have a clue who he was, only that Lucaj was important enough to get a front cover.

  She got nothing from Lucaj in the way of a clue, other than an amused look.

  The elevator doors had slid open on a haven of quiet good taste, which was the Chatsfield’s premier suite floor, the duty manager explained. He walked ahead of them, and then stood back after opening an impressive-looking door onto a cavernous suite.

  After you, Ms Lancaster, and –’ At a look from Lucaj, he fell silent, Libby noted as she walked past both men.

  ‘Is this accommodation acceptable, Ms Lancaster?’ the manager asked with a note of concern in his voice.

  ‘It’s absolutely beautiful,’ Libby stated, frankly awe-struck. But she couldn’t afford it. No way could she afford it. But it didn’t cost to look. The suite was beyond stunning. It was everything people dreamed about when they came to London. There was a view of the Thames moving in stately fashion towards the sea, and several iconic buildings, including the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Gherkin, as the tall glass structure was known for its distinctive shape, and St Paul’s Cathedral.

  Acceptable? Even Lucinda would be impressed.

  The sitting room was light and bright, and all the furnishings were the best. There was even a glassed-in terrace that led on from the floor to ceiling windows so it appeared to be an extension of the room with its pots of chalk white flowers, and comfortable chairs and recliners.

  ‘I love it,’ she said sincerely, turning to smile her thanks at the duty manager. ‘Thank you so much.’ But how she was going to pay for it, Libby had no idea. Maybe if she paid Lucinda back monthly out of her wages –

  ‘Would you like me to show you the bedroom and the two bathrooms, Ms Lancaster?’ he asked with the utmost propriety while Lucaj stood discreetly back.

  ‘No, thank you.’ She wasn’t quite ready for that. ‘I’m sure I’ll find my way around, and I’ve taken up quite enough of your time already.’ She needed time alone to fret about how she was going to raise the first payment.

  ‘If there’s anything else, Ms Lancaster, please just ring this number and it will put you straight through to me.’

  ‘I’m sure I won’t need anything else,’ she said, noticing her hand was shaking a little as she accepted the manager’s card.

  ‘And to compensate for your distress at what was entirely our mistake, I hope you will accept this suite of rooms with the compliments of the Chatsfield Hotel.’

  Libby’s relief was indescribable. ‘That’s extremely kind of you.’ Kind? The manager was lucky she didn’t throw her arms around him and kiss him.

  ‘I’ll bid you a good night to you, Ms Lancaster and –’

  If Libby hadn’t turned at that precise moment she might have missed Lucaj holding up his hand to silence the manager. It was as if the two men knew each other.

  So who was Lucaj? If only she’d had chance to read that magazine.

  She managed to bite her tongue until the door closed behind the manager, and then she swung round and confronted Lucaj, ‘So…?’

  ‘So, what?’ he said, brow raised, bad-boy charm turned up to maximum. ‘Is something troubling you?’

  ‘You could say that. I did manage to read the headline on front cover of that magazine.’

  ‘But you haven’t read the article, or anything else about me?’

  ‘No. Should I have done?’

  ‘I think the article might tell you more about me than the headline, that’s all.’

  ‘‘Europe’s Most Wanted Man’?’ she quoted, raising a brow. ‘Do I need to read on?’

  ‘That all depends on whether you like to live safe, or love dangerously, I suppose,’ Lucaj remarked without a jot of remorse.

  His smile was the slow-burning variety that tipped a vat of warm honey into Libby’s veins until she was scorching with heat from the blush of her burning cheeks to the tip of her uncomfortably cramped toes.

  Chapter Four

  Not only was she glancing at the door, she was backing her way towards it, Libby realised, stopping dead. This wasn’t very self-assured of her, was it? Not that she was feeling nervous now she was alone with Lucaj.

  Much.

  ‘Read the magazine article,’ Lucaj suggested, shooting a glance at the plump sofa as if inviting her to sit there and read.

  Judging the sofa was safe, she agreed. Skirting past Lucaj, she retrieved the magazine from her bag and sat down. She’d barely read the first paragraph before she stalled. ‘You must think me very stupid –’

  ‘No,’ Lucaj interrupted. ‘I think you’re a refreshing change.’

  ‘And I don’t get out much.’ She laughed. They both did. ‘And when I do –’

  ‘You’re too busy shepherding your friends to pay too much attention to the latest scandal to hit town – that’s where I come in.’

  ‘I leave scandalmongering to my friends,’ Libby agreed, ‘But I should have heard about this. And, how do you know about my friends, anyway?’

  ‘I have to apologise for eavesdropping at the front desk. Your plight intrigued me – you intrigued me. You didn’t strike me as the type of person who would miss their flight, but then I heard you go on to explain how you got left behind to pick up some clothes for your cousin? That wasn’t very thoughtful of her –’

  ‘That’s what I do,’ Libby interrupted. ‘And I don’t mind looking after Lucinda. I love my cousin.’

  ‘I apologise,’ Lucaj said sincerely. ‘My concern was for you. Your loyalty to your cousin does you credit. But, please read on, if only to quash the misunderstanding between you and Europe’s Most Wanted Man.’

  “Prince Lucaj of Molokov visits London to open the new wing of the children’s hospital – ’’ She broke off. ‘Prince?’

  ‘My apologies.’ With a wicked grin, Lucaj sketched a bow.

  She countered with an amused, if cynical look.

  ‘Read on,’ he invited.

  ‘‘– The prince funds this specialised clinic entirely from his private income – ” Sitting back, she took a steadying breath. ‘So, you’re not just one of the good guys, you’re a saint. And a royal saint at that.’

  Lucaj laughed out loud. ‘The fact that I am royal is merely an accident of birth, and I certainly wouldn’t pretend to be a saint.’

  Hmm. She didn’t doubt it. Raising the magazine, she scanned the article fast. ‘It says you’re a player – What are we talking here?’ she demanded, raising a mocking brow. ‘ Football? Polo? Oh, no.’ She acted surprised. ‘The reporter goes on to say that while you’re in London, you’ll be playing the field – and, somehow, I don’t think she’s talking about football. So, you’re a playboy.’

  ‘Do you want me to deny it?’

  She hummed and continued to study the shots of socialites, minor royals and Hollywood stars listed beneath the striking shots of Lucaj in casual attire; Lucaj at a black tie event; Lucaj naked except for swimming shorts on a beach… She took a little longer over that shot than the rest, before exclaiming. ‘Is there anyone you haven’t been out with?’

  ‘You?’

  This was going nowhere because this bad boy was impossible, Libby concluded wryly. With another hum, she read on. ‘What this reporter would like to know, apparently, is – and I quote: ‘How does this cold, unreachable man, who refuses interviews, attract all the hottest girls in town?’ Well?’ Libby demanded, a smile tugging at her lips. ‘How do you do it?’

  Shrugging his broad shoulders, Lucaj gave the lips-pressed-down look. ‘I couldn’t possibly say. I’ll admit I’ve been seen with a lot of people.’

  He confessed this so engagingly she had to forgive him. ‘If you mean you like to party, just say so.’

  ‘Is that a sin?’

  ‘No.’ And she had sounded a lot more like goody-two-shoes than she had intended. ‘So, you don’t like to party?’

 
‘Cold and aloof,’ he reminded her, referring her to the text in the magazine.

  ‘The reporter was probably jealous, because she’s the only girl in London you haven’t asked out.’

  ‘Who says I didn’t ask her out?’

  ‘Just as I thought, you are impossible.’ Mouth slanting ruefully she met the glance of a man who either couldn’t resist teasing her or just was an incorrigible flirt.

  She put the magazine to one side. ‘All I can say is, if you did take that reporter out, it must have been a lousy date for her to pan you like this.’

  Lucaj laughed. ‘Are you always so direct?’

  ‘Always,’ she assured him, holding his stare unblinking.

  Inclining his disreputably stubble-shaded chin, Lucaj made a sound that might almost have been approval as he stared down at her.

  ‘But you don’t strike me as cold and aloof,’ she added frowning, ‘So the reporter got that wrong. Unless, of course, you put on an act when you’re in public? The royal front?’ she suggested.

  ‘That can be useful,’ Lucaj admitted.

  Libby wasn’t convinced. ‘But not rude. I must admit, I can’t imagine you being rude.’

  ‘You think?’ Lucaj’s sexy mouth tipped up again. ‘Not even to put the ladies off?’

  ‘The stampede?’ she teased him.

  Lucaj shook his head. ‘Those photographs are opportunistic shots taken by the paparazzi.’

  ‘You had to be there for the paparazzi to take them, but you don’t have to explain yourself to me.’

  ‘Maybe I want to,’ Lucaj admitted as he came to sit beside her on the couch. ‘Maybe I value this chance to talk to someone who doesn’t care about who I am, or what I’m worth.’

  In social as well as financial terms, Libby guessed as she imagined the fawning sycophants Lucaj must come across.

  ‘Admit it,’ he prompted, lips tugging in a smile. ‘Your mind was full of preconceptions when you learned I was a prince.’

  That was the least of it. She had been bowled over by Lucaj’s compelling presence, his sexy smile and his unique brand of charm, long before that. ‘I think your accident of birth puts you into a type of royal straightjacket that makes others think you’re unapproachable, and makes it almost impossible for you to mix with the rest of us outside the charmed circle.