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Of course he’d had a plausible reason for leaving, as he’d explained over breakfast. He hadn’t wanted to wake her, knowing she’d be exhausted and possibly sore. His solicitousness about that had made her blush despite her best efforts.
So, he’d explained, he’d worked in his own suite with the door open so he’d hear when she got up.
Shehadneeded the sleep. And she wasn’t sore but tender, aware of her body as never before. All day, at the most inconvenient times, she’d felt that tenderness, remembered last night and wished…
There’s no point wishing for the impossible.
Despite Benedikt’s solicitude over breakfast, there’d been no breath-stealing kisses, just reminders that theirs was a pragmatic marriage. He’d ushered her to a seat, his hand hovering close but not touching. As for a good morning kiss, he’d pressed his lips to her forehead as she’d sat and when she’d tilted her head up for more he’d already turned away to sit on the other side of the table.
They’d discussed allocating her a security detail and a private secretary. That was when he’d surprised her, asking if she’d like Udo, the guard she’d first met in the palace foyer, on her security team. She’d seen Udo several times in the palace and had always stopped to exchange greetings.
Annalena didn’t know whether to be worried that such minor interactions had been noted, or pleased at Benedikt’s thoughtfulness, suggesting a friendly face on the team she’d need, despite her protests.
When they’d discussed candidates for her secretary there’d been another surprise. ‘As long as it’s not Ida Becker,’ Annalena had said.
Only to have Benedikt declare, ‘Ms Becker has left palace employment.’ Seeing her stare, he’d added, ‘I discovered she was the one who rudely left you waiting that first day, and her attitude since…’ He shook his head, his expression grim. ‘I won’t have her near you, or the palace.’
Benedikt’s words, his protectiveness, had disarmed her. It was impossible to believe now that Ida had had a relationship with him. He had better taste and he wasn’t the sort to dally with staff. When Annalena had accused him of toying with the Countess’s feelings he’d looked appalled at the suggestion, and that was the woman he’d considered marrying.
Benedikt confused her. His thoughtfulness was real, as was his passion, but he deliberately distanced himself.
Organising a surprise honeymoon is hardly distancing himself.
That had been utterly unexpected. He hadn’t mentioned a honeymoon, nor had she anticipated one, for they weren’t ordinary newly-weds, eager to be alone together. The news that he’d organised one had stunned her. She knew his workload. How had he carved out time for a bridal trip, and why?
Obvious. Benedikt wanted the world to believe theirs was more than a convenient marriage. He wanted it to appear solid.
Annalena remembered her shock as the motorcade had left the palace and headed, not for the airport, but towards Edelforst.
It seemed she was the only one who hadn’t known. When they’d reached her province people had lined the roads in every town and village, sometimes even in forests and farmland. Her throat had closed as she’d seen beaming faces, flags waving, and wildflowers strewn across the road. And when they’d taken the road to her grandmother’s home…
‘I know you’re awake, Annalena. I can hear you thinking.’
Had his senses become attuned to her the way hers were to him? Then she realised how ludicrous that was. She sat up, blinking as the headlights cut the darkness, following a winding, well-made road.
‘It was kind of you to visit my grandmother.’ She blamed her scratchy voice on the fact she’d just woken. ‘It meant a lot to her, and me.’
‘She’s a formidable lady. I can see where you get your strength.’
Annalena turned, surveying his profile in the light from the dashboard. Her heart did a funny little somersault and for a second she felt a jab of distress. Would it always be like this now? This weakness for a man who could never be the sort of husband she wanted?
‘She’s strong-willed, but she’s caring too.’
Some people only saw Oma’s formality and didn’t realise the kindness that made her the special person she was.
A wry smile curved Benedikt’s mouth. ‘I know. It’s there in the respect her people have for her. And the obvious love she has for you. But I wouldn’t like to get on her bad side.’
‘I don’t think you need worry about that. She approves of you.’
That hadn’t entirely surprised Annalena, given Oma’s comments about him as a potential husband. Yet she’d been surprised at how well the pair had got on. Oma had unbent enough to let him kiss her cheek, a rare privilege.
‘I take that as a huge compliment. I admire her enormously.’
‘I didn’t think you knew her.’
‘No, but I knew of her years ago. She was one of the few people in all Prinzenberg able to hold my father to account. I always admired the way she spoke up for what she believed was right, even when he tried to bully her.’
His words created an inner glow. ‘She’s been my heroine all my life.’ And the closest she’d had to a mother.