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Annalena’s vocal cords tightened. Because, despite the jam-packed diary of appointments she’d seen him and Matthias pore over, Benedikt had conjured time away from the stress and busyness of royal life for her.
Because he knew she needed it. Even if he’d been partly motivated by public perception, sheknewthis trip wasn’t part of his original plan.
‘When did you organise this?’
Benedikt tilted his head as if surprised by the question. ‘The beginning of the week. Why?’
She shrugged. ‘I’m amazed Matthias managed to reschedule your diary so quickly.’
‘It was a miracle. Anyone else would have quit on the spot when I raised it. I owe him a terrific bonus.’
She’d seen how hard Matthias worked. ‘Good idea. Maybe a long holiday?’
‘That’s the plan, as soon as we train a couple of secretaries to stand in for him. Right now I’d be lost without him.’
‘He didn’t work for your father?’
It was a guess, but Annalena liked the man too much to believe he’d been part of the previous King’s court.
Benedikt’s deep chuckle was inviting and it struck her that here in the dim confines of the car it was far easier to talk than at the palace. ‘Absolutely not. Matthias has been with me for years.’
Annalena had suspected as much. The pair had a camaraderie that spoke of mutual respect and friendship. Matthias was competent, friendly and honest. Interesting that such a man was so loyal to Benedikt over a long time. That told her a lot about her new husband.
‘What are you frowning over, Annalena?’
‘Just thinking what a formidable pair you are, turning things around for the better, taking on your father’s administration and rooting out problems.’
Like removing Ida Becker, whose negativity and rudeness had no place in the palace. But there was far more. Annalena had heard enough in the past few weeks to realise wholesale changes were under way to how royal business was conducted and contracts let.
‘You know, I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me. Thank you, Annalena.’
Benedikt’s grin caught something in her chest, drawing it tight. To her astonishment, he lifted her hand and kissed it, lips lingering to brush slowly across her knuckles.
Suddenly it felt like last night all over again. The spark of desire and connection, the rippling sensation across her flesh and the softening low in her body.
Annalena’s fingers tightened on his. ‘You don’t seem to mind touching me now.’
‘Mind?’ He frowned. ‘I like touching you.’ His voice dropped to a low note that made her tremble. ‘You know that.’
‘Do I? You haven’t touched me all day.’ Her chin lifted. ‘Or kissed me properly.’
She’d instinctively avoided the subject but now the constraint between them had dropped.
‘Ah.’ He looked at their joined hands then to her. ‘There were reasons.’
When he didn’t continue she prompted, ‘We agreed to be honest.’
Benedikt released her hand and leaned back against the door. Finally he spoke. ‘I was…on unfamiliar ground.’
‘Youwere on unfamiliar ground? I’d never had a morning after but you had.’
Slowly he nodded. ‘That was part of it. I feltconcerned. You’d been saving yourself for someone who clearly wasn’t me. It brought home what I’d taken from you, the future you wanted and couldn’t have… I regretted that.’ He crossed his arms, all humour vanished. ‘Youwerewaiting, weren’t you?’
Annalena tried to interpret his tone, stunned at the idea her inexperience had impacted anything other than his physical pleasure.
‘No. Maybe.’ She clasped her hands. ‘I don’t know. Oma would tell you I’ve always been career focused. I’ve been attracted to men but never enough to…’ She shrugged, reminding herself she’d promised honesty too. ‘I suppose I held back. For as long as I can remember romance and tragedy have been tangled together in my mind. I suppose that was a barrier.’
‘Because of your parents.’