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She rose in a fluid movement that spoke of fitness and agility. An instant later her phone had disappeared into a pocket and she stood, straight as a soldier on parade, facing him.
He found it unsettling.
Not that she should mask her emotions for this confrontation. But that he should mind.
Perversely, he wanted to know more about the woman who enjoyed grubbing on the forest floor and sang heavy-metal songs as they should only ever be sung in the shower. The woman who’d looked so joyful.
He’d like to know that woman.
‘You were looking for me?’
‘I didn’t think I’d see you foraging in the leaf litter.’
It wasn’t a criticism but she took it as one.
‘I was told I had the freedom of the grounds.’ She saw him taking in her appearance and pushed her shoulders back. Unfortunately that pushed her breasts against the fitted T-shirt and Benedikt had to work to keep his attention on her face. ‘If I’d known we were meeting I’d have changed my clothes. I didn’t pack for a stay in a palace.’
Benedikt smiled but his muscles felt stiff. Not just his facial muscles. ‘That doesn’t matter. I prefer casual.’
Her eyebrows rose as she surveyed his dark suit, white shirt and silk tie.
‘I’ve come from the office. I’ve been working all day.’
Again he’d said the wrong thing, reminding her that she was filling in time instead of meeting colleagues at the university as she’d planned.
He looked past her to the red fungi she’d been photographing. Or perhaps it was the tuft of tiny white flowers beside them.
For a bizarre moment he wished he could question her about that, hear her talk about her work. He wanted to meet the light-hearted woman who found wild vegetation more fascinating than a grand baroque palace full of priceless art and heirlooms. Or, apparently, the chance to be Queen.
He wanted to engage with her without royal responsibility weighing him down.
He stifled the selfish urge. His country needed him to focus on resolving this problem, quickly!
Her gaze turned laser sharp as if she read his thoughts. Yet when she spoke she sounded wary, not eager. As if she didn’t want to hear his news. ‘You have news?’
‘I do.’ He watched her intently, trying to read any micro-expression. ‘It seems youdohave grounds to claim the crown of Prinzenberg.’
CHAPTER FIVE
Annalena felt herfeatures freeze, like ice spreading across a mountain tarn in winter. She even heard the warning crackle of shifting ice beneath her feet, as if she’d stepped beyond the bounds of safety.
It took a second to realise the sound wasn’t ice, but twigs cracking beneath her shoes as she instinctively backed up.
Thatmade her stop and draw in much-needed oxygen.
There could be no retreat. No sign of vulnerability. Not while negotiating with Karl’s son. He’d use weakness to his advantage.
This was what she needed. His admission was the first step to stopping the dam. To saving homes, jobs, habitats and people’s way of life.
Yet being next in line for the throne wassonot what she wanted, fate’s joke at her expense.
Deep breaths. Now the negotiations begin. Now he knows the power in your hands he’ll agree to your terms. It will be over soon.
She breathed out, willing her taut frame to relax. ‘You admit I’m the rightful heir?’
His expression gave nothing away. What had she expected? A bitter rant? Threats?
Before she’d left home, she’d anticipated all that and more. But once she’d met him, her expectations had altered. Despite his earlier antipathy, she’d never felt in physical danger as she would have with his father.