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“I’ve never been in love,” she says, quietly. But she’s not acting shy. More thoughtful than anything else. “I have no idea if I want that.”
I stare at her for a long moment.
We have met in the past. Torin has spent holidays here in Cara, at the palace, with his family. And Diarmuid, committed to this plan to marry the two of them, has invited Linnea’s family here when Torin’s been home.
But again, I don't think she remembers me. She may know my name, because I have been a part of the entourage for so long, but we don't know one another.
I decide to be upfront with her. It shouldn't be a secret to her that I know a lot about her and that over the next few years, having a lot of opportunity for close proximity, I'm going to know her well.
No time like the present to get her used to the idea.
“I know that you've never really dated. Certainly never had a serious boyfriend.”
Surprise does flicker across her face. But she's a very smart woman. And she's been in this world, with the royals and the upper echelons of society, long enough that it doesn't take her long to connect the dots.
“You've done an extensive background search on me?”
“I basically know everything about you.”
She nods, clearly processing that. “I see. At least you know facts.”
“Yes. Facts.”
“But you don't know how I feel about those facts.”
“I would be very interested in knowing your feelings about those facts, actually.”
She tips her head and seems to be thinking for a moment. Perhaps, trying to figure out why I would want to know all of her feelings.
Indeed, I don't actually need to know them. The facts are enough. But understanding Torin and why he does the things he does definitely helps me be better at my job.
“All right. I think it might be easier if I’mnotin love with Torin.”
I frown. “Why is that?”
“Because I have a job to do. So does he. We’ll be leading this country. I think we’ll be more objective about that, able to have honestdiscussionsabout decisions that need to be made, if we don’t have a lot of other emotions and expectations involved.”
I watch her face. She sounds and looks as if she’s truly discussing a new professional position rather than her marriage.
“You really don’t want to have deeper feelings for yourhusband?” I press. Then I go even further. “And the father of your children?”
She does flinch then. But she shakes her head. “I’m so tired of having my emotions wrapped up in the O’Grady men,” she finally says. “I’ve just decided to focus on the job.”
“You do have emotions involved here, then?”
“Idid,” she corrects.
I ignore the stab of what I can only assume is jealousy at hearing that she had some feelings for Torin, even if they were in the past.
“Go on,” I urge.
She turns toward me. “I was told when I was just a little girl that I was going to be marrying a prince and that I would someday be queen of Cara.”
I nod. I know all about the poker game that her grandfather played with Torin's grandfather that led to their arranged marriage.
“How did you take the news?” I asked her.
“I was thrilled,” she says with a smile. “At the ripe old age of four, and for years after that. My family made me promise that I would never tell the secret, but whenever my friends were playing Princess and Queen, I knew that it was going to be real for me. And when I got to the age to start noticing boys and having crushes and romantic feelings, I knew that I was destined to marry Declan O'Grady. So, when people talked about him and how charming and charismatic and handsome he was, I absorbed it all into my impressionable young heart. I knew that someday he was going to be my prince. Literally.”