Page 53 of Modern Romance December 2025 1-4

‘The authorities in America are investigating him.’

Rosamund sank back in her chair, a shiver working its way down her backbone. She’d known the man was poison, but a criminal? ‘For what crimes?’

‘Embezzlement and assault.’

Her shiver became a shudder and she wrapped her arms around her middle. Embezzlement didn’t surprise her. She’d seen how plausible and charming he could be in pursuit of money. As for assault…she’d told herself that malevolent stare he’d given her didn’t matter. Now she wondered.

‘How bad was the assault?’

Leon looked grim. ‘Bad.’

Rosamund opened her mouth to ask for details then decided she didn’t want to know. ‘If the police are investigating, Ricardo will have more on his mind than me.’

Her half-brother wasn’t convinced. ‘The assault charge won’t proceed. The victim refuses to testify for fear of reprisal.’

A lead weight dropped in her stomach. She’d known Ricardo was bad news, but this…

Leon pressed on, his expression stern. ‘Ricardo doesn’t yet know about the big embezzlement investigation. If they prove the case he’ll be imprisoned for years. Your protection would be for a short time while the police investigate. After that, hopefully he won’t be a problem to anyone.’

It seemed far-fetched that the man could harm her in Europe. But she couldn’t forget that venomous look, the blood-chilling words he’d spat at her.

‘How short a time?’

‘A week or two.’

Rosamund shook her head. ‘I’ve got important public engagements coming up.’

Engagements she couldn’t attend with a mob of the palace’s anything-but-discreet minders surrounding her. It would make a mockery of the events and detract from their purpose.

Her chest squeezed. Being guest of honour at the festival to honour her mother’s remarkable career would be a double-edged sword, a proud moment and an emotional trial. But shehadto attend.

The world had known Juliette Bernard as a gifted actor before she married a king. To Rosamund she was the one person who’d loved her unconditionally. She’d been her role model, a beacon of warmth against the king’s cold, judgemental presence.

‘I know you have engagements, Rosa.’ Leon’s use of the rare diminutive surprised her. As did the unfamiliar note almost of apology in his voice.

She tried to recall when he’d last called her that. When she was a little girl, she supposed.

She didn’t loathe Leon as she had their father. They simply led separate lives. In fact they didn’t really know each other. Leon was so much older, the son of the king’s first wife, so that when Rosamund was born he’d been away at boarding school.

Now he lived in Cardona’s royal palace while she had an apartment on the far side of the city. But for the last several years, while their father was alive, she’d spent more time out of the country than in it and Leon was always busy with royal duties which usually didn’t involve her.

‘I know how important the festival is to you. That’s why I’m not suggesting you cancel, though you’d be safer here.’

She stiffened, gripping the arms of her chair. Her father had been dictatorial enough to prevent her leaving the kingdom on at least one occasion. ‘Go on.’

‘I’m offering a compromise. Instead of a close protection team from the palace, you’ll have one companion. Not an official bodyguard but someone I trust and know can keep you safe.’

She stared suspiciously. ‘Nota bodyguard?’

‘Definitely not. He’s a businessman these days, but he has the necessary skills to keep danger at bay.’

Rosamund’s eyebrows rose. ‘Some businessman. What does he do, run a karate school?’

Leon’s lips twitched. ‘He’s more of a policy advisor.’

She knew the type. She’d seen them with their briefcases and frowns, buzzing around the royal offices. Yet he must be more than that for Leon to suggest him. She was about to ask for more detail when something clicked.

‘You’ve already arranged this, haven’t you? Without asking me.’