Page 56 of Modern Romance December 2025 1-4

When the cabin was empty she gestured to the empty seats. ‘Shall we sit while we talk?’

‘That won’t be necessary. This won’t take long.’

His voice was uninflected, his stare blank, but she knew it hid disapproval if not dislike. She had enough experience to know.

Once, long ago, that would have hurt, to be judged and found wanting for no good reason. But she wasn’t naïve anymore. She was a woman who got on with her life, forging her own path. If she allowed herself to be upset by negative opinions, she’d be a hermit.

Even so, she was tempted to sink back into her seat and let him stand there, alone. Except she’d get a crick in her neck and he’d probably enjoy looming over her.

‘So. Ground rules.’ She smiled encouragingly as if unaware of the negative energy thrumming off him. ‘Please continue.’

For a heartbeat she sensed curiosity behind the mask. ‘Actually, there’s only one. I’m in charge. What I say goes, otherwise the deal’s off.’

‘In charge of what, precisely? Countering any physical threat? Believe me, I’m happy to leave that to you.’

Any thought that he mightn’t be up to the task had disintegrated. He radiated competence and though his stance was easy, there was a restrained power about him that made her think he could handle any threat.

‘In charge of you.’ He paused to let that sink in. ‘Idecide where you go. When and how you go and where you stay. Any problem with that and I’m out.’

He talked to her as if she were a six-year-old, not a twenty-eight-year-old who’d made her own way in the world for a long time. Not like a client. Or a royal, for that matter.

Indignation rose and a burning desire to tell this man where he could get off.

But Leon would immediately replace the man with a team of bodyguards, despite her wishes. Besides, she was curious. She was used to people who didn’t know her judging her, but this felt different.

Why? They hadn’t met before. There was no way she’d have forgotten this man. Maybe he didn’t like royals. Or women. She shook off the notion this was personal. That wasn’t possible.

‘So,’ he said with a telling curl of his lips, ‘if you’re going to opt out, now’s the time.’

That’s what he wants. For you to end the deal and walk away. Why?

The temptation to agree was strong. She didn’t like her instant and all-consuming awareness of him. She didn’t likehim. She’d prefer not to see him again. But that was what he wanted. Why else stomp in here and bark out his ultimatum?

Okay, okay. So he doesn’t bark. He doesn’t raise his voice. In fact the sound of that deep baritone voice, so soft it whispers across your skin, is ridiculously appealing.

Rosamund drew a slow breath, ignoring the regrettable things that voice did to her hormones. She could play into his hands but all that would achieve was her lumbered with the team of security guards she’d already rejected.

‘Opt out?’ She looked up with wide eyes that belied the welter of anger and indignation churning in her stomach. ‘I was told you’d protect me from threat. If you’re able to do that I’m grateful.’

What she wasactuallygrateful for was that her mother had been an esteemed actress. She’d learnt from the best how to conceal her thoughts, how to project the emotions she chose, no matter what she felt.

She saw the flicker of something cross his features. Surprise? Disappointment?

‘I understand you’re the expert on my safety.’ No matter how galling that was. ‘I note you’ve already come up with alternative plans for my accommodation and transport. Perhaps that was because it’s better not to signal in advance where I’m staying and how I’m travelling?’

For the longest time he said nothing but finally he nodded curtly. ‘Yes.’

See, that wasn’t so hard was it?

She stifled the temptation to say it aloud. No point prodding the bear.

Except, while she might have learnt to put pragmatism before pride, she had her limits. It didn’t take a genius to know this man would test those limits to the full.

Besides, if the bear deserved prodding…

‘As long as you can get me to the events I’m scheduled to attend, and the people I need to see, that’s fine.’

She smiled benignly.That’s what your job is after all.But she kept her lips closed.