Page 13 of Mistaken as His Royal Bride
The similar sunsets on Isla’Rosa were also spectacular.
‘I always had the impression that you were eager to travel and see the world beyond your own country. You’ve certainly spent little enough time on Isla’Rosa since your father died.’
Maddi tensed. Out of her and Laia, she was definitely more of a home bird. Laia—apart from trying to promote an image of a globe-trotting socialite—did have more of a wanderlust.
Maddi avoided his eye and looked out to the view again. She shrugged minutely. ‘I’m young. I knew I would only have a finite amount of time before my ability to travel freely would be curtailed.’
A sound from behind them made Maddi turn around. There was a butler in uniform.
He bowed his head. ‘Dinner is served, Your Majesty.’
‘Thank you, Felipe.’
Aristedes stood back and said, ‘This way, please.’
Maddi followed the butler and sent up silent thanks that Aristedes hadn’t had a chance to pursue that last line of conversation, presumably relishing the chance to vent his ire about having to chase down his elusive fiancée.
Felipe led them into a relatively small private dining room. It was more elaborately decorated than the first room, in a rococo style. A table was set with a white linen tablecloth and silver service. Crystal glasses. More French doors were open, allowing that soft fragrant breeze to enter the room. There was another small balcony outside.
They sat down at the table and Maddi put the clutch bag she’d brought with her on the corner of the table. At the last minute she hadn’t known what to bring, so she’d just stuffed her phone into the bag.
The butler left and the King took his napkin and flicked it open before laying it on his lap. Maddi locked eyes with him and for a moment saw something that made a little shiver go down her spine.He knows. But then whatever she’d thought she’d seen was gone and she robustly told herself she imagined it.
She put her own napkin across her lap. ‘The style of these two rooms is very different...is there a reason for that?’ she asked.
A shadow passed across Aristedes’s face, but it was so fleeting Maddi thought she might have imagined it.
He said, ‘I had the palace redecorated throughout on the death of my father.’
Maddi was about to ask,When was that?but as Laia she should know.
She took a quick gulp of water. ‘I like what you’ve done. It’s very...elegant. But this room is different.’
That was an understatement. She looked up now to see a mural on the ceiling—cherubs and clouds and voluptuous women.
‘This room was my mother’s favourite. When it came to it, I couldn’t change it.’
Maddi looked at him. ‘You were close?’
His face became expressionless. ‘Close enough.’
On that succinct and distinctly chilly response the butler and some maids appeared with their starters. A light salad of sweet pear with walnuts and parmesan. White wine was poured and it tasted light and slightly fizzy.
‘That was delicious,’ Maddi said after she’d cleaned her plate.
‘All locally grown.’
‘As is most of the food on Isla’Rosa,’ Maddi felt compelled to point out.
Every weekend one of her favourite things to do was to go down to the farmers’ market and buy ingredients to cook. She’d been teaching Laia how to cook recently.
Her heart squeezed. Where was she? Had she got away somewhere safe? There hadn’t been another text message yet.
Aristedes lifted his glass in salute. ‘We are very lucky to have such wonderful resources.’
He sounded faintly mocking. But then Maddi wondered if she was hearing things. Being paranoid. The staff came back and removed their plates, then returned with the main course—a light and flavoursome beef stew.
‘You have a good appetite.’