“Lee,” he whispered emotionally.
“I thought deep down you cared for Sophie, that she’d hurt you. I couldn’t bear it.”
“Let’s get something clear. We never loved each other, and never made any pretense about it. When I invited her to Zermatt I did it hoping she’d be so turned off by me she’d do whatever it took to break our engagement.”
“What?”
“If you don’t believe me, ask Philippe. It was his idea. You could have no idea of the feelings running through me when I saw you in the car instead of Sophie. Part of me was in agony, because it meant my plans had been dashed. But another part felt this compelling attraction to you that went more than skin deep. Within seconds I realized I couldn’t let you go.”
“I didn’t want to go.” Tears glistened in her eyes. “My behavior was so shameful, but I couldn’t seem to help myself.”
“Thank heaven for Philippe’s inspiration. We owe him everything,” he murmured huskily. “Do you have any idea how wonderful you are? How incredibly beautiful you are?”
“I could say the same thing about you. The memories of what we shared in Zermatt have been tearing me apart. I’ve relived every moment with you until I’ve made myself ill with longing.”
His powerful body trembled. “We’ve both been tortured,” he admitted. “I almost ravished you in the bedroom of the chalet when I brought you the tea.”
“I wanted you to,” she confessed honestly. “Believe me, it would have been mutual.” She stared back at him. “I love you so much. Since I’ve been home, I’ve found out what it’s like to ache for someone day and night.”
“I know the feeling,” he ground out. “There were times whe-”
“Don’t say it!” She silenced the rest of his words with her mouth. “All these weeks I’ve been terrified your parents would have picked another woman with a title for you to marry. I’m still having trouble believing any of this is real.”
“Didn’t I give you two rings to prove this is no dream?”
“Yes.”
“I told my parents you’re the princess of my heart. They know the truth of everything and are looking forward to meeting you as soon as possible.”
Lee sat up in his arms. “They don’t hate me?” Her voice quivered.
“When they found out you were willing to subject yourself to public ridicule for Sophie’s sake, you won them over.”
She had trouble swallowing. “Is the talk against you very bad, Raoul? A-are you a condemned man?”
“Far from it. If anything, my popularity has risen to new heights now that Sophie’s surprise wedding to Luciano Bernaldi has already taken place.” He smiled before kissing one corner of her mouth. “Right now they’re in Greece. My palace sources tell me public sentiment is demanding to know the identity of my mystery lover. So what I think we’ll do is fly home and get you acquainted with my family, so we can make wedding plans. The only thing they have to know is that you’re going to be my wife. Without you, there is no life.”
His voice rang with truth. She could no longer doubt the depth of his love. Flinging her arms around him, she burrowed her face against his neck. “I feel the same way. I love you, Raoul. I love you beyond comprehension.”
“Thank God.” His voice shook. After kissing her long and hard, he finally relinquished her mouth long enough to say, “Here. Madame Simoness had this couriered to the palace before I left Switzerland.”
Lee examined the letter he extended. “This is Sophie’s handwriting.” She tore the envelope open and began reading aloud.
“‘My beloved friend-I will keep the beautiful letter you sent me forever. If you’re reading this, it means Raoul found you, and you’ve put the past away. I’m so happy for the two of you, and of course for me-’”
Both of them laughed at her unique brand of honesty.
“‘I cry all the time. Luciano thinks there’s something wrong with me. He just doesn’t understand what it’s like to be let out of the prison I’ve been in all my life. Only Raoul could possibly understand.’”
“She’s right,” he murmured into Lee’s silky curls.
“‘If you’re surprised that I know everything, don’t be. Madame Simoness is my friend too. Of course we both know she loves you best’.” Lee shook her head. “That’s not true! ‘Because you are the best. Raoul already figured out you have all the qualities of a real princess. That’s why he knew it was true love the moment he set eyes on you.’”
He kissed her neck. “It was true love,” he whispered.
It was impossible to concentrate with Raoul’s mouth doing the most marvelous things to her.
“‘The only thing you lack is a title. That’s because you were born on the wrong side of the Atlantic.’”
“Sophie!” Raoul’s chuckling had turned to laughter.
“‘I wasn’t cut out to be his princess, but you are. It just goes to show you that, given time, la créme always rises to the top. Marry him and go live in his castle, the way you used to dream. You always wanted Raoul. Now he’s yours with my blessing.’”
Lee blushed a deep scarlet and tried to hide the letter from him. But he pulled it away from her and finished reading it while he held her crushed in his arms.
“‘You think I didn’t know about your secret fantasies? Ma chére, you were transparent over that gorgeous man from day one. That’s when the idea came to me to get the two of you together. But I had to bide my time until Daddy decided on a wedding date before I could put a plan into action. Raoul’s invitation for me to join him in Zermatt couldn’t have provided a more perfect set-up. I knew he’d get one glimpse of those pansy eyes and fall like an avalanche.
“‘After you’re married, the four of us will be able to get together whenever we want. But I have to tell you-I can’t wait to see you riding in the carriage next to your prince after you come out of the cathedral. Luciano and I will be watching and waving. Blow us a kiss, chérie. Madame Sophie Bernaldi. P.S. Mother and Father don’t blame either one of you. They know two people can fall in love very innocently. In fact Mother said she wasn’t the least bit surprised, since she’s always been a little in love with Raoul herself. P.P.S. They love Luciano because he’s been willing to take me on and still loves me.’”
Lee burrowed against Raoul, trying to hide her tears of happiness.
Raoul ran his hands through her silken curls. “It looks like Sophie’s problem is contagious. But I have a remedy. Let’s get out of here. My private jet is standing by at the airport. We’ll have dinner on the plane and you can sleep all the way to Geneva. We need to be married to each other, mon amour. I don’t want to waste anymore time.”
“I don’t either.”
“Then that’s all that matters.”
She cherished those words, but in her soul she knew it wasn’t all that mattered.
Lee had fallen in love with an extraordinary man who had a special destiny. While she’d been reading Sophie’s letter it had come to her that it was her responsibility to see he fulfilled it.
“Darling,” she murmured, “before we leave, there’s something important I need you to do for me first.”
He pressed a passionate kiss to her mouth. “Anything.”
Lee reached around for the rings and handed them back to him. “Will you put the amethyst on this ring finger?” She lifted her right hand.
His hands trembled as he did her bidding.
“I’ll wear this in remembrance of a prince who was willing to give up his kingdom for me. And now-” her voice caught “-if you’ll put the other ring on this finger?” She held out her left hand.
His beautiful blue eyes looked dazed. Finally he slid it home.
“This ring I’ll wear in remembrance of the man who’s going to be my husband, the father of our children, the man I’ll love and adore through eternity.” Her eyes fused with his once more. “It will be my joy and privilege to come live with you in your kingdom. Sophie spoke the truth. You’ve been the prince of my heart for a very long time, Raoul. You always will be.”