“Not much further now, Mr. Lucas,” Rudolf said, with a polite smile.
Jack continued with his own thoughts as he dutifully followed the aide.
I don’t belong
here and the sooner I get back to Port Margaret, the better
. He frowned. Lara said the king would offer him money to leave her alone and keep things quiet. This would mean the king was unaware of Jack’s wealth and the royal family genuinely wanted him out of Lara’s life. That hurt. It hurt like hell.
He pursed his lips as he thought of his harsh words to her earlier that afternoon. He had lashed out at her. He hadn’t meant to be cruel and he was as carried away by their lovemaking as she, if not more so. It was when she’d said she wanted him to be
the man
to take her virginity that a red haze of fury had descended over him.
Jealousy. I was blinded with jealousy at the thought of her and this God-damned prince. I’m even more of a fool than I thought. Lara is much better off with one of her own kind than a rough diamond like me.
“Here we are, sir.” Rudolf stood to one side so Jack could enter what appeared to be a large games room with a central billiard table. Johann greeted him and the butler served them both a drink. Uncomfortable, that’s what you are, King Johann, Jack decided as he took a swig of his whisky and soda.
“The queen will be joining us shortly, Jack. We have something of a delicate matter to discuss with you.”
I bet you have.
He gave a wry smile as he followed Johann to the billiard table. It wasn’t until after the third game, which Jack won easily, that Queen Francesca joined the two men and the three sat in the lounge chairs in front of the roaring fire.
As he thought might happen, Francesca took the lead. “Mr. Lucas…Jack, thank you for meeting with us. The king and I have a very private matter to discuss.”
He leaned back in his chair nursing another whiskey. Jeez. He was tired. He wished they would get on with it so he could leave.
Johann coughed nervously and began. “We have observed that Lara is, well, she is taken with you and you with her.”
“Oh for goodness sake, Johann. It’s pointless beating around the bush. Jack, we are aware you are a very wealthy man. What the king and I propose is that you consider making a substantial financial investment into our country’s economy. In return we will offer you a title, royal privileges and our daughter, Princess Lara, as your bride.”
Seven
If it hadn’t been so serious, Jack would have burst out laughing. He wondered if he had heard Francesca correctly, or perhaps misunderstood what she said. The last thing he expected was to be asked for money and to be offered a princess in return.
Both Johann and Francesca studied him intently obviously waiting for his reply. He cleared his throat. “Your Majesties. Do I have this straight—you are proposing that if I invest money into Challoner you will allow me to marry Lara?”
“And there will be a title to go with it, after you’re married, don’t forget. A dukedom, I would think,” Francesca said in a matter-of-fact voice.
“What does Lara think of this?” He already knew the answer to that one.
“She doesn’t know yet. It was important to discuss this with you first.” Francesca reached over and patted her husband’s arm as if to calm him. “After all, she will need to marry soon. It is very important that either Carl or Lara produce an heir to ascend to the throne when the time comes and it would appear at present Carl isn’t too interested in finding a bride.”
“So, as well as making an investment and marrying Lara, you would also like us to produce an heir.” He couldn’t believe he was having this extraordinary conversation. It was less than a week ago, he had been happily tinkering on his boat enjoying a few days break and now look at him.
Francesca smiled. “As far as the heir is concerned, it would seem you have already made a move in that direction.”
There was silence as he contemplated whether to correct the queen. No, it was up to Lara to do that, if she had any intention of ever doing so. “May I ask why you need the investment and for how much?”
Johann answered this time and Jack sensed he was a lot more comfortable discussing financial matters than babies. “We badly need an injection of funds. If you agree, our government advisors will go more thoroughly into the details but generally speaking, we haven’t been competitive in the exports markets and our economy has taken a dramatic down turn. Our main source of revenue is from tourism. This has dropped considerably in the past two years because we have been unable to invest resources into advertising. Most of the tourists prefer to visit the major European countries because these are heavily promoted in such places as the United States and Great Britain.
Jack rubbed his jaw, his mind racing. “How much are you seeking?”
“Well, this can be negotiated but somewhere in the vicinity of half a billion US dollars.”
He swore. He couldn’t help it. “That’s big money, sir. Why don’t you approach the major banks or blue chip investors?”
Francesca broke in. “Because, my dear Jack, you
are
our blue chip investor. Not only will your investment be used wisely but with a royal wedding, we can be assured this will lift the status of Challoner to record heights within the tourism markets.”
A royal wedding. He almost groaned aloud. This was going way too fast for him. And what about his beautiful bride? When was she going to be told about these grand plans? He ran a finger along the inside of his shirt collar trying to think of the best way to handle this without insulting his hosts.
“What if she refuses to marry me?”
Try that one on for size.
“She won’t. It is her royal duty to do as we request.” Francesca was emphatic.
“Ma’am, you may think that, but in case you haven’t noticed, she is a pretty determined young lady with a mind of her own.”
“We are very proud of Lara’s independent streak and her academic achievements. But, you need to understand Jack, that since she was born, she has been raised to accept she is of noble blood dating back centuries. She has a duty to continue the royal line and obey the wishes of her parents—the king and queen.” Francesca turned to her husband, who nodded in agreement.
“Don’t you think it would be preferable for Lara to marry another royal rather than an Australian fisherman, ma’am?” Jack out-stared Francesca thinking she was one tough lady and Lara had a snowball’s chance in hell of going against her mother’s wishes.
Johann bent forward in his chair, taking his turn at persuading Jack that all of this was a very good idea. “Without wanting to be insulting to you in any way, the difference is that you are a very
rich
fisherman, Jack. Your reputation shows you are a highly respected and honest businessman with various successful portfolios, a man who is ideally suited to marry our daughter.”
He paused for breath giving Francesca the opportunity to break in.
She leaned close to Jack in what appeared an endeavor to win him over. “And it would seem you are not a philanderer. You had a brief, if unhappy marriage but, and most importantly, you are attracted to Lara. We are sure you would make her very happy.”
“I see your people have been thorough in their investigations.” Jack shook his head.
They want me to agree to their crazy plan
.
What will Lara say?
He certainly wasn’t her favorite person at present and if her parents did but know it, they’d parted on bad terms only hours ago.
He drew a deep breath. “Your Majesties. I realize you have paid me a great honor. However, I would like to explain to Lara that I’m not the poor fisherman she thinks I am. That at this meeting this evening, we discussed the possibility of my making a financial investment in Challoner.”
“You prefer her not to know about the plans for a marriage between you?” Johann asked, a frown creasing his forehead.
“Sir, with regard to that, I would like to wait until we know whether Lara is…whether she is pregnant.”
Francesca stood, causing Jack and the king to rise. “I’m not happy with your suggestion. Are we to assume that if Lara isn’t pregnant you won’t marry her or make a financial investment?”
Here we go—Her Royal High and Mightiness.
Lara had more of her mother in her than he’d realized. “That isn’t what I mean, ma’am. You have taken me by surprise. I need time to consider your proposal and quality time with Lara.”
“He’s right, Francesca.”
Jack offered up a silent prayer as Johann came to his rescue.
“We apologize for the suddenness and bluntness of our suggestion, Jack. By all means, let her know about your background and let’s discuss this again in a few days time. Meanwhile, would you be willing to meet with our finance minister to provide you with more information?”
“Yes, of course.”
Francesca looked drained and in a strange way, defeated as she said, “You must think us very manipulative with regard to Lara’s future but, we have little choice. If you don’t accept our proposal, we will be forced to arrange a marriage between her and Prince Michael with the same financial terms.”
She had turned a knife in his guts and a wave of red-hot anger raced through him. He carefully controlled his expression as he replied, “If he has half a billion dollars, perhaps that’s what you should do.”
Turning at the doorway to face him, Francesca’s face was etched with sadness as she said, “The problem is Lara
loves
you and whether you believe it or not, we want her to be happy.”
~ * ~
Jack paced up and down the lounge area of his suite.
Lara loves me? Give me a break
. Her parents want funds for Challoner and have pulled out every trick in the book. Grudging admiration filled him at her parents’ ploy.
What a mess. Trapped by my own stupidity.
By falling for a beautiful woman. But Lara wasn’t an ordinary woman, as he first thought. She was extraordinary and not because she was a princess. Yes, she was physically beautiful but there was so much more. Her shyness, her gentle manner, her multitude of moods and—her passion. But, he doubted she loved him. Not after only four days of knowing each other, for Christ’s sake.
He stopped pacing and stared into the open fire, watching the flames leap up the chimney with red, flickering fingers. Could it be possible he was in love with her? Or was it this physical need, this ache to hold and possess her exquisite body? He didn’t know. What he
did
know was that to do what her parents want and force her to marry him in return for money, wasn’t right and a recipe for disaster.
And why were her parents keeping secrets from their daughter? There was something very odd about it and things didn’t add up. He analyzed the preposterousness of the situation, which in effect, bordered on blackmail. Because of his and Lara’s brief encounter, because she was a princess, because he had money, because Challoner was in trouble … so was he.
He shook his head in amazement. He needed to talk to her tonight and at least tell her
some
of the details of his strange meeting with her parents. He glanced at his watch. Eight o’clock. Time enough, he decided making his way to Lara’s suite.
~ * ~
Dear Diary,
I’m tired and miserable. Thought I’d be happy to be home but HMs have been odd and cool to me. Mummy hasn’t even come here to have one of her ‘deep and meaningfuls’ but, I suppose, it is only my first day home. They’ve been nice to Jack, thank goodness. I thought they were going to tear strips off him for having his wicked way with me.
The thing I’m most upset about is Jack accusing me of being turned on by the thought of having sex with a rough fisherman. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, he turns me on. I ache all over but only because it’s him. And there is nothing common about him. He is the most beautiful man I’ve ever met. His touch sends me up in flames and when he looks at me, I melt on the spot. Surely he must know? I’m only telling you the truth, dear diary. I love him. If only he could care of me a little.