Page 19 of Back to Claim His Crown
That wariness returned and she didn’t want that—so she was forced to be honest.
‘You smiled.’ She served herself from the dishes so she wouldn’t have to look at him as she admitted that.
‘And my smile rendered you speechless?’
‘Only momentarily, and only because it’s quite rare.’ She took a large bite of food to stop herself saying anything more stupid, but the ensuing silence was even worse.
Especially as he now sat so still, apparently contemplating the vast selection of food instead of using it as a displacement activity like she was.
‘They’re calling it the bloodless restoration—’ she tried to chat positively ‘—that your accession has been amazingly swift and stable.’
He nodded but that gorgeous smile still didn’t return. If anything, he looked more wary.
‘You’re not happy about that?’ she asked.
The people were still shouting his name, yet he couldn’t seem to accept the adoration and accolades. Nor could he seem to decide what to eat.
‘Things can change quickly,’ he said before nodding to her tablet again. ‘So if there are no advertised jobs that are suitable, what are your options?’
‘I could work for you. Taste your food, perhaps? Make sure it isn’t poisoned.’
His eyes widened. ‘Pardon?’
She suddenly realised how terrible the suggestion might sound, given his past.
‘It’s just...’ She blushed. ‘You seem reluctant to eat. But I can assure you it’s good. Delicious, actually.’
‘I know.’ He pointed towards the lamb dish. ‘This was my mother’s favourite. I’ve not eaten it in a long while.’
She stared at him in consternation. ‘I’m sorry. I had no idea. Victor asked what I’d like and I wasn’t sure so I asked him to prepare whatever was the usual back when you were younger...’
He still didn’t answer. Still didn’t move.
‘I have to admit I didn’t expect it to be five courses.’ She offered an apologetic smile. ‘I guess you were a hungry teen.’
He finally huffed a little laugh.
‘I haven’t felt this hungry in weeks,’ she added, distracting herself from her own stupid ramblings by simply rambling more. ‘I think I was anxious about the wedding.’
‘Not starving yourself to fit into that dress?’
‘Gosh, no. I just felt sick most of the time.’
‘Not pregnant?’
‘Not possible. Virgin, remember?’
His scarred eyebrow lifted. ‘Stranger things have happened.’
She shot him an amazed look. ‘Like once, in the Bible.’
He laughed properly this time. She stared at him, perplexed because she had the feeling he was thinking of something very specific and she couldn’t fathom what. But it didn’t matter because he was slowly warming up and it was a stunning revelation.
‘You act like this cool customer but you’re actually full drama, you know that?’ She inclined her head. ‘That entrance in the cathedral couldn’t have been more dramatic. Especially the bare-chested bit.’
He speared her with his ice-blue gaze. ‘You liked that bit?’
Now her blush engulfed every inch of her skin. ‘They keep replaying it on the television, so I don’t think I’m the only one who enjoyed that.’
