It was the first unambiguous proof she'd had that he desired her as much as she desired him, and she rejoiced in it. He wasn't faking the fierce movements of his lips, and the knowledge went through and through her with thrills of pleasure that seemed to be everywhere at once.
He wore no jacket, and through the thin material of his shirt she could feel his heated body, hard as a rock. There was no way she could have struggled against the strength in his arms, even if she'd wanted to. There was more than desire in this. He was showing her where the power really lay, so that she wouldn't kid herself about it. But there were other ways to demonstrate power. He'd chosen this one because he wanted her as much as she did him, on a basic level that had nothing to do with their fights. And he, too, was kidding himself if he thought he could kiss her like this and forget about it. There was no going back now.
Randolph couldn't have defined what had overtaken him, except that it had been a long time coming. He'd taken other orders from her and learned to grin and bear it. But no more!
“You can keep anyone else out,” he growled. “But not me.”
“You won't get in here another time,” she murmured, deliberately provoking him.
“I'll get in no matter how many doors I have to break down. Why don't you call your guards and have me arrested?”
“For what?” she whispered.
“For this,” he said tightening his arms again and kissing her lightly, swiftly, caressing her face with his lips while he murmured to her, “You're a fool, Dottie-but I'm a fool, too…”
His tongue was flickering against her lips, until she let them fall open. She was winning. At any moment-
And then she felt him stiffen, heard the swift muttered curse as he drew away from her, and her hopes came crashing down.
The door had opened, and all the men who had so spinelessly abandoned her to this predator were creep ing sheepishly back, having belatedly remembered which one of them was the monarch. Now they looked distinctly nervous at the prospect of challenging Randolph.
“It's all right,” he said. “I'd finished.” He released Dottie abruptly. His face was pale and his chest was still rising and falling, but he'd regained control of himself. As he made his way to the door, there was a touch of nonchalance in his manner.
“You can get on with your meeting now,” he said.
And he walked out.
Korburg was a small state just over the border, and unlike Elluria it was not a kingdom, only a principality. As such, it was a “poor relation” and not strictly entitled to the full panoply of honors for a state visit. But Dottie insisted on them. She had a point to make.
On the day of Harold's arrival she was waiting on the carpeted platform as his train glided in, to the accompaniment of the Korburg national anthem. The double doors of the special train slid open, and a man stepped out who was everything his picture had suggested, and more.
Dottie advanced the length of the red carpet to greet him. Flashbulbs went off as the press recorded their meeting. He took her hand in both of his and gave her a big, charming smile. For a brief moment she was overwhelmed by this dazzling, attractive man.
But the moment passed. Dottie hadn't been a waitress and a barmaid without learning how to read men's smiles. The mouth stretched but the eyes calculated. Will she, won't she? Fair game, anyway. Despite his splendid looks there was something dis agreeable about him.
I'd enjoy slapping your face, my lad, she thought.
But for the moment she had to defer that pleasure, and greet him with the appearance of friendliness. Then they must sit side by side in the open carriage, drawn by four white horses, and parade through the streets of Wolfenberg while crowds waved and cheered.
“Already you have won your people's hearts,” Harold said. “I congratulate you on your success.”
She responded appropriately, but she wasn't fooled. He was here to look her over and if he could find any sign of weakness he would pounce. But Dottie was equally determined that he would find nothing.
He was there for three packed days. That night there was a state banquet at which they sat side by side through six courses and ten speeches. They toasted each other. He smiled. She smiled. Randolph did not smile.
Harold paid a sentimental visit to Korenhausen, where he made a short, touching speech. He addressed parliament, with Dottie sitting in the gallery to lead the applause. They didn't ride together because, despite her command, Randolph had mysteriously forgotten to include it in the itinerary. But Harold was her host at a banquet at the Korburg embassy. She was his hostess for a performance of The Marriage of Figaro by the Ellurian State Opera. Dottie had gone glassy-eyed at this prospect, having never seen an opera before, but knowing it was bound to be boring. But halfway through the overture she found herself tapping her foot in time to the music, and after that everything was fine.
Harold was charm itself, playing the gallant to Dottie, and kissing her hand at every opportunity until she wished he would stop. He had a big, apparently genial smile which he turned on everyone, but above it his eyes were calculating and he missed nothing. Most of all, he saw that she was popular.
On his last evening there was a ball at the palace. They led the dance while the onlookers applauded.
“I've been eager for this moment,” he said.
“But of course. We are both heads of state. It's only proper that we dance together first.”
“That's not what I mean, and I think you know it. You're a beautiful woman, and now I have my arms around you, where they belong.”
“You're too kind,” she murmured. “Of course, I know that your position obliges you to pay me compliments, prince.”
“To hell with my position. You inflame me to madness.”
Dottie fought down a desire to laugh. Was she supposed to take this stuff seriously?
“I underestimated you,” Harold went on, visibly preening himself. “Now that I know you better I believe we can do business.”
“Business?” she considered the word. “You mean the kind of business you've been doing with those international companies who want to get at Elluria's minerals?”
“I? How could I do that? The minerals are yours to sell, not mine.”
“That's right. So it isn't true?”
“True?”
“That you've been accepting money on the promise of concessions to be delivered when you take over as king of Elluria?”
His face became gray with temper, but Dottie's sunny gaze at him never wavered, and after a moment he laughed.
“Of course it's not true.”
“And it's not true either that certain people are pressing you to cough up or repay the money?”
“Pardon? Cough up?”
“Never mind. I'm sure it's a terrible slander.”
“You know how rumors get around. That wasn't the kind of business I had in mind.” He tightened his arm about her waist.
“Prince, please,” she murmured modestly. “We are observed. People will talk.”
“Underlings. What do their opinions matter? I wish I could make you realize what this visit has meant to me. I'm thinking and feeling so many strange, unexpected things. Do you understand me?”
Perfectly, she thought with grim humor. I know your kind. Flash Harry! All teeth and trousers!
But she met his gaze, wide-eyed, and shook her head.
“I thought you wouldn't. You're so new at this game, that's what's enchanting about you.”
She nodded. “Everyone finds me enchanting since I became a crown princess,” she confided innocently.
That threw him because he wasn't sure how serious she was. He gave an uncertain smile, wondering if she was daring to make fun of him. Dottie's answering gaze was as guileless as a baby's, and she saw him relax, reassured that she really was as stupid as she'd allowed herself to seem.