Page 9 of Marrying a Prince

He sat on the bed, smoothing out the sheet in front of him. "I need your help."

Marianna laughed. "Yeah. I get that. Most people who come to the hospital need help."

He shook his head. "No. This is. . . about something different."

So he was getting personal, and it intrigued her. "Okay," she said slowly.

"I don't"—he leaned in closer—"have amnesia."

That was not what she was expecting him to say. "What? Then why fake it?"

Leo scrubbed his face with his hand. "Because the woman, Gisella, she's been my intended since I was a baby. I must be married to inherit the throne."

Marianna wasn't following him. "So you faked not knowing her? Why? If you need to get married…"

Leo's studied the wall in front of him as if he were lost in thought. "No one has ever asked me if I wanted to be king. If I even wanted the throne. Every part of my life has been plotted out since I was a child. I go wherever I’m told and wear whatever is brought to me." He waved at his pajama bottoms. "I hate silk, but my mother doesn't care. She chooses them for me."

Marianna cringed. An almost thirty-year-old who has his mother pick out his clothes? Ouch. "So, you don't want to marry Gisella. And you thought faking amnesia was the best way of getting out of it?" At least Samson had told her to her face that he didn't want to be with her. It took things to a whole other level to have a guy fake not even knowing you.

His cheeks turned red under his tanned skin. "Not my proudest moment. But I was running out of options. I am to propose to her tonight." She saw him swallow hard.

"Is she that bad?"

Leo's face stilled. "She is spoiled and self-centered. She cares nothing for me, just my title and what that brings her. Her father is a very wealthy man in my country, and I believe that he wants to use our marriage to push his agenda."

"So, are you asking me to sneak you out of here?"

A flash of hope passed over Leo's face, but then he shook his head. "No. I couldn't do that to my family, as much as I want to. I need you to do something else." He sighed and looked at her with uncertainty. "I need you to come tonight."

"Isn't that something couples normally do alone? Getting engaged is pretty intimate." It would feel weird, standing off in the corner, watching two people in love. Right now, she wanted to get away from all of that.

Leo shook his head. "Not the way my mother has it planned. It is to be recorded and broadcasted all over America. She's hoping that the proposal will draw tourists to our country. It is struggling right now. I am to propose to Gisella in front of the large windows at the Met." He dropped his voice. "Even if mother believes that I do not remember who Gisella is."

A twinge of sadness crept up in Marianna's chest. She felt bad for the guy. At least she hadn't been forced to marry someone she didn't love. When push came to shove, she had walked out on Samson. It seemed as if this prince was trapped in a life that he couldn't get away from.

"So, what do you want me to do? I doubt your family will believe me if I tell them you have amnesia."

Leo shook his head. "I had another idea."

Marianna wasn't sure she liked the sly tone to his voice. "Okay…"

"If I accidentally proposed to another woman, my parents would have to go along with it. The last thing they'd want is for the press to think that their son is mentally unfit to run a country. If I were to publicly propose to you." He pointed his finger at her. "They'd have to abide by it. At least for a time. It might be just what I need to figure out what to do."

Marianna swallowed. "Me. You want to propose to me?" Her stomach lightened at the thought, but then she pushed it away. Sure, a proposal from a prince had been one of her dreams since she was a little girl. But it had been a fantasy. Never to come true.

He nodded. "And I think it would help you too. You would get away from this place. From"—he waved his hand at the door—"that guy. You'd be able to shove our proposal in his face." He raised his eyebrows as if that was the best thing in the world.

Marianna let his statement sink in. There was truth to it. A proposal from a prince was a lot better than the slutty nurse Samson left her for. "But, would we actually get married?"

Leo shook his head. "No. I have a cousin next in line. If I postpone the marriage long enough, he will inherit and I"—he blew out his breath—"will be free."

"So this is only an engagement. No feelings, no marriage. Strictly two people helping each other out."

Leo nodded. "The last thing I need is a relationship, as I'm sure is the same for you."

That was true. Getting away from here sounded amazing. So she sighed and rubbed her temples, not believing what she was about to say. "What's the plan?"

Chapter Four

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