Page 92 of Duty and Desire

“I think it was built in the eleven hundreds. The royal family bought it back in 1810, and it’s been the royal palace ever since. As for you getting to see Nick, I hope so. Franz will try to engineer it so you get some time together. But you must be careful. Don’t blow your cover.”

I knew she was talking about Daniela Risch.

The road climbed, and the taxi wound its way around the hill, rising higher and higher, until we reached a gate bordered by stone pillars. An armed guard appeared, and Claudia showed him her phone. He nodded, then lifted the barrier, and we continued on our way.

At the end was a stone archway, another guard, and at last we were in the courtyard, the castle walls towering above us on three sides. Guards bracketed the huge main door.

“Are they to keep us out, or Nick in?” I murmured.

We got out of the taxi, and the driver retrieved our bags from the trunk. We walked toward the door, and I craned my neck to stare at the battlements.

“D’you think they’ve got boiling oil up there to repel invaders?”

“You have more important things to worry about,” Claudia muttered.

I followed her gaze to the woman who stood in the doorway. She wore a dark gray suit, a white blouse, a single strand of pearls around her neck, and glossy black high-heeled shoes. She wore her dark hair tied back.

Three guesses who that is.

She gave us a polite smile that didn’t reach her blue eyes. “Miss Kaufmann. A pleasure to see you again.” She then focused her attention on me, and I knew I was being scrutinized, assessed… “And you must be Mr. Colonna. Welcome to Eisenland. I’m Daniela Risch, his Majesty’s Royal Attaché. His Majesty has asked that you both join him in his study, and then you’ll be shown to your rooms.”

I thanked her, and we stepped into the cool interior. I spotted Franz immediately and schooled my features. Miss Risch gestured to him.

“This is Franz Gantner, His Majesty’s bodyguard.”

I nodded. “Mr. Gantner.”

Franz regarded me with an impassive expression. “Mr. Colonna.” He greeted Claudia with a smile. “Hello again.” Franz glanced at Daniela. “I’ll take them through.”

“Thank you. I have a thousand and one things to do today.” And with that, she turned and walked away.

“Does that mean we’d be number one thousand and two?” I murmured.

Franz stifled a snicker.

“Hello again to you too.” I smiled. “I believe I have you to thank for me being here.”

His eyes twinkled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He indicated to the right. “Follow me, please.”

He led the way along hallways that were surprisingly light, their walls covered in paintings, with statues sitting in alcoves. The stone staircase at the end of our walk comprised treads worn by the passage of time. At the top, he turned left, and stopped at a heavy oak door.

Franz paused at the threshold. “Go easy on him, okay?”

I blinked at the warmth in his voice. “How is he?”

Franz frowned. “I’ve seen him in better states, put it that way.” He met my gaze. “Hopefully you can change all that.” He knocked at the door.

“Come in.”

My heart pounded, and my hands were clammy.

Franz opened it, and ushered us into a room with windows along one wall that went all the way up to the high ceiling. The remaining walls were hidden by bookcases, and the only furniture comprised adesk and three chairs. A solitary figure stood by the windows, his back to us.

I’d never seen Nick in a suit, and I had to admit, even from the rear he cut an elegant figure.

“I’ll be outside,” Franz murmured. He left the room and closed the door.

My heartbeat showed no signs of slowing, and I clenched my hands at my sides.

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