Page 101 of Modern Romance June 2025 5-8

‘It’s been a long day. I’m sorry, I’m not in the mood for company.’

‘And I’m in no mood to be ignored.’ His tone was even but his words made her head rock back in shock. ‘Listen, Annalena.’ He moved closer. ‘We’ve embarked on something together. Something big. We need to share, not shut each other out.’

In other circumstances his words might have softened her. But she remembered, vividly, his expression in the cathedral. He’d barely hidden his distaste.

‘I agree. We need to work as a team. But not now. I’m tired.’

For a long moment Benedikt said nothing, merely surveyed her, then slowly shook his head. ‘No, you’re not. You’re wired. I can see it from here,feelit. You’re tense with excess energy.’

He was right. The adrenaline that had ridden her all day was still in her bloodstream. How did he know? It couldn’t be that obvious.

‘Okay, then. I’m not tired but I’d rather be alone.’

His gaze narrowed on hers and she felt like a specimen under a microscope. What did he see? The trouble was, the longer he stood there, so effortlessly charismatic, so annoyingly virile, the more her nerves jittered and her composure cracked.

Because for two weeks, underlying everything else she did had run the desire formorefrom Benedikt. More than that ravishing kiss. Though she knew it would leave her wide open in a way she couldn’t afford. Though she now had confirmation that he really wasn’t into her.

‘If you feel that way I’ll leave. But first tell me what’s wrong. There’s something, isn’t there?’

A ragged laugh escaped. ‘Apart from being blackmailed into marriage?’

Benedikt said nothing, merely waited, leaving her with the disturbing feeling that she was overly emotional. She folded her arms across her waist, palms flat against heavy satin.

‘You come to my room as if we’re friends or lovers.’ She licked dry lips. ‘You talk about sharing, but I know what I saw in the cathedral. I’d rather you were honest about your feelings.’

His eyebrows scrunched down, furrows lining his brow. ‘What did you see?’

Annalena gestured to his face. ‘That. Your frown when you had to kiss me. Your feelings were obvious, to me at least.’ She turned her palm towards him when he would have spoken. ‘I don’t mind that you don’twantme in that way. But I’d rather you didn’t lie and pretend we’re anything more than partners in a cold-blooded, convenient match.’

She hurried on, gesturing to the tray he’d brought. ‘I don’t want champagne and midnight seduction, especially from a man who’s not attracted to me. But give me time and I’m sure we can develop a good working relationship.’

‘You read all that into a single frown?’

She shrugged. ‘A frown you were quick to hide. I understand that. I know the kiss was just for show. But that expression wasreal.’

Benedikt moved closer, his face sombre. ‘You’re right. It was.’

Crazy how the confirmation felt like a punch to the chest. She felt winded, bracing her hands between the deep V of her neckline and her stomach. The sumptuous embroidery covering her bodice scratched her palms.

‘Iwasn’thappy,’ he went on with a bluntness that made her want to cringe. ‘Because when you turned to meyourexpression gave you away. You held yourself like some stoic martyr, like a virgin about to be ravished. As if you couldn’t bear my touch.’

Her breath hissed. Did he somehow know she was a virgin? Impossible.

‘I thought we’d moved past that, Annalena. Our kiss the night of the ball proved that however much our actions are driven by duty, there’s something personal here too.’

‘All that kiss proved was that you’re willing to use your…wiles to get what you want.’

One dark eyebrow shot high. ‘Wiles?’

‘You know what I mean. You’re a good-looking man and know your way around women. That doesn’t mean you were invested in the kiss, any more than I was.’

He studied her intently and a tide of heat rose over her breasts and throat.

‘You’re lying again. Just like you lied when you said you were tired.’

His words scratched her pride. Since when had she resorted to untruths? She’d been brought up to value honesty and honour.

Fury and frustration at herself bubbled so high it felt as though her skin was too tight to contain her feelings. She’d gone into this with her eyes open but tonight everything felt twisted and wrong. As if she were in danger of being overwhelmed.

---