Page 90 of Modern Romance June 2025 5-8

‘Of course not!’ Lines carved across his forehead. ‘If anything, you’re complex and not to be underestimated.’ He paused. ‘I was referring to your beauty. It’s unfussy and natural. The ring reminded me of that.’

Annalena had no words. He thought her complex and not to be underestimated? That made her sound like a worthy opponent.

But beautiful? She had even features and her eyes were an unusually pure green. Did he think she needed flattery? Did unfussy and natural mean unsophisticated? But her self-esteem didn’t hinge on what he thought.

He probably felt it necessary to saysomethingcomplimentary when presenting an engagement ring. Words of affection, much less love, would be insulting.

Yet she couldn’t banish the tiny curl of delight deep inside at the compliment. Remarkably he’d made her feel special. Not what she envisaged from the man forcing her hand.

‘Thank you, Benedikt. It’s good you thought of a ring. I’d completely forgotten. It would have looked odd if I’d appeared without the appropriate prop.’

She took it out and slipped it on. It was a little snug, making her hyperconscious of its weight around her finger. Or perhaps that was because she didn’t usually wear rings.

She moved her hand, transfixed by the gorgeous ring. An emerald? Probably, since it came from the treasury.

Annalena forced a smile to her lips. ‘It looks regal, doesn’t it? Perfect for the part I’m playing.’

Benedikt strode the long corridor to the guest wing. They were due to open the ball soon, but first he needed to see Annalena in her suite.

In case she’s a no-show?

No, she’d given her word.

Because you want to vet what she’s wearing? You don’t trust her fashion sense?

That was the least of his worries. The designer knew what was needed. Annalena’s outfit for the engagement photos couldn’t have been better. The tailored skirt and jacket in a deep rose colour had been a perfect foil for her colouring. She’d looked elegant and attractive.

Yet her smiles hadn’t reached her eyes and she’d been as wooden as a marionette when the photographer asked them to stand together. It had been hard finding convincing photos to project the image of an eager bride and groom.

She hadn’t deliberately tried to sabotage the shoot, but her discomfort had been clear.

His jaw clenched. Photos could be airbrushed but tonight they’d be on show before hundreds of curious spectators. When he announced their engagement everyone needed to be convinced it was real. That it was what they both wanted.

What hedidn’tneed was a bride-to-be who looked as if she were stepping onto a hangman’s scaffold. Or one who regarded the flawless emerald on her ring finger as aprop.

How mistaken he’d been, thinking she’d like the ring. As soon as he’d seen it he’d wanted to see it on her finger. Almost as if he wanted to mark her as his own. It was a primitive, possessive instinct that didn’t match their situation at all and made him uncomfortable whenever he thought of it.

Her response had drained his satisfaction at finding the perfect piece.

Stupid to feel rebuffed over a piece of jewellery. There were more important things at stake. Like making tonight look convincing.

Women had always been easy for him. He was used to their interest, their attention, their desire. He’d never imagined he’d have to coach a woman into acting as if she wanted to be with him.

He reached her suite, knocked and entered at the sound of her voice.

Midstride over the threshold, he halted. His hand clenched on the doorknob, his bow tie seemed to tighten around his throat. There was a thrumming in his ears as she moved towards him. He tried to swallow but it felt ridiculously difficult, as if he’d forgotten how.

All that in just a second. Then he stepped forward, closing the door behind him.

‘Annalena, you look spectacular.’ So spectacular, his voice sounded as if he spoke over ground glass.

He’d come intending to compliment her, to put her at ease before tonight’s function. But this was no compliment, just a statement of fact.

She wore her hair up, not in an old-fashioned plaited coronet, but a sleek twist. Her face was different, her eyes smokier, her cheekbones accentuated and her mouth…

Her mouth.

He made himself drag his gaze away.

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