The Prince marriage to the Gold Digger

chapter 15. afraid of him

Prince Williams was lounging on the sofa like a big cat while Charles had taken a chair;they both got to their feet as she entered, and Prince Williams stepped forward to take the heavy tray from her hands and place it on the low table. she shot him a wary glance from

under her lashes, but he didn't look angry. He was watching her intently, his gaze so penetrating that she shivered. He immediately noted her reaction

and a sardonic half-smile curved his mouth. He put his hand on her arm and gently forced her to a seat on the sofa, then took his place beside her.

"Charles and I have been discussing the situation," he said easily, and she started, shooting a desperate look at Charles. But Charles merely smiled and she could read nothing from his expres-

sion.

"What situation?" she asked, reaching for some hidden well of calmness.

"The position our relationship will put you in with the press," he explained smoothly as she handed

Charles's tea across to him. By some miracle shee kept from dropping the cup and saucer, though she felt her entire body jerk. When Charles had rescued

his drink, she turned a pale face up to Prince Williams .

"What are you saying?" she whispered.

"I think you know, my dear; you're far from stupid. I'll take certain steps that will make it plain to all observers that I don't feel I need the press to protect me from you, and that any long noses poked

into my private life will rouse me to. . irritation.You won't have to worry any longer about being the subject of a nasty Sunday-moming column; in fact, after I finish convincing the press to do as I want, all sympathy will probably swing to you."

"That's quite unnecessary," she said, lowering her lashes as she offered a cup of coffee to him. She felt confused, it had not occurred to her that Prince William might use his influence to protect her, and rather than feeling grateful, she Withdrew into a cool

reserve. She didn't want to be indebted to Prince William and drawn further into his spheres of influence. The.paper had gotten it all wrong; he was the spider, not she. If she allowed it, he would weave silken threads all about her until she was helpless against him

"I'll be the judge of that, William snapped. "If you'd told me last night why you were so upset about that damned photographer,I could have prevented

both the column and the photos from being printed. Instead, you let your pride stand in the way, and look what you've endured, all for nothing. Now I know the extent of the situation and I'll act as I think best."

Charles said mildly, "Be reasonable Ursula, There's no need for you to endure spiteful gossip. You've suffered it for five years; it's time that state of

afairs was ended."

"Yes, but.. . She halted, for she had been

about to say, But not by him, and she wasn't certain enough of Williams temper to risk it. She took a deep breath and began again. "What I meant was, I

don't see the need for any intervention, because.there won't be another opportunity for this to happen. l'd have to be a fool to allow myself to get into

that situation after what happened last night. I'll Simply live here as quietly as possible; there 's no need for me to frequent places where l'd be recognized."

I won't allow that," William put in grimly. "From now on, you'll be by my side when I entertain or when I go out. People will meet you, get to know you. That's the only sure way of forever stifling the

gossip , to let these people become acquainted with you and find out that they like you. You are a likeable little wench, despite your damnable temper."

"Thank you! she returned smartly, and Charle grinned.

"I could kick myself for missing your first meeting," he put in, and William gave him a wolfish grin.

"The first wasn't as interesting as the sccond, be informed Charles dryly. "And the third meeting isn't beginning all that well, either. It'll probably take me all day to convince her not to be obstinate

over the matter."

"Yes, I can see that." Charles winked and replaced his empty cup on the tray. "I'll leave you to it, then; I've some work to do."

"Call me tomorrow and we'll settle about tge shares," said Prince Williams, getting to his feet and holding out his hand.

Ursula's warning sirens went off. "The shares are already settled," she said in fierce determination

"market value only! I told you, William, I won't sign the papers if you try to buy me off with a ridiculously high price!"

"shall probably break your neck before the day is out," r eturned Williams genially, but his eyes were hard. Charles laughed aloud, something very rare of him and Ursula glared at him as he and William walked to the door. They exchanged a few low words and her Suspicious flared higher. Then William let him out and returned to stand before her with his on his hips, staring down at her with an implacable expression on his hardface.

"I meant what I said," she flared, scrambling to her feet to stand before him and braving the volcanic heat of his eyes.

"So did I ," his said murmured, raising his hand and absently stroked her bare shoulder with one finger his touch as light and delicate as that of a butterfly. Her breath caught and she stood very still untill the caress of one finger drove her beyond control. and she began to tremble. The finger moved from her shoulder to throat, then up to press under her chin and raise her face to his.

"Have you decided if you want to go out on the boat with me? he asked

as his eyes slipped to her mouth.

"-yes. I mean, yes, I've decided, and no, I don't want to go," she explained in confusion, and the corners of his mouth lifted in a wry smile

"Then I suggest we go for a drive, something to keep me Occupied. If we stay here all day, Ursula, you know what will happen, but the decision is yours."

"I haven't invited you to stay at all, much less all day! she informed him indignantiy, pulling away from him.

His arm dropped to his side and he watched sharply as the color rose in her cheeks. You're afraid of me," he observed in mild surprise. Despite

her brave, defiant front, there had been a flash of real fear in her eyes, and he frowned. "What is it about me that frightens you, Ursula ? Are you afraid

of me sexually? Have your experiences With men been so bad that you fear my lovemaking?"

She stared numbly at him, unable to formulate an answer. Yes, she was afraid of him, as she had never before feared any other human being. He was So

lawless.....no, not that. He made his own laws, his influence was enormous; he was practically untouchable by any known power. She already knew that her

emotions were vulnerable to him and that she had no Weapon against him at all.

But he was waiting for an answer, his strong features hardening as she moved involuntarily back ward. She gulped and whispered wildly,

"You.....you wouldn't understand, William . I think that a wonman would be in very good hands with you, so to speak

Wouldn't she?"

"I like to think so," he drawled. "But if it isn't Ursula what is it about me that makes wary as a frighten doe? I promise I won't s*******r you."

"Won't you?"

The whispered, shaking words had scarcely left her mouth before he moved closing the distance between them with two lithe strides and capturing her as she gave an alarmed cry and tried to dart

Away. His left arm sid about her waist and pulled her strongly against him, while his right hand Caught

a fistful of her tawny hair and pulled firmly on it until her face was tilted up to his.

"Now," he growled, "tell me why you're afraid,"

"You're hurting mel" she cried, anger chasing away some of her instinctive fear. She kicked at his.shins and he gave a mufiled curse, releasing her hair

and scooping her up in his arms instead. Holding her captive, he sat down on the sofa and pinned her squirming body on his lap. The struggle was woefully unequal and in only a moment she was exhausted and subdued, lying quietly against the arm that was So hard and unyielding behind her back.

He chuckled. "Whatever you're afraid of, you're deinitely not afraid to fight me. Now, little wildcat, tell me what bothers you."

She was tired, too tired to fight him right now, and she was beginning to understand that it was useless to fight him, in any event. He was determined to

have everything his way. Sighing, she turned her face into his shoulder and inhaled the warm, earthy male scent of him, slightly sweaty from their struggle. What could she tell him? That she feared him physically because she had known no man, that it was a virgin's instinctive fear? He would never believe that; he would rather believe the tales that many men had made love to her. And she couldn't tell him that she feared him Emotionally, that she was far too vulnerable to his power, or he would use

that knowledge against her.

Then an idea struck her. He had given it to her himself. Why not let him believe that she had been so mistreated that she feared all men now? He had

seemed receptive to that idea......

"I don't want to talk about it", she muttered,

keeping her face turned into his shoulder

His arms tightened about her. "You have to talk about it," he said forcefully, putting his mouth against her temple. "You have to get it out in the open, where you can understand it."

"-I don't think I can," she said breathlessly, for his arms were preventing proper breathing. "Give

me time, William . "

"If I must," he said into her hair. "I won't hurt you, Ursula ; I want you to know that. I can be very considerate when I get what I want."

Yes, he probably could, but he was thinking only.of an affair while she was already beginning to realize that her heart was terrifyingly open, his for

the taking except that he didn't want it. He wanted only her body, not the tender emotions she could give him.

His hands were moving restlessly, one stroking Over her back and bare shoulders, the other caressing her thigh and hip. He wanted to make love, now,

She could feel the desire trembling in his body,

groaned and said, "No, William , please. I can t......,"

"I Could teach you," he muttered.You don't know what you'd doing to me; a man isn t a piece of rock!"

But he was, pure granite. Her slim body arched in his arms as she tried to slip away trom him."No,William ! No!"

He opened his arms as if he was freeinga bird and she slid from his lap to the floor, sitting on it like a child, her head resting on the sofa. He sighed

heavily."Don't wait too long," he advised, his deep voice hoarse. "Run upstairs and do whatever you have to do before we go for a drive, I have to get out

of here or there won't be any waiting."

He didn't have to tell her a second time, On trembling legs she ran upstairs, where she Combed her hair and put on makeup, then changed her shoes

for modest heels. Her heart was pounding wildly as she returned downstairs to him. She hardly knew

him, yet he was gaining a power Over her that was frightening. And she was helpless to prevent it.

When she approached him, he stood and pullednher close with a masterful arm, and his hard warm mouth took hers lazily. When he released her, he

was smiling, and she supposed he had reason to Smile, for her response had been as fervent as it wasinvoluntary.

"You'll be a blazing social success," he predicted as he led her to the door. "Every man will be at your feet if you continue to look so fetching and to blush so delightfully. I don't know how you can manage a blush, but the how really doesn't matter when the result is so lovely."

"I can't control my color," she said,miffed that he

should think her capable of faking a blush. "Would you rather your kisses had no effect on me?

He looked down at her and gave her a melting smile." On the contrary, my pet. But if it's excitement that brings the flush to your cheeks, I shall know when you are becoming aroused and will

immediately whisk you away to a private place. You must tell me all of your little signals."

She managed a careless shrug. "Before you whisk me away to be ravished, I suggest that you first make

certain l'm not in the midst of a fight. Anger brings on the same reaction, I'm told. And I don't imagine that even your backing will smooth away all the rocks!"

"I want to know about any rocks that stub your toe," he said, and his voice grew hard. "I insist on it,Ursula. I Won't have a repeat of the sort of trash I

read this morning, not if I have to muzzle every gossip columnist in London!"

To her horror, it did not sound like an empty threat.