“You can worry about the PR later.” He glared at her, but his fury was so intense I could barely keep from shaking uncontrollably just being near it. “Right now, you need to be thinking about helping her calm down.”

“Please.” I whispered the word, ashamed of needing help. I was the person who took care of everything, who planned events and rolled with the media. I wasn’t the person who had breakdowns and hysterics. I took another breath and wiped at my face. “Please tell them I came down with something. I’ll make it up to them later.”

“No you won’t.” David turned me back to look at him. “The only thing you’re going to do is relax and not worry about this. They don’t deserve to have you do anything nice for them.” His eyes cut to Tabitha. “You tell them she’s sick and leave it at that.”

“I don’t take my orders from you,” she said. Her eyes narrowed.

“I will see to it that you don’t take any orders from anyone at all if you don’t put Cathy first,” David growled. “If you think Sam and Alex are going to let you keep your position when you’re endangering the princess’s health, you’re very confused.”

She shut her mouth with a loud snap. While I watched, she took the wineglass she had originally offered me and took a long drink. The limo used one of the local roundabouts to take us back in the direction of D’Lynsal. The closer we came to the house, the more Tabitha drank, and the easier I could breathe. As long as she was being quiet I could put up with the nasty looks she kept shooting my way. I wasn’t better but D’Lynsal was my safe haven. The one place I didn’t have to pretend—didn’t have to feel threatened by people out to get something from me.

When we arrived, Tabitha exited the car before the bodyguard or the driver could get out. She didn’t stop at the door either, just disappeared inside.

I dabbed at my eyes, trying to school myself into a semblance of normalcy before climbing out of the limo. David moved closer and cupped my face in his hands. Using his thumbs he brushed the tears off and leaned forward until our foreheads touched.

“You are not alone. I’m right here with you and am not going anywhere. Do you believe me?” He waited for a response, needed an answer, so I nodded my head. “This feels like a huge thing because of what happened to Alex. It’s intrusive and thoughtless for someone to take the pictures, much less publish them. But it’s a kiss. A kiss I would gladly give to you in front of a million people if you asked for it. Do you understand? I don’t care if people know that I’ve kissed you, that I’m with you as whatever you want to call me. The only thing I care about is you. And right now, I’m worried about you.”

I opened my eyes to look at him. Honesty rang through his words and sincerity shone through his eyes. Reaching up, I touched his jaw with my fingers.

“You’re right.” My fingers danced along the stubble. “It was a kiss and I would have wanted your kiss no matter what.”

“What happened to Alex is not going to happen to you,” he whispered the words. “Whoever you choose will not do that to you. Your trust is too important to risk losing.”

“I’ve already chosen.” I whispered the words quietly, aware that there were people outside waiting for me. “I chose the night I saw you at Sam’s, I just didn’t realize it. You’re the first man I’ve wanted that way.”

“Then when it happens, you will have nothing to worry about.” His lips touched mine softly, and I melted into his arms before burrowing my face in his chest.

“I’m so sorry that I’ve exposed you to this type of thing. If you had been with any other woman, no one would have taken your pictures.” Guilt filled my heart and I could feel the panic spiking again.

“I told you, I don’t care. I would have rather that moment stayed between us, but I plan on making a lot of memories that no one else will have their hands—or eyes—on.”

“That would be nice.” My mouth twitched slightly into a small smile.

“Let’s go in and do something silly or boring.” He let go of my face and coaxed me out. “A board game or maybe a television marathon. How do you feel about infomercials?”

“Infomercials? Where they try to sell you things.” I shook my head.

“Those are the ones. Great for putting a person to sleep.”

“Your Highness, are you well?” Mark stepped forward, his eyes running over my body in a quick check. “Should I call for a doctor or one of the nurses?”

“I’m just feeling under the weather. I’ll be fine.” I nodded my head and didn’t bother to force a smile. It would be wasted on him anyways. He had known me for so long that he could tell when I was being sincere.

“If you have need of me, please let me know.” He nodded his head in a quick bow before walking ahead of us to open the door of the house.

“Thank you.” I nodded my head to him while David and I walked past.

“Where’s the kitchen? Why don’t I make us a snack?” David leaned down to whisper in my ear.

“The cook should still be up, you could ask her.” I stepped out of my shoes and bent over to pick them up. “I’d love a hot cup of tea.”

“Okay, I’ll go see what I can do.” David led me over to the armchair closest to the fireplace. “Have a seat and I’ll be back.”