At His Majesty's Convenience Read Online Free PDF

to monopolize his time.
    Still, maybe there was some kind of emergency.
    â€œHi, Maxi.”
    â€œJake, are you still awake?” Her breathy voice grated on his nerves.
    â€œI am now.” He glanced at Andi, who was twirling around the room doing the dance of the seven veils, or something. “What do you want?”
    â€œSo impatient. I just wanted to chat. About you and me.”
    He shoved a hand through his hair. Maxi was definitely not The One. In fact she could be voted Least Likely to be Queen of Ruthenia, since she was firmly in his “keep your enemies closer” circle. He’d been drawing her in and inviting her confidence on purpose. Not because he loved her, or was even attracted to her. He’d found evidence that her family was involved in weapons dealing and possibly worse, but he didn’t have enough proof to do anything about it yet.
    None of the other girls dealt in arms or drugs, as far as he knew, but they were all empty-headed and silly. Right now he was more attracted to his own assistant than to any of Ruthenia’s pampered beauties.
    An idea crept into his brain.
    Since Andi seemed to assume they were a couple, why not make it a reality? He had to marry someone. He could announce to the press tomorrow that his chosen bride was his own assistant.
    A chill of sangfroid crept over him. Could he really arrange his own marriage so easily? Andi was agreeable, intelligent and practical, perfectly suited to life in the spotlight. She’d worked just outside it for years and knew the whole routine of palace life perfectly. Apart from her presumably humble origins—he really didn’t know anything about her origins, but since he’d never met her parents at a ball, he was guessing—she’d be the ideal royal wife.
    They’d known each other for years and he could simplyannounce that they’d been involved for a long time but kept their relationship secret.
    The announcement would send the long-fingernailed wolves away from his door for good. He and Andi could marry, produce an heir and a spare or two, and live a long, productive life in the service of the citizens of Ruthenia—wasn’t that what was really important?
    Andi had wandered into the bedroom and a quick glance revealed that she now lay sprawled on his bed.
    Heat surged through him like a shot of brandy.
    Her dress draped over her, displaying her inviting curves like an ice-cream sundae with whipped cream on top. Her gaze beckoned him, along with her finger. His muscles itched to join her on the bed and enjoy discovering more of Andi’s wickedly intriguing sensual side.
    â€œMaxi, I have to go. Have a good night.”
    â€œI can think of a way to have a much better night.”
    Jake’s flesh crawled. “Sleep knits up the raveled sleeve of care.”
    â€œIs that Moby?”
    â€œShakespeare. Goodnight, Maxi.”
    â€œWhen are you going to choose your wife?” Jake flinched at the blunt question, and the shrill voice that asked it. “Daddy wants to know. He’s not sure whether to contribute funds for the new hydroelectric project.”
    Jake stiffened. This is what it all boiled down to. Money and power. Well, he didn’t want to build Ruthenia with ill-gotten gains from the black market, and he’d rather share his life with a hardworking woman than one who thought she could buy her way into a monarchy. “I’ve already chosen my wife.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” she gasped.
    He moved across the room, away from the bedroom where Andi now sprawled enticingly on the bed. She washumming again, and wouldn’t hear him. “I intend to marry Andi Blake, my longtime assistant.”
    â€œYou’re joking.”
    â€œNot in the slightest. She and I have had a close relationship for six years. We intend to enjoy each other’s company for many more.”
    Already his pronouncement had an official ring to it. Marriage to