The Princess and the Bodyguard Read Online Free PDF Page B

Looking across the street, Peter made brief eye contact with Edward, who’d been on site since early that morning. He already knew the man and his team had found no problems when they’d conducted a thorough search of the property and surrounding area before dawn. Now the man’s almost imperceptible nod assured Peter nothing had changed.
    Once inside, Rachel became all business. Only half listening while she went over the terms of the lease with the man, he couldn’t help but notice she knew what she wanted. The questions she asked had the middle-aged entrepreneur searching through his notes and, at one point, putting a hurried call in to his lawyer. She never once raised her voice, batted her eyelashes, or stomped her foot, but in short order, Monsieur Ducharme had a signed lease, and Rachel held a set of keys and the obvious respect of her landlord.
    “When are you planning on getting started?” Peter asked once they exited the building.
    “I’ve already ordered some of the things I’m going to need—tables, sewing machines—and a bunch of other stuff you couldn’t possibly be interested in. A team of workers will begin in the morning with the painting and to update the lighting to what I’ll need, and I’ll be interviewing for staff beginning next week.”
    “Yeah, about that.” Peter stopped with his hand on the car door, but didn’t immediately open it for her. Instead, he braced for a verbal explosion. “I’ll need to see all the applications of those you’d like to interview, ahead of time.”
    “They’ll be on your desk tomorrow.”
    “What, no temper tantrum?” He regretted the words immediately. The easy, relaxed smile slipped from her face, replaced by a look he’d never seen before. Not answering, she turned her back to him and waited until he opened the car door. Then she slid inside, across the seat, and fixed her attention on some point outside her window.
    “I’m sorry, Rachel. That remark was uncalled for.”
    “Don’t worry. I’m used to it.”
    That was the problem. He knew enough about human nature to understand the good-hearted barbs tossed her way over the years by the members of her family had too often found their mark. Rachel hadn’t been a self-confident girl when he met her. From what he’d heard over the years about the late queen, he figured he understood why. He also realized that no one in the family—with the possible exception of her brother Philip—realized how truly thin her skin had been. No bloody wonder she’d fallen prey to the vermin she had in the past.
    Now, despite avoiding being alone with her, and trying very hard to get pictures of her gloriously naked body rising over him out of his mind, he knew he needed to make amends.
    “You’ve just signed a lease. The Couturier House of de la Croix has been born. Let’s celebrate.”
    “Celebrate?”
    She looked at him with such wide, hope-filled eyes that he thought he might not be the only one who felt a certain attraction.
    “Yeah. How about Francine’s?” he said, naming a popular café frequented by the young professional crowd. Although he’d not been there in a couple of years, members of his staff said it had the best espresso and the best chocolate cake in all of Boisdemer. Well, except for the palace.
    “Thank you, Peter. That sounds perfect.”
    Rachel’s pleased smile was worth any personal discomfort he might feel spending time alone with her. He hoped.
     
    * * * *
     
    She tried not to smile too broadly the moment she stepped into the café. Francine’s had changed during the three years since she’d last come. Redecorated in soft earth tones, its open tables had been replaced by intimate clusters of loveseats, easy chairs, and booths.
    Rachel could tell by the look on Peter’s face he wasn’t pleased, though she had no idea if his scowl was due to personal or professional considerations. He waived the hostess off and walked toward a settee in the corner. “I like to be able to