Affairs of State(55)
If she’d agree to be his wife.
He wasn’t nearly so confident about that part. Ariella wasn’t the type to accept just because he was a prince—which was one of the many reasons he loved her. He’d missed her so much since she’d returned to D.C. Playing it cool and not bombarding her with phone calls had been torture. He ached to see her again. To put his arms around her and kiss her as if the world was ending. He’d never felt even a fraction of this passion for a woman before. He knew his intense feelings meant that Ariella was the only woman for him.
The car pulled up in front of Ariella’s tidy Georgetown house and he got out. A sizzle of anticipation ran through him as he saw the lights were on in her first-floor apartment. He intended to build up to the proposal. He’d woo her and get the mood romantic before he plunged in with the question of a lifetime.
She’d had cold feet the last time he saw her. He’d be sure to warm them up and reassure her that even the most intractable members of his family would come to their senses. The monarchy hadn’t survived for so many years by being inflexible. No one was going to force him out of the country or make him give up his position in the royal family because of whom he loved. Together they’d slowly but surely win them over and make them realize that an infusion of fresh energy from across the Atlantic was just what they all needed. He’d kiss her until she was weak in the knees and maybe even make love to her until they lay spent in each other’s arms—then he’d ask her.
His driver handed him the big bunch of pink roses he’d ordered. No doubt any nearby photographers would have a field day, but soon enough they’d all be scribbling the story of their engagement so it didn’t really matter what they were speculating. In fact he welcomed them heralding the happy news that he and Ariella would spend the rest of their lives together.
He climbed the steps to her building with glowing anticipation and rang the bell a little too long. The first sight of her face after a two-week absence almost made him shout. She was unquestionably the most beautiful woman on earth, with her long dark hair tumbling about her shoulders and those big, soulful eyes fixed right on him.
When he flung his arms around her, still clutching the roses in one fist, he noticed she seemed a little stiff. “It’s so good to see you again.”
“Yes.” Her answer seemed a little less than enthusiastic.
“I brought you some roses. I thought they might remind you of our English rose gardens.”
She smiled. “Your country does have the most beautiful gardens in the world.”
They were talking about gardens? He was dying to propose to her and get it over with, as the suspense was killing him. But something wasn’t right. She looked pale. “How are you?”
She ushered him into the apartment. Wordless, her shoulders slightly hunched, she seemed very tense. “Please sit down.”
He frowned. “I feel like you’re about to drop some kind of bombshell. I’m not going to fall down like an old granny.”
That gentle smile hovered about her mouth again. “I’m sure you wouldn’t, but just in case.”
“You do have a bombshell to drop?” His mind ran through the possibilities. Her father had asked her to go live in the White House and forbidden her from dating? She couldn’t take the press anymore and had decided to go underground? Aliens had invaded and…
“I’m pregnant.”
Ten
Ariella watched as Simon’s amused expression faded to a blank. “What?”
“I know it’s hard to believe, but I took a test and it was positive.”
“We didn’t have sex until…two weeks ago. Is that even long enough to know you’re pregnant?” He stared at her in astonishment and confusion.
“Apparently so.” Did he think she was pregnant by someone else and had decided to pin the blame on him in the hope of a big royal payoff? Indignation stirred in her chest. “Don’t worry, I don’t expect anything of you. I know the timing is terrible and it’s the last thing we expected, but it’s happened and I intend to raise the baby. I’m financially well off, so you don’t need to worry that I’ll ask for money.”
“That’s the last thing I’m worried about.” He blinked, staring at her. “We used a condom.”
Apparently he still didn’t believe it was possible. “It could have leaked or broken or who knows what. They’re not very effective. At this point it doesn’t really matter. I’m definitely pregnant.” She’d done another two tests. Different brands, same result.