Weight of the Crown by Christina Hollis Read Free Book Online Page A

her something other than the flight to think about on their drive to the airport.
    As they got to the great front door of Combe House Ra’id broke away and frolicked out into the sunlight.
    ‘I want to sit next to the driver!’
    ‘I thought you might!’ Lysander laughed, with a quick sideways smile at Alyssa.
    Unable to stop herself, she blushed. As they stepped out of the house the dazzle of bright sunlight reflecting off three highly polished limousines made her blink. It was the perfect excuse to look away from Lysander and hide her nerves. As their chauffeur settled Ra’id into the front passenger seat Lysander reached out and opened the rear door for himself. Alyssa couldn’t look at him directly, but made the most of the glimpse shegot of his lean, golden-tanned hand. Suddenly, he stood aside.
    ‘After you, Alyssa. Since you’re trying to teach Ra’id to be a gentleman, I will of course lead by example! For tips on gentlemanly etiquette, you need look no further than me.’
    There was a twinkle in his eyes that was downright wicked and it helped defuse the tension she was feeling, Alyssa smiled back at him in spite of herself and slid demurely into the car.
    ‘Now
that’s
more like it.’ He slid into the seat beside her and slammed the door. Pressing a button, he raised a partition that closed the passenger compartment off from where Ra’id was busy distracting their chauffeur.
    The second they had complete privacy, Lysander lost his smile. Turning in his seat, he levelled a penetrating stare at her.
    ‘Joking apart, what
is
the matter, Alyssa? Are you ill? You’re as white as a sheet, and you look terrible.’
    She managed to rally, but it was an effort. ‘Well, thank you very much! I thought you said you were a gentleman?’
    Twisting her hands nervously in her lap, she steeled herself to tell him the worst. It had been preying on her mind, and now it felt like the most awful, enormous problem in the whole world.
    ‘You’re right. I am worried about something.’
    ‘Well?’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts? Watching you with Ra’id, it’s obvious you’re made for each other.’
    She felt a wonderful rush of pleasure that made up for all her nervousness about travelling with him.
    ‘Thank you! Looking after him doesn’t feel like work to me. I love it so much, and everyone here is so friendly. I can’t believe I nearly missed the chance to work for you, Lysander. It’s turning out to be a dream job for me,’ she said, but he wasn’t taken in.
    ‘So what has stolen the roses from your cheeks?’ He raised one finger and started to trail it down the side of her face. Alyssa started. Her eyes flicked to where Ra’id and the chauffeur were deep in conversation, just the other side of the soundproof screen. Lysander raised an eyebrow, but dropped his hand. ‘Not me, that’s for sure. I can see by that blush.’
    ‘I keep telling you, Lysander, it’s nothing you need to worry about,’ she said in a dangerous voice.
    He raised a sardonic eyebrow. ‘Well, have it your own way—but remember, if there’s ever anything I can do to help, just ask.’
    ‘Thank you. That’s very kind,’ she said as he offered her a drink from the car’s chiller. Pouring some freshly squeezed passion-fruit juice into a glass filled with ice, he handed it to her with a shrug.
    ‘One of the perks of “working for a prince”, that’s all,’ he said with a devastating smile.
    When he looked at her like that, Alyssa saw why hordes of beautiful women flocked around him despite his easy-come-easy-go reputation. She also realised her body wasn’t as determined as her mind. It melted under the warmth of his gaze, despite what he said next.
    ‘And as Ra’id’s nanny, that means you’ll be travelling with him and me in the private quarters of the plane, apart from the rest of the staff. You should be quite comfortable as there is a lounge area aside frommy office. While