A Royal Amnesia Scandal

Kate nodded, thanking the doctor for coming so quickly. She watched as he made his way back down to the boat, where a palace guard was waiting. Thankfully, it wasn’t her father, but his right-hand man.

Kate gave a wave to the men and took in a deep breath. When the doctor mentioned unusual behavior, did that include believing you were engaged to the wrong woman?

Weary and worried, she stepped back through the doors. All her stuff was at the guesthouse, but she would need to stay here.

Luc’s eyes were instantly on hers when she returned to the living room. That warmth spread through her once again as she recognized that look of need. She couldn’t let him keep this up. There would be no way she could resist him. And based on his reaction after that kiss, he wouldn’t be happy that he’d indulged his desire for her, no matter how good together they might be.

The warning from the doctor played over in her mind. She couldn’t force memories, so for now she’d have to let him think what he wanted, until his mind started to cooperate.

“Sit with me,” he whispered, holding his hand out in invitation.

Kate cringed, wanting nothing more than to take his hand and settle in beside him. “I need to go get some of my things.”

Lowering his hand, he frowned. “Where are your things?”

Coming up with a quick excuse, she tried to be vague, yet as honest as possible. “I have some things next door at the guesthouse. Let me get them and I’ll be all yours.”

Okay, she didn’t necessarily need to add that last bit, but it just slipped out. She’d have to think through every single word until Luc fully regained his memory. For now, she’d have to play along...and still try to maintain some distance, or she could find herself in a world of hurt when he snapped out of his current state. Getting wrapped up in this make-believe world, even for a short time, wasn’t the wisest decision. Still, he would need her during this time and they were on this island together. How could she resist him? How could she resist more touching, more kissing?

“Why do you have anything next door?” he asked.

“I was working there earlier.” Still not a lie. “Give me five minutes. I’ll be right back.”

She escaped out the back door, unable to look at the confusion on his face any longer. If she got too far into the truth as to why she had things at the cottage, she’d have to come clean and produce the information his mind wasn’t ready for.

As quickly as she could, she threw a change of clothes into her bag, adding a few essential toiletries. Everything else she’d have to smuggle over a little at a time, provided she stayed at the main house for longer than a few days.

Her biggest concern now was the fact she hadn’t packed pajamas, assuming she’d be living alone. She stared at her pile of silky chemises in various colors. There was no getting around this. She didn’t even have an old T-shirt to throw on for a sleep shirt.

With no other choice, she grabbed the pink one and shoved it in her bag before heading back to the main house. There was no way she could let Luc see her in this chemise, but how could she dodge a man who thought they were engaged? Most likely he assumed they slept together, too.

Kate froze on the path back to the main house. There was no way she could sleep with Luc. None. If they shared the same bed, she’d be tempted to give in to his advances.

As the moonlight lit her way back, Kate was resigned to the fact that things were about to skyrocket to a whole new level of awkward.

Four (#ulink_94f957f1-bd01-54db-bcf9-4ff6d8508969)

Kate glanced over her shoulder, making sure she was alone as she slipped back out onto the patio to call her mother. There were times in a woman’s life she just needed some motherly advice, and for Kate, that time was now.

“Darling!” Her mother answered on the second ring. “I was just thinking of you.”

“Hey, Mama.” Kate leaned against the rail on the edge of the patio, facing the doorway to make sure Luc didn’t come up behind her and overhear things he shouldn’t. “Are you busy?”

“Never for you. You sound funny. Everything all right?”

Not even close. Kate sighed, shoving her hair behind her ear. “I’m in a bit of a bind and I need your advice.”

“What’s wrong, Katelyn?”

Her mother’s worried tone slid through the line. Kate swallowed back her emotions, because tears wouldn’t fix this problem and they would only get her a snotty nose and red eyes. Not a good look when one was shacking up with one’s sexy boss.

“Luc fell earlier.”

“Oh, honey. Is he okay?”

“Well...he has a good-sized goose egg on his head. And he has temporary amnesia.”

“Amnesia?” her mother repeated, her voice rising an octave. “Katelyn, are you guys coming back to the palace? Do his parents know?”

“I actually called them before I called you. Dr. Couchot was just here and he’s assured us that Luc is okay, no concussion or anything. He isn’t sure when Luc will regain his memory, but he’s confident it’s a short-term condition.”

“I can’t even imagine how scary this must be,” her mother commented. “What can I do to help?”

“Right now Luc and I are staying here as planned,” Kate stated, her eyes darting to the patio doors on the far side of the house. Luc stood there for a moment, looking out at the ocean, before he turned and disappeared. “The doctor said keeping him relaxed and calm is best for now. Luc had wanted to get away, so staying here is still our best option.”

“I agree. So what else has you upset? If the doctor has assured you this is temporary, and you’re staying there as planned, what’s wrong?”

Pulling in a deep breath, Kate blurted out, “He thinks we’re engaged.”

Silence settled over the line. Kate pulled her cell away from her ear to make sure the connection hadn’t been cut.

“Mom?”

“I’m here. I just need to process this,” her mother stated. “Why does he think you’re engaged?”