Madness, madness, madness, she chanted over and over, her stomach churning, heart racing as she climbed the stairs as fast as she could.

Please let Emmeline be on the way. Please, please let there be a message from Emmeline saying she was on the plane and everything was fine and Hannah would soon be free to leave.

Inside her suite, Hannah shut the door and dashed for the nightstand next to her bed where she retrieved her phone and checked for messages, first text, then voice, but there was nothing. Nothing. Not a word.

Nothing. Nothing!

Hannah put a hand to her queasy middle, dangerously close to throwing up all over the green, cream and pink antique Aubusson rug beneath her feet.

It’d been hours since Emmeline’s last text. Where was she? Why wouldn’t she respond?

Hannah struggled to calm herself. Maybe the princess was already en route. Maybe she was on a plane flying to Raguva right now.

Hannah felt a ray of hope. It was possible. Emmeline might have been in such a hurry getting to the airport that she’d forgotten to send a message to Hannah saying she was on the way.

But even as Hannah comforted herself with the thought, the phone rang.

Emmeline.

Hannah answered immediately. “Are you here?” she asked hopefully. “Have you arrived?”

“No, I’m still in Florida,” Emmeline’s clipped precise voice suddenly wobbled, sounding very far away at the other end of the line. “I’m having a bit of trouble getting out as you have my plane. Could you send it back for me?”

“Were you able to work things out?”

“N-no.” Again that wobble.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m not in physical danger, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Hannah heard the threat of tears in the princess’s voice. “Things aren’t going well there?”

“No.” Emmeline drew a slow breath. “How is Zale? As cold as ever?”

Hannah flushed. “I wouldn’t call him cold …” “Maybe not. But he is rather grim, isn’t he? I don’t think he likes me much.”

“He’s marrying you.” “For five million Euros!” “What?”

“Hannah, it’s an arranged marriage. What did you expect?”

Hannah pictured Zale’s strong, handsome face, those fiercely intelligent eyes and his tall, powerful frame. He was gorgeous. How could Emmeline feel nothing for him? “Maybe you will fall in love, once you spend time together.”

“Oh, I hope not. It’d just complicate everything—” Emmeline broke off, spoke to someone in the room with her, then returned to the phone. “Good news. I don’t need to wait for my plane. A friend here has a jet I can take tonight. I’ll be there in the morning. Once I land, I’ll text you. With any luck, no one will be the wiser.”

With any luck, Hannah silently echoed, closing her phone, heart strangely heavy.

CHAPTER TWO

HANNAH told herself she was relieved that this impossible charade was nearly over. She told herself she was glad to be going in the morning. But part of her was disappointed.