Page 1 (1/1)

Chapter One

FOR a ht shecrazy And maybe she was For hadn’t her foolish dreams of love just been dealt a death-blow in time-honoured fashion? From her position behind the reception desk where she was covering for the receptionist’s lunch-break, Cathy stared up at her boss in disbelief and tried not to think about the cru Or the battering to her self-estee lonely, and wounded

‘Sorry’ She cleared her throat, wondering if he was having soht you said—’

‘A prince? Yes, I did’ Rupert’s slish accent even nificance of his state our hotel with his presence—what do you think of that, Cathy?’

‘A prince?’ Cathy echoed in disbelief

Rupert’s smirk became even more pronounced ‘Prince Xaviero of Zaffirinthos I don’t suppose you’ve heard of him?’

Cathy bit back the defensive response which sprang to her lips Just because she was a cha didn’t mean that she was a co that such a wolish royal fan version But Rupert was right, da her best to keep up orld events via newspapers and books, it seemed that Zaffirinthos had somehow slipped off her radar ‘N-no,’ she answered uncertainly ‘No, I haven’t’

‘Then let dom, a world-class polo player—and a lover of beautiful wolittering VIP we’ve ever had’

Cathy stared at hi didn’t uests were few and far between—despite the fact that there was a world-famous polo club nearby as well as some pretty impressive stud farms But there were also other, ine why on earth a prince would choose to stay soinally it had been a very elegant private hoeneral rounds in a pretty run-down condition, which didn’t tend to attract VIPs

‘But why?’ she questioned ‘Ihere?’

Rupert’s smile disappeared as quickly as a ray of April sunshine ‘Why is none of your business,’ he snapped back, but then see round to check that the coast was clear and paying lip-service to discretion, but clearly busting to tell so over here from his home in New York and he’s about to complete the purchase of the Greenhill Polo Club’

Cathy’s eyes opened wider She thought of the acres of valuable real estate which housed the prestigious club, which brought international celebrities flocking there every weekend during the polo season ‘A place like that would cost an absolute fortune to buy,’ she said slowly

‘For once, you’re right, Cathy—but that won’t be a problem, not in this case You see, this enuine blue blood coursing around in his veins—he also happens to be outrageously wealthy’ Rupert’s eyes narrowed calculatingly ‘Which is why there are going to have to be soe arrive’

Cathy had been working for Rupert long enough to know just when to sense trouble ‘Changes?’ she said, hoping that she was hiding the instinctive alares?’

‘Well, for a start—we’re going to have to spruce up the public rooms to accommodate a man of his calibre They’ll all need a lick of paint—especially the downstairs washrooanised for a fir to’

Cathy stared at him ‘That quickly?’

‘Yes, that quickly Someone will be in later to measure up—and you’ll need to show hi next week and there’s a lot to be done between now and then if it’s to yptian cotton sheets—so I’ to have to send to London for those Oh, and one other thing’