Stacy laughed, shaking her head at Marabeth’s obvious confusion. “Because he’s hot! There’s no way even you can deny that fact,” she said and slipped out of Marabeth’s office to draft responses to some newly arrived letters.
The phone rang several times before someone answered it in the Defense offices. “This is Princess Marabeth. I’d like to make an appointment to see the minister this morning,” she said and waited.
“No, it needs to be almost immediate. Not this afternoon or tomorrow.”
Marabeth listened as the receptionist quickly shuffled some papers, then covered the mouthpiece to the phone and spoke to someone quickly. She came back on the line, “He’ll see you right now if you are available,” the woman said efficiently.
“Fine, I’ll be down there in a few moments,” she said and hung up the phone.
She passed by Stacy’s desk who had obviously been eavesdropping on Marabeth’s end of the telephone call. “I’ll be down in the minister’s office,” Marabeth said needlessly. “I’ll get this straightened out and we’ll leave as soon as I get back,” she called to Stacy who accompanied Marabeth on most excursions outside the palace.
Marabeth’s heels clicked softly on the white marble floors as she made her way to the opposite end of the palace. It was a long walk but she used the time to calm down. She was still angry when she walked into the minister’s office but at least she wasn’t as furious as she was a few minutes ago when she’d first been informed of Sam’s arrogance. Marabeth almost never got angry, a contradiction to the assumption that redhead’s had fiery tempers. She was very even tempered and got along with just about everyone since she simply enjoyed being around people most of the time. Sam Montrose just brought out the worst in her.
Five minutes later, Marabeth walked into the Defense Minister’s office and smiled at the man sitting in the outer office. “I’m here to see the Minister,” she said as he stood up and bowed quickly.
The man lowered his eyes and a red flush crept over his cheeks as he spoke. “He’s waiting for you, your highness,” the man stuttered awkwardly. ”He said you could go right in.”
Marabeth couldn’t understand the man’s flustered behavior but continued on politely. “Thank you,” Marabeth smiled and walked down to the end of the set of offices where she new the Minister of Defense occupied a very large, airy office.
The door was already open so she stood in the doorway before walking in. She saw Sam sitting behind his desk, reviewing some document and making notes. Marabeth watched him for a long moment, trying to get her thoughts together as she watched him, knowing her senses were all tingling with awareness. Suddenly, he looked up and saw her standing in the doorway. He stood up immediately, smiling. “Your highness,” Sam said as he walked around his desk and bowed. “What brings you down to this area of the palace today?” he asked reaching out to take her hand in greeting.
Marabeth ignored the flutters that started up in her stomach as he approached. Stacy was right. He was hot. But that description didn’t seem to do him justice. The man was just pure, male perfection. His handsomely tailored suit stretched across his broad shoulders which she was sure was all padding, but still made him look bigger than most men. His dark hair looked soft and touchable and his face, well, Marabeth knew that he could fill in for the male models in any magazine. He was just that handsome. And he scared her more than anyone she’d ever met, including her father who had made intimidation into an art form.
She cleared her throat and remembered that she was a princess and as such, she was above this man in rank. He shouldn’t intimidate her in any way. Clearing her throat again since the first time didn’t seem to work at all, she focused on the reasons he was here, standing awkwardly in his doorway. She walked into the room, feigning an assertiveness she didn’t feel. “I wanted to discuss your edict to cancel my appointments.” Marabeth lifted her chin and pulled her hand out from his.
“I don’t believe I canceled anything,” he said and waived a hand to indicate that they should sit down in the comfortable chairs placed around a coffee table.
She followed his lead, walking over to the set of chairs and sofa. “You restricted my ability to leave the palace, didn’t you?” she asked, taking the first seat and placing her hands over her knees in an effort to calm her shaking nerves.
“Yes.”
“Well, isn’t that the same thing?”
“No.”
Marabeth gritted her teeth. Patience, she reminded herself. “Okay, explain to me how it is different,” she asked, trying to smile but knowing it didn’t come out as very friendly.
“You can have your appointments here at the palace,” he explained as he took the seat right next to her.
Marabeth wanted to laugh but knew that wouldn’t be the best approach. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Absolutely not. I never joke about work,” Sam said with a straight face.
Marabeth looked into his eyes. She thought there was a teasing look about him but wasn’t sure. “I can’t have all my appointments come here.”
“Why not?” he asked, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
“Because…” she tried to think of a reason. “Because it just isn’t feasible.” Marabeth knew that it was weak but she just couldn’t think with him sitting so close to him and looking so handsome.
Sam was unrelenting “Well, despite your articulate argument, I can’t allow you to leave the palace today.”
“But why? What is the reason behind this sudden restriction?”
A shadow came over Sam’s face. Marabeth saw it but couldn’t explain it. It made her very curious though. “I’m not at liberty to discuss it at this time but you’ll have to trust me on this issue.”
“Trust you?” she gasped. Marabeth wanted to laugh but was too nervous. “Why on earth would I trust you?”
“You’re father trusts me,” he replied, leaning back with a slight smile on his face.
“That’s my father. And he trusts you with the defense of his country, not my schedule.”
“It all falls under the same category.”
“I disagree.”
“You’re free to try and leave the palace and test my authority, princess.”