Read Online His Royal Pleasure by Leanne Banks - Free Book Online

man?”
    She looked away. “He was very handsome. I remember imagining that he would be strong, yet gentle. He had dark hair and dark eyes. Those eyes of his never left the face of the woman. His gaze didn’t wander. He didn’t grow bored. He adored her.” She seemed to realize what she’d revealed about herself and made a show of shrugging it off.
    â€œI pretended I was the woman. I was just ten, and you know how children can be. Full of daydreams.”
    Al didn’t know how children could be. His formative years had been spent in such constraint, partly because of his position, partly because of his father’s mistakes.
    â€œMy family has had their share of problems,” he admitted. “My father made a mistake that hurt my mother. It ended up hurting all of us. My sisters and I could have had a much different childhood. Instead…”
    Katherine heard the unspoken longing and loss. It struck a chord in her. “So, you have sisters?”
    â€œYes. We were separated for almost seven years. I—” He hesitated, because he’d never openly discussed the subject. Katherine didn’t know of his position, though, and it seemed a good opportunity to for once share the burden of his childhood. “—I missed them.”
    She stopped, dropping her sandals to the sand, then tentatively lifted a hand to his arm. “I’m sure you did. Seven years. That’s half a childhood.”
    His throat felt thick with emotion. It was a disconcerting sensation. He swallowed hard and nodded, hoping it would pass.
    â€œSometimes it’s hard for me to imagine you as a child. You’re so serious.” She searched his face with open, guileless eyes. Her hand fluttered like a butterfly against his skin. “After hearing this, I think I understand. Don’t worry. I won’t ask you to tell me more than you already have, but…” She paused, giving a heavy sigh. “It’s feeble and small, and it won’t change a thing, but I’m sorry, really sorry.”
    Her comfort and concern washed over him, through a crack into a deep, dark part of him. Pity he could have fought, but not this gentle honesty. It struck him again what a generous, open woman Katherine was. It hit him hard again, the overwhelming urge to possess her and know her, in every way.
    â€œYou’re a remarkable woman,” he murmured.
    Katherine’s heart jerked in her chest. Again, she sensed a deep loneliness inside him, and it hurt her to see it. The moment grew heavy, fraught with tension. It was too intimate, but she’d done it again, stuck her heart in where it didn’t belong. She shied away. “Not really. Look at how loony I’ve been acting around you. I’m just relieved to know why. Bet you are too,” she finished dryly.
    â€œYou think this connection between us is because of the music box?”
    She looked down at the sand and dug her toes into it. “Well, of course. I mean, it’s a logical explanation, don’t you think?” She didn’t wait for him to answer. “Yes. It makes perfect sense.”
    â€œThen you needn’t fear me.”
    She opened her mouth to argue, then closed it.
    He raised their twined hands and brushed the back of her hand with his lips. He smiled.
    Her heart dipped.
    â€œSo, you will teach me to play.”
    She gave a shaky laugh. “I’m not sure I’m the right woman to teach you what you want to learn.”
    â€œYou’re the only woman to teach me what I want to learn.”
    She shook her head. “I don’t think—”
    He gave her a gentle but impatient shake. “Then don’t think. Trust me. Teach me. I’m an exceptional student. My marks were superior. I was my professors’ best and brightest.” He’d damn well had to be.
    Katherine laughed in spite of herself. “Okay! Okay! Have you ever heard of the word humility?