Libby's eyes darkened and a smile broke across her face. "Of course I'll marry you!"
Holy cow. What had they just done? Alex's limbs were pudding and his heart would probably beat itself into cardiac arrest at any moment. But he managed to slip the ring onto Libby's left hand without any visible shaking. Hopefully any nerves would be passed off as those of an anxious fiancé.
The entire room let out a collective sigh. Alex rose and pulled Libby to him. She shrank into his side, body trembling. Cheers broke out across the room. Alex was acutely aware of all the places where Libby's body touched his. Her arms around his waist. Her head against his chest. Their legs brushing against each other. The scent of her coconut and ocean breeze shampoo was seriously messing with his wits.
For one insane moment, he wished this was a real engagement. That he and Libby would really get to spend the rest of their lives together.
And that's when he knew he was falling for her. He'd never experienced even a shadow of these emotions with Isla. Comparing the two was like comparing the sun to the stars. No, not even the stars. A light bulb.
"Kiss her!" someone yelled. Probably Nicholas.
Alex dropped his gaze to Libby's full lips. She pulled the bottom one in with her teeth as she inhaled.
Oh, how he wanted to kiss her. He licked his own lips, his mouth feeling suddenly dry. But royals didn't give in to public displays of affection. His mother would faint on the spot if she saw, Alex he had no doubt that every member of his family was close by, watching this entire spectacle.
"Do it," Libby breathed.
He could no more deny her request than cut off his own arm. Alex lowered his head toward Libby's, intending to brush a brief, chaste kiss across her mouth. The kind of kiss a future king was expected to give in public. But then their lips touched, and he lost all sense of reason.
Her mouth was as soft as Alex had always imagined it to be. Libby's arms tightened around his waist and she melted into him. He cradled her face with his hands, feeling the soft skin of her jaw and neck beneath his palms, and angled her head for a better kiss. Her lips parted ever so slightly.
He was lost to the moment. Didn't care that he was the crown prince. That they were at an official function. That this whole thing was all for show. All that mattered was Libby, and the way she felt in his arms.
A catcall broke through his concentration-probably Henry, the scoundrel-and Alex broke away. Had he seriously just passionately kissed Libby in front of a crowd of people?
Oh boy. His parents would be livid.
Libby's stumbled against Alex, her eyes clouded with desire. He tightened his hold, keeping her securely upright against his side.
"When's the wedding?" Sara called. Her cameraman stood beside her, the green light near the lens proving the whole thing was being caught on film.
Libby stiffened beside him and Alex forced himself to smile. "Give us a moment to catch our breath. I've just barely convinced her to say yes."
A chuckle rumbled through the crowd.
"Now what?" Libby murmured.
"No idea," Alex said.
That kiss. He could still feel her lips on his. The soft skin of her face beneath his hands. He'd never felt a kiss so deeply. Not even with Isla, who he'd been so certain he loved.
"All hail His Royal Highness Prince Alexander!" someone called, their glass raised.
Cheers echoed the sentiment. Waiters hurriedly brought out trays of champagne as an excited buzz filled the party. Members of parliament and celebrities alike all pushed forward, offering their congratulations.
Engaged. Alexander's chest tightened in panic. How would they get out of this mess? What would happen when the engagement was inevitably called off? Flashbacks of the backlash he'd endured after breaking up with Isla had him fighting for composure. The last month had been such a nice reprieve. He'd almost forgotten what it was like not to deal with a constant media circus.
Nicolette pushed her way through the crowd, her head held high and a crown balance regally atop her blonde curls. He recognized the fake smile on her face immediately-the one that said happy to Durhams, but danger to her children. Geoffrey strode behind her, his expression not quite masking his feelings. Mother always had been better at hiding her emotions in public. Geoffrey had chosen his queen well.
"Congratulations," Nicolette said, holding out her arms.
Alex knew he had no choice, so he accepted her hug.
"Ten minutes," she whispered in his ear. He didn't have to ask where-the family room was where all these types of discussions went down. It was fitting, really, since that's where he and Libby had agreed to this crazy plan. "Bring the American tart with you."
Alex bristled at the insult, feeling his neck grow hot with anger. Libby hadn't planned this any more than he had, and now they were both stuck in a mess.
Or had she planned this? He glanced her way, watching as she smiled and thanked someone offering congratulations. He'd seen her family's bank statements and knew they were knocking at bankruptcy's door. Securing her spot as future queen would ensure they never suffered financial difficulties again.
She's not like that, Alex told himself. He gave his mother a curt nod, then clapped his father on the back. They made a good show of joviality, but the undercurrent of tension wasn't lost on Alex.
Soon the crowd returned to their own conversations, eager to gossip about this turn of events. Rumors would already be flying about the reason for such a quick engagement. They'd have to make sure whatever pretend wedding date they set was well in the future to dissuade any whispers of an unplanned pregnancy. There was a boisterous atmosphere to the event that had been missing previously. No doubt a royal wedding would push all thoughts of Isla from Durham's mind.
Alex wondered what they'd say when the wedding was inevitably called off.
Libby sidled up next to Alex and placed a hand softly on his arm, sending tingles to his fingertips. "We're in trouble, aren't we?" she said, keeping her voice low and a smile on her lips.
"Most definitely, "Alex said, patting her hand. "But I'm the crown prince. What can they do?"
Libby let out a strained laugh. "Maybe you're safe. But they might still decide to throw the commoner in the palace dungeons."
"We stopped using those decades ago. They're quite cozy now. Big screen TV, billiards table, overstuffed couches-you'd be quite comfortable, I'm sure."
Libby laughed again, but this time the sound was lighter. Good. No sense in letting her know just how nervous he was.
With the guests distracted, Alex watched his parents slip out of the room, followed by his brothers, sister, and cousins a few moments later. Alex nodded to Finn, who positioned his hulking body to shield Alex and Libby from prying eyes. He tugged her from the room and they disappeared down the hallway.
"Where are we going?" Libby asked as he pulled her behind a tapestry that hid a hallway only the family used.
"To be scolded by the king and queen."
She stumbled and he threw out an arm to steady her. She quickly regained her footing and quickened her pace. "Are you serious?"
"Don't worry. I won't let them drag you to the dungeons. That wouldn't help my reputation at all."
Libby raised an eyebrow, amusement making her lips turn up. "How very comforting."
For a crazy moment, Alex imagined pressing Libby up against the wall and kissing her senseless. He clenched his jaw and paused in front of the elevator instead, pushing the up button. "I wasn't thinking when I picked up that ring."
"And I wasn't thinking when I dropped it."
"Well, now a crowded room of guests saw it, and we need to come up with a game plan for the press. If we aren't careful, we'll undo all the progress we've made this past month."
The elevator dinged open, and Alex ushered Libby inside. His arm brushed hers as he reached for the number three. Now was not the time to relive that amazing kiss had his body temperature spiking.
"This is so stupid." Libby slammed a fist against the elevator wall, surprising Alex with her intensity. "I've been meaning to get that dang ring resized for ages. I guess I was nervous, and my hands were kind of sweaty, and, well … " She trailed off, looking up at him from underneath lowered lashes. "It just flew off."
He picked up her hand, running his thumb over the ring. Her skin felt warm against his, and he sucked in a shaky breath. "It's a beautiful piece."
"Probably not what Durham imagined the crown prince would give his intended."
"It's close enough that they all made the same assumption."
The elevator slid to a stop and Alex motioned for Libby to exit. She clasped her hands together, pressing her lips to the ring that now rested on her left hand as they strode toward the door to the family quarters at the end of the hallway.