Нина Сингх – Christmas With Her Secret Prince (страница 8)
Right. He would have to be a completely different person for it to make an iota of difference. The reality was that he was the crown prince of Verdovia. He’d been groomed since birth to be beholden to rules and customs and to do what was best for the kingdom. He couldn’t forget this trip was simply a temporary respite from all that.
This ball would give him a chance to do something different, out of the norm, if he attended as an associate of the royal family rather than as the prince. After all, wasn’t that why he was in the United Sates? For one final adventure. This was a chance to attend a grand gala without all the pressures of being the Verdovian prince and heir to the throne.
He asked Mel to order for them both and she did so before Greta poured them some more coffee and then left their booth, her smile growing wider by the second.
“All right,” Mel began once they were alone. “Tell me about yourself. Why don’t you start with more about what you do for a living?”
Ray knew he had to tread carefully. He didn’t want to lie to her, but he had to be careful to guard his true identity. Not only for his sake, but for hers, as well.
“You said something about acquiring real estate for the Verdovian royal family. Does that mean real estate is your main focus?” she asked.
Ray took a sip of his steamy beverage. He’d never had so much coffee in one sitting, but the Boston brew was strong and satisfying. “So to speak. I’m responsible for various duties in service of the king. He’d like to expand his American property holdings, particularly in metropolitan cities. He’s been eyeing various high-end hotels in the Boston area. I volunteered to fly down here to scope out some prospects and perhaps make an agreement.” Technically, he was telling her the complete truth.
Mel nodded. “I see. You’re definitely a heavy hitter.”
That wasn’t an expression that made immediate sense to him. “You think I hit heavy?”
“Never mind. Do you have a family?”
“My parents and two younger sisters.”
“What would you tell me about them?”
This part could get tricky if he wasn’t careful. He hated being on the slim side of deceitful but what choice did he have? And in the overall scheme of things, what did it hurt that Mel didn’t know he was a prince? In fact, he’d be glad to be able to forget the fact himself for just a brief moment in time.
“My father is a very busy man. Responsible for many people and lots of land. My mother is an accomplished musician who has studied the violin under some of Europe’s masters and composes her own pieces.”
Mel let out a low whistle. “Wow. That’s quite a pedigree,” she said in a near whisper. “How’d you end up picking such a high-profile career?”
He had to tread carefully answering that one. “It was chosen for me,” he answered truthfully.
She lifted an eyebrow. “You mean the king chose you?”
He nodded. Again, it was the complete truth. “There were certain expectations made of me, being the only son of the family.”
“Expectations?”
“Yes. It was a given that I would study business, that I would work in a career that led to the further wealth and prosperity of our island kingdom. Otherwise...”
The turn in conversation was throwing him off. Mel’s questions brought up memories he hadn’t given any consideration to in years.
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