The Alpha and His Cursed Princess

Chapter 12

Amelia's fingers trembled as she fastened her seat belt. She had used makeup to hide the dark circles indicating that she had a sleepless night and which was visible on her face in the morning. Nothing could smooth away the turmoil of thoughts and emotions knotting her stomach.

The previous night, raw from her encounter with her father's killer and Lucas’s words, it had been easy to be resistant  but before the ball was over and Kristen and Harry had bidden farewell in showers of rose petals, she and Lucas had driven back home wondering why on earth she had let her dislike of the woman maneuvered over her into a decision she might come to regret.

And that there had been a couple of shocks since then, first when Archie had told her that Lucas had left for the trek halfway through the night.

“Why?” she asked when she got in the car that was taking her and Archie to the airport.

“When I contacted my friends last night they told me they that made some changes in their itinerary due to the bad weather forecast, so I got Lucas to organize his own journey. He managed to talk himself into two flights that will get him there within their deadline.

She gave him a look of astonishment mingled with distress. Lucas had always relied on her to organize any travel arrangements for him. And who is paying his fair? An uneasiness clutched her heart.

As though he could read her mind, Lucas said blandly. “You don't need to worry about his finances. Lucas has worked it out himself.”

“How did he manage to do it?” Amelia demanded curiously.

“Well, I managed to lure him to work for me after he completes his studies as he is very good with the marketing side,” Lucas told her calmly.

“Working for you?” This time she felt a mixture of bewilderment and relief. If Lucas was working for Archie, he wouldn't have time to wander around or go for adventures to unknown places and make her worried all the time.

“There's always something to be done in an organization like mine,” Archie told her.

“Really why are you lying to her Archie.” Caper chuckled when you are the one who made that poor fellow impossible to reject the offer at that time. Why did you tell them to leave immediately? They could have waited for him for at a day. All you wanted to do was have Princess Amelia all to yourself.”

“Are you actually complaining? When you are the one who made me so impulsive Casper, now lay low. I am getting distracted.” And Archie ignored his groaning.

Amelia eyed him sharply. “Why are you doing this for him? And anyways I will be starting my business soon so I want him to help me.”

“Well he was very desperate to get for the mountain climbing and this seemed the best way to achieve that. And he did not want you to finance him for his trip. And don't worry once he gains experience in my company he will be very good at handling your matters. You can have your brother back into your company once you have established it and with his experience in the company he will be able to help you more efficiently.”

“It's very kind of you Archie.” she finally managed to say with reserve as to some point he was correct.

“I am not particularly kind,” he corrected her, ” but I don't like to make an offer and then have to retract it. This way he will get the exposure he wants and he will also see a bit of the world. And as for working for me, I assume he is going to have to earn his living someday? Somewhere right?”

“of course.”

“Then the experience will give him an idea of how the business world is organized.”

Amelia had barely digested this when she discovered that Harry's his cousins were supposed to join them but weren't traveling with them.

Surprised by the information, she asked. “ Somehow I assumed they were going home with you.”

He shook his head. “They are flying to Vienna to spend some time with their relatives.”

She had watched in the banquet that Archie was very close to his cousin's younger children and was surprised or you could say rather touched by the way he interacted with them. And his obvious affection for them hinted at a softer side to the man

She looked forward to seeing more of them. But she and Archie would be alone or as alone as anyone could be on a plane that boosted more flight crew than passengers.

A tingling excitement welled up, so keen she could feel it thrilling through her every cell. She Amelia Alexandra who had never done a reckless thing in her life was heading for a holiday to the other part of the world with a man she found widely attractive and hard to ignore.

Although attractive was far too uninteresting emotionless word. A sensible woman would have refused his invitation, would have kept on saying no until she decided she was more bother than she was worth...

Amelia realized she was exceedingly glad that she wasn't that sensible woman. And grinned with satisfaction.