‘What do you mean?’

  She didn’t want Rohan to know she loved him. It wouldn’t help anyone. She tried to come up with a valid reason for her refusal. ‘If I get the role I want to know... I need to know I got it on my own merits.’ That sounded feasible. It also had the benefit of being true—she would want to know that.

  ‘But you have got it on your merits. I’ve seen how skilled and proficient you are. You have the qualifications.’

  ‘I know I’m qualified. But our relationship will always make me question whether it was a factor.’

  ‘I can assure you I would not let my emotional attachment affect important decisions,’ he replied, his posture and tone stiff. Her heart leapt at his causal reference to his feelings. But now she’d offended him.

  ‘Rohan, I really appreciate your trust in my abilities. It means the world to me. But I can’t stay on Adysara. I’ll help Mac recruit someone suitable, but as soon as Leo Blake is able to come over, I’m returning to England.’ She held her breath.

  ‘No,’ he replied. ‘You can’t do that. I won’t allow it.’

  ‘Please, Rohan. Can’t you understand how hard this is going to be for me?’

  ‘No. This work is too important to me. If you’re worried about favouritism or nepotism or anything like that, I can assure you I didn’t make this decision alone. You are the most qualified person to lead this work. If you don’t accept then I’ll need to scope different companies.’

  Priya bent her head. She couldn’t tell Rohan the real reason she wanted to leave. And she couldn’t let her co-workers miss out on the opportunity to work on this massive conservation project just because she’d had the monumental stupidity to fall in love with a prince.

  What she wanted was of no importance. She had no choice but to accept.

  * * *

  After Priya left, Rohan went out onto his balcony staring over the gardens. It had taken months to get the palace and grounds ready for the gala festivities and only days to dismantle it.

  But time was surprising. It was really only two months since he’d met Priya, but he felt she knew him better than anyone, even his own family. And he’d thought he knew her too.

  He was still reeling from her admission she didn’t want to take the lead on their project. And in his mind it had always been their project. She was the first person who could envisage the same possibilities he did, who shared his values on accessible art versus protection. He’d expected her to hug him from happiness. Instead she’d turned him down.

  Not only that, she didn’t want to work on the project at all. She wanted to return to England.

  It had been her dream to work on the conservation of stone-cut sculptures. She’d admitted it to him.

  He was right to refuse to accept her decision. She was being irrational, worried their relationship had clouded his judgement. As if he would let his feelings affect something so important to the prosperity of the island.

  He’d already discussed the situation with Agrawal and Mac before mentioning the proposal to Priya. In fact it was Mac who suggested Priya with Agrawal supporting the suggestion. They had assured him his initial assessment of her abilities was correct and she was the perfect person to lead the project.

  A buzz from his intercom brought Rohan back through to his study. His assistant entered to tell him one of the hoteliers who’d discussed potential investment was still on the island and wanted to meet him.

  Rohan needed a distraction from thinking about Priya so he arranged to meet with the hotelier immediately.

  After his meeting he went to his parents’ rooms. There wouldn’t be any government business for his father since they still had guests.

  Rohan closed his eyes. Those guests were out during the day on excursions, but he would be expected to have dinner with them and entertain them over drinks afterwards. He inwardly cursed the tradition which prolonged the gala by inviting select people to continue their visit. It happened after every gala, but this year everyone knew the reasons behind the invitations.

  ‘Rohan, I wasn’t expecting to see you so early,’ his mother greeted him. ‘But I’m glad you came. I wanted to talk about our guests with you, since you didn’t ask me to invite anyone specific.’

  ‘Of course, Mother,’ he said, taking a seat opposite her and his father. She looked frustrated with him. He grimaced. He hated that he’d upset her.

  His parents had been, understandably, disappointed when he hadn’t found any of the charming women who’d attended the gala charming enough to ask for an extended stay. Instead, he’d spent most of the gala chatting with the hotel magnates. His mother had to take matters into her own hands and had invited the families she thought would be most suitable.

  How he hated the word suitable. What did it actually mean? An impeccable blood line. More wealth than more people could imagine. It didn’t make a difference; it was his duty to meet these women and select one to marry.

  He ran a finger around his collar, as if by doing so he could loosen the burden of his duty.

  ‘But before we talk about our guests, I want to update you on further discussions I’ve had with one of the hoteliers,’ Rohan said. ‘They’ve updated their proposal.’

  ‘This is the man who’s prepared to increase his investment contingent on the tourist flow we can expect if the wall painting and caves are attractions?’ his father asked.

  ‘That’s right. He thinks there’s potential for making the summer palace and its surrounding area an island paradise. But if we can offer the historical artwork too, maybe gain World Heritage status...well you know what it would mean for our country’s finances. And he’s prepared to part finance the work as a grant.’

  ‘A grant?’ his father perked up at hearing his family wouldn’t have to invest as much upfront.

  ‘That’s right. This is a great company. Very focused on eco-tourism. Whether or not they offer the best financial package, I would be inclined to go with them. And we’d be able to start almost immediately.’

  ‘And the project team’s ready?’

  ‘Yes. On standby.’ Rohan pressed his lips together as he recalled his conversation with Priya. ‘I have to admit there was some uncertainty around the person I’ve chosen as lead. She was thinking about returning to England, but I’ve persuaded her to stay, I think.’ He hoped.

  ‘This woman,’ his father said, ‘Priya Sen isn’t it? I hear you’ve been spending a lot of time with her.’

  ‘Yes, she was doing the scoping investigation.’

  ‘And you went with her to Aurangabad.’

  ‘That’s right. We wanted to examine Ajanta and Ellora for ideas on presenting the caves.’

  ‘What’s her background? Where are her family from?’

  ‘I don’t know all the details,’ he lied. ‘She doesn’t come from royalty or wealth, if that’s what you’re interested in.’ He noticed the look which passed between his parents. He shouldn’t have spoken to them so sharply. ‘You have no need to worry,’ he told them. ‘She only considers me a client. She’s leading on the preservation work. That’s all. I know my duty.’

  ‘But...’ his mother began.

  ‘Please excuse me, I still have a lot to do. I’m going to return to my rooms. I’ll see you at dinner.’

  Once back in his study, Rohan sat at his desk and pulled up a paper about his regeneration proposal.

  He should be happy. Everything was falling into place. His family were finally on board with his plans to increase tourism. Buildings which had remained empty would soon be useful again. And, slowly but surely the wall painting and the caves would be preserved then restored.

  The project would take years. He knew the team members would change over time, and in the long term they hoped to bring in conservators from India or other neighbouring countries to share and develop expertise. But at least Priya would be with them for a few years. He would still get to see her and spend time with her.

  He froze. No, he couldn’t. He would be married. It was his duty.

  The thought of her being on the island, of having meetings with her for status reports, but not being able to hold her again, or meet with her alone again, was unbearable. And once he was married, he couldn’t spend any time with Priya. It would be wrong. It would be unfair to both her and his wife.

  No wonder she said she couldn’t stay on the island. He would want to get away too. He grimaced as he recalled his implicit threat he would consider putting out for tender if she didn’t lead it.

  She’d said it was too hard to stay. What if her initial refusal wasn’t about favouritism, but because she couldn’t bear the idea of working in proximity to him when he was married to someone else.

  He ran his finger around his collar again. This was an impossible situation.

  If Priya took on the role, then he would hand the project to his assistant to oversee or make it part of Summer Palace Island’s regeneration project so it wasn’t under the royal family any longer. If his father kept to his plan of abdicating in five years, the long length of the project meant Rohan wouldn’t be able to have direct oversight anyway, since he would be king.

  Stepping away from the project was the best option for all of them, even if Priya still wanted to return to England. He hoped she would lead the work—she really was the best person for the job. But he couldn’t bear the idea of her being unhappy so he would also let her know she could return to England if she still wanted.

  He couldn’t risk meeting her, not when he knew one smile from her and he would blurt out how much he wanted to be with her. He took the coward’s way out and sent her a text message.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  PRIYA READ THE message for the fifth time. Rohan wrote that he would be stepping away from the project, but he’d changed his mind and she could return to England instead if she still preferred to leave. Very short, very succinct.

  She understood the subtext—he was letting her go.

  Not wanting to be alone with her thoughts, Priya left her room and forced herself to join the rest of her team in the recreation room. Fortunately, they were watching a film so she was able to zone out without anyone noticing.

  Why had he let her go? Only hours before, he’d categorically refused to accept her decision to return to England. What had changed in that short time?

  She should be happy. Ecstatic. Hadn’t she got what she wanted?

  For the first time in her life, someone had put her wishes above their own. Prioritised what she wanted.

  She’d never felt more miserable.

  Not wanting to waste time, Priya went to speak to Mac to let him know her decision. He looked stunned.

  ‘Priya, are you sure about this?’ he asked. ‘I mean, you can take annual leave once the palace mural is finished. But I thought you’d be eager to work on the stone murals and sculptures. It’s exactly in your sphere of expertise. I hoped to have my best person on the job.’

  ‘Your best person?’ Priya couldn’t help repeating. Had he really said that about her?

  ‘Yes. I had hoped you’d be part of the initial palace project. You sounded keen when I talked to you about it, but you didn’t submit an expression of interest for the lead role.’

  ‘Leo said he wanted to do it. I know he has more experience than me. I was hoping you’d select me to be part of the team though,’ she admitted.

  ‘Priya, let me be frank. When you didn’t apply for the team lead position, I assumed you didn’t want to work abroad for an extended period. Sorry for assuming, but I specifically spoke to you about applying and you chose not to. If you’d put yourself forward, the position would have been yours.’

  Priya sat in shocked silence, absorbing what she’d been told. She had been devastated when she wasn’t selected for the team. She had no idea he’d taken her failure to express her interest as a sign she didn’t want to work abroad.

  ‘Priya, you can be honest with me. Is your indecision because of your relationship with Yuvaraja?’

  Priya had thought nothing could surprise her more than hearing she was first choice for the project. She was wrong. The expression on Mac’s face was concern rather than anger.

  ‘Perhaps I should have told you about it,’ Priya began.

  ‘Why? It wasn’t any of my business. You weren’t breaking any ethical or company guidelines. The only reason it was brought up was because Yuvaraja wanted to make sure we were aware he had a conflict of interest when Agrawal and I proposed you lead the work.’

  ‘Rohan told you?’

  ‘It was appropriate for him to do so.’

  ‘Of course. I didn’t think.’

  ‘I don’t understand all the ins and outs of your relationship. And I have no reason to. But don’t let a love affair that ran its course affect the trajectory of what could be an amazing career. I see huge things in your future, Priya. Think about it.’

  After Priya left Mac she went for a walk. Despite being distracted, she stopped to speak briefly to people as she passed them. As well as her co-workers, she’d got to know the palace staff who lived in the buildings near hers. If she stayed on Adysara and worked on the project she would get to know more people and her sense of belonging would grow. She still couldn’t believe she could have been working here months ago if only she’d put herself forward.

  How many times had she let an opportunity pass her by because she didn’t think she was good enough, or worth it? Because of her own low expectations?

  When had she learnt to expect nothing but rejection and disappointment? It was an easy question to answer. After her father left her at boarding school, always putting work and travel above her, she’d got used to never being a priority. But she hadn’t recognised just how far she’d let her father’s abandonment cloud her perception of herself.

  A part of her still longed for some kind of relationship with her father and stepmother, but if that never happened she would be all right. Just because her dad didn’t care about her didn’t mean she was worthless.

  But if she wanted others to see that, she needed to believe it herself first.

  It was okay for her to stand up for what she wanted. Sometimes she would put herself forward and she would get knocked back. It was fine. It would be a disappointment, but she was strong enough to get back on her feet.

  So what did she want now? She sighed. She wanted Rohan.

  But it was one thing to put herself forward for a job. She couldn’t apply the same philosophy to her love life and beg Rohan to be with her. Could she?

  Priya rolled her eyes. Of course she couldn’t. Rohan was Yuvaraja of Adysara. He had always been honest with her that he couldn’t marry her—had admitted to her he needed to make a match which would bring some material advantage to his country. She certainly had nothing to offer in that regard.

  Besides, he’d told her he didn’t think people really fell in love. He believed true love was a ‘hormonal myth’. He probably didn’t care about her the same way.

  Why invite that kind of rejection?

  Priya stopped where she was. It was exactly the kind of thinking she’d been scolding herself for.

  What would she have to lose in reality if she told Rohan how she felt? What was the worst that could happen? He could turn her down. She fully expected him to. He’d already told her he wasn’t free to choose who he married. She’d told him she accepted it. And she did.

  But since their first kiss next to the megalith, they’d agreed nothing more could happen between them and each time they kept going back to each other. It had to mean something.

  Was she being naive thinking Rohan could have feelings for her? Could he feel more than sexual attraction? He’d never said anything about the way he felt.

  But then she’d never told him she loved him either.

  She’d never expected to fall in love. She hadn’t asked for it. Rohan was probably the worst person she could have chosen. But love didn’t give her a choice.

  She loved Rohan and she wanted a real relationship with him. She wanted them to try.

  And she was worth it. She was worth putting herself out there. She was strong enough to cope if things didn’t work out the way she wanted.

  Taking a deep breath, she sent Rohan a text asking if he would meet her in his garden. It felt like for ever but was probably no more than a few seconds before his reply came telling her he’d be there in ten minutes.

  As she made her way to the garden, Priya cursed inwardly for not giving herself time to think through what she wanted to say.

  The garden door was locked. Of course it would be. It was Rohan’s private garden. Nobody could enter without his permission. And she was nobody. What had she been thinking, summoning him to meet her as if she was the member of royalty, not him?

  This was a terrible idea. She turned to go but had only taken a few steps when her resolve returned. She had one chance to say her piece. She wasn’t going to back out now. She went to stand against the door, as if it could provide some additional backbone for her.

  The minutes passed by in a flash and at the same time seemed to go on for ever before Rohan was walking towards her.

  ‘Priya.’ His smile when he noticed her made her heart soar. Hope blossomed that everything could work out the way she wanted. ‘Is everything okay?’

  She nodded, too overcome with emotion to risk speaking. Rohan unlocked the door, then waited for her to precede him.

  She took a couple of steps inside then, without looking at him, she said, ‘I love you, Rohan.’

  ‘What?’ She couldn’t interpret his tone so she slowly walked towards him trying to read his expression. But it was blank.

  ‘I said I love you. I know we barely know each other, and I know you don’t think people fall in love quickly, but I feel like you’re the person who knows me best in the world.’

 

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