"You are so annoyingly noble." She sniffed. "It took me far too long to realize it was all an act. One I should make you pay dearly for. You humiliated me in front of those very nice people." "Those very nice people you actively deceived," he said pointedly. "Besides, you hit me. Excessively hard, I might add." "Not nearly hard enough," she snapped. "Perhaps you can have your captain shoot me?" "Do not for a moment think he did not offer," she said loftily. "And do not think for a moment I did not seriously consider it. Dimitri was quite disappointed when I forbade him to kill you." "I should be grateful for that much, then." She smacked her hand on the table. "You should be grateful for more than that! I am! You and I have found something few people ever do. Do you not understand, Matthew? I refuse to let your misguided nobility keep us apart. My life as a princess, or a peasant, is not worth living without you in it." "And mine is without you? I'm willing to go to Avalonia and be your blasted lapdog, if that will keep you in my life. Damn it all, Tatiana, I love you. I have loved you from the moment you went up in my balloon. From the moment I saw the tilt of your smile and the spark in your green eyes. From the first lie to the last, I have loved you. And I love you now!"

"Then do stop screaming at me!"

"I am not screaming! I am..." He stopped abruptly and blew a long, frustrated breath. "Stark...

raving... mad."

"I suspected as much." The corners of her lips twitched as if she were about to laugh. His heart leapt.

He stared at her for a long moment. "Can you forgive me?"

"Never." She shrugged. "Perhaps. Possibly. Someday. Years from now."

"After a great deal of groveling, I imagine?" He raised a brow. "Begging, beseeching, pleading and so

forth as well, no doubt?"

"Without question."

"And how long do you expect the groveling, begging, beseeching and so forth would continue?" He

started around the table toward her.

"A lifetime should do." She cast him the look, and any lingering doubt he had vanished.

"I see. Exactly where will I be doing this groveling, begging and beseeching?" He reached her and pulled

her into his arms and back into his life.

"Do not forget the so forth." She stared defiantly up at him.

"I would never forget the so forth." He bent and kissed the hollow of her throat. "The so forth has always been my favorite part. Now, where?"

"I should think a man who wants to make his fortune in shipping would need an ocean." She tilted her head and frowned thoughtfully. "England is on an ocean, is it not?"

"Indeed it is. However, I had planned to go to Avalonia."

"That will never work, Matthew." She widened her eyes innocently. "There is no ocean."

"Regardless, I-"

"It is the nicest gift you could ever offer, but"-she shook her head-"I do not wish to live the rest of my life at court like a fish in a glass bowl. I do not want my husband-"

He opened his mouth to protest and she held her fingers against his lips to stop him, "Even though I know he is nothing like my first husband"-she rolled her gaze heavenward-"to be subjected to constant observation and scrutiny and, whether he likes it or not, comparison and inevitably gossip. However, I cannot tell you I will not miss my family and my country. To do so"-she flashed him a wicked smile-"would be a lie."

"And there will be no more of those."

"Of course not, my lord," she said pleasantly. "Unless, of course the situation warrants it."

"And you do it so much better than I."

"Indeed I do. Do you remember when I said the essence of a good lie was that it be based in truth?" She slid her arms around his neck and gazed into his eyes. "I realized you were lying when you said you had only pretended to be happy about our marriage to have me in your bed. But I had been willing, and did indeed share your bed long before then."

"That's pretty feeble," he said slowly. "You were convinced I was lying because of that?"

"Well, you are an honorable man, and..." She paused and heaved a resigned sigh. "No, I was convinced you were lying because I couldn't bear to think otherwise."

His arms tightened around her. "Thank God."

She stared at him for a moment then smiled smugly. "You want to kiss me now, Matthew. I can see it in the look in your eyes."

"I want to do considerably more than kiss you." He grinned wickedly. "And that too you should see in my eyes."

Her eyes widened with delight and her mouth opened and before she could say a word he pressed his lips to hers in a kiss of passion and reunion and the sure and certain knowledge that no matter what adventures they would encounter in the future it would be a future they met hand in hand.

He drew back and smiled down at her. "So you are still a princess?"

"I prefer the title of Lady Matthew but yes, I shall always be a princess." She reached up and nibbled on his lower lip. "Your princess." Desire rose within him and he wondered how exceedingly uncomfortable the stable might be. And how exciting. ;:My very own princess. Imagine that;"

"And your very own wife."

"I rather like that." He drew her lips back to his. She was back and he would never let her go again. "Indeed, I like that a lot. It has a nice ring to it. "Her Highness," for now and forever, "my wife."

About the Author.

VICTORIA ALEXANDER was an award-winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and has never looked back.

Victoria grew up traveling the country as an Air Force brat and is now settled in a hundred-year-old house in Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband, two teenaged children, and a bearded collie named Sam. She firmly believes housework is a four-letter word, there are no calories in anything eaten standing up, procrastination is an art form, and it's never too soon to panic.

And she loves getting mail that doesn't require a return payment. Write to her at: P.O. Box 31544, Omaha, NE 68131.

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Other Avon Romances by Victoria Alexander.

THE HUSBAND LIST.

THE MARRIAGE LESSON.

THE PRINCE'S BRIDE.

THE WEDDING BARGAIN.