Marrying Her Royal Enemy by Jennifer Hayward Page A

country into the ground before he died. Used far too much of the public funds to tighten the reins on the people, for his security, rather than to help them prosper. I’ve been returning what I can to organizations like Theda’s, but the funds we receive from the foreign investment will be the real key.”
    Her mouth pursed. “It was sad, to see how this once proud country has diminished. There are so many who need help, so many who have suffered so greatly.”
    A knot formed in his gut. At his failure to stop his father. At allowing it to get this far. “It is painful to see,” he agreed. “But slowly it will get better. The foreign investment, the hotel developments, will also create jobs. Unemployment is a big problem.”
    “Speaking of which.” She pressed her wineglass to her chin. “I had a cappuccino in town after my meeting. The proprietor of the café sat down at my table, worried the hotels are going to obstruct his view and take away business.”
    He shrugged. “They might. This isn’t about one store owner’s view, it’s about revitalizing the nation’s economy.”
    “Yes, but he isn’t just one person. He’s an influential voice in the community. He sees the townspeople every day, talks to them, tells them what he thinks.”
    “So what did you tell him?”
    “That more tourists means more business for him.”
    “Exactly how he needs to view it.” He shook his head. “I think, somehow, the people are looking for roses and sunshine from me, when what they really need is actual solutions to their problems.”
    She frowned. “Three generations of that man’s family have run that café, Kostas. It’s the best view in town. I’m not saying there are easy answers, I’m not saying change is going to come easily for people or that you can accommodate all of their requests, but perhaps you can accommodate some. In this instance, perhaps, keep the buildings low-rise like we have in Akathinia.” She lifted her glass to her lips and took a sip. “I told him to write you a letter.”
    “A letter ?”
    “Yes. And you will answer it. You saw the night of our engagement party how much distrust and cynicism exists among the people. The only way you are going to win your people back is to show them the empathy and care your father never did. Prove to them they can trust you.”
    His mouth flattened. “They also need to trust me . Let me do my job. If I get mired down in what every café owner thinks, I’ll never get anything accomplished.”
    She shook her head. “You need to choose your key influencers carefully. Those closest to the people. That café owner is one of them. You need to listen to him.”
    * * *
    Stella watched Kostas over the rim of her wineglass as the salad was served. She was pushing him, but he needed it. His default mode was to know everything, to fix Carnelia’s problems the most efficient way he knew, but that wasn’t going to work here. He couldn’t be a one-man show.
    However, a man like Kostas, so utterly sure in his opinions, needed to find his own way to the truth.
    They managed to pass the meal in a distinctly civilized fashion. By the time it was through, the excellent wine and the chance to relax had her feeling distinctly mellow.
    Kostas picked up the bottle of wine. “Let’s finish it in the conservatory.”
    She followed him there. He sprawled out on the small sofa, long legs splayed in front of him. She headed for one of the wing-backed chairs beside it.
    “Sit here.” His command pulled her to a halt. She turned to look at him. “You may have decided our intimate relationship will be conducted on an as-needed basis,” he drawled softly, “but that doesn’t mean you have to sit a mile away.”
    The glimmer of challenge in his dark perusal was too much to resist. Curling up on the other end of the sofa, she discovered she had little room, as his big frame hogged the space and a hard thigh pressed against hers. She pulled in a breath only to find him in