Chapter 2
This remote place was just what he needed.
Max unbuttoned his suit coat, shrugged out of it, and tossed it over the back of one of the chairs in the cabin’s cozy sitting room.
He moved in front of the wood-burning fireplace that welcomed him with its warmth, and he held out his hands toward it while taking in the home that was to be his getaway for the next week.
Already, he could feel the stress of his life falling off his shoulders, like a knight shedding heavy armor.
He was away from the battles with his father and mother and parliament.
Maybe here he could finally think about what he ought to do with the looming deadline of his thirty-fifth birthday in just two months and especially the ultimatum to get married by that thirty-fifth birthday or abdicate his right as firstborn to become the next ruler of Karltenberg.
“The bedroom is rather small,” Braun called in German from the loft above the sitting room.
Winzig, who was tromping up the stairs with Max’s luggage, halted.
Max waved a hand at his protection agent, who also served as his driver. “It will be fine for one week.”
The lovely young woman who was overseeing their group stood near the door, having followed them to the cabin.
“I do hope you’re finding the cabin satisfactory.
” Without a coat and boots, she didn’t seem to be in the least affected by the cold and snow, not even in her heels, which she’d worn as she’d led them down a secluded pathway away from the lodge to the cabin.
Braun responded before Max could. “We would like to move to one of the houses we passed. A cabin simply will not do. Especially one named Antelope.”
The woman shifted the clipboard in her hand. “I’m sorry, but the houses are already booked for the week.” She didn’t sound too terribly sorry. Surely her lack of groveling was a good sign—a sign that she didn’t know his identity.
It wasn’t as if he was as recognizable as Prince Harry and Prince William.
Not at all. Especially in a remote part of the United States like Colorado.
But Max had gained press attention after he’d called off his engagement to the duchess, and ever since then, paparazzi had been hounding him.
So far, however, no one seemed to realize that he was Prince Nikolaus Constantin Maximillian of the House of Karltenberg.
During all the correspondence with the board members of the KWB Group over the past week, he’d emphasized his desire for privacy and that they should only refer to him as Max and abstain from using his royal title.
The gentlemen did most of the time anyway, so it wouldn’t be too much of a switch for them.
As long as Braun didn’t make any more blunders, especially while speaking English, his identity would hopefully remain hidden.
“This is our best cabin and has two rooms,” the woman was saying.
“The loft has the canopy king bed, and the room on the first floor, behind the kitchenette, has a bunk bed. It has a cedar sauna as well as a hot tub. The porch is heated and provides some of the best views of the wilderness, and is just feet from the river.”
Braun’s brow furrowed. “It is not sufficient.”
If Braun continued to ask for more, the woman would begin to suspect something was different about Max. Either that or consider him a spoiled elitist, which he didn’t want to be true, even if it was at times.
Max leveled a stern look at his assistant. The cabin wasn’t as glamorous or luxurious or big as he was accustomed to, but it was nice enough.
“We shall stay.” He spoke first to Braun, then nodded at the woman. What had she said her name was? Kimberly? “Thank you, Kimberly.”
“Emberly.”
“Pardon me. Emberly.” That was an odd name. “We are grateful for the accommodations.” Especially because all the other men were staying in suites in the lodge with less privacy.
“You’re welcome.” She didn’t move to leave. “If you have any needs during the week, you may contact me directly. I’ll be your personal concierge, also known as an ambassador here at the ranch.”
“There is no need for your service, especially since you have proven useless.” Braun was starting down the stairs now that Winzig was up in the loft. “I am Max’s personal assistant, and that is all he requires.”
“No worries.” Emberly lifted her chin at Braun. “You can continue to do all the complaining and pampering for Max, since that seems to be your arrangement . . . but my duties go well beyond that.”
Braun halted midstride, his mouth open but not moving.
Max stopped rubbing his hands together in front of the fire and spun to face Emberly.
The woman crossed her arms and shifted to pin her gaze on him.
As with the introduction to her in front of the lodge, he was struck by her loveliness. Her hair was a vibrant red and styled in a fashionable knot. Her features contained a classic, timeless beauty. And her body was sculpture perfect, as if formed by a master artist.
She held herself with poise but also determination and didn’t seem to be intimidated by the situation. She was likely accustomed to handling a wealthy clientele, since the ranch was designed to cater to the rich and famous.
“My duties,” she continued politely but firmly, “include scheduling activities, planning outings, and ensuring that your stay here at the ranch is an unforgettable experience.”
“That sounds grand.” Max answered before Braun, wanting to prove that he wasn’t as weak and helpless as this woman thought. “I am looking forward to a private week here.”
Emberly nodded at his emphasis on the word private.
“Very private.” Max lowered himself onto the nearest couch, which was filled with pillows bearing distinct patterns—one with diamonds and arrowheads, another with a barbed-wire pattern, and one with the skull of a steer.
Apparently, the decorations were intended to provide a Western American feeling.
“I’ll do my best to keep everything as private as possible.” Emberly studied him. Was she attempting to discover what was motivating his need for privacy?
“Thank you. That is very accommodating of you.”
“Since I was expecting Mr. Milton, I have an itinerary tailored to his interests. Sometime soon, after you have the chance to settle in, I’ll sit down with you and you can share your interests, and I’ll make up a new schedule of activities for you—one that ensures your privacy.”
“Perhaps.” He had briefly looked at the ranch’s website and noticed the variety of activities offered—trail rides, ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, range shooting, and more.
However, he had more than enough work to keep him busy all week—especially the new high-profile client portfolios he needed to assess. He also had investment data to analyze, the plans for a Tokyo bank to scrutinize, and the growth advice of several senior advisers to examine.
The demands of his position were never-ending. Being CEO kept him busy day and night. And he hadn’t planned on doing anything but working when he wasn’t in meetings.
“Why not do something today?” Braun’s eyes held his. Braun had just been telling him, as they’d pulled in through the main gate, that he should try to enjoy the time at the ranch and not work the whole time. “The first board meeting isn’t until tomorrow morning.”
Max glanced at his watch.
“You know you have the time.” Braun started back down the steps again. “Besides, doing a few ranch activities will be good for you. You never make time for relaxation anymore.”
Maybe he should take the time to enjoy the ranch just a little, especially if it would ease the stress. A couple of activities wouldn’t interfere too immensely with all he had to get done.
“Very well.” He beckoned Emberly toward the plush armchair positioned beside the sofa. “Please sit. We shall arrange the activities now.”
She took a look at her phone. Was she also taking note of the time? Or her schedule?
He had assumed she was available, but maybe he should have asked first. “Or we can wait—”
“No.” She was already typing on her phone. “If you’ll give me one moment to respond to messages from my staff, then we can proceed with the planning.”
“Of course.”
She cast a brief look his way. “Excuse me.” Then she pushed open the door and stepped out onto the covered front porch of the cabin before closing the door behind her.
As soon as she disappeared from sight, Braun started tsking. “That woman is not respectful enough.” He lapsed into German. “If only she knew who you are.”
“This is how I want it, Braun.” When most women discovered he was a prince, their whole demeanor changed with him, especially when they learned he was still single.
He could admit he had put off finding a wife when he was younger.
First, he’d attended Cambridge, and his time there had been full of too many parties and too much reckless living.
Once he had grown up a bit, he’d devoted himself to his career in finance and had gone to the University of Salzburg for his MBA.
After earning the degree, he’d immersed himself in the world of banking and investments.
His primary focus had been expanding KWB to Asian and Middle Eastern countries.
In the process, he’d multiplied the wealth of the bank exponentially, during which he’d become the youngest CEO the company had ever known.
By that time, the marriage deadline had already been looming.
It wasn’t a Karltenberg law that the heir apparent had to get married by thirty-five.
But it was a tradition. If he couldn’t find a wife by his upcoming birthday, then his father had asked him to step aside and allow his second-born brother to become the heir apparent.
Parliament had been pushing Max to do so for the past year, primarily because Alex was already married and had three young sons.
As a result, Alex would be able to carry on the lineage of the House of Karltenberg.