Gwen knew what Arthur was up to but apparently she had no willpower when it came to him. All he had to do was smile and give her some silly reason about rehearsing for the date with her playing the part of Mithian, and she caved almost immediately. And now, as she waited in the hall for him after changing into more suitable clothes, she couldn't deny that she was a little excited.

Maybe a bit more than a little.

The roofing was not completely done because, true to all the stories about Arthur, he had been distracted by a million things, things that she had noted down into her trusty notebook and would have to spend the evening sorting out because the prince's mind jumped from one thing to another like a child's. But his enthusiasm was infectious and even as she tried to keep up with Arthur, she found herself smiling.

With a shake of her head, Gwen picked up Mithian's folder. She had to stop thinking about Arthur and start thinking about how to make him fall for one of these women. By now, she could practically memorise Mithian's details and honestly, if she was Arthur, she couldn't imagine what there wasn't to like about the Lady. The headshot showed a gorgeous brunette and behind, there were pages and pages extolling her virtues, her extensive charity work and her A+ people skills. They travelled in the same exclusive circles and shared a similar upbringing. Any dating app would match Arthur and Mithian. The thought of King Uther using a dating app made her giggle.

"What's so amusing?" Arthur stepped in front of her. A smile played on his lips and he offered her his hand, which she took after a moment's hesitation.

He didn't let go.

"I was just thinking about how suited Mithian is for you."

His smile faded and he shrugged. "Maybe on paper. I haven't really interacted with her in years. You look nice."

"Thank you."

"If you were Mithian, you would curtsey," said Arthur, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Gwen hadn't curtsied in front of him since the last clumsy one she executed at the royal residence. "Come on, you want this to be authentic, don't you?"

She yanked her hand from his, shot him a glare, then jerked into a hasty curtsey. As she rose, she stumbled a little and Arthur quickly caught her, both his hands on her upper arms. His thumbs circled against her shoulder, sending little darts of heat through her. She pulled away. "Happy?"

"Very. Now, let's go ride some horses."

"As I mentioned, this is a flawed plan because I can't ride," said Gwen.

"You can ride with me."

"Mithian wouldn't do that. She would ride her own horse and impress you with her tricks."

Arthur blinked, then burst into laughter. "Oh Gwen. I don't know what you're imagining, but Mithian isn't going to be doing any tricks while she rides."

Pressing her lips together, Gwen tried to act as if Arthur's laugh had insulted her. Clearly, she wasn't successful as Arthur took her hand, sliding his fingers through hers and gently urged her to the door, not in the least concerned that he had upset her.

"I think I will like horse riding as much as I like climbing ladders."

He laughed again, then stopped walking and turned to face her. He cupped her face and the laughter disappeared from his eyes. "If you get scared, we'll just walk the horses. Alright?"

"Then how would that be -"

"Gwen, you need to stop being Gwen, the project manager and Mithian, the Lady of something or the other."

"She is the Duchess of Nemeth."

Arthur took her hand again. "Mmm. When she arrives, you'll need to curtsey too. Now, let's go horse riding."

Gwen had only seen the barn from afar and the route from the cottage to the barn was along a muddy track, something she was going to include into the list of things Arthur needed to see to. While she wore sensible shoes, the going was still tough and she found herself leaning into Arthur for support, or so she told herself. After her foot sunk into some mud and she bumped against him as she attempted to free herself, he had slung his arm around her shoulder, steadying her.

"Excalibur is in the stables in Camelot city, since I spend most time there, but Chestnut is a great horse as well. You'll love her and if you decide to learn to ride, she's a gentle mare to begin on."

Finally, they reached the barns and the stable hands quickly bowed and curtsied, in more graceful manner, upon seeing Arthur. For a while, Arthur engaged them in small talk, introducing Gwen then asking about his horses. The two stable hands seemed more than eager to inform him about his horses. As they did so, Gwen poked around the place. Like the cottage, no expense had been spared and the three horses looked healthy.

"Do you want to ride on your own?"

Gwen shook her head. The horses were beautiful but they were also huge and scary. No way would she put her life at their mercy. She watched as Arthur saddled the horse she assumed was Chestnut. His movements were confident and he did it while continuing to chat with the stable hands. Then, he was reaching for her.

"One foot here, then swing yourself across."

It took a few tries and a boost from Arthur, but Gwen finally sat astride the horse. In one smooth movement, Arthur was behind, his arms coming around her to hold the reins. Twice in one day, Arthur had his arms around her and she was getting far too used to it.

With a flick of his wrist, the horse started to move and Gwen bit down on a squeal.

"Relax." Arthur breath brushed against her ear. The reaction her body had to that made it even harder for her to relax but she let out a breath and tried, focusing her attention not on the hard body that pressed up against her back, but the gorgeous scenery that they rode past. Bit by bit, Gwen started to enjoy the feel of the wind against her face, the excitement of being in control of such a strong beast and the simple joy of just being in nature.


When Gwen finally relaxed in his arms, Arthur urged the horse on, pleased when Gwen's reaction was a delighted laugh. So when they approached the picnic area, Arthur couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that he would have to relinquish his hold on her.

"It seems to me," said Arthur as he laid out the picnic mat, "that the crown Prince of Albion shouldn't be doing this."

Sitting on a nearby rock, Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting that the Duchness of Nemeth should be serving you?"

"I wouldn't dare. Perhaps you should come -"

Gwen tossed a pebble at him. "Don't finish that thought."

In the backpack, Arthur found some sandwiches and a tumbler of tea. He suspected that on his date with Mithian, the food would be a little more elaborate. He peeked into one sandwich, took the one with egg inside and passed the tuna sandwich to Gwen. They ate in companionable silence with the sound of distant birds and a nearby running lake for company.

"Tell me, my lord," said Gwen as she sat daintily, her feet tucked beneath her. "What do you do for fun?"

Arthur narrowed his eyes. "I fix up old houses."

Gwen clapped her hands. "Isn't that such a coincidence. I happen to have a crumbling mansion."

Trying not to laugh at Gwen's impression of a Duchess, Arthur nodded. "That is a coincidence. Are you looking to restore it?"

"Why, yes." Gwen smiled and Arthur was slightly disappointed that she didn't choose to bat her eyelashes at him. "I would love to hear your thoughts on that."

"That could be arranged. You could send me the blueprints, perhaps I could make a visit and we can see how it goes." If Gwen was going to play at this, Arthur could play his part too. He moved closer to where Gwen was sitting and touched her cheek. "What do you do for fun, my lady?"

Her throat moved as she swallowed and Arthur had the sudden urge to press his lips to her neck. Gwen lifted her chin, as if reading his thoughts, and said, "I ride."

Arthur knew the moment Gwen realised the double entendre when her gaze slid from his and she quickly added, "horses."

"I'm sure you're very skilled at that," he said, letting his finger slide down her cheek to her chin, then nudging it so that she looked at him again.

For a moment, Arthur could practically see the desire that shimmered between them. Gwen looked at him with wide eyes and slightly parted lips and Arthur was pretty sure that his own expression mirrored hers.

He leaned forward.

She jerked backwards, then shook her head, a small smile on her face. "You're not bad. You didn't need this rehearsal."

Arthur dropped his hand, returned her smile, and flopped down onto the picnic mat, flinging his arm across his eyes. He concentrated on his breathing, trying to calm his pounding heart and wrestle his desire to more manageable proportions.

"I'm curious," said Gwen after a while, as she reached for the tumbler of tea. "Why is your father doing this?"

Arthur removed his arm and turned his head to look at her. "Surely you've read the tabloids. I'm getting older and the world will cave in if I don't produce an heir."

"Well, I know that but you're not exactly unattractive or awful -"

"Thank you," said Arthur wryly.

"- so why resort to this? Couldn't you just attend a few parties -"

"Frankly, I have no idea what goes on in my father's head. I suspect it's that dratted Lord Cenred's engagement. My father is very keen on keeping up with the competition."

"You never know. All these women all seem very appealing and -"

Arthur pushed himself up. "I don't want any of those women."

"You promised -"

"I did. And I know that you need to get me to go on dates with all these women." He took her hand. "What I want is to get to know you better."

"Arthur -" But she didn't pull her hand away, even as she chewed on her bottom lip.

"I don't want to play games. Not with you, not with all these women who are going to be heading down to Ealdor. I like you, Gwen. And if there is any woman I want to date, it's you."

"I don't know anything about old houses."

Arthur smiled. "No and you can't bear heights."

"I can't ride horses either."

With his other hand, he cradled her cheek. "No. On paper, you'd be a terrible match for me. But, in real life -"

He moved closer and she licked her lips. He was so close that he could feel their breaths mingling. They stayed in that position for a while, then she moved that tiny distance and her lips brushed against his.

At the touch of her lips, his heart squeezed and desire rolled through him. Like their previous kiss, it was light and tentative, almost chaste except for all the lust he was feeling. He was surrounded by her scent, her taste, her touch. Then, Gwen's tongue stroked his lips and a groan was wrenched from him. He parted his lips, giving her access as his hands moved to her waist, his fingers touching the exposed skin between her jeans and shirt. Gwen shivered, then pressed herself closer to him, a purr of pleasure rumbling through her. She fisted his hair and the slight pain from her tug only served to enhance the pleasure that coursed through him.

Far too quickly, Gwen broke the kiss. She closed her eyes, her chest heaving, then let her head rest against his shoulder. Arthur slid his fingers into her curls.

"This is completely unprofessional," she finally said, lifting her head to look at him. "My career is important to me."

Arthur looked at her, her curls escaping from her ponytail, her eyes dark with emotions. Unable to help himself, he took a stray curl between his fingers. "Your contract is to get me to date all those women in those folders."

"Yes."

"Then, we'll do that." The disappointment that crossed her face vanished quickly but Arthur caught it. "I'll date all those women but I don't want to drag it out. Once I've done that, and if, no when, I fall for none of them, then your job with my father is over."

"That is true, but if you don't enter a serious relationship with any of those women, I won't get my bonus."

Surely money wasn't that important to her. "That is true."

She smiled and then tension in him eased. "But if I don't get my bonus, then I suppose I might get to date the crown prince."

"You might." He smiled back at her. "Seems to me a very likely possibility."

Gwen was still smiling even as she shifted away from him. "But in the meantime, we have to keep things professional. And that means no kissing."

It was an entirely sensible request yet Arthur couldn't help feeling a twinge of disappointment. "No kissing," he agreed. "But we get to know each other, be friends."

She stuck out a hand, and with a laugh, Arthur shook it, holding on to it a little longer than proper, enjoying the feel of her skin beneath his. Joy sparked in his veins and he couldn't stop himself from smiling.

"So what happens now?" Gwen withdrew her hand.

Arthur lowered himself back down onto the mat and slipped on his sunglasses. "Since we can't kiss, why don't you tell me what you do for fun? You already know what I do."


AN: Happy Valentine's Day!