“In the scheme of things right now, it’s ridiculous that I’m working so hard to create a product for your spa. That’s not where my time or energy should be spent.”

“You’re working. You’re creating. You’re living your life, as you should. This work is what makes you you. You’ve studied for seven years, and now you’re forming a business. This is exactly what you should be doing. It would be a waste of your talents and abilities to just get married and pregnant. We can come up with a better idea.”

“That’s what I told my mother. Unfortunately, that might’ve been more bravado than actual confidence. There’s not much I can do in two weeks.”

“We can come up with an idea in five minutes. We don’t need to execute.”

She eyed him sharply. “You’re right.”

“What can you do to improve the lives of your people?”

“We have the finest roads, schools, and medical care in all of Europe.” She sounded like he’d insulted St. Christophe. “We’re known for the beauty and cleanliness of our country.”

“You’re being defensive. We can’t brainstorm when you’re fighting me.”

She let out a laugh. “I’m sorry. I’m rattled. Marcel knows exactly how to push my buttons, and, boy, did he ever scare me.”

He tipped her chin and pressed his mouth to hers. Her immediate softening hit him with a wallop of pure relief. Which made him realize how certain he’d been that he’d lost her—that Marcel had come to take her home.

“You’ve mentioned the People’s Party wants to reclaim royal land.”

“Yes. They want to ‘take it back,’ so the people can profit from it.”

“What’s it used for now?”

“There are several ancestral homes, but we’ve donated vast amounts of it for public parks and a botanical garden.”

“I can’t compare your situation to mine, but I will say that everybody loved my dad. He had a big personality but also a big heart. That bison preserve? That was part of our land once. He donated it to the state. There’s a small liberal arts college in Jackson Hole, and my dad founded the business school. He figured, since so many wealthy people have homes out here, he could take advantage of their expertise. They’re all successful business leaders, right? So, he set up an annual symposium, created a guest teacher program, and now it’s become one of the most highly ranked business schools in the country.”

“We don’t have a university in St. Christophe.”

Their gazes locked, and the idea struck them both at the same moment. Excitement sparkled in her eyes. “Oh, my God. Instead of sending out wedding invitations, we can make an announcement that the House of Villeneuve is establishing a university.”