Going Royal 02 - Some Like It Scandalous Read Free Page B

years—doubling not only their working capital, but also the number of help hot spots.” The full weight of his gaze rested on her, as though he evaluated her every reaction and she fought against fidgeting.
    “You managed a brilliant opportunity—so, why give that up to take on a relatively small scholarship with years of work in front of it?” He held her gaze captive. The masculine intensity of him dominated the room. He’d done his homework—because not all of the information he recited had been in her résumé.
    She sucked her lower lip between her teeth. Why give up one lofty, worthwhile project for another? She’d struggled with the decision for a month after submitting her application. “Hart House doesn’t need me to succeed anymore. We have a fantastic array of directors, city managers and political support. My assistant director handled most of the day-to-day operations and she could manage it beautifully. I’m not averse to hard work and this scholarship program—the whole basis of the foundation—needs people who believe in the system of success it can provide. Who know it can be more than just a dream or a fairytale.”
    “Of course.” He sounded...disappointed. He released her gaze and looked down at his desk. “You want to it to be real. Real work. Real commitment. Real results.”
    “Yes. And if that means twenty-four seven, three hundred and sixty-five days a year until we can provide a hundred or more students with the launching pad they need—then that’s what it will be.” Believing in the program was not her issue. Passion for a cause was what she brought to the table, a fervent desire for success added a crucial element to any enterprise. When desire faded or it didn’t need her attention to continue, then it was time to go.
    The prince nodded slowly. “Very well...you have the papers with you regarding your nonprofit allocations and grant status?”
    The shifting gears and the cooler tone unsettled her more. “Yes, but if you are relocating the fund under the Dagmar Foundation, they’ll have to be redrafted.”
    “I am aware.” He smiled, but no happiness or pleasure reflected in his eyes. “I will pass those grants to our legal department. They can make the required amendments.”
    Anna frowned. “I would prefer to handle that myself. Granted, I’ll need to be up to speed on the foundation, but the best presentations come from a knowledgeable director. I can highlight the benefits and I’m deep in the drafting of our position papers right now.”
    He leaned back against the desk, curling his hands against the edge and studying her. “How much do you know about the Dagmar Foundation?”
    She swallowed. “Not much, honestly.”
    “Intriguing. It is one of the largest benefactors in the United States and Western Europe. I believe we’ve provided grants to Hart House on at least three occasions.” His mouth tightened, but his voice remained even—deep, husky and compelling. When he added a true smile to that sexy come-hither voice he could rule the world.
    “I wasn’t aware of that.” Liar.
    He lifted his eyebrows skeptically.
    She sighed and dropped her gaze, looking at the carpet near his shoes. The polished wing tips looked uncomfortable and a far cry from the muddy, stained sneakers he raced around campus in. “All right, yes, I was aware of it. I approved the applications for the grants.”
    “Approved, but you did not write them.” Was that another hint of disappointment?
    “No. I didn’t. My assistant director believed the Dagmar Foundation’s alcoholic recovery program made for a good match, particularly when we added AA meetings and counselors to our different homes in a bid to combat drug abuse in the recovering families. All told, I believe the foundation provided four point six million dollars in grants to help us launch.”
    “And you know this without referring to your notes?” He canted his head to the right, studying her with a fresh gleam of