by Leanne Banks
An hour later, after Coco gave Emma a bottle and her dinner, she put the baby on a big blanket on the floor of the den. Benjamin noticed Coco pacing restlessly. She was still upset about the Devereaux. He’d come up with a plan of his own, but he didn’t want to tell her about it quite yet.
“It’s still light out. You want to take her for a little stroll?” he asked.
Coco nodded, her face easing with relief. “Great idea. Do you want to go?”
“I think I’ll stay inside. I need to go over some updates from the foreman,” he said.
“Okay,” she said and put a light jacket and a little hat on Emma. “We won’t be gone long,” she said and stopped suddenly. “Thank you for putting up with me this afternoon.”
The expression in her blue eyes made his chest knot. “It wasn’t anything. I just want you to feel better,” he said and squeezed her shoulder.
She rose on tiptoe and surprised the heck out of him when she brushed her soft lips across his jaw. “It was a big something to me,” she countered, then fastened the baby in the stroller and left.
Benjamin rubbed his jaw at the strange sensation where she’d kissed him. He wondered if the rest of her was as soft as her lips. He wondered what her lips would feel like on his body. He wondered what kind of sounds she would make if he kissed her and touched her all over.
His body heated and he shook his head at himself. Crazy, he told himself. He had more important things to think about than the fact that he hadn’t been with a woman in too long. If there was one woman he shouldn’t even be thinking about taking to his bed, it was Coco. She was too important to him because of Emma. Coco was off-limits and he was damn determined to make sure he didn’t forget that.
Benjamin walked toward the telephone in the villa and picked it up. He dialed the number for Mr. Bernard, who picked up after the first ring.
“Bernard. May I help you?”
“Yes, you may. I need to speak with Stefan Devereau.”
Silence followed. “Pardon,” Bernard said. “To whom am I speaking?”
“This is Benjamin Garner, Miss Coco Jordan’s fiancé.”
Bernard cleared his throat. “Mr. Garner, I’m afraid it will be impossible to arrange an audience with the prince. His schedule is arranged months in advance.”
“I don’t want an audience. I want a man-to-man chat,” he said. “You can tell Stefan that the Devereaux family will be facing a public relations nightmare if he can’t find time to talk with me. Understand?”
Bernard cleared his throat. “I will relay your message, Mr. Garner.”
“You do that,” Benjamin said and hung up the phone.
Chapter Seven
The phone in the villa rang two hours later. Benjamin picked up quickly since Coco had fallen asleep on the sofa.
“Benjamin Garner,” he said in a low voice.
“Mr. Garner, this is Prince Stefan’s assistant. He will see you for fifteen minutes this evening. Mr. Bernard will pick you up within five minutes.”
Benjamin didn’t like dancing to someone else’s tune, but this wasn’t about him. He was taking care of Coco. Even the phone hadn’t awakened her. “I can do that,” he said and hung up the phone.
He glanced in the den and saw that Coco was still asleep. Poor thing was completely tuckered out. He grabbed the baby monitor, put it next to her on the end table, scrawled a note about taking a walk, and went out the front door. Seconds later, the car slowed to a stop and Bernard popped out.
“Mr. Garner,” he said and opened the door. “I’ll brief you on proper etiquette with the Prince.”
“No need,” Benjamin said and got in the car. “He’s not my prince.”
“But, sir,” Mr. Bernard sputtered. “I have instructions. I must brief you.”
“Do what you have to do, but I won’t be listening. I’ve got more important things to think about,” Benjamin said. “I’ll take responsibility for my own actions. I always have.”
Mr. Bernard hesitated a half beat. “Very well, sir. The first rule is that you never turn your back on a royal and...”
Benjamin clicked Mr. Bernard’s voice to the off position and planned his strategy with Stefan. Just a few moments later, he was led through a side door and upstairs to the second floor. He passed a plainclothes security man and was stopped outside a door by another security man.
“Monsieur, I will now inspect you before your meeting with His Highness,” the man said.
Benjamin lifted his hands. He didn’t need a gun in this situation. He knew his biggest weapon was tarnishing the precious image of the Devereaux. Seconds later, he was led into a large office furnished with rich woods and leather. He noticed a child’s toy on the desk and was surprised. A photograph of a woman with dark hair and laughing eyes graced the mantel behind him, along with a picture of a little girl with ringlet curls and blue eyes.
Benjamin lifted his eyebrows, speculating. So maybe Stefan was human after all. A few moments later, a man entered the room. “His Royal Highness, Stefan Devereaux.”
Benjamin stood as the man who was Stefan entered the room. Tall with black hair, cold eyes and a frown, he stalked into the room. “Mr. Garner,” Stefan said more than asked.
“Yes. Evenin’,” he said and waited for Stefan to take a seat at his desk before he sat down.
“My assistant tells me that you delivered a threat regarding your intent to attack the reputation of my family,” Stefan said.
“That’s a bit overdramatic,” Benjamin said. “I just thought you would want to know what kind of impression your family is making on your newly revealed relative. Coco gets tons of calls every day from the media. All she needs to do is tell the truth about her visit and it won’t be good for the royal family.”
“What more does she want? She enjoyed tea with my sisters. I made a personal appearance,” Stefan said, his jaw tightening. “Perhaps this is a monetary issue. Very well, how much does she want?”
Benjamin scowled in return. “That’s insulting. Anyone ever tell you that you could use a little more compassion?”
The man at the door moved forward. “I shall remove Mr. Garner at once.”
Stefan waved the man aside. “No, Peter. I’ll handle this.” He leaned forward. “What exactly does Miss Jordan want?”
Benjamin sighed. “This may be difficult for you, but try to imagine this. You’re an only child. You’re adopted. Your father is dead. Your mother just died of a terminal illness. You’re all alone in the world with no relatives. What would you want?”
Silence followed. For three seconds. A woman burst into the office. “What are you doing working this late at night?” the woman demanded.
It took a moment, but Benjamin recognized her from the photograph, except her face was pale and she looked ill. The man at the door began to apologize.
Stefan immediately rose and crossed the room to take the woman in his arms. “Eve, you shouldn’t be up. You’ve had a rough day. Go back to bed. I’ll be there soon.”
The woman frowned and glanced at Benjamin, who had also risen.
He gave a nod. “Ma’am.”
She narrowed her eyes and returned her gaze to Stefan. “He’s from Texas.” She paused a half beat and her eyes widened in realization. “He’s with Coco Jordan. Is she here? How did I miss her?”
“I told you I would handle this. You weren’t feeling well, so Bridget, Phillipa and Fredericka had tea with her today.”
“Tea?” Eve echoed in disdain. “You gave a girl from Texas tea? And I bet it wasn’t iced.” She took a deep breath. “What’s going on?”
“We can discuss this later,” Stefan said.
“That’s fine,” she said. “In the meantime, I’d like to meet a fellow Texan.” She moved toward Benjamin. “Hello. I’m Eve Devereaux,” she sai
d, extending her hand.
“My pleasure,” Benjamin said. “I’m Benjamin Garner. Hate to see your sleep disturbed. I’m sure your husband and I can finish our talk.”
“Bourbon or whiskey?” she asked with a faint smile and sank into a chair.
“Eve,” Stefan said. “I insist that you return to our quarters.”
“Only if you promise I can meet with both Benjamin and Coco tomorrow. And only if you promise to give Benjamin his choice of liquor. You must also take a drink with him,” she said.
“As you request,” he said, his mouth tight with impatience.
“And,” she said.
“And that’s enough,” he said firmly.
She smiled and rose. “Had to try,” she said and pursed her lips in a smooch before she exited the room.
Stefan gave a heavy sigh. “Please be seated. Peter, please get Mr. Garner something to drink.”
The man stepped next to Stefan’s desk. “Yes, sir. What would you like?”
“Whiskey will do,” Benjamin said.
“I’ll take the same,” Stefan said. He met Benjamin’s gaze. “Now that you’ve gained my wife’s attention, I should warn you that I’ll be ruthless if you take advantage of her kindness.”
Benjamin lifted the glass of perfect single-barrel whiskey in a salute to Stefan. “Glad to hear it, Your Highness. Wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Stefan knocked back his whiskey. “Very well. There will be a family visit tomorrow. One of the advisors will also convey Miss Jordan’s financial inheritance. I should warn you that the amount is meager. These days, royals earn their pay and are encouraged to live on the palace grounds.”
Benjamin nodded. Although he would protect Coco’s financial interests, he knew what she wanted most. “Make it as friendly as you can. You met her. She’s no shark.” He stood, leaving the rest of his drink on the desk. “I think we’re about done. Your wife is waiting for you and I don’t want to keep you.”
Stefan stood and nodded. He offered his hand. “Good night,” he said and left the room.
Benjamin was immediately led out of the palace to the waiting car. He suspected that Mr. Bernard would have liked to dump him on the curb once they reached the villa, but the man exited the car and held the door open. “’Night, Bernard,” Benjamin said.
“Good night, sir,” the man said.
Benjamin walked to the front door and found Coco where he’d left her. No sounds coming from the nursery monitor. All was good. He picked up Coco and carried her to the bedroom where she’d slept last night. His hands itched to carry her soft body to his bed, but he knew better.
He just hoped tomorrow would be better for her than today had been. He slid her down to the bed and pulled the covers over her. She wiggled as if she were on the edge of awakening. Then she sighed and pressed her face into the pillow.
He should have resisted, but he didn’t. Benjamin leaned down and brushed her cheek with his lips. She was the softest, sweetest thing he’d ever felt against his mouth.
* * *
“God help us. Another family meeting,” Bridget said to her sister, Phillipa, affectionately known as Pippa as they walked down the palace hallway toward Stefan’s office. “Do you think he found out that we smiled at Coco Jordan? I’m starting to wonder if he used a hidden camera in the room while we were having tea.”
“That would explain why he scowled at us just before he left yesterday,” Pippa said. “It’s ridiculous that he insists that we can’t be friendly with her.”
“I know,” Bridget said. “I felt like I was kicking a puppy. She seemed very nice. I have a hard time believing her goal is to bring down the House of Devereaux.”
“Someone has got to get through to Stefan,” Pippa said.
“Good luck,” Bridget said with a sigh. “The only one who can reason with him when he’s like this is Eve, and she’s having so much nausea from her pregnancy right now, I can’t bring myself to bother her.”
“I know,” Pippa said, placing her hand over her own pregnant belly. “I had a few bad weeks, but it seems to have passed. Eve’s just seems to be getting worse. Stefan’s terribly worried about her, and I can’t say I blame him.”
“Well, here we go,” Bridget said and knocked on Stefan’s office door. The door immediately swung open and she was surprised to see Eve sitting in the room, eating a piece of toast. Stefan was on the phone.
“Eve, how wonderful to see you. How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” Eve said, clearly fibbing. “I’m just not used to being restrained from regular activities. Plus, according to all the books, the nausea is supposed to have passed.”
“I’m so sorry,” Pippa said, hugging her sister-in-law.
“I am, too,” Bridget said, reaching down to brush a kiss over her sister-in-law’s cheek.
“How’s the ranch coming?” Eve asked.
Bridget smiled at the fact that Stefan’s wife hadn’t forgotten the outrageous project Bridget and her Texas-born husband were pursuing. A ranch on Chantaine. “Thank you for asking. As you know, we’re in the house. The whole ranch and animal thing will take a while.”
“I’ll help when I stop feeling so terrible,” Eve said.
“Concentrate on taking care of yourself,” Bridget said.
Eve made a face. “So boring.” She glanced at Stefan, who was still on the phone. “So what did you think of Coco? Is she a villain in disguise?”
“I’d be shocked,” Pippa said. “She was refreshingly genuine. I think you would have loved her. She says she loves to go fishing in her spare time, although she rarely has any spare time since she’s taking care of a motherless baby. These are all clearly signs of a sociopath.” Pippa scowled at her brother, who was too busy on his phone call to be aware of her.
“She did seem quite nice,” Bridget said.
“What did Fredericka think?” Eve asked.
“Fredericka has more experience masking her emotions,” Bridget said. “She’s already gone back to Paris.”
Eve’s face fell. “What a shame. I would have liked her to meet Coco in better circumstances. That’s why you’re here. I insisted that Stefan allow you to meet Coco in a more natural, welcoming way. Her fiancé was ready to take her back to Texas. I think if dueling were still in style, he would have challenged Stefan.”
Bridget gaped at Eve. “Engaged? I didn’t know she was engaged.”
“Apparently, she and her employer fell for each other. Easy to understand with the devotion she’s showing to his daughter,” Eve said.
“Hmm,” Pippa said. “She didn’t mention an engagement.”
“We didn’t exactly invite her to overshare, especially after Stefan showed up and gave us his devil glare,” Bridget said.
“True,” Pippa said and leaned toward Eve. “So what’s the plan now?”
“We’re going to have a family gathering today,” Eve said. “With everyone. All the children.”
“The twins?” Bridget echoed. Her beloved stepsons were sweet, but terribly active toddlers.
“Everyone. Even Stephenia,” Eve said. “And we’re inviting Coco and her fiancé and his baby. I believe her name is—”
“Emma,” Pippa said. “I read the dossier,” she added.
“Are husbands required to attend?” Bridget asked.
“It’s not expected, at such short notice, but if you can coerce them, that would be wonderful,” Eve said and munched on her toast.
“I’ll try to tear Nic away from his satellite meetings,” Pippa said doubtfully. “If he knows there’s a time limit, I’m more likely to be successful.”
“Ditto,” Bridget said, thinking of her doctor husband’s demanding schedule.
Stefan hung up his phone and turned to the group. “I have an announcement. We�
��re going to have a family gathering this afternoon with Coco Jordan, her fiancé and his daughter.”
“We already know,” Bridget said. “We just need to know the start time.”
Stefan frowned. “How would you know?”
“Did you really think we were going to sit here quietly while you talked on the phone?” Bridget asked.
Stefan narrowed his eyes. “There’s no need to be disrespectful.”
“There’s no need to keep us waiting, Your Highness,” she said, giving in to the need to needle her brother. She was the one most likely to push back besides Eve.
“Darling,” Eve said, scrubbing her arm with a brush. “You were busy, so we already discussed the plans.”
Stefan, clearly distracted by the way she scrubbed her arm, switched focus. “You’re not feeling well, are you?”
“I’m fine,” she said for the umpteenth time. “Your heir just likes sitting on my liver. Which makes me itch. It will end in a few months.”
Stefan went to her side and cupped her cheek. “How can I make this up to you?”
“I’ll think of something,” Eve said and rubbed herself with the brush again.
* * *
After lunch, Coco, Benjamin and Emma entered the office of a palace advisor, George Singleton. “Welcome,” he said, waving his hand to the two seats across from the desk. “It’s my privilege to inform you of your inheritance from Prince Edward.”
“Inheritance?” Coco echoed as she balanced Emma on her knee. She glanced at Benjamin in surprise.
“Just let Mr. Singleton bring you up to speed,” he said.
She nodded. “Okay. Thank you, Mr. Singleton.”
“Unfortunately, the prince’s trust is set up to benefit the heirs who work for the benefit of the Devereaux. There is also a housing credit for all heirs who live on the palace grounds.”
Coco nodded, but was having trouble taking it all in. Truth be told, she hadn’t thought she’d inherit one penny from Prince Edward, since she was in her twenties when her paternity was revealed.
