And Emily…
His heart danced a tango thinking about her. He hadn’t known her long, but she was considerate, earnest and honest. She believed with enough hard work she wouldn’t fail.
He believed she wouldn’t, either.
If only he could find a princess exactly like her, especially one who kissed the way she did and made him want to be a better prince, a better man.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs behind him.
Luc didn’t have to glance over his shoulder to know it was Emily. No one else would be coming down here this early.
“Such a pretty sky.” Emily stood next to him. “What’s up?”
“I have a surprise.”
She gave him a funny look. “Me, too.”
“What’s yours?” he asked, eager to hear hers.
“I’m not leaving tomorrow. I’ll be around until the engagement presentation in Alvernia.”
A mix of relief and warmth flowed through him. He hadn’t wanted her to leave, but his reasons had been selfish, too selfish to ask her to stay. “Your choice or your boss’s?”
“His.”
“What about your meeting?”
“Someone else is going to handle it, but if the show is successful, I’ll be promoted to partner.”
Her wide grin told him this was good news. “Excellent.”
“What’s your surprise? Something you want to do on a second date because we need to make more plans?”
Forget about his upcoming dates. Emily wasn’t leaving tomorrow. That was what mattered. “This was going to be a goodbye surprise, but now we’ll have a happy-you’re-staying celebration.”
Luc led her to the spot he’d shown her a few days ago—a secluded beach surrounded by trees and a small lawn. Addie had decorated the area with tulle and flowers to resemble a fairy’s hideaway.
Emily sucked in a breath. “Wow. This is so gorgeous.”
The look of awe on her pretty face pleased him. He motioned to the fondue pot and assortment of fruits, cookies and cakes to dip. “There’s chocolate and sparkling apple cider.”
“You did this for me?” Her voice was soft.
He nodded. “It’s never too early for dessert.”
“Breakfast is highly overrated.” She sat and picked up a fondue fork. “Especially when you have a lunch date in a couple hours.”
“Who is this one with?”
Emily stuck a fork through a strawberry and dipped it into the chocolate. “Countess Maria-Therese Alexandra Louise of Christonia.”
He’d rather not talk about other women, but now that she wasn’t leaving, he didn’t mind so much. “Her name sounds familiar.”
“She said you’ve met though it was years ago. She’s older than you. Thirty-one.”
“I like older women.” Especially twenty-eight-year-old blondes from San Diego.
“That’s what I told her.” Emily’s smile faded. Concern replaced the warmth in her eyes. “There’s something Maria-Therese wanted you to know. Off-camera.”
“Sounds serious.”
Emily nodded. “Maria-Therese dreamed of having a big family, but due to her emergency hysterectomy a year ago she can’t have children. Fertility isn’t one of your father’s requirements, but she didn’t know if it was one of yours.”
Marriage hadn’t been on his mind until his father brought up the show. Luc had never thought about having children of his own. Perhaps if he loved the woman he married. He looked at Emily, felt a weird feeling in his stomach. Chocolate for breakfast might not have been the best idea.
“It’s not a requirement.” He poured himself a glass of sparkling cider. “I’m no longer included in the line of succession now that Bernard and Leo have children. Adoption is always an option too.”
Emily’s smile returned. “Good. The Countess will be pleased. She was worried.”
“She admitted that to you?”
“She wanted to be completely open and honest. She’s…gone through a hard time.”
“Family issues?”
Emily nodded. “Maria-Therese was engaged to her country’s crown prince. They fell in love as teenagers, but after her surgery, he canceled their engagement and married her younger sister in order to keep the line of succession going. The tension between sisters led to Maria-Therese being banished. She’s a woman without a country, living in Italy with a great aunt, cut off from the rest of her family. I feel so bad for her.”
The compassion and concern in Emily’s voice wrapped around Luc’s heart. He scooted closer to her until his thigh touched hers.
“How could you ever think you weren’t nice?” he asked.
“I said I wasn’t mean.”
“At least not on purpose.”
She stuck a square of pound cake into the fondue pot. “You couldn’t remember my name that morning, yet you know what I said?”
“You intrigue me, Emily Rodgers.”
“Well, you baffle the hell out of me, Prince Luc.”
He laughed.
Before she could pull the piece out, he kissed her on the lips. She tasted like chocolate.
He wanted to deepen the kiss, but she backed away. “We shouldn’t.”
“What?”
“Kiss.” Her voice cracked. “We need to focus, can’t afford distractions. Not with your foundation and my promotion.”
“I know what’s at stake.” The children he helped were on his mind constantly. So was Emily. “But you and I…”
“Are working together to find you a wife.” She took a deep breath. “That’s all we are. All we can be.”
Luc didn’t want to accept that. “What if I want more?”
“I’m sorry, but there isn’t more to have.”
*
Later that day, Emily waited at the Como San Giovanni station for the Countess’s train to arrive from Milan. She couldn’t stop thinking about Luc. If she hadn’t stopped kissing him, she wasn’t sure what might have happened in that secluded, romantic fairy hideaway. She swallowed a sigh.
Tourists arrived and left in steady streams. Some wore backpacks. Others rolled their luggage. A hardy few carried hard-sided suitcases.
A bus pulled away from the station as another arrived. Taxis honked. Someone yelled.
So different from the villa. Though an underlying tension kept the place from being peaceful. The ticking clock of finding Luc a fiancée or Emily’s attraction to him? Maybe a combination.
A text beeped. Must be the Countess. Emily glanced at her phone. Luc. The funny feeling in the pit of her stomach anytime she thought of him returned.
He had stayed at the villa. The camera crew, too. Nick had decided a busy train station was not the place for the prince to be seen, let alone filmed. She read his text.
Luc: Is she hot?
Hot? Of course he would want to know that.
Emily: She’s not here yet. But she looked elegant in her official state photograph.
Luc: Elegant doesn’t = hot
Emily groaned. Using her smart phone, she searched for a hot picture of the Countess. Didn’t take long to find a beach shot. She wore a bikini bottom and held a hat in front her chest while standing on sand. Her long dark hair was wet and tousled.
Not elegant. Hot.
On a scale of 1 to 10, she was an 11.
Emily sighed, feeling dejected and… jealous.
That was odd. And disturbing.
But this wasn’t about her. She should be happy he had another first date, not feel icky and uncertain and wishing she was a long-lost member of a royal family. She attached the picture and hit send.
Emily: Is this hot enough for you?
Luc: I suppose. But if you must know, I prefer blondes.
Emily ignored the urge to squee. That wasn’t her style. But she couldn’t allow Luc’s remark to go without a reply.
Emily: She might be willing to dye her hair, but don’t ask until after the third date.
Luc: Hahaha
Emily: I know. I crack mys
elf up sometimes.
A train arrived. A few minutes later, a woman with brunette hair in a French twist walked toward her. She wore a lime green designer suit. Something you might see on a Milan or Paris runway during Fashion Week. Her shoes, a pair of multi-colored strappy heels, had been in the latest edition of Vogue. A porter wheeled a cart of luggage behind her.
Elegant. Hot. Royal.
One thought ran through Emily’s mind. Countess Maria-Therese of Christonia was perfect for Luc. Emily hadn’t felt this way about any of the other princesses, but here, now, she could see Luc and the Countess together, as a couple, as husband and wife.
Emily’s shoulders sagged. A hippo seemed to be standing on her chest. Each breath took effort. Hurt.
She had no idea what was going on or why she felt this way, but maybe her promotion wasn’t the worst thing she could lose on this trip.
*
Cameras rolling, Luc stood in the music room and toyed with keys on the grand piano. Natural light filtered in through the windows. The Countess would be arriving soon.
His final first date. One of the women he’d met, perhaps the Countess herself, would be his bride. His breath caught, imagining his wedding day. He saw Emily at his side.
I’m sorry, but there isn’t more to have.
She was correct.
His father would never approve of her.
But that didn’t make Luc like her less or not want to kiss her again. He had to think of the foundation. That would put these crazy thoughts about the pretty American to rest, help him focus on the royals he could marry.
Feminine voices sounded on the staircase. One of them he recognized; one he didn’t.
Luc adjusted his tie, checked that his shirt was properly tucked in, breathed deeply.
Emily entered first. Her smile had to be a good sign. “This is Countess Maria-Therese Alexandra Louise of Christonia.”
A tall, slender woman walked into the room. She was poised and beautiful. Her make up was perfectly applied. Not a hair out of place.
The Countess stopped in the center of the room and curtsied, a practiced move given the precision and her tight above the knee skirt. “Delighted to make your acquaintance again, Your Highness.”
“The pleasure is mine, Countess.”
He walked toward her. She smelled exotic, a mixture of jasmine, vanilla and maybe a hint of sandalwood. The woman was as elegant and hot, as Emily had said, a desirable combination for both a princess and a wife. But he had to force his gaze off Emily, who could hold her own against any woman.
“Please call me Luc.”
She extended her arm. “I’m Maria-Therese.”
Luc raised her hand to his mouth and kissed the top. Her smooth skin was a perfect ivory color, no scars or blemishes. He lowered her arm, then let go. “Welcome to Lake Como.”
She glanced around. If she noticed the cameras pointed at her, she didn’t let on. “A luxurious villa. Stunning design and decor.”
“The grounds are my favorite part if you’d care for a tour.”
Emily stood in a corner behind Dylan and his sound equipment. She bit her lip.
“I would love one,” Maria-Therese said.
He motioned her to the French doors. “Let’s start on the terrace.”
She walked outside. Wes and Conrad followed with their cameras. Dylan and Brad were right behind. Emily stayed where she was.
“See you later,” he mouthed to her.
She whispered, “Have fun.”
“I will. You’ve done well with Maria-Therese.”
Luc expected to see a big smile on Emily’s face, but the corners of her mouth barely curved upright. Her face looked tight, her eyes sad. He wondered why.
*
Two days later, three princesses and one countess joined Luc at a local hospital. Going out on a group date seemed strange, but Emily explained this was the best way for him to get to know the four women better in the shortest amount of time. Brad agreed.
Who was Luc to argue? He could think of worse things than spending time with four beautiful women. Especially with Emily in the background making sure things ran smoothly. She carried bags full of toys and books to give to the children.
After visiting patient rooms, Luc could see that two of the princesses—Brigitte, who was the youngest, and Jemma, the astrophysicist—weren’t as comfortable with the children as Maria-Therese and Sophie, the social worker. But that wasn’t a deal breaker to Luc. Not everyone had experience with kids, including princesses.
Maria-Therese carried one of the bags of toys. “I love seeing the big smiles when the girls meet real-life princesses.”
“Meeting a countess is just as special,” Luc said.
Jemma glared. A smile appeared a second too late. She had a brilliant mind and was accomplished, but she might not be the best choice if her royal title made her feel superior.
That left three—Brigitte, Maria-Therese and Sophie.
“I want to mention a new treatment I read about to one of the doctors. It might help that little boy named Marko we visited.” Sophie walked in the other direction from them. Luc was impressed how dedicated the princess from Alistonia was to helping others. She’d be an asset to the foundation, but was she the right woman for him? He needed more time to figure that out.
In a room with a little girl named Gia, who wore an oxygen tube, Luc sat on the edge of her bed while she told him about her stuffed animal named Socks.
“You see it’s made out of a sock, sir.” Gia raised the sock monkey in the air. “That seemed like the most perfect name.”
“Socks is the absolute right name.” Luc rubbed his chin. “Do you think Socks might like a new friend to play with?”
Gia’s eyes widened.
A cellphone rang. Princess Brigitte removed her phone from her pocket and walked out of the room without saying a word.
Now that was a deal breaker. He’d mentally crossed Jemma off the list. Now it was Brigitte’s turn. That left Sophie and Maria-Therese. Looked like Emily was right again. This group date was a good way for him to get to know the women better.
“Where were we?” Luc asked.
“A new friend.” Maria-Therese reached into one of the bags and pulled out a purple stuffed animal. “Do you think Socks will want to be friends with an elephant?”
“Oh, yes.” Gia took the elephant. “And we’ll have to think of the best name. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Maria-Therese moved to the other side of Gia’s bed. “Promise me you’ll take good care of Socks and the elephant.”
Gia hugged the two stuffed animals. “I will.”
“And do what the doctors tell you,” Maria-Therese continued.
Gia nodded.
“Good. I want to hear that you’re feeling better.” Maria-Therese touched the little girl’s hand. The compassion in the countess’s eyes reminded Luc of how Emily had acted with Vivianca and Gretchen.
Emily.
Maybe that was why he felt so comfortable with Maria-Therese. She was the most like Emily. Not in looks or personality or style, but in the way she cared for others. Was that enough to build a marriage upon?
Was Countess Maria-Therese his Cinderella? Or was Princess Sophie his future wife? At least he had a few more days to get to know them better until he had to propose.
They said goodbye to Gia, then walked out of the room.
Maria-Therese smiled at him. “What’s on the schedule after we’re finished here?”
He pictured the itinerary for the day. They would return to the villa where a surprise awaited them before lunch. “How do you feel about puppies?”
*
Four days later, as the sun lowered toward the horizon, Emily sat on the boat dock. Her legs hung over the edge and her toes swung back and forth skimming the water.
She leaned back on her arms and lifted her face to the red sky. Her role here had been to find Luc a bride. She’d succeeded the way she knew she would. The hospital visit h
ad been the deciding factor in sending two princesses—Brigitte and Jemma—home. Playing with the puppies that afternoon had reaffirmed his choice of the two—Maria-Therese and Sophie—to stay.
But since the two royal women had arrived at the villa, everything had changed.
No more texts.
No more jokes.
No late night treats.
No more kisses.
Okay, Emily had told Luc they should stop kissing. She just thought he might try to steal one or two. Going cold turkey sucked.
She knew Luc had needed this time to decide between Maria-Therese and Sophie, even if Emily had known what his decision should be. And she’d been correct.
Maria-Therese was his choice. Last night, Sophie had left the villa in tears.
“Here you are.” Luc walked toward Emily. His steps sounded on the dock, sending a bird flying. “I was wondering where you were hiding.”
Emily glanced to her left. A wide smile reached all the way to his eyes. “Not hiding, relaxing.”
“Never thought I’d see you relax.”
“A new experience. One I’m enjoying.” She peered around him. “Where’s Maria-Therese?”
“Being filmed in one of the villages. Brad wanted some footage of her alone.” He sat next to Emily. “So here I am. No cameras or microphones or royalty following me around. I feel like a bird released from a cage for the first time in days.”
“You look like you’ve been enjoying yourself with two women vying for your attention.” Emily cringed at the tone of her voice. She needed to retract the claws.
“How would you know? You haven’t been around.”
But she had. Not exactly spying or stalking. A better term might be lurking. “The villa isn’t that big.”
“A little over five acres of grounds and fifteen thousand square feet inside.”
“Hard to miss with the crew following you.” Or the sound of laughter wherever he and Maria-Therese went.
Not that Emily cared. That much anyway.
“I wanted to tell you—” he rubbed his lips together “—I asked Maria-Therese to marry me.”
Emily’s jaw dropped. She closed her mouth, but sat stunned, as if someone had just told her Clint Wallingford had gotten her promotion. But she thought Luc would have told her his plan, not just proposed without saying something to her first.
The Cinderella Princess Page 11
