“You’re so lovely…”
Stephan knelt down to be on eye level with the little girl. “I call her Bella, but it’s really Isabelle. She made your new scarf herself.”
Her smile lit up as she gingerly touched the fabric. “Thank you, Princess Bella.” Then she curtsied again.
Bella gasped and pressed her hands to her chest.
In the back of his mind, Stephan heard the familiar clicks and shutters snapping. He never intended such a public outing, not here and certainly not on Bella’s first trip. However, the village residents called out her name and seemed to already adore her.
Now, if he could only take that and bottle it to present to the rest of the kingdom. Especially his stubborn king…
Dazed and dazzled, Belle roamed through the castle rooms on the ground floor. The high ceilings with painted murals on them were stunning. The robin’s egg-blue walls with painted crisp white trim and the tiny lines of gold edging it were exquisitely done. The elegant furnishings—some revealed while others were under white tarps—sat on plush rugs. “It takes my breath away.”
He sighed. “You haven’t seen it all yet.”
She chuckled. “Wait, I have to take this in first.” Belle twirled to face him with arms wide. “Stephan, this is so beautiful.”
“I think so.”
“Better than the palace, right?” She covered her mouth. “Oops! That kinda slipped out. It’s just this isn’t pretentious… Okay, I better stop while I’m so far behind.”
His grin soothed her missteps while it did a number on her pulse as it quickened in pace.
Yep, he is definitely lethal.
“Come, I’ll show you the small dining area where we can have breakfast. The chef at the palace was kind enough to pack a basket.”
“Is this real?” She pinched herself on the back of the hand. “Ow! Yes.” Belle shook her head. “Nowhere in my wildest imagination would I ever have thought I’d be in a kingdom with the hottest of hottest guys—”
“You are talking about me, correct?”
“Of course you, silly.” She sneaked a peek around him. “No offense, Oscar.”
“None taken, Miss Belle.” He nodded to her and he fought a full-on smile.
Belle held up two fingers. “Two, not three, oopsies. I’m doing better, don’t you think?”
“Stay just the way you are.” The urgency in Stephan’s tone surprised her as he held her hand and then they walked to the little tucked-away nook.
“But all those classes. They’ll change me, won’t they?” She gulped at the daunting strict procedures. Surely, there would be more mistakes—a lot more—in her future.
“Guidelines, not orders.”
The sun spilled in to the small sunroom with the wall of windows and French doors leading to a patio area. “This is amazing!”
“I’m glad you like it.” He directed her to the table where the basket sat.
“Like isn’t the word. I love it. Look at the light streaming in and it’s so cozy. So far, this is my favorite.”
“It was my mother’s, too.”
“I can see why.” She touched her flat palm to his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart and knowing how this must be difficult for him. “She’d be so proud of the man you’ve become, Stephan.” She swallowed back tears. “I know she would.”
Gazing into his eyes, she knew she’d never met a finer man.
“Everything you do…the barriers you break down, what you give back to your people and your country, the charity you created in her name, and soon her school…”
“Thank you. When I come back, I realize not everyone agrees with that.”
“Your father.” It had to be spoken out loud. Sadness swept in and made her ache for Stephan. She hugged him and her tension eased when his arms came around her, holding tight. “You can’t change him, as much as you would like to.” Belle shook her head. “I tried with mine. No budging whatsoever. In fact, it shattered all my dreams I had that he’d want to own up and claim me. Didn’t happen.”
He pulled back, looking at her. “Yet you didn’t let that stop you. Not one bit, as you like to say. No, you are vibrant and fierce and determined and passionate about what you want. I love that about you.”
“You are, too, about what is right and good. I am so proud of you for all that and more.”
“Come. We’ll eat while I have a proposition for you.”
“A what-ition? But we promised my mama and Lewis, too.”
He chuckled. “Your mind goes in all directions, Bella.”
“I know. I know. But whose wouldn’t when I’m engaged to you?”
More than fifteen minutes later, Belle sat back in the dining chair so close to Stephan’s that their knees touched. She drained the last drops in her glass of orange juice. “So good. An omelet for a picnic. I could get used to this.”
Stephan wiped his mouth and then hands on the crisp white cloth napkin. “About that…”
Her playfulness disappeared at the concern in his eyes. “What’s up, Stephan?”
His lips tugged up and her heart melted.
She fanned herself. “I’m swooning over here.”
This time he glanced out the window and then back at her, clearly collecting his words with care. He sighed. “I’m leaving the palace—”
“Like in…what exactly?” Was it because of her?
“Moving out.” He blew out a breath. “I’ve already decided and then I realized I should inform you. I’m not used to sharing certain things, just taking action. I make decisions without input. I have since I was a young boy.”
“Because…” She swallowed. “He drank and gambled and you had to be the adult. That had to be so difficult for you.”
“Actually, it was a relief to take control of a maddening situation.” He shook his head. “It’s done, as you say. Now, when we’re in my country, would you like to stay here at the cottage?”
She chuckled and threw up her hands. “That ‘cottage’ thing again? You mean the castle. Wherever you want, I’m good. But I do love it here.” This was so much more of a home than that big, cold, pretentious palace. Or perhaps it was the person residing there.
“There’s more. With your schooling, we’ll need a place in Dallas.”
“You have the penthouse.”
“That’s in a luxury hotel. I was thinking your mother and Lewis wouldn’t like to live there.”
“Oh no. He has his own place. It’s kinda small, though.”
“I’m in contact with a Realtor there already. Your mother and her future husband can have a house right next door to ours—”
“Really? You’d do that? Live so close to your in-laws? A real house for us? I mean, I thought you’d want to live here, mostly.” Her nerves took over her mouth until it dawned on her. “He doesn’t want me here, does he?”
Stephan remained silent.
“Don’t sugarcoat it.”
“No. Nor does he want me to marry you.”
Something gripped her stomach hard. “I’m not royalty.”
“You are my heart, Bella. Never forget that.”
But was that ever going to be enough to sway his father into accepting her as Stephan’s wife?
Chapter 8
In the limo again, Belle stomped down on her nagging worries. If Stephan didn’t care for the king’s blessing, then why should she? But it was more of her beloved losing the last connections with his stubborn father that bothered her most. Stephan shouldn’t have to choose.
“Take a right at the gate,” Stephan instructed the driver.
“Where are we going?” She peeked out and waved at the few people still along the roadside.
“The village.” Stephan’s smile wiped away his sorrows. “My mother grew up here and spent a great deal of time visiting the people and shops.”
“I’d love to see that.” Belle leaned toward him, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”
He turned to her, keeping her clo
se. “For what?”
“Everything. This day with you.” She meant it. Rarely did they have time to be alone these last few months. With his businesses and world travel and her design classes and working at King’s, they seldom had so many precious hours at one time together.
“It is my pleasure, my Bella.” His tone grew husky.
“No, not that. Not the sexy voice.” She groaned, half in play and half for real. This man did strange things to her nerves and made her pulse race with just a look, never mind that whiskey sound that made her spine tingle.
“Soon.”
Her middle turned to liquid heat at the thought. She whispered, “How many weeks again? Eloping to Vegas is looking mighty nice right about now.”
His chuckle rumbled through his chest and scattered sparks through her blood. And his eyes flared. “Give me three weeks. Right after Deidre and my father marry and, as you say, when the dust settles on my other plans.”
“Other plans?”
“First, I will make certain it can be done and then I will tell you.”
“That decision making thing again? Hmmm… Someday you will have to include me.” She trusted him on whatever he had to complete, but, in time, she needed to know.
“I believe that would take some…classes on your part.” He grinned.
Her cheeks warmed. “Lethal and wicked. I think I can deal with that.”
“Breathlessly waiting, my Bella.”
She groaned softly. “Sinful, too.”
It was going to be a very difficult three weeks and counting…
“I didn’t know you could ditch the limo.” Belle held Stephan’s large, warm hand as they walked down the cobblestoned village square.
“It helps when you want to walk. But the guards stay.” He nodded to his entourage discreetly—well, as discreetly as possible—following behind and Oscar in front.
The street was quiet, with light foot traffic, a few calling out to their prince and rushing into a nearby shop. Soon customers and shopkeepers poked their heads out the doors to see, many taking pictures with their cameras.
Stephan took it in stride, smiling, chatting with some, and then moving on.
“You’re so at ease here.” She glanced at him, noting his genuine smile.
“My mother and I would visit often when we stayed at the cottage in the summers and holidays.”
“So this is really home for you, where you were both so happy.”
“Ah, Bella, you understand me so well.”
“So show me around my new home, prince.” Her belly dipped. She’d never had a real one before and now he wanted to give her two. Things like this didn’t happen to someone like her. She glanced up ahead at the sign. “A bakery? You’re holding out on me, Stephan.”
He chuckled, keeping pace with her. “So anxious. Ah, yes, it involves food.”
“The sweet kind, too. Don’t forget, we each get something different and then we can share.”
“Halfsies. How could I forget that?” He held open the door for her.
“I hope Rico and Peg aren’t mad at me for leaving them behind. Can we bring them back something? Mama and Lewis, too?”
“Of course.”
“We can’t forget your guards. What do they like?”
“I’m not certain.” He turned to Oscar, who had followed them in, and the guard shrugged.
“Again, Stephan?” She tsked.
“In my defense, Bella, they come with the palace and aren’t my usual detail.”
“Good answer. I’ll let you slide this time.” Turning to the counter, Belle took in the small, quaint bakery and the glass cases filled with delicious-looking pastries. Scents of lemon and vanilla and chocolate filled the air. “It smells divine in here.”
The owner, a short man with silver hair, stood in awe behind the counter. “Prince Stephan, it’s so nice to see you again.”
“Sir, how have you been?” Stephan went forward, extending his hand for Bella to take and walked with her to the display. “I’d like you to meet my fiancé, Isabelle. Bella, this is Albert Romero. He’s the third generation to run the bakery.”
“You remembered.” Belle smiled with growing pride.
“Give me some credit. Excuse us, sir, but she believes I’m forgetful.”
“Not always. Some details, though.”
The older man’s laughter rang out. “Ah, and it begins, Prince Stephan. She is always right, of course.”
“I like him, Stephan.” Belle nudged him. “What do you suggest, Albert?” Her gaze caught the cake he was working on—three-tier with colorful flowers and delicate swirls. “You make wedding cakes, too?”
“Many, many over the years. Would you like a sample tasting?”
“Yes!”
Stephan laughed. “Is it the thought of the cake or the wedding, Bella?”
Her cheeks warmed again. “Both.”
Within minutes, they were seated at a small wrought-iron table with three selections in front of them.
“Try the chocolate. Yummy.” She fed Stephan from her fork. “Smooth and dreamy.”
“Sweet.”
“That’s the point.” She went for the next one, a hint of color in the cake. “Lavender. Good…”
“Not so sweet.”
“You’re enjoying this.”
“No, Bella, it’s you.”
She shook her head to avoid drifting down that path again. “Next up.”
This time, he dug in and fed her. The cake melted in her mouth, the raspberry middle exploded on her tongue, and then the delicate buttercream frosting melded all the delicious flavors together. She grabbed for his hand to stop him and made certain she got every last drop.
“OMG, as Rico would say. This one. To die for. Try it.”
When Stephan did, he groaned. “Oh, yes.” His eyes captured hers and his smile grew. “Our wedding cake, Bella.”
It wasn’t a question. Just a statement of fact. Her eyes widened. They had just taken a step closer to being a them. There were some decisions that didn’t need to be discussed. “Absolutely. More please.”
Stephan’s cares dropped away as they dashed from one shop to another, admiring the items on display, pointing out the specialty items made here in the village, the aromatic teas and blends created on sight, the delicate china forged and painted here, the daintily crafted bands of gold and stunning jewelry and many more.
She selected her favorites at each stop, which he carefully noted, tucking it away for another time.
At the floral shop, he bought her a small bouquet of roses named for his mother.
“They’re beautiful. Palest of pink and slightly darker pink on the edges. I’m so glad they’ll be a part of my wedding bouquet. A part of her will be with us.” Bella gazed at him with tears in her eyes as they stood on the sidewalk in the late morning sun. “They loved her. And still love you. All of the people we met today. You could see it on their faces and hear it in their voices.”
His heart swelled in his chest. “And you, Bella. They fell in love with you.”
“And me them.” She lifted her shoulders. “How could I not?”
He read the delight on her expressive face. There was a place for her and them in his country. In spite of his father’s rejection of her, Stephan knew he was right in bringing Bella here to meet his people.
The sound of vehicles idling nearby clued Stephan in to the need to leave. “One more place and then we’ll deliver the cakes back to our family and friends waiting for us at the palace.”
Less than fifteen minutes later, Stephan directed the driver down a long road and to stop at the nearly empty construction site with scaffolding attached to the large, three-story building that he’d had renovated from a decaying estate to a place to learn soon.
“It’s too muddy to walk in those heels of yours, but I wanted to show you. This will be the new school, Bella.”
She gasped. “It looks amazing, Stephan. How long?”
“Less than two months
, I’m told. You’ll be by my side for the ribbon-cutting opening day.”
“Is that a question or a fact? You know, that jumping to decisions for both of us again.” But her grin did take the sting out of her words.
“I thought it was a given since you are a part of the uniform design.”
“Just kidding on this one. We’ll have to work on the rest, though.”
“Duly noted.” He eased back in his seat as they drove away. He’d been on his own so long that considering someone else’s input never factored in.
“We’re a pair.” She gulped. “That’s scary for me, too,” she whispered. “I’m headstrong and focused and tend to, you know, power through the pain. I hardly ever let anyone see it, even my mama. But this, Stephan, is really important for us.”
Her heartfelt words struck him deep inside. They’d both operated alone—determined to forge ahead to reach their dreams. However, there was a definite time to lay down that shield of protection and armor in order to allow someone inside and this was it.
With so much against them and more to come his Bella couldn’t even fathom, could they defeat their own fears of losing each other to the cruel outside world?
Chapter 9
“Finally!” Rico rushed to Belle as she and Stephan walked into the large, dark, cool enclosure more than an hour after leaving the little village. Rico grabbed her arms and air kissed both her cheeks.
The culture shock tore through Belle. Never did she expect to fall in love with the countryside village. Home. A place she instantly felt she belonged.
Back in the city with traffic clogging the streets and tourists everywhere, Belle’s head pounded and her ears rang. Now, she blinked, disoriented in the cave-like building.
“Where are we and why are you dressed like that? Rico? Peg?” She glanced around him to see the executive assistant—with her trusty clipboard—all in black. “This isn’t the bat cave, is it?”
“Defense classes.” Rico shivered. “At least I can carry this look.”
Her heart sank. “I forgot.” She smiled tightly at Deidre waving from the other side of the room, helping Mama and Lewis with some type of plastic mask.
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