Pretend Princess (Cordillera Royals Book 1)

by Carolyn Rae

  “You hardly seem old enough to be a professor. What type of classes do you teach?”

  “I’m a graduate student teaching there while working toward a doctorate in sociology. And in my spare time, I like to paint. I’m not very good at it, but it relaxes me.”

  “That is interesting. Allysa paints too. Perhaps you’re more like her than I thought.”

  The limousine stopped at the rented house where her parents and sisters lived. Prince Lawrence escorted her and her sisters to the door. She unlocked the door, and her sisters walked in. His eyes met hers. He was looking at her, not like a prince viewing his subject, but like a man fascinated with a woman. She enjoyed the heady feeling and smiled back. He lifted her hand and kissed it. “Au revoir, my lady.”

  * * *

  The next day after lunch, the prince’s white limousine rolled up. Cindy ran to the window. “There’s that ginormous car. Why is the prince here?”

  Tricia looked out. “I’m not sure.” Most likely, he was here to twist her arm about coming to dinner at the palace.

  Prince Lawrence, accompanied by the tall, dark-haired aide she’d seen before, strode to the door. An imperious knock sounded.

  She opened the door. “Good afternoon, Your Highness. What brings you here?”

  He smiled. “Have you and your sisters ever been inside a palace?”

  She shook her head. “As daughters of missionaries, we are more likely to see poverty-stricken families like those living next door.”

  “We can discuss that later, but I came here to invite you and your sisters to tea at the palace.”

  Cindy ran over to Tricia, her blond ponytail flopping. “Can we go? Can we? I want to see the palace.”

  Tricia brushed her slacks, hoping they didn’t look wrinkled. If she’d suspected he’d show up here, she’d have worn something else.

  Cindy yanked on Tricia’s sleeve. “Please say yes. I want to see what it looks like inside. When we get back to Texas, I can tell Maria all about it.”

  “And who is Maria?” the prince asked.

  “My best friend in the whole world,” Cindy said.

  Prince Lawrence smiled. “I bet you will have lots to tell her.”

  Cindy looked at Tricia, her expression pleading.

  Becky set down the book she was reading and stepped closer. “That would be awesome. We’ll never get another chance if you say no.”

  Tricia didn’t have the heart to refuse. “All right. I’m sure my sisters would enjoy the experience, but we’ll need to change clothes.”

  Prince Lawrence beamed. “I will be happy to wait until you are ready.”

  Tricia beckoned her sisters to come close. “Put on your best Sunday outfits, and don’t take too long.”

  After sending her sisters to change, Tricia laid three outfits on the bed and tried to pick. Finally, she chose a flowered chiffon dress with a matching pink jacket and white heels. After making sure Cindy’s hair was brushed and her pink dress was clean, Tricia looked over Becky’s navy sweater set and matching pleated skirt. Glad Becky didn’t have on too much make up, Tricia glanced in the mirror and smoothed down her own auburn hair.

  Once outside, Tricia locked the front door, then turned toward the limousine. As she walked toward the car, her heart thumped furiously as she wondered what to say if she met up with the king and queen.

  The tall dark-haired aide held open a door. “Alfredo Goya, at your service, señorita.”

  Tricia waited for her sisters to climb in. Prince Lawrence touched her arm. “Come sit with me.”

  “I need to sit with them,” Tricia said, “and remind them to behave.”

  Becky glared at her. “We’re not stupid. We know how to behave.”

  Prince Lawrence glanced at Becky and Cindy, sitting quietly with hands in their laps and their feet on the floor. “They seem like nice young ladies. I do not think you need to worry.” He held open another door for her.

  She slid onto a cream-colored leather seat. Again, the glass panel separated them from her sisters. This must be a specially made car. Did they even make them with dividers anymore? Seconds later, he eased in beside her, even though there was a seat facing her. He exuded warmth and a hint of spicy aftershave. Sitting so close, he seemed more intimidating than last night. “The king and queen will have tea with us.”

  Tricia swallowed a gasp. She felt like shrinking in her seat. Her heart beat faster. “But I thought it would be just you, me, and my sisters having tea.”

  He laughed. “Don’t be nervous. My aunt and uncle are nice people. Actually, the king only speaks loudly when he issues an edict or reprimands a citizen who has committed a transgression.”

  “Don’t you have police to do that?”

  “We do, but those who commit misdemeanors, such as a minor theft, getting drunk and disorderly, or being in a fight where no one is seriously injured, have to appear in the king’s court he holds once a week. My uncle claims he no longer has the patience for that. He has been trying to get me to take it over. He claims it would be good practice.”

  He smiled. “I have a proposition for you. A charming woman like you could help my family entertain our visiting ambassador tomorrow night. We really need to make a good impression on him.”

  She rubbed her palms on her skirt. Entertain? How could he ask that? “I can’t possibly do what you’re asking.” She should have phrased that differently. Her mother always said she came across as less than tactful.

  “It should not be difficult. I will explain later at tea.” He shook his head. “It is not what you think. That was a most unfortunate choice of words. What I meant was, perhaps you would help entertain a visiting ambassador at a state dinner. Of course, a background check would be needed, but the dinner is not until tomorrow.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “Why me? You don’t know anything about me. I’m only here for a short while to spend time with my family. Then I’m flying back to the states to finish my graduate studies. You need to find someone else, Your Highness.”

  “I’m disappointed. I really thought he’d enjoy your company.”

  He pointed to a silver ice bucket. Droplets of moisture glistened on its surface. “Would you like to try a glass of champagne made by Cordillera’s own vintners?”

  She’d never tasted wine before. Her parents didn’t drink. “I’d love to.” Too late she wondered if her sisters would tell her parents.

  He withdrew a bottle from an ice bucket. The pale liquid shimmered in the sunlight as the car glided along the tree-shaded streets of Cordillera’s capital city.

  She sipped the beverage. Fruity and slightly sweet, its taste lingered on her tongue. “It’s quite good.”

  Prince Lawrence leaned back against the seat. “Tell me about the class you teach.”

  Leafy shadows moved across the cream-colored seats facing her as she thought about explaining what she taught. “It’s a one-semester class on the differences in acceptable behavior in various cultures.”

  His hands rested across his thighs. “I see. What do my actions and words say about me?”

  She took a deep breath. He might not care for a candid assessment. “You have put me on the spot. I’m not sure how to answer.”

  He leaned forward, his expression curious. “It would be most helpful to know what my subjects might think of me when I become king. Please tell me your opinion?”

  He’d asked. She might as well tell him. “You are used to people following your lead, but you are not as full of yourself as I assumed at first.” The minute she said that, she realized she’d said too much.

  “What do you mean by such a term?”

  “Someone who focuses mostly on himself and what he wants.”

  He frowned. “That is not very flattering.”

  “Well, you did ask, but I realize now you have more depth. You made an effort to draw me out. I assume you do it with others as well.”

  He leaned back as if satisfied with her assessment. The limousine traveled along
a tree-lined avenue with branches touching overhead in the middle. People strolled the sidewalks and looked in windows of little shops. The aroma of baked bread filled the air.

  Sooner than she’d expected, the limousine paused in front of the palace. The prince stepped out and offered his hand. Then he opened the rear door and assisted Becky to step out. She smiled. “Thank you.”

  He held out his hand to Cindy, who looked surprised, but let him help her also.

  Tricia breathed a sigh of relief. One could never be sure with children.

  In the palace, Prince Lawrence led them through long paneled halls. Tricia’s heels sank in the thick carpet as she passed portraits of past kings, queens, and princes lining the long passageway. Each painting had an ornately carved gold frame.

  No two frames were alike, except for portraits of a king and queen hanging side by side. Prince Lawrence pointed. “That is my great, great, great, great grandfather, who founded Cordillera and fought to win its independence. And this is his queen. He had to rescue her from a Spanish king who kept her in a dungeon for weeks because she refused to wed his son. Instead she married the man who became my ancestor.”

  Up ahead, the prince held a door open for Tricia and her sisters. Book-filled shelves lined one wall. A huge tapestry depicting a battle scene hung on another. Twelve chairs stood around a walnut table, adorned with lace placemats.

  The king, an imposing figure in a white uniform trimmed with gold braid, nodded to her. Beside him sat the queen in a blue velvet dress with a scooped neckline. Her sapphire necklace and dangling earrings reflected the light from the sparkling chandelier.

  Awed at their attention on her, a mere visitor, and afraid she’d be awkward at curtseying, Tricia bowed instead. “I’m honored to see you again, Your Majesties.” She hoped she’d used the right term this time. “You have a lovely palace.” She could go on and on about this magnificent place, but they were used to it and probably didn’t realize how overwhelming it was.

  After Tricia introduced her sisters, the king leaned back in his chair. “I believe your sisters would enjoy some scones and a tour of the palace.”

  Was he going to send them away where she couldn’t keep an eye on them?

  He rose and pulled a braided cord. Soon a butler in a gray uniform pushed open the door, carried in a heavy silver tray, and set it before the queen. On the tray sat an ornate silver tea service, a plate of scones dusted with cinnamon sugar and a small bowl of what Tricia guessed was clotted cream.

  The king said, “Return in a quarter of an hour to show our young visitors about the palace.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” The butler bowed and left the room.

  Prince Lawrence motioned to a chair. “Please have a seat.”

  Tricia settled on the tapestry-covered chair, smoothed out her skirt, and held her hands in her lap. As the door closed behind the butler, the queen poured tea into delicate china cups and passed them around.

  Tricia accepted the porcelain cup. The fragrant tea tasted of roses and raspberries. After helping herself to a scone, she spread it with the thick cream. “This is delicious.”

  Becky sipped her tea and helped herself to a scone.

  Cindy also sipped her tea. When the plate of scones was passed, she set down her cup and reached out with both hands.

  Tricia squelched a gasp and whispered, “Just take one at a time.” Worried about possible spills, Tricia spread Cindy’s scone with the thick cream and set the plate back in front of her sister.

  Cindy took a bite, leaving a smear of cream near her mouth. “Do they have any jam?”

  Tricia held her finger to her lips. “Shhh,” she whispered. “It’s not polite to ask for something that’s not on the table.”

  “Oh,” Cindy said with a pout.

  The queen smiled but didn’t say anything.

  Tricia held her breath, but thankfully her little sister remembered to wipe her mouth and kept quiet.

  Fifteen minutes later, right on schedule, the butler returned and beckoned to the girls, who pushed back their chairs and followed him. Becky turned to face the queen. “Thank you for the tea and scones.”

  Cindy popped the last bite of scone in her mouth, swallowed and curtseyed. “Thank you, Your Queenship,” and followed Becky.

  Tricia smothered a giggle. “Please excuse me for a moment. She hurried after her sisters. “Come here, you two.”

  Her sisters paused as Tricia held up a finger. “Now don’t touch anything. Keep quiet and just look.”

  Returning to her seat, Tricia hoped her sisters would behave. They should be safe with the king’s servant. Everyone seemed very nice, so she had nothing to worry about.

  The king rose and stood at the head of the table. “I will now ask my nephew to explain. We have an utmost need for secrecy in this matter. You must tell no one about this.”

  Chapter Two

  Tricia faced Prince Lawrence across the walnut table.

  He stood. “I’d like you to come to dinner tomorrow evening and entertain the visiting ambassador.”

  “Why are you asking me?”

  Prince Lawrence leaned forward, a frown on his face. “My cousin has disappeared, and we don’t ‘know why.”

  That was strange. “Where has she gone?”

  “We do not know,” the queen said. “However, some of her clothes are missing.”

  “Do you think something happened to her?” If so, no wonder the king and queen seemed upset. “Have you notified the police?”

  The queen shook her head. “We don’t want the public to be aware of her disappearance. It would cause a dreadful scandal. That might make our subjects afraid to trust our guards and our police to protect them.”

  “And,” the king added, “allowing this to become public knowledge might embolden others to abduct a member of the royal family.”

  Why would a princess leave this fabulous palace? Did she feel like a prisoner here or perhaps want to travel incognito? Tricia could only guess.

  “Her maid has not been able to find her passport.” the queen said. “If she has traveled somewhere, we hope she returns soon, but her presence is needed immediately.”

  “As I mentioned before,” the prince said, “an important ambassador arrives tomorrow. He is coming to appraise Princess Allysa as a possible wife for the king of his country. Such a marriage would improve our troubled relations with his country.”

  So, a princess did not always have things as she would wish. Thank goodness people in the U.S. could marry for love.

  The king sat up straighter. “After checking your background and finding your reputation unsullied ….” He hesitated.

  Tricia stared at him, but kept her composure. Of course, her reputation was clean—she was a missionaries’ daughter after all.

  The queen slid her cup and saucer toward the center of the table. “His visit has been arranged for weeks. It simply will not do to have him arrive in Cordillera and find the princess is not here.”

  The king continued. We would like you to pose as my daughter and to entertain the ambassador, at least during the dinner tomorrow night.”

  Three sets of eyes fastened on Tricia, making her nervous. What the heck was she getting into? “I’ve never been around royalty. I wouldn’t know how to act.”

  “Do not let that concern you,” the prince said. “I will assist a trusted staff member to coach you thoroughly.”

  Tricia’s stomach fluttered. The closest she’d ever been to royalty was to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding on TV. No way could she take the place of a princess even for a few days. What if one of Allysa’s friends talked to her and realized she was an imposter? Or worse, what if someone alerted the media?

  “I’m not sure I could pull it off. I’d be so nervous I might say the wrong thing.”

  “You need not say much in public,” the king said. “English is the standard language for formal occasions.”

  “But someone is bound to notice my Texas accent.
”

  The queen added, “Most of the time all you need to do is smile and wave. Cordillerans love the princess. They will not be looking for a few subtle differences.”

  “We would also like,” the king added, “for you to say a few words to welcome the ambassador before the parade the next day.”

  Tricia almost choked on her tea. “But I’ve never given any speeches to a crowd of people.”

  “It shouldn’t be that hard. Our press secretary will write the speech, and it won’t be more than a few sentences. It is imperative the ambassador leave with a good impression.”

  “That’s impossible. Tricia said, “I have no clothes suitable for state dinners or parades.”

  “You look about the same size as my cousin,” Lawrence said. “According to her maid, most of her clothes are still here. You should be able to find something of hers suitable for such an occasion. And for assisting my country in our time of need, in addition to twenty-five hundred euros, I have been authorized to donate ten thousand euros to your favorite charity. Is there any group you are passionate about helping?”

  Tricia blinked, then took a deep breath and let it out slowly. That should be enough to pay off her student loan with some left over to buy gifts for her parents and her sisters. And there were rooms at the Women’s Haven in Fort Worth that needed renovation. How could she refuse? “I’ve been assisting at a battered women’s shelter back in the states.”

  The queen leaned forward. “You must help us, my dear. The ambassador visited us a few years ago and remarked on Princess Allysa’s beauty. She was much younger then. He will put the slight difference in appearance down to her being a few years older. However, if the princess is not here to entertain the ambassador, it will be seen as an affront. We cannot afford that.” She twisted her fingers together. “Their king may revoke the trade agreement we have with their country and charge a high tariff on goods we trade with them. While we are worried about our daughter, we must not let the public know she is missing. I only hope she will come back soon.”

  Prince Lawrence fingered his beard. He was smiling at her again as if hoping he could persuade her to walk with him in the royal garden. Tricia figured that even if she protested, he’d manage to talk her into doing it. Living with royalty and spending time with him was the chance of a lifetime, but . . .. “I’m still not sure I can do it.”