Pretend Princess (Cordillera Royals Book 1)

by Carolyn Rae

  She urged Ginger to move up beside him.

  Lawrence smiled. “This land has belonged to our family since the eighteen hundreds when my ancestor and his five sons established the kingdom and fought off any invaders. As long as we keep peace within our borders, Spain and France leave us alone.”

  He took her hand in his, its warmth comforting her. The intent look in his brown eyes sent shivers up and down her spine. He bent his head, his sensuous lips slightly parted. Closer and closer his face came. He grasped her shoulder. The look in his eyes drew her like a magnet. She leaned closer.

  Dare she let him kiss her? An insistent voice inside said, ‘Do it.’ She waited, her heart thrumming, her belly tingling. She yearned to feel his sensuous mouth on hers, to feel his kiss. If she didn’t, she’d regret it for the rest of her life.

  A thumping sound came from below.

  He raised his head. His hand tensed on her shoulder. Instantly alert, he looked down the mountainside.

  She followed his gaze. Below two riders with rifles and heavy packs hanging from the saddles were making their way up the mountain. Both had hair hanging to their collars. Her heart leapt into her throat. “Lawrence, do you know those men?”

  He frowned. “They don’t look like Cordillerans. Our shepherds have been accosted and their knives stolen. One was dragged back to his house and made to give up the few coins he had there.”

  “What can we do? I don’t think they’ve seen us yet.”

  At that moment, one lifted a pair of binoculars to his eyes.

  “Do you have any weapon with you?” she asked.

  “Only my hunting knife.”

  “Then we’d better hurry down the other side of the mountain.”

  “They wouldn’t dare accost me. I’m the prince.”

  “But you bleed, just like other men. Now let’s go.” She turned her horse.

  “Don’t you trust me to protect you?”

  The sound of pounding hoof beats sent chills down her spine. She turned to face his scowl. “There are times when it’s wise to retreat. Now come on.”

  Chapter Seven

  Lawrence glanced at the riders halfway up the side of the mountain. If they recognized him, he could order them to stand down. If they didn’t, he could probably take on one of them. Two men with guns against him and a defenseless woman were not very good odds.

  Damn, why had he let Pierre go without asking him to send another soldier? He didn’t want Tricia in any danger. “We’ll head back another way. Don’t push Ginger to go faster. Footing is difficult, especially going down. I will lead.”

  He set off, wondering if he should have let her go first in case the men followed them. However, he knew the way, and she didn’t. It seemed to take forever to travel past sparsely dotted scraggly bushes. He’d feel better if they could make it down to the trees before the men reached the top.

  Perched on top of the summit, a man pointed at them.

  Lawrence kicked his horse. “Come on, Tricia. We need to get into the woods fast.”

  She glanced back toward him. She looked scared. He had to give her credit for quickly spurring her horse to catch up. Overhead a buzzard glided in circles, as if waiting patiently for a meal. His heart pounded. He hoped it wouldn’t soon swoop over their wounded bodies.

  It was bad enough he did not know where Allysa was or what happened to her. Now, he had endangered Tricia.

  When they reached the forest, he stopped. “Go on ahead. I will wait here to see what those men will do.”

  “Why? Can’t we hurry back to the palace another way?”

  “If it comes to a fight, I want to be between you and those ruffians.”

  “I see.” She urged Ginger ahead.

  He waited a while. When no one appeared to challenge him, he started to follow her, but heard a shot from behind. He kicked his horse in the ribs, but instead of moving on, the horse bucked. It was all he could do to stay mounted. Up ahead Ginger was running. Tricia hung on as if her life depended on it. Which it just might be.

  Another shot rang out. The boom reverberated from nearby trees. His horse whinnied and bucked even more violently than before. Had it been hit? Finally, he got his horse under control and looked back. The men were closer now.

  One shouted to the other. “Hold your fire, you fool. Don’t you see his cape? It’s got the royal crest. Could be the king himself.”

  “I see it now, but that isn’t the queen with him. I got a good look at her. Me thinks she be prettier than that old bat.”

  Lawrence gritted his teeth. He reined his horse to face them. “Stand down,” he barked in his most authoritative tone. “Do you not recognize your sovereign? You both could be thrown in prison for shooting at me as well as be fined two hundred euros for calling the queen an old bat.”

  The skinnier one sitting tall in the saddle dismounted. He took off his hat and bowed. “A thousand pardons, Your Highness, I didn’t recognize you until I got a good look at your cape. I do not mean you any harm.”

  Lawrence scowled. “Then why did you shoot at me and my horse?”

  “My aim went bad. The wind must have made it stray from my intended target, Your Highness.”

  “What were you shooting at? I do not see any game about. These are the king’s lands. You can’t hunt here.”

  “Thought it was a deer, but perhaps it was a shadow I saw,” said the thinner man.

  “If you cannot tell the difference between a deer and a man on a horse, you had better get glasses. Now, is your companion going to come forward and apologize for calling my aunt, the queen, an old bat?”

  “Your Highness,” said the shorter, more stout man as he climbed down from his horse. “Twas but a slip of the tongue. I apologize.”

  “You must ride back to the palace and tell her that in person.”

  Ginger snuffled close behind Lawrence. Damn, Tricia had come up behind him, making him nervous. Things were tricky enough as it was.

  Lawrence adopted an even more imperious tone. “Follow me to the palace. As for shooting at me, well, I will let the king decide. I can suggest you be forced to clean the stables every day for six months.”

  The stout man glared at Lawrence. “That’s outrageous, having to bow and scrape and work for a ruler we didn’t choose. I wish I lived in France where I could vote.”

  “After you serve your sentence, you will be free to go wherever you choose. Now, ride on ahead of the lady.”

  The thinner man pointed at Tricia. “She’s a might pretty one. You aim to make her the next queen?”

  The stout man punched his companion’s arm. “Are you blind? That’s his cousin, you fool.”

  Lawrence kept a stern face. “He is right, and I expect you to show her the utmost courtesy. Now tell me your names so I can present you properly to the queen.”

  The stout man said, “Me name’s Percival, and he’s Abraham.”

  “Well, Percival and Abraham, you ride in front of Princess Allysa. And as you pass me, hand over your guns. You will do no more shooting on the king’s lands.”

  Percival gripped his shotgun tightly. “But I wasn’t the one shooting.”

  “Never-the-less, I want your gun. No one but the king can shoot in the king’s preserve.”

  Abraham nudged his horse over next to Lawrence. “Must I really surrender my gun? There might be thieves about set on harming Your Highness.”

  Lawrence held out his hand. Percival frowned and handed over the shotgun. Abraham did likewise.

  Apparently cowed for the time being, the two men moved on ahead, back up the mountain. Abraham grumbled, “Why did you have to go and tell him our real names?”

  “I hear tell the king has spies everywhere. They’d find out before long.”

  After reaching the summit, they started down the other side. Lawrence motioned to Tricia. “Follow me. I want to be in front where I can protect you.”

  After riding down the mountain and through the woods, they finally reached the gate to the w
all around the palace. Lawrence motioned for everyone to halt. The soldier in the guardhouse stepped out and bowed before the prince. “Who are these men?”

  “They need to report to the king’s bailiff and do penance for their offence.”

  “What did they do?” the guard asked.

  “They insulted the queen, and I insisted they apologize in person.”

  “They will have to wait until after the king and queen finish lunch,” the guard said. “It was only after the stable boy reported you and your cousin planned to ride quite a distance, that I was able to dissuade them from sending out a search party.”

  Lawrence beckoned to another guard. “Take our horses to the stable and have them unsaddled and rubbed down.”

  “Yes, Your Highness,” he said.

  The prince turned to the two men. “Tie your horses up here. You can retrieve them after you are excused. March inside and report to the bailiff. A servant will direct you.”

  He dismounted and stepped over to Tricia’s horse. “Lean toward me.”

  “What for?”

  “So I can help you down.”

  “I’m perfectly capable of getting down myself.”

  “Let me be the gentleman for once.” He reached up and took hold of her slim waist. Lifting her down, he slid her down his body. His body responded to her softness and the feel of her in his arms.

  She looked at him with a quizzical expression. There was no denying the electricity between them. He was tempted to kiss her. He really wanted to taste her lips, but she was supposed to be his cousin. He must act accordingly. He caught himself wishing Allysa would stay away a bit longer, but hoped she was all right.

  * * *

  His arm on her elbow kept reminding her of his strength, his powerfully sculpted body, and heaven help her, the way her body responded to being so close. Tricia shook herself. She mustn’t allow him to see how he affected her. Earlier, she’d sensed he’d been about to kiss her. It was a good thing he hadn’t, not with those two men watching. She’d better be careful not to be alone with him. If he did kiss her, she wouldn’t be able to resist. That could ruin her performance as Princess Allysa.

  She hurried to keep up with his long strides. The two miscreants shuffled along behind. They waited in the foyer until the king and queen had finished eating. After the king and queen were seated on their thrones in the king’s courtroom, the bailiff led them inside. Prince Lawrence spoke to the king, then nodded toward the two men.

  The bailiff stepped forward. With a stern look, he motioned the ruffians to step in front of the king. “His Highness, Prince Lawrence, ordered these men to present themselves to the queen and apologize.”

  “Why,” asked the king.

  “Tell him,” Prince Lawrence insisted.

  The men bowed, and Percival took one step closer to the queen. “I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. It just slipped out, me callin’ you an old bat, that is. I did not mean it, and I’m all kinds of sorry.”

  The queen straightened her shoulders and looked affronted. She frowned. “You should be exceedingly sorry.” She looked at the bailiff. “Has this man been fined for his insolence?”

  “Not yet, Your Highness.”

  The queen looked at the king.

  He said, “You may set an amount if you wish.”

  “Have you a wife?” the queen asked.

  Percival nodded. “I do, Your Highness.”

  Abraham laughed. “Glory’s not your real wife, just a mistress you’ve taken up with.”

  Percival glared at his companion. “Why did you have to go and say that?”

  “And I bet she be carrying your baby by now,” Abraham said.

  “That t’warn’t none of your affair.”

  The tall thin man laughed. “I’ll wait a few months and see.”

  The queen faced him. “Is this true?”

  “Yes, Mum.”

  She frowned. “Is that any way to address your queen?”

  “No, Your Majesty.”

  “That’s better. Now I order you to visit the best jeweler that you can afford, buy her a necklace, a bracelet, or a ring if you mean to make her your wife. Tomorrow at this time I expect you to bring her before me and present her with it. If she is pleased with it, you will be free to go. If not, you must pay the same amount that you spent on the jewelry as a fine, and the trinket shall be hers to keep.”

  “You drive a hard bargain, Your Highness.”

  Tricia couldn’t help smiling. At least the queen was looking out for the poor woman.

  “I expect you to treat me with respect,” the queen said. “I want you to remember that. You have my permission to leave.”

  Abraham nudged Percival. “Say thank you, and let’s get out of here.”

  Percival bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  Percival and Abraham bowed low and turned toward the door.

  “Not so fast,” said Prince Lawrence. “There’s also the matter of Abraham shooting at me on the king’s land.” He turned toward his uncle. “I have their guns. I propose six months mucking out the stable before they are returned.”

  The king fingered his beard. “Yes. Six months.”

  Abraham grinned. “That’s mighty long, Your Majesty.”

  Before he could say anything more, a guard rushed past them, nearly knocking Percival over. “Watch where you’re going, you damn fool,” Percival growled.

  Abraham grabbed Percival’s shoulder. “Watch your language. That’s what got you into trouble already.”

  With a quick, “excuse my language Your Majesties and Your Highnesses,” Percival hurried toward the door. Abraham followed.

  The guard rushed up to the king. “Your Highness, there’s a man on the phone who insists on talking to you. He claims you’re keeping his daughters prisoners.”

  Tricia touched the prince’s arm. “That’s probably my father,” she whispered. “I need to tell him my sisters and I are all right, and that we’re staying longer than I expected.”

  “Yes, but you can’t talk to him where anyone can hear,” Lawrence whispered. “We don’t want people realizing you aren’t Allysa. Give me your cell phone number.” She wrote it on a piece of paper and handed it to him. The prince walked back into the great hall and spoke to the guard.

  It must be her father. He’d been so anxious to attend that religious conference and see some of Africa that he’d asked for two-weeks’ leave from his missionary post here in Cordillera. Minutes later, her phone rang. His name appeared. She hurried to a small room off the hallway leading to the great room.

  Chapter Eight

  Tricia’s father’s fire and brimstone voice assaulted her through the phone. “Why aren’t you back at the house with your sisters? I’ve been calling that number for five days. When I called the neighbor next door, she claimed the king’s servants packed up their clothes and brought Becky and Cindy with you to the palace. You only mentioned a state dinner and all of you staying there for one night.”

  “Father.” She felt like shouting at him, that he was over reacting, but she remembered to keep her voice low. “We’re okay. You don’t need to worry.”

  “Well, are you going to explain why you and your sisters are still there? Can you assure me they are all right?”

  “For heaven’s sakes, Dad. Don’t you think I’d look after their welfare? My sisters are fine, and Becky is getting music lessons from the princess’s teacher.”

  “So why are you still there soaking up that luxury living? Haven’t I taught you not to value material things over spiritual?”

  She smoothed her hands over the borrowed ultra-suede pants. “I’m helping the king and queen by posing as Princess Allysa while she is missing. In return the king offered me enough to pay off my student loan and even buy some new dresses for the girls. You don’t have to worry about us as long as we’re here. The prince will support us for as long as I masquerade as his cousin.”

  “How long will that be?”

  “I told
you she has disappeared. That’s why I’m still here.”

  “Why does that need to be kept a secret?”

  “They think she might be pregnant out of wedlock. They are desperate to avoid a scandal.”

  Her father snorted. “I hope you remember what we have taught you while you are mixed up with such decadent royalty. Surely, you are not going to take her place for a whole nine months? When will you be able to work on your graduate degree?”

  “We hope to find her before the fall term begins, and I’m working on my doctoral dissertation in my spare time. Prince Lawrence invited me to go horseback riding today.”

  “You’d better watch for hanky panky out there in the woods.”

  “That’s insulting.” Tricia swallowed and hoped her father didn’t notice her agitation. “You should know I won’t fall into bed with any guy just because he asks.”

  “So, he has asked you already?”

  “Of course not. I’m surprised you even asked such a thing, and besides, I’m an adult, and that’s none of your business.”

  “I just don’t want anything bad to happen to you. If you want to keep on playing princess, I guess I can’t stop you. I only hope you remember all I have taught you about living right.”

  “Yes, Dad. My sisters are enjoying life and feel right at home here. Cindy even thinks up tricks to play on the maid.”

  “She shouldn’t be taking advantage of the situation. What has she done?”

  “Hiding under the bed or in the closet when the maid brings their breakfast and then eating all the food as soon as she leaves.”

  Her father laughed. “That’s our Cindy. Well, I guess you’ll be all right. I need to return to your mother. After the conference, we’re going to hear a talk by paleontologist Lee Berger about his findings at Rising Star Cave, an archaeological site near Johannesburg. He believes they have made a significant find. He calls it Homo Naledi. We hope to be able to interview him personally. We’ll be returning soon.”

  “That sounds interesting, but what about the tribal uprising I heard about?”