by Carolyn Rae
“That’s farther north, so don’t worry. Watch over your sisters.” With that he hung up.
Minutes later, Prince Lawrence came into the hall. “Come with me to my room.” His brown eyes twinkled, and he was smiling. “We could—”
Tricia frowned. “Wait just a minute. Are you trying to make me a liar? I just told my father you were too much of a gentleman to ask me to go into your bedroom. Are you suggesting I go to bed with you?”
Prince Lawrence stared at her. “As I was going to say before you interrupted me, I can ask the cook to prepare us a lunch and have a servant bring it to my balcony. I find it peaceful to sit out there and read the morning paper. We do keep up with the rest of the world. The crown subsidizes it to keep our people educated and to keep the staff employed. So, would you like to see my room and have lunch on the balcony? It’s shaded by trees, and sometimes there are birds on the branches. And I definitely would leave the doors open to the hall.”
“Well, okay.” He seemed above board, but was she falling for a trick to get her in his room? She’d make sure the doors were left open.
The prince spoke to a servant, then led her down a long hall and up wide carpeted stairs.
They passed a maid dusting the ornate carved railings and another dusting picture frames of the founding king and his queen.
Down another long hall, he led her past oil portraits of a previous king and queen. Wall sconces resembling candelabras with seven bulbs spread golden glows on dark wood paneling.
Inside his large bedroom, a carved coat of arms graced one wall. Below it sat a leather chaise lounge. A gleaming sword was mounted on the opposite wall. A large four-poster bed with spool-carved posts had a burgundy jacquard bedspread with fat matching pillows.
Lawrence pointed to the bed. “When I was a kid, I used to bounce on this every chance I got.”
“And they didn’t punish you for doing that?”
“I did get my knuckles rapped when I didn’t do my schoolwork. As for jumping on the bed when I stayed at the palace, my nanny always scolded me, but I could tell from the twinkle in her eye that she wouldn’t spank me. It still bounces pretty good. Want to try it?”
From the twinkle in his eye and the grin on his face, Tricia wondered if he’d join her in bouncing and then try to lie on top of her. She hoped she was right about him being a gentleman, but didn’t really want to test him. “I think I’ll pass.”
“But you’re so light, you’d really bounce well.”
His grin was infectious. She was tempted, just to see what he’d do.
“Come on. One bounce wouldn’t hurt anything.”
His gaze met hers. “Oh, I get it. You’re afraid I might try something. Is that it?”
Staring at the crest of arms, she shook her head, but she’d been apprehensive until he said that.
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I promise I won’t compromise your honor. And besides, the door’s open. I’d be a fool to try anything when anyone could come by and watch.”
“I’d feel foolish if someone came by and saw me bouncing on the bed.”
“I could shut the door, but then it would be a matter of trust.”
He looked serious. Why should she doubt him? From the amused look on his face, he probably enjoyed teasing her. Well, she’d call his bluff. She could always scream.
She bent her knee to climb onto the high mattress. Then she felt Lawrence’s strong arms grasp her about the waist. His cool breath fanned her cheek. Had she misjudged him? She met his gaze—inches from her face. She caught her breath.
He set her down and backed off a bit. “I only lifted you up because this mattress is higher than most beds. By the way, you’d better take off your shoes. A muddy footprint on my spread would be hard to explain.”
“Wait. I have to sit down to take them off.” He let go.
She sat, her feet dangling above the floor. Looking up into his caramel-colored eyes, she felt the heat emanating from his body.
She took a deep breath. “I’m up too high. You’ll have to move. I need to sit on that chaise lounge over there to take off my shoes.”
“Well, why did you not say so?” He backed away.
She slid off the high bed and pushed past him to the chaise lounge. After taking off her shoes, she wiggled her toes in the crisp twisted fibers of the gold and purple oriental rug, then strode to the bed and climbed on. Standing, she tested the mattress by flexing her knees. It did seem to have a lot of give. She glanced up. Carved molding sported cherubs and flowers beneath a high ceiling. At least she wouldn’t bump her head and break something.
She bounced twice. “That was fun. Now that I’ve done it, I’d better get down.”
* * *
Lawrence watched her. She was grinning like she enjoyed it. “Give it a few more. At least bounce enough to turn around.”
She did and now faced a window. Thank goodness, this room was on the second floor so no one could look in. In the distance the mountain range stood guard over the valley. The bed jounced even more.
He’d joined her on the bed. He grinned. “Let’s see who can bounce the highest.”
“I’m lighter. Bet I can.”
“Bet you can’t.”
She bent her knees and jumped. The mattress responded, sending her two feet up. “This is better than a trampoline. Too bad your parents didn’t get you one when you were a kid.”
He bounced higher than she had. Turning toward the doorway, she flexed her knees and tried to top him. She did, but then the queen appeared at the door, her face a study in disapproval, her toe tapping impatiently.
“Lawrence, I’m ashamed of you, corrupting your, uh, your cousin like this. Why is she in your bedroom? Imagine how this will look to the servants and what they will tell the townspeople.”
Tricia bounced down to a sitting position while Lawrence grabbed a bedpost and stood there. “Aunt Carlotta, you should know I mean no disrespect to—” He made sure his tone was imperious. “to Allysa. I asked one of the servants to bring us a late lunch and set it up on my balcony.”
“So why were you two on the bed?” the queen asked.
“I was showing her how I used to bounce on it when I was a kid.”
The queen frowned. “And I’m sure your intentions are not the same as when you were a child.”
Lawrence dropped to a sitting position. “Aunt Carlotta, don’t you ever repeat something you did as a kid, just because it’s fun?”
Her stern look didn’t intimidate Lawrence.
Tricia looked as if she wanted to shrink and tiptoe out of the room. She slid off the bed. “I’m not very hungry. I’ll just go down to the kitchen and ask the cook to make me a sandwich. I can ask him to bring you some lunch too.”
Queen Carlotta frowned. “A princess does not venture into the kitchens. It just is not done.”
Prince Lawrence stood. “I have ordered servants to bring us lunch. I’ll leave the bedroom door open, and we’ll be on the balcony where anyone can see all we are doing is eating.”
“I’m not sure it’s wise for me to stay for lunch,” Tricia said.
He frowned. “You agreed when I asked you earlier.”
“I didn’t know it would cause this much trouble.”
Not wanting her to leave, he faced her. “Please, I would really enjoy your company.”
Just inside the sitting room doorway, a servant now stood, holding a tray loaded with dishes topped with silver covers.
“I’d be delighted, Your Highness, but—” Tricia looked at the queen. “Are you sure it’s all right?”
Lawrence walked over to his aunt and took her hand. “You wouldn’t want me to send the servant back to the kitchen after the cook went to all this trouble to fix us a lunch. And for the next hour, my behavior will be above reproach. I promise.”
The queen drew herself up to her full height. “It had better be. And you, young lady, I expected better of you after your stellar upbringing.”
* * *
Tricia stepped back, wanting to get away from the queen’s accusing frown. Queen Carlotta was throwing Tricia’s missionary parents’ background at her, but she had done nothing to be ashamed of. She held her ground. That was what Allysa would do, wasn’t it?
Tricia spoke, willing her voice to be well modulated and respectful, but not timid. “From now on, I will be prim and proper for as long as I live in the palace.” She hoped she wouldn’t do anything else to displease the queen.
She met Lawrence’s gaze, daring him to live up to his promise. Besides, he had to hold himself in check as long as she was masquerading as his cousin or both his and Allysa’s reputations would be ruined. He’d have to take a bride someday. No doubt, he’d have to marry someone of royal birth or at least a noble’s daughter. She didn’t want his chances for choosing a mate to be hindered by unnecessary scandal.
The queen glared at her nephew. “Very well, then. I expect your actions to be anything that can be talked about in every bar and house in town—because it will be.” With that, she turned and walked through the sitting room, and entered the hall.
A servant standing beside the closed hallway door looked at Lawrence, apparently waiting for an order.
Lawrence pointed toward the balcony. “Set the food on the table out there, and bring out another chair for my cousin.”
When all was ready, Lawrence thanked the servant, who bowed and hurried out of the room. Then the prince waved toward the balcony. “After you, Princess.”
As she walked onto the balcony, Prince Lawrence leaned close, the faint scent of sandalwood teasing her nose. “She’s wrong about the kitchen being off limits,” he whispered. “Once Allysa and I even made sandwiches of roast duck at midnight. Another time the chef really grumbled the morning after we finished off most of a large bowl of chocolate soufflé he’d planned for lunch.”
Tricia shot him a conspiratorial grin. “You two must have really been hungry.”
“It was hot, and I’d dared her to join me for a midnight swim in the river.”
“How old were you?”
“Old enough to know better. If anyone had caught us, we’d have been severely disciplined. I promised Allysa a hot toddy if I could get rum from the wine cellar, but it was locked. By the time I climbed back up those winding stairs, I was ravenous.”
“So, did anyone find out?”
“Chef blamed one of his assistants, so I heard.”
“And you never owned up to it?”
“Why? I like to keep people guessing.” He grinned.
“You’d better not try stunts like that anymore.”
He looked surprised. Apparently, he hadn’t expected her to advise him on anything. “Our loyal servants never mentioned anything to the king or queen.”
Lawrence pulled a chair out for her and seated himself at the small glass-topped table.
Lunch consisted of chicken salad, fresh homemade butter-kissed rolls hot from the oven, and bowls of strawberries with whipped cream to put on top.
When she’d finished the salad and two rolls, he pulled both bowls of strawberries in front of him. After grabbing a strawberry, he dipped it in the whipped cream and held it toward her. “Open wide.”
She parted her lips enough to grasp the berry. As his fingers touched her lips, an unexpected tingle warmed her mouth.
He grinned and picked up another strawberry. He dipped it in the thick cream and held it out. This time she had to lean forward to grasp it. And again, the tingle from his touch set her pulse zinging. She looked into his eyes and tried not to let him see how much he affected her. She swallowed. “You’d better stop. Somebody out there might see us.”
* * *
Prince Lawrence leaned across the table and watched her chew the berry, then lick her lips with that maddening red tongue. How he’d like to feel those sassy lips against his. He wanted to run his fingers through her wavy auburn hair and pull her face close to his and kiss her again and again.
But would a few kisses be enough to satisfy him? He doubted it. It was a good thing they were out here on the balcony where anyone could watch, or goodness knows what he’d do. Damn, he was thinking like a lusty, teenage boy. Somehow, Tricia spurred desire in him like no other woman in the kingdom. And she was fun to spar with, even though he disagreed with some of her ideas. He wasn’t going to upset all the tradition in Cordillera. Progress was fine as long as it didn’t go too far.
He picked up another strawberry, dipped it in the cream, and wished he could dip himself into her creamy depths. Maybe, just maybe, after they found Allysa, he could touch Tricia like he wanted to. For now, all he could do was tease her. He grasped her wrist. “Now it’s your turn to feed me.” Let’s see what she makes of that, he thought.
Instead of fingers, she used a fork to spear a huge berry. She rolled it around in the whipped cream until it was covered. Mesmerized, he watched as she aimed it toward his mouth. He almost didn’t open before the creamy bite reached him. Even then, some of the cream got on his mustache and beard.
She laughed, a pleasant sound like the ripple of a tinkling brook. “You look like the top of a volcano dusted with snow.”
He grinned, grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “And what if I erupt? Would you be scared?”
She shook her head. “I’d be a hurricane and drop freezing rain on you.”
“I see you’re a force to be reckoned with. Now do you have any new ideas about how to find my cousin? I’m going to quiz her maid again.”
“You asked me if I had any ideas, but then you told me what you were going to do. I thought you wanted my input.”
“Of course, I want to hear your ideas. However, I have been trained to take charge from the time I was a teen. I’m used to commanding.
Tricia stared at him. “I believe she’s told us all she knows. but I think we should question the stable boy again.”
“What makes you think he knows anything?”
“There was something about the way he looked at me when he brought us horses the other morning. I don’t think he believes I’m Allysa.”
“Why not? You look like her. You wear your hair the same way, and you’re wearing her clothes.”
“Did you notice how he smiled at me when we walked in the door, but then he stared at me?”
Lawrence grasped the handle of the door to the stables. “I did not notice anything strange in his behavior. Maybe the glare made it hard to focus on you.”
She shook her head. “I’m sure it wasn’t that. Let’s go check it out.” She rose and grabbed his hand.
Despite its softness, a zing of electricity traveled through his hand and up his arm. Good. She must feel friendlier toward him. He squeezed her hand. He’d accompany her to the stable to see what they could learn.
Chapter Nine
As the prince and Tricia approached the stables, Tricia touched his arm, felt his firm muscle. “Wait, don’t open the door yet. Hear me out.”
He turned to face her. “Okay, what do you want to tell me?”
“I’m sure the stable boy has a crush on your cousin. I believe he suspected I wasn’t the princess the last time we were here, but was afraid to say anything.”
Lawrence stared at her. “Poor boy in love with a princess.”
“He’s young. Perhaps he idolizes her from afar—like I did with that movie star. He might never even say anything, but just bring a horse to her in the hopes he might get a smile.”
Lawrence rubbed his chin. “And what if you are right? Do you think he might admit being attracted to her?”
“Can you imagine how he might feel? She’s lived a life of luxury and privilege.”
He grabbed the door handle again. “I would want to keep my pride. I would not admit to mooning after a woman I couldn’t have.”
“Let’s see who’s right. Let me go in alone and talk to him.”
He grasped her wrist with his free hand. “Are you sure you’ll be all right alone with him?”
“Let
go of me. I don’t think he’ll try anything, but if he does, I can scream.”
“You American women are very headstrong. All right, if you think it will help us find Allysa, go ahead and try it.”
“Let me pull the door open. I don’t want him to see you or your guard. He’s more likely to talk freely with me if I’m alone.”
Tricia walked into the barn, staying in the swath of light from the half-open door. She took a deep breath, still not sure what to say. At first, she couldn’t see much in the shadowed area. Thankfully, the smell of hay was stronger than the smell of manure.
Damn, she’d forgotten to ask the stable boy’s name. Then she remembered Lawrence had called him Ned. For all his arrogance, Lawrence didn’t seem to hold himself aloof from the help.
She stepped further into the large barn. “Hello. Anyone here? Ned?” she called. “Please come out. I need to speak with you.”
She heard a rustle above, then saw the stable boy climbing down a ladder from the loft.
He jumped the rest of the way. “Yes, Your Highness?”
“What’s my name?”
He glared at her, then hesitated for a long moment. “Princess Allysa. Why do you ask?”
“Why did you bring a stool for me to mount this morning? Is that your usual procedure?”
“No, Your Highness. I just thought you might need a little help this morning.”
“And why was that?”
“Well–I don’t know what’s going on. You seem… a bit different today.”
“How different?”
He raked the dark blond hair from his eyes. “Like you’re trying to act and speak like someone else.”
“Look me in the eye. Who do you think I am?” Tricia said.
“You look like Lady Allysa, but you don’t speak or act like her,” Ned said.
“You know I’m not the princess, don’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am. I could tell it as soon as you spoke. Why are you pretending to be her? Does the royal family know?”
“The royal family doesn’t want the people and the media to know she’s missing, so please don’t say anything to anyone. Do you have any idea where she went?”
