by Carolyn Rae
However, Tricia intrigued him. He longed to kiss more than those rosy lips and touch more than her creamy shoulders. He’d enjoy having her in his bed. She’d give as good as she got. But with all her crazy modern ideas, she’d never do as a wife in Cordillera. He didn’t want to hear more arguments about wives working. He sighed.
* * *
Tricia looked at the rolling hills below, intersected by an occasional stream. Cows grazed below as well as horses. When she leaned back against her seat, Prince Lawrence’s arm rested along the back of her shoulders. She moved her head closer to whisper to him. “Do you think that’s a good idea?’
He grinned. “I put the plane on automatic pilot. Leaving my arm here will be okay as long as I keep my position casual instead of touching your shoulder like this. His fingers slid down her arm and caressed her skin.
When she turned to meet his gaze, he had a mischievous grin. “Lawrence,” she gasped, then covered her mouth, hoping no one noticed.
He moved his arm away.
“Look at that.” He pointed to the window in front of them.
She leaned closer to the glass. Below lay a small village. In the center stood a white church, its spire reaching toward the heavens. People crowded around the door, and a bride and groom stepped outside.
Now his chin rested on her shoulder. His warm breath fanned her neck.
“Your—Your Highness. You’re too close,” she whispered. “People will get ideas.”
His low chuckle tickled her ear. “I already have.”
Tricia turned her face and found herself close enough to kiss those tantalizing lips. He moved closer, his eyes twinkling, daring her to touch his lips. “Not here,” she whispered. “Please, fly the plane.”
“You are right, my dear, but there will be time for us. I promise,” he whispered. With an enigmatic smile, he straightened up and settled back in his seat. “Remember, I have the aircraft on automatic pilot.”
His valet, slim and taciturn, in a black uniform trimmed with red stripes down the pants legs, walked up behind them with a silver tray. “Coffee, Your Highnesses?”
Tricia helped herself to cream and sugar, then sipped the hot delicious brew. The valet withdrew, then returned with a plate of cookies, crunchy with nuts and dusted with sugar. Tricia took two, and the prince grabbed four. His gaze met hers, and he grinned. “I don’t go along with the ridiculous notion that it’s bad manners to take more than two at a time.”
Tricia was savoring the delicate almond flavor when the plane lurched, spilling hot coffee in her lap. Her skin burned.
“I am sorry about that,” Lawrence said and adjusted the controls. Seconds later, the valet appeared at their side with a towel. He reached over Lawrence, apparently intending to pat her dry.
Lawrence glared at him and snatched the towel.
The prince’s valet stood there. “Would Your Highness desire some ice to soothe the pain?”
The ice would completely soak her skirt. “That will be all, thank you.”
Prince Lawrence said, “Are you sure? That coffee was hot enough to burn. A doctor would recommend ice on your skin immediately.”
Tricia shook her head, and the valet retreated.
With his right hand, the prince patted her dress dry over her thighs, then glanced at the damp stain close to her breast. “I will let you take care of the rest.”
She reached for the towel, but had to tug it from his fingers. His gaze swept to her breasts, their shape clearly shown by the clinging damp dress. She glanced at his face. A sheepish expression flashed across it. Was he thinking he’d like to undress her? She glanced back. Two soldiers sat behind them. Farther back, the valet perched on the edge of a single seat as if ready to pop to his feet if needed. Across from him Serena dozed.
Glad for the four chaperones, she reminded herself to be sure one of them was always with her and the prince.
* * *
Lawrence felt his face grow hot. He’d never been so mesmerized by such an enchanting woman, but he should probably stop staring. Tricia had snatched the towel as if she expected him to pat her all over. All he’d wanted to do was to sop up the hot coffee before it burned her lovely skin and caused her pain.
True, if they’d been alone, he would have insisted she peel off those clothes and put on a robe, but that wasn’t possible here. The wing dipped, making him realize he’d better pay more attention to the plane. He righted it. Looking down he could make out the harbor of Livonia with a cruise ship just getting underway.
Tricia’s face was plastered against the window. “Wow. the Mediterranean Sea looks really blue today. Except it’s more turquoise and almost green in places.”
He took her hand. It was so soft he wanted to hold it next to his cheek or kiss her palm, but then he couldn’t keep up their charade. After dropping her hand, he patted her arm. “Your legs—do they hurt much?”
“It’s not so bad now. But it hurt like the dickens when it happened.”
“I’m so sorry. I’ll see if my valet can purchase some soothing ointment after we land.” How he’d love to smooth that over her thighs. But if he did that, he didn’t know how he could keep away from doing more. He tried to blink away the longing, but it wouldn’t let go.
After staring out the window at the blue-green water for most of an hour, Tricia lay her head back and drifted off to sleep. He couldn’t help wishing she’d rest her head on his shoulder. How he’d like to feel Tricia’s soft forehead against his cheek and her hair drifting around his neck.
However, Allysa never wanted to lean against him while she slept, even on their extended goodwill journeys. She’d said it made her look weak and claimed she had to appear strong in case something happened to him. She still hoped the council would change the rule so she could be queen. More than once, she’d insisted it was so unfair that he was slated to rule even though she’d been born first.
Tricia had complained about the discriminatory nature of their laws, but like his uncle, Lawrence believed men better fulfilled their traditional roles as bread winners and leaders. Women should be the nurturers and lovers they were meant to be, although he supposed they could handle motherhood and part time jobs.
The low tones of his valet talking on a phone made him realize Lars was already checking on arrangements for transportation from Naples. They must be closer than he’d thought. Sure enough, there was the Isle of Capri off to his right.
Thinking Tricia would like to see the island nestled in the blue-green waters near the coast of Italy, he took hold of her arm. She awoke with a start and stared at him. Then she smiled.
“Look below.” He swerved the plane out to sea to give her a better view.
“Oh, it’s lovely. I can’t wait to land. I want to stroll along the coastline and browse in the shops. We will have time for that, won’t we?”
“Our first priority is to find the professor and my cousin. We will land in Naples and take the ferry to the island.”
Tricia leaned close and whispered in his ear, her soft breath warm and seductive. “Have you told your staff why we came here?”
He shook his head, then spoke quietly she had to lean closer to hear. “Only Lars, my valet, and one or two trusted staff members know you are not Allysa and why we came here. The soldiers believe we are here for a short holiday. He lowered his voice. “I know that street. I only wish Allysa had written the address numbers more clearly. The street has many little stores. My cousin loves to shop. That’s why her armoire is full of exotic dresses, and her room is full of knick knacks and trinkets.”
“I’d hardly call them trinkets. Some must be worth a lot.”
Lawrence laughed. “Never thought I’d hear you finally admit you love decorative objects, my dear cousin.”
“Those are treasures, investments really. I’m sure the Monet in the bedroom is worth more than when it was bought. It might be a good idea to visit all the shops on that street. Who knows what visiting royalty we might bump into?”
&
nbsp; Lawrence nodded. “That sounds wise.” He landed the plane with only a gentle bump. A few minutes later, Lawrence held out his arm to escort Tricia down the ramp, and they all got out.
In no time at all, Lars had the luggage unloaded into a waiting limousine. The soldiers, his valet, and Serena climbed in after them.
* * *
Later, in her hotel room, Tricia had Serena unpack her dresses. Tricia marveled at her choices. The blue silk suit with matching kid gloves and a dainty hat would be perfect for visiting any dignitaries if Lawrence met any there. She hoped she’d remember to be gracious and offer her gloved hand to shake. The slinky black dress and a glittering necklace–she hoped it was rhinestones instead of diamonds–would be perfect for dancing if Lawrence took her to a night club.
The prince offered to take her to dinner, so she dressed quickly in a brown twill skirt, tan linen blouse and a chiffon scarf with a tiger print. From the traveling jewelry case, she unwrapped some amber earrings that looked like the real thing. Knowing Allysa’s good taste, they probably were. Tricia fastened them on. After a lovely dinner in a quiet, but elegant Naples restaurant, he took her back to the hotel.
In the morning, she met the prince and his two soldiers in the hotel lobby. Serena was sick with a fever, and Tricia insisted she stay in the hotel and rest. A limousine whisked them to the ferry.
As the ferry landed, Lawrence said, “I hope we can find Allysa by strolling along the sidewalks and perusing the shops on the street where she’s staying.”
As they walked, if a shop looked the least bit tacky, Lawrence shook his head. “You won’t find anything good there. Allysa wouldn’t even step inside.”
She nodded. The princess had good taste in everything, even souvenirs. In one store Tricia admired a small oval china box covered with tiny pink roses. It would only hold a bracelet or a couple pairs of earrings, but it would be a nice souvenir. Then she looked at the price and gasped. One hundred Euros.
Prince Lawrence came up behind her. “Do you like it?”
“Yes, but it’s too expensive.”
He pulled out some bills and handed them to the short balding clerk. “I’ll take that.”
“You shouldn’t buy that for me.”
“I am happy to. You should have some nice things to remember your trip.”
She’d never forget this wonderful time with him.
The clerk wrapped it in tissue paper before putting it in a sack and handing it to her. In perfect English, he said, “I hope Your Highness enjoys the trinket.”
As they walked away, Tricia asked. “How did he know who we were?”
“No doubt he’s seen pictures in the paper. Allysa and I visited here a couple of months ago.”
She tucked her jewelry box in her tote bag. “Thank you very much. I’ll treasure this as a memento of our trip.”
He smiled. “You’re welcome. I would really like to persuade you to stay in Cordillera. You could continue your studies at the university and enjoy the company of our friendly upstanding citizens.”
“I don’t know if your university would have the classes I need or the research studies I’d need to check.”
He met her gaze. “Would you look into it? I’d love to have your company for a longer time. Besides, it may be necessary for you to stay longer if we don’t find my cousin.”
Then she saw something she had to have. A gauze skirt with rainbow colors, each one fading into the next, something she hadn’t seen in the states. She rushed into the store.
Prince Lawrence was by her side a minute later, his brows furrowed and a frown on his face. “Don’t run off like that. Someone could kidnap you if I were not beside you to protect you.”
Surprised, she turned to face him. “In these crowds? I don’t think anyone would dare. And I can scream really loud.”
He grasped her arm. “If someone took hold of you like this, pressed a gun to your back and threatened to shoot if you made a sound, he could easily walk you out of the store and into a back alley.”
She clamped her lips together. “You could be right. Thanks for looking out for me. Now that you’re here, I’ll only take a minute, but I have to have one of those gauze skirts.” She took one off the rack and held it against her.
He stared at a similar skirt displayed by a manikin. “But you can see the legs right through the material.”
“I’d wear a slip underneath, silly.”
He swallowed, the movement of his Adams apple plainly visible, his stunned expression jolting. Clamping his lips together, he stared at her. “No one ever calls a prince silly.”
Seeing the soldiers close behind, she whispered, “Not even your cousin?”
He shook his head. “Not even when she teases me.” He glanced at the gauze skirt on the plastic figure and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Allysa would never wear something like that. It’s too casual, like something lower class women would wear.”
“Well, I want it. I can wear it when I’m not in Cordillera.” She opened her purse and pulled out her credit card.
He frowned. “I’ll not have you pay for anything on this trip.” He pulled out some bills and laid them on the counter. He pointed to a silk blouse in a shade matching one of the rainbow colors. “And she will take that also.”
With nimble fingers the saleswoman picked up the money. Tucking a lock of dark hair behind her ear, she smiled as she folded the skirt and blouse and slipped them into a paper bag with handles. “Madam will enjoy wearing this on hot summer nights.” She handed Prince Lawrence the change.
He stuffed it in his pocket and took Tricia’s hand. “Come on, we need to keep looking.” The soldiers followed them out of the shop, lock-stepping together as if marching. Tricia decided the four of them must look obvious, but at least no one would dare accost them.
When they passed another shop, Lawrence stopped and gazed in the window. “Wait here with the soldiers.” He strode into the shop and came out with a little bag. He handed it to her. “You need something to keep in that little box.”
She opened it to see a delicate silver bracelet with tiny flowers enameled in the same pink as the roses on the little box he’d bought her. “Oh, that’s lovely. Thank you.”
He smiled. “Put it on.” When she had trouble fastening it, he grasped her hand. “Let me.” His long fingers made short work of fastening it, sending warm tingles up her arm. His broad smile warmed her even more, making her think he really liked her. Did she even have a chance to win his heart? Or was he merely turning on the charm? It didn’t matter. She wasn’t of noble birth, and she had her career.
Two hours later, her feet ached. The grim look on Lawrence’s face showed he, too, was tired and discouraged.
Then he grabbed her hand. “I think I see someone. Hurry.”
Up ahead, Tricia saw woman with hair the color of hers talking with a shopkeeper. Spread out on a table in front of a shop sat colorful vases, some with artificial flowers.
Tricia hurried to keep up with Lawrence. Could they have found Allysa at last?
Chapter Nineteen
“That is Allysa.” Prince Lawrence broke into a run. He wound his way through the crowded marketplace. Tricia and the soldiers followed. What it would be like to meet your double? Beside the princess, a man with glasses and salt and pepper hair glanced back at them, then spoke to her.
Princess Alyssa hurried into a shop. The man followed. Lawrence edged through the shoppers in the street and ran around a table of scarves and jewelry in front of one shop. He ducked into the store. Tricia followed.
Shoppers milled about inside. Allysa was nowhere in sight. Neither was the man. “I want to see the manager,” Lawrence said in an imperious tone. “Immediately,” he added.
The teenaged clerk met his gaze. “Prince Lawrence of Cordillera, we are honored. I will get the manager immediately.”
The manager, a dark-haired woman, her face striking, with olive skin, brick red lips and sparkling dark eyes, stepped out. “May I be of
service?” She looked Lawrence up and down, then added, “Your Highness.”
“Where is the woman that was here? The one with auburn hair, green eyes, about medium height.”
The manager looked around, then shrugged. “Perhaps she moved on to another shop.”
“Do you have a back door?”
“Yes.”
“Show me where it is.”
“Right this way, Your Highness.”
“Wait here,” the prince told his soldiers, who stood just inside the shop.
Tricia followed the prince through a storeroom piled with boxes. The manager opened a door, and Prince Lawrence stepped out. Tricia hurried out. The narrow alley was shadowed by a two-story apartment building. A woman was beating a rug hanging over a wrought iron railing. Colorful skirts and blouses fluttered from a line above another balcony.
The alley appeared vacant except for a brown dog sleeping beside a doorway. The aroma of onions and garlic teased Tricia’s nose.
Prince Lawrence shook his fist in the air. “Damn my cousin for leading us on such a chase.” He looked back at the open door. “Where are my soldiers? I need them now.”
Tricia stepped back in the shop. The prince grabbed her arm. “Don’t go back in there without me. There may be purse snatchers milling around.”
She glared at him. “There’s no need to grab my arm. I was just going to call your soldiers.” She hurried to the front of the shop.
Two soldiers stood just inside the front door, looking around. The prince waved at them. “Pierre, Jose, come. I need you to search the alley behind the store for a woman who looks like my cousin.”
The two men marched toward them past a throng of customers. Some stared with mouths open. One woman said, “Look, isn’t that Prince Lawrence of Cordillera?”
Lawrence stepped outside and held the back door open. “I saw a woman who resembles Allysa with a man wearing glasses. I want to speak with her. Find the woman.” The soldiers strode through and began to search the alley. One knocked on nearby doors. Residents opened them, listened and then shook their heads.
