For the first time in longer than he could remember, he felt as though his life was coming together. He felt at peace with his role as prince. His father’s edict to marry no longer hung over his head like a heavy shroud, and the future looked bright with Kerry beside him.
One thing he was certain about: he wouldn’t be bored. She brought a vitality to life with her honesty and passion. Her approach to living was so different than what he was accustomed to, at least for most of his adult life. She made him remember his youth, with all the hopes and dreams that made the future exciting.
For the first time, he felt completely comfortable in his role as crown prince. With Kerry by his side and their children someday surrounding them, they would have a good life and help the country of his ancestors achieve its rightful status in the world.
“You seem happy,” she commented.
“I am, now that you’re here.”
“That sounds like a line,” she teased.
The smile faded as he reached for her hand. “It’s not. I’ve never been more serious,” he said softly. “It’s like everything clicked into place when we landed. You were here beside me and I knew things were working out. We’re going to have a baby we will both love, and even your mother is getting the vacation of her dreams, including getting a ‘real live king’ as an in-law.”
“Only if I decide to marry you.”
He grinned at that piece of foolishness. “Of course you will. You’ll love my country and the people will love you.”
She took a deep breath and gazed out the window. “I hope you’re right.”
He placed his arm around her shoulders and hugged her close. “I know I am. This is going to be wonderful.”
KERRY SMILED at Alexi’s confident comment, but she didn’t feel nearly as assured as he did. Of course, she didn’t know his father, his country or his friends. Maybe they would accept her, despite her small-town, working-class Texas background. Maybe they’d find her “quaint” rather than assuming she was a gold-digging waitress who’d gotten pregnant to catch a prince.
Oh, Lord, she hoped so. She really didn’t want to read any negative press accounts of her arrival in Belegovia, although she was sure someone would make tacky comments and engage in rampant speculation. Her imagination made her stomach clench more than the motion of the jet or the limo. She’d just gotten over her morning sickness, but the feeling was coming back big-time with every mile—or kilometer—closer to the palace.
“Oh, Kerry, look,” her mother said, breaking into her queasy musings. “The buildings are so old and pretty, just like a postcard. And the trees! There are so many, and they’re so tall and green.”
“Many different types of evergreens grow in Belegovia,” Alexi informed them, “plus several of the deciduous trees you’re used to. In the fall, the foliage is quite beautiful, much like Boston’s.”
“Just think, Kerry. You’ll get to see real changes in the seasons. I’ll bet you even have snow in the winter.”
Alexi smiled. “Yes, we do.”
“There are some things more important than the climate and scenery.”
“I know that, sweetie, but isn’t it a nice bonus that you’ll have a beautiful country?”
“If I stay here,” she reminded her mother.
“Of course you’ll stay. You and Alexi are crazy about each other, and you have the baby to consider.”
Kerry was about to say something to set her mother straight—if she could just think of the right words—when the limo turned off the more modern highway onto an older, narrower road.
They drove between brick-stuccoed and stone houses and shops, past awnings that covered fresh fruits and vegetables on narrow shelves, and beneath a mossy stone arch that looked as though it had been created in the Stone Age. Iron-railed balconies graced some of the buildings, while other buildings sported signs in both English and Belegovian, naming pubs and shops.
The limo took up most of the narrow street, forcing pedestrians and people on bicycles and motorbikes to either side of the road. They stared with interest, not resentment, into the dark-tinted windows.
At least they weren’t rioting in the streets, Kerry thought. Of course, they hadn’t found out yet that their prince had brought a Texas truck stop waitress to their history-rich country to be a princess. Perhaps if Gwendolyn issued a very tactful press release, she could put a good spin on the situation.
“Oh, Kerry, isn’t it beautiful? Just like one of those travel specials on cable TV.”
“It’s very quaint and interesting,” Kerry answered, one part of her wanting to stay safely inside the limo forever, another part wanting to open the door and say hello to the regular people—folks she had more in common with than the ones waiting for her at the palace.
As if he were reading her mind, Alexi said, “We’ll be at the palace in just a few minutes. Koslow’s Arch marks the entrance to the old city. It was built around 1650, and survived two world wars and numerous uprisings.”
“That’s amazing. There are a few missions in Texas going back that far, but they’re mostly rubble,” Kerry said.
Then the limo turned again, crossing a stone bridge over a narrow stream. Or maybe it was a moat. The palace loomed large and tall, constructed of blocks of stone covered with ivy and anchored in flowering bushes and trees pruned into decorative shapes. Leaded windows gleamed in the sunlight and reflected the puffy white clouds floating high overhead.
“Merciful heavens,” her mother whispered. “Will you look at that? Why, it’s prettier than Buckingham Palace.”
“We did quite a bit of restoration on the palace. The Soviets had used it for their government center, so it was fairly well maintained. However, they’d installed lower acoustic ceilings and new walls, so we had to take it back to nineteenth-century splendor.”
Kerry felt her breathing quicken and instinctively placed a hand on her stomach. Breathe deeply, she told herself, afraid that she’d hyperventilate and faint in front of Alexi’s father.
“This gives a whole new meaning to ‘meeting the family,”’ she said in a shaky voice.
“Everything will be fine,” Alexi told her as the limo pulled to a stop inside the courtyard. “I have a very good feeling about this.”
She wished she did. At the moment, she alternated between numb and terrified—and she hadn’t even gotten out of the limo yet.
Maybe she should just stay here.
“Is that the king?” her mother asked, squinting against the sunlight and probably wishing she’d worn her glasses. Kerry noticed a snowy-haired man in a well-cut but severe black suit standing beside the huge carved door.
Alexi chuckled. “No, that’s the butler, Radko.”
Kerry groaned. Would she ever feel comfortable around butlers who looked like kings, living in palaces and being driven in limos?
“I HAD NO IDEA your story was so romantic,” Ariel Ladislas sighed, one hand propping up her chin. At twenty-five, she was the youngest and obviously the most idealistic sibling. She was also charming and beautiful…and tall, although Kerry didn’t feel jealous of Alexi’s sister as she usually did with women who could pass for models. Ariel was just too friendly and nice.
Alexi had told them how Kerry had mistaken him for Hank, then they’d gone on the road trip and visited her relatives. He’d skipped over the parts where they’d stayed together at the B and B and made love in the apartment above the Four Square Café, but he had told them she was pregnant. Of course, being Alexi, he’d said it much more politely, emphasizing that they’d have a niece or nephew next February.
And, of course, his brother and sister assumed Kerry was going to marry Alexi. The king hadn’t looked convinced. Or maybe he was just being hopeful that his future daughter-in-law wouldn’t be from Ranger Springs, Texas.
“You did the right thing,” Andrew, Alexi’s twenty-eight-year-old brother, stated. He was more serious than Ariel, a little bit less handsome than Alexi—in Kerry’s opinion—but equally welc
oming to both her and her mother.
“You know me, brother,” Alexi said with a smile. “Marrying Kerry is what I want, and it’s a bonus that it’s the right thing to do.”
“Obligation is important,” King Wilheim stated. He was an older version of Alexi, tall, darker-haired, and very stately. Very British, even though he was the Belegovian king. Apparently, living in England from his teenage years to middle age had an enormous impact on his personality, because he was the prototypical upper-class Brit: cool, reserved and highly educated.
He wasn’t exactly the warm-and-fuzzy father-in-law Kerry had envisioned when she’d thought about getting married to some then nameless, faceless man. She’d always thought she’d marry a Texan and she’d have lots in common with her husband’s father.
What did she have in common with King Wilheim? She couldn’t even think of a topic of conversation that didn’t sound lame!
“Family is important, too,” her mother said, breaking the silence after the king’s statement. “You have a lovely family, King Wilheim.”
“It would be more complete were my wife here to welcome you,” he said with barely disguised bitterness. “A wife carries the burden of most social obligations.”
“Invite her to visit,” Alexi advised. “She’d come if you asked.”
“She knows where we are,” the king said. And that seemed to put an end to that topic of conversation. And clearly stated his views on the importance of a suitable wife.
“Anyway,” Ariel said, jumping up to refill everyone’s wine glass but Kerry’s. She was drinking bottled water at the advice of Gwendolyn. “I think Gwendolyn will be able to make everyone understand what a love match this is. The fact that there’s going to soon be a royal heir will be icing on the cake.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Alexi said.
“Any statements will need to be cleared through my personal office,” King Wilheim said. He waved off more wine, then stood. “If you will excuse me, I have an early-morning meeting with the finance minister.” He turned toward Kerry’s mother. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Jacks. I hope you enjoy your visit.”
Then he turned to Kerry. With a perfectly emotionless expression, he said, “Good night, Ms. Jacks. Have a pleasant evening.”
She imagined he was thinking his evening would be much more pleasant if she’d fly back to Texas.
After the king left, Kerry said, “I should probably be turning in also. We’ve had a busy day.”
“And an exciting one,” her mother added. “I sure never thought I’d be in the private parlor of the royal family, sipping wine after a formal dinner.”
“Father likes to use the good china and crystal,” Ariel said, wrinkling her nose. “He’d throw a fit if he knew I use paper plates most evenings when I’m in my apartment. I got used to them in college and can’t break the habit.”
Kerry smiled. Ariel was so down-to-earth. She’d make a great sister-in-law. And Andrew was nice, too, although he wasn’t as naturally friendly as his sister. But Kerry was afraid that the king would never come around. He just didn’t seem to like her, or at least not as a bride for his son.
“I’ll walk you to your room,” Alexi offered. “If you don’t mind, Mrs. Jacks.”
“No, of course not. I’m sure someone can guide me in the right direction after I finish this last glass of wine.”
Kerry leaned over and kissed her mother’s cheek. “Have sweet dreams, Mama.”
“Sweetie, this whole trip has been a dream come true.”
Kerry smiled, glad that she’d given her mother this gift. Even if things didn’t work out with Alexi, they would have wonderful memories of their trip to Belegovia.
“Good night, Ariel, Andrew,” Kerry said before Alexi took her arm and steered her out the fourteen-foot-tall, carved double doors of the family parlor.
They walked down silent hallways carpeted with long runners that appeared faded with time and were probably at least a hundred years old. Gilt wall sconces cast dim, romantic lighting on the way to the guest bedrooms. Kerry was glad Alexi was walking with her, because she wasn’t sure she could find her room without his help. Tomorrow she’d try to get her bearings.
“Gwendolyn is preparing a press release announcing our engagement,” Alexi said.
“Your father isn’t going to be happy about that.”
“Don’t worry about him. He doesn’t take well to sudden change, but he’ll come around.”
Kerry wasn’t sure about that, but Alexi knew his father better than she did. If she decided to marry him, which she was leaning toward at the moment, she hoped he was right.
“What do you have planned for us tomorrow?” she asked as they went down another hallway.
“I thought you might like to see more of the country than just the airport and the city. We can take my car and go for a drive. I know a wonderful little country inn where we can have dinner.”
“That sounds wonderful. My mother will be excited.”
Alexi stopped in the dim corridor. “Actually, I thought your mother might like to see some other sights. I’ve asked Ariel to take her to a few cultural events and a dressmaker so she can be fit for the dinner on Saturday night.”
“Oh.” So she and Alexi would be alone tomorrow. Well, that was an interesting idea.
He took her shoulders in his hands. “You know I’d like to join you inside the guest suite, but I think I’d better say good-night out here.”
“That would be best,” she whispered.
He stepped close and lowered his head. This time she was ready for his kiss. This time she rose on tiptoe to meet him halfway. He tasted of sweet German wine and Alexi’s unique flavor of male self-confidence and bold determination. His tongue thrust and retreated and she matched him stroke for stroke until they both breathed hard and fast, and clung tightly together even after the kiss ended.
“That was some good-night kiss,” she whispered against his neck.
“Just one of many we can share if you’ll say yes.”
Kerry rested her forehead against the hard wall of his chest. “Don’t pressure me. I just got here. I’m keeping an open mind about your country.”
“I know.” He sighed. “I just want to marry you so much.”
“And your father doesn’t want us to marry, maybe almost as much.”
“No, that’s not true. Don’t focus on the negative. He’ll come around once he gets to know you better.”
Kerry nodded, not knowing what else to say. If she told Alexi that she hoped his father changed his mind, then she’d be admitting that she wanted to get married. Which she wasn’t ready to say out loud, especially to a man who was pressuring her to make the commitment. If she said it didn’t matter, then she’d be blowing off his proposal as if she didn’t care.
“What time should I be ready in the morning?”
“How about ten o’clock? I think that will give you time to have breakfast and try on some of the clothes Milos has arranged for you.”
“Oh, the clothes. I’d almost forgotten.”
“I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Although Milos is my valet, he has a certain flair for fashion.”
“I trust you and Milos not to make me look like a reject from the Oscar ceremony.”
“I promise, you won’t make anyone’s worst-dressed list in the gowns he’s selected.”
She smiled. “Good-night, Alexi.”
Chapter Twelve
“So about the king,” Kerry said the next morning to Gwendolyn after Milos Anatole and Mrs. Tamburg, the dressmaker, had spread out two ball gowns and several other dresses on the bed and left to get accessories. “Alexi says he’ll eventually like me, but I’m not so sure.”
“The king is very traditional,” Gwendolyn said carefully, as though she was weighing every word. “He was intent on Alexi marrying one of the young ladies he had chosen.”
“Yes, I heard all about the contessa from Hank, Alexi and even my mother. Alexi was going to annou
nce his engagement to her, and instead he flew to Texas.”
Gwendolyn looked up from a claret-colored silk gown with subtle beading on the bodice. “What did you expect? You are carrying his child.”
“I know, but it seems a little…cold. I mean, I asked Alexi about the contessa, but he said she was only after a title. That she wasn’t in love with him.”
“I believe that’s right. She’s cordial and very polite, but hardly full of passion.”
“Still, she might care for Alexi.”
“Kerry, I seriously doubt that she cares even a fraction as much as you do.”
She was saved from any more comments when Milos and the dressmaker entered with shoes, purses, fringed and beaded shawls, and some boxes she suspected contained lingerie. She didn’t even want to think about Alexi’s valet picking out underwear!
“Have you thought about what issues you might want to address if you marry Alexi?” Gwendolyn asked as all the clothing and accessories were sorted on the bed.
“Issues?”
“The royals always have projects, much like first ladies in your United States. Literacy, mental illness, childhood nutrition and so forth.”
“Oh.” Kerry frowned. She hadn’t thought about her role except to give birth to the heir and attend state functions. But she would have to have something to do. After seeing the palace, she knew she wouldn’t be keeping house or shopping for groceries.
“I’ll have to give it some thought, if I decide to say yes, that is.”
“Of course,” Gwendolyn said, shaking the folds out of an iridescent lavender dress that looked sophisticated but had a fairy-tale quality Kerry found appealing. A subtle gathering of fabric under the strapless bodice would help disguise her tummy.
“You’ll have some time,” Gwendolyn said. “No one will expect decisions right away.”
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