Heart Captivated

by Lindsay Bergman

  “Yes, I do,” I whispered, unhinged by his closeness. I’d made my decision and refused to allow his gorgeous blue eyes or dimpled smile to change my mind. “Last night you asked if it bothered me to see you with Sophie, and it doesn’t.” Lies, such terrible lies. “I can’t think of a single reason for why you shouldn’t be with her.”

  “I see.” His eyes dimmed as he eased away and turned his back to me. He stood still for a long moment, his shoulders tensed. “I guess I should go find Sophie … since there’s no reason for me to stay here … with you.” His eyes met mine, searching, waiting. When I said nothing, he turned and walked out of the barn.

  I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the image of his disappointed expression—as well as the image of the yellow wildflower now lying crushed at my feet.

  This was for the best. After only three weeks, it was obvious that Sophie was falling for him, and falling hard—it didn’t matter that I was falling for him, too. I would not risk Sophie’s heart.

  My sister deserved every happiness that life had to offer. If a royal prince was what her vulnerable heart desired, then I hoped with every fiber of my being that her dreams would come true … even if I had to sacrifice my own dreams. It’s not like I hadn’t done that once already.

  I straightened my shoulders and walked away, leaving the forlorn wildflower broken in the dirt, along with a tiny piece of my heart.

  I was surprised by how quickly I’d grown fond of the dark-haired prince with the dimpled smile. His easy-going nature and friendly personality had side-swept my carefully laid intentions of keeping him at a distance. After barely a week, Ashton had become a friend I could count on, and now he was something more.

  A week after our … discussion … the prince was due to return home to Coradova. He met us out on the front porch, accompanied by four royal guards. He spoke quietly with Sophie, hugged her close and turned to me while my sister sniffled in the background.

  Without a word, Ashton carefully drew me into his arms. Despite the tension that had been present over the last week, his hug was warm and long. When he finally stepped back, his gaze lingered on my face. “Thanks for showing me the ropes around here. I’ll miss it … and your cute American accent.” He winked, making my heartbeat stutter. Then his playful smile grew serious. “Goodbye, Brielle.”

  Tears pricked at my eyes. There was so much I could have said to him, but all I could manage was a whispered, “Goodbye, Ashton.”

  He nodded, offered up one more smile and sailed down the old, rickety steps.

  Standing on the edge of the porch beside Sophie, I took one look at her tear-streaked face and felt my heart squeeze in response to her pain. I slipped an arm around her shoulders in a gesture of love and support. She leaned her head against mine and sniffled again.

  Ashton paused at the bottom step and looked up at us over his shoulder, those gorgeous blue eyes taking in the sight of us standing together. Identical in both looks and tears. A soft smile played on his lips. Then he flashed that adorable dimple before turning to stride across the drive to his waiting car.

  Together, we watched the handsome and charming prince walk out of our lives and back to his home in Coradova. I wondered if we’d ever see him again.

  Chapter Four

  Sophie moped around the ranch for the following week, lacking her usual chatter and enthusiasm. Her first true smile came on the day when Mackenzie told us about her plans to spend the remainder of the summer in Coradova—and her hope that we might join her.

  Sophie had immediately jumped at the idea, her eyes brimming with excitement. It had taken three days of constant nagging for Sophie to wear down my resistance. My adventurous side was more than eager for the chance to explore Coradova over the summer, but my practical side insisted that we couldn’t abandon the ranch. Refusing to give up on the idea, Sophie had relentlessly pleaded with both Uncle Cameron and Logan, with her brown eyes glossy with unshed tears.

  “It’s been a tough year,” Uncle Cameron acknowledged during dinner later that night. “I know I’ve asked more of you since Sharon died, and you’ve all stepped up without complaint.” His hazel eyes traveled over each of us in turn, before resting on me. “If you want to spend the summer in Coradova, please don’t worry about the ranch. Logan and I have everything under control.”

  A weight lifted from my shoulders. Uncle Cameron had given his approval for us to spend the summer in Coradova. Excitement bubbled up in my stomach. I could hardly wait.

  Less than a week later, our private plane was touching down on the runway of Le Mersaille Aéroport in Calais, the capital of Coradova. I stepped out of the plane after Mackenzie and Sophie, and paused, drawn in by the breathtaking beauty of the country before me. We were in the center of Coradova’s largest city, yet throughout the sprawling expanse of buildings and streets we were still surrounded by luscious greenery. Pops of bright flowers seemed to soften the sharp concrete edges and the sea was brilliant in the distance, stretching wide across the horizon with sun rays glinting off the surface.

  I stood rooted to the top of the steps, taking in every inch of the scenery beyond the airport, hardly daring to believe that I was really here. It was another moment before I spotted the waiting group at the foot of the steps and forced myself to descend. While I had been distracted by the sights, Mackenzie and Sophie had been joined by Prince Ashton.

  Looking sharp and resplendent in a navy business suit and crisp white shirt, he stood next to Sophie, his blue eyes bright with merriment as the warm breeze ruffled his dark hair. “Enjoying the view?” Ashton asked me with a grin.

  “Coradova is beautiful,” I replied.

  His eyes shone with pride over my assessment of his country. Ashton stepped closer to take hold of my hand and brought it to his lips. The featherlight kiss he brushed against the back of my fingers made my heart flutter. “Welcome to Coradova, Brielle. I hope you find my home as charming as you’ve imagined.”

  Even after he released my hand, I could still feel the warmth of his kiss on my skin.

  Ashton directed us to follow him, and led us through a side door into the airport. As we moved through an empty hallway, I surveyed the bulky men flanking us. I recognized four of them as his royal guards from Montana, while the other two were unfamiliar. They were all dressed in dark Armani suits, each face alert and scanning the hallway for threats. When he had been in Montana, his personal security detail was so discreet that I’d often forgotten their presence entirely. It had been easy to forget he was a prince most of the time, but here, it was a sharp reminder that he was a beloved member of the Coradovan Royal Family.

  We passed through two more vacant hallways before being ushered through a side door and into an alley with a waiting limo. Flanked by two black sedans, we drove out of the airport and through the narrow, packed streets of Calais. Through the tinted windows, I watched the rows of small shops and crowds of people passing by. The buildings were old, but well-maintained with fresh paint and window boxes bursting with flowers. Terra-cotta rooftops zoomed by in an orange blur of fiery-clay. Eventually the shops and crowds thinned until the landscape dropped off on one side to plunge into a swirling blue sea.

  “I see we’re taking the scenic route to the palace,” Mackenzie commented from her seat at the front of the limo. “Good idea.”

  “I thought Sophie and Bree might enjoy a drive along the coast. There’s nothing better than a seaside drive—unless you’re sailing.”

  “You know how to sail?” I asked, finally tearing my gaze away from the view outside the window. Ashton and Sophie were sitting on the seat beside me, with my sister tucked in the middle between us.

  Ashton nodded and smiled at me over her head. “I’ll have to take you out while you’re here.”

  “Count me out,” Sophie commented, making a face. “I get sea sick and the medicine just makes me tired. Maybe Kenzie and I can have a spa day while you two go sailing.”

  My attention was drawn out the window
again when the limo slowed and pulled over near a deserted stretch of beach. I turned toward Ashton with eager, questioning eyes.

  “Go ahead,” he urged, shooting me a dimpled smile.

  I hopped out instantly and didn’t even bother waiting for the others to exit. I yanked off my sandals and raced down the beach to the water’s edge. The surf lapped at my toes as I stood transfixed by the breathtaking sight of the sea rising and falling in hypnotic swells. The water was a shade of pale turquoise that deepened into dark blue farther out to sea. Sailboats bobbed along in the distance, showered in golden sunlight.

  It had been years since the one and only time I’d ever seen the ocean … back when my dad was still around. We’d taken a family vacation to the west coast and spent seven amazing days in a beach front cottage. That trip had sparked my love for the sea and adventure. I’d spent the following eight years dreaming about exploring the world—until our family had fallen apart.

  With a resigned sigh, I plopped down onto the sand and let my thoughts wash away as the tide washed over my toes. The beach stretched for miles in each direction. I could barely make out the dotted images of surfers riding the distant waves.

  Mackenzie lowered onto the sand next to me, a grin on her face. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

  “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. Now I understand why you had such a hard time moving back to Montana.” Bracing my elbow on a bent knee, I rested my chin in my palm and sighed. “I wish I could stay here forever.”

  Movement to our right caught my attention. I looked up to find Ashton’s gaze on me, his blue eyes speculative. He had left his suit jacket in the limo and stood at the edge of the water in bare feet, with the sun glinting off various strands of his black hair. He was so breathtakingly handsome. The sea behind him brought out the deep blue of his eyes, making me want to drown in them. We said nothing and merely stared at each other.

  Sophie moved up close to his side. “It’s beautiful here, Ashton.” Never one to hold back her affections, she clasped his hand and smiled up at him in pure adoration.

  I looked out toward the sea again, breaking the connection between us, and silently scolded myself to remember that Sophie was head-over-heels for Ashton. I couldn’t afford to lose myself in his glorious blue eyes or charming dimpled smile, no matter how warm his glances occasionally were. The last thing I would ever do is hurt my sister.

  Chapter Five

  The colossal, white palace was perfectly situated on a hill overlooking town and sea. Sprawling countryside and small towns spread out across the island to the southwest of the palace, while the backside was surrounded by impenetrable cliffs and sharp, jagged rocks. Tall fairytale turrets spiraled up toward the sky, with a lookout tower sporting a birds-eyes view of the surrounding sea.

  The stunning royal palace was built from brick and stone as well as hopes and dreams. It was steeped in centuries of tradition, glamour, intrigue and royal legacy. Standing at attention in front of the wrought-iron gates were red-uniformed soldiers, their jackets emblazoned with gold buttons and personal medals. The Coradovan national flag and the heraldic standard of the House of Markham billowed in the breeze, indicating that members of the Royal Family were in attendance.

  When our limo stopped in front of the palace entrance, a footman rushed forward to open the door and offered a hand for assistance. The heavy, ornate double doors were opened wide in welcome. Ashton strolled into the grand foyer with Sophie hanging on his arm and Mackenzie and I trailing along behind them. Our footsteps rapped out over the white marble floor, our awed voices echoing through the wide hallways.

  A door opened to our left, revealing a tall and beautiful brunette in a gorgeous knee-length chiffon dress. Mackenzie’s older sister and the newest member of the Royal Family. Her Serene Highness, Princess Madison. Her dark brown eyes widened at the sight of us, and she stepped out into the foyer with a grin. “Welcome to our home,” Madison said, before she was tightly embraced by Mackenzie. Her voice became thick with tears. “I’ve missed you, Kenzie!”

  The dashing and dark-haired Crown Prince of Coradova appeared in the doorway behind them, his blue eyes warm with welcome. Prince Alexander was a taller version of Ashton, his wide shoulders impressively broad, perfect for carrying the weight of his country. He looked down at his wife and sister-in-law, both crying now, and smiled with affection.

  Alexander stepped around them and reached out to take my hand. “Hello again, Bree. I’m glad you were able to come visit Coradova for the summer. Maddy is thrilled to have you all here.” He kissed the back of my hand in polite welcome, a normal custom in Coradova.

  “Thank you, Your Highness.” I lowered into a curtsy and smiled shyly. I’d met Alexander last fall during his seven-week stay in Montana. He was friendly and charming, and had quickly put me at ease around him. But here in Coradova, I was acutely aware of the fact that he was royalty.

  Alexander’s smile was knowing. “Bree, please call me Alex. There’s no need for formality among friends.”

  I nodded in silent acknowledgement before Alexander turned to welcome my sister with the same friendly greeting. Ashton met my eyes over Sophie’s auburn head, his smirk in place. Alexander’s words had practically been verbatim to Ashton’s back in Montana.

  When Madison and Mackenzie finally released their hold on one another, the princess turned a beaming smile on us. “I’m so happy to see you girls!” She stepped forward to hug us each in turn. “We are going to have the best time this summer. I can’t wait to show you around Coradova.”

  We were shown to our separate guest rooms on the third floor. My room was large with an attached sitting area, golden floral print walls and a cozy array of French antique furniture. Glass doors opened out onto a private balcony on the northeast wall of the palace, overlooking the cliffs and shimmering expanse of sea.

  There was a knock on my still open door. I turned to see Ashton filling the doorway.

  “How do you like your room?” He stepped over the threshold and looked around, his hands sliding into his pockets in a casual gesture. “It’s one of the nicer ones.”

  My lips twitched. “It’s hard to imagine that any room in this palace wouldn’t be nice.”

  Ashton smiled and joined me out on the balcony. Even though the doors were open and we were surrounded by sky and endless sea, the confines of the balcony still seemed to shrink down until I was acutely aware of Ashton’s proximity. It made me undeniably nervous.

  His blue eyes traveled over my face, warm and too soul-searching. “It’s good to see you again, Brielle. I’m glad you decided to spend the summer here.”

  “Me too,” I choked out, sounding way too breathless. “Thank you for inviting us.”

  “I should admit that I had an ulterior motive.” He moved closer, his hand brushing against mine. “I was hoping it would give us a chance to spend more time together.”

  My breath caught in my chest. I couldn’t deny that I was still irresistibly drawn to him, but if anything were to happen between us, it would utterly crush Sophie. “Ashton, I don’t think—”

  “Then stop thinking,” Ashton ordered softly. He dazzled me with that dimpled smile, making my thoughts scatter, then he reached up to brush a loose strand of hair from my cheek and studied my face, his fingers lingering on my jaw. “I want to know more about you, Brielle.”

  “No,” I whispered, terrified yet eager at the same time.

  “Yes.” Ashton slipped closer. My heart rate sped up, nearly beating right out of my chest. He cupped my face with one hand and met my eyes. “There’s something here. I know you feel it too.”

  “But Sophie—”

  “—is not you.” His eyes warmed considerably. “And I want to know you, Brielle.”

  Warning bells went off in my head. As much as I wanted to explore this further, I could never allow it. Shoving my longing down deep inside, I straightened my shoulders and braced my hands on his chest. His strong, solid chest. I squeaked
when he took hold of my wrists and pulled me closer. “Ashton, stop. You haven’t even given Sophie a chance.”

  “I don’t need to give Sophie a chance. I know what I want.”

  “No, you don’t. We have the same face, but our personalities are completely different.”

  He frowned and stopped trying to bring me into his arms. “Do you think I don’t know that? I spent over a month with you in Montana. I know that you are night and day.”

  “Exactly. Sophie is the sun. Bright, warm, cheerful. She’s the exciting twin that everyone always falls in love with.”

  His frown deepened. “And you’re not?”

  I shook my head sadly and slipped from his grasp. I backed up against the railing, trying to get as far from him and his tempting arms as possible. “No one would ever want the moon when they can have the sun.”

  Ashton crossed his arms and stared at me for a long moment. His expression was grave and almost angry. “You’re not the moon, Brielle. You are a star that far outshines the sun.”

  “Please don’t say that,” I whispered. My heart was twisted inside my chest. I wanted to be the shining star that Ashton claimed … but the truth was, that I was not.

  Sophie was the bright and brilliant sun who had always won the hearts of every person we met. She was exciting and charismatic, full of life and joy. I was the quiet and steady moon. Reliable and unassuming, surrounded by the stars that outshone me. I’d spent my life in the background, being overlooked and under-appreciated. I didn’t know what Ashton possibly saw in me, but it was only a vapor. Sophie was the better twin. Sophie was the better choice. Ashton only needed more time to see that. He needed to at least give her a chance … and if he fell for her, my sister would be thrilled. It didn’t matter that I would be crushed.

  “Ashton, please just give Sophie a chance.”

  “Why won’t you give us a chance?” he demanded, his expression darkening as he waited for my answer.