The Cinderella Princess (16 page)

Two days later,
three princesses and one countess joined Luc at a local hospital. Going out on a group date seemed strange, but Emily explained this was the best way for him to get to know the four women better in the shortest amount of time. Brad agreed.

Who was Luc to argue? He could think of worse things than spending time with four beautiful women. Especially with Emily in the background making sure things ran smoothly. She carried bags full of toys and books to give to the children.

After visiting patient rooms, Luc could see that two of the princesses—Brigitte, who was the youngest, and Jemma, the astrophysicist—weren’t as comfortable with the children as Maria-Therese and Sophie, the social worker. But that wasn’t a deal breaker to Luc. Not everyone had experience with kids, including princesses.

Maria-Therese carried one of the bags of toys. “I love seeing the big smiles when the girls meet real-life princesses.”

“Meeting a countess is just as special,” Luc said.

Jemma glared. A smile appeared a second too late. She had a brilliant mind and was accomplished, but she might not be the best choice if her royal title made her feel superior.

That left three—Brigitte, Maria-Therese and Sophie.

“I want to mention a new treatment I read about to one of the doctors. It might help that little boy named Marko we visited.” Sophie walked in the other direction from them. Luc was impressed how dedicated the princess from Alistonia was to helping others. She’d be an asset to the foundation, but was she the right woman for him? He needed more time to figure that out.

In a room with a little girl named Gia, who wore an oxygen tube, Luc sat on the edge of her bed while she told him about her stuffed animal named Socks.

“You see it’s made out of a sock, sir.” Gia raised the sock monkey in the air. “That seemed like the most perfect name.”

“Socks is the absolute right name.” Luc rubbed his chin. “Do you think Socks might like a new friend to play with?”

Gia’s eyes widened.

A cellphone rang. Princess Brigitte removed her phone from her pocket and walked out of the room without saying a word.

Now that was a deal breaker. He’d mentally crossed Jemma off the list. Now it was Brigitte’s turn. That left Sophie and Maria-Therese. Looked like Emily was right again. This group date was a good way for him to get to know the women better.

“Where were we?” Luc asked.

“A new friend.” Maria-Therese reached into one of the bags and pulled out a purple stuffed animal. “Do you think Socks will want to be friends with an elephant?”

“Oh, yes.” Gia took the elephant. “And we’ll have to think of the best name. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Maria-Therese moved to the other side of Gia’s bed. “Promise me you’ll take good care of Socks and the elephant.”

Gia hugged the two stuffed animals. “I will.”

“And do what the doctors tell you,” Maria-Therese continued.

Gia nodded.

“Good. I want to hear that you’re feeling better.” Maria-Therese touched the little girl’s hand. The compassion in the countess’s eyes reminded Luc of how Emily had acted with Vivianca and Gretchen.

Emily.

Maybe that was why he felt so comfortable with Maria-Therese. She was the most like Emily. Not in looks or personality or style, but in the way she cared for others. Was that enough to build a marriage upon?

Was Countess Maria-Therese his Cinderella? Or was Princess Sophie his future wife? At least he had a few more days to get to know them better until he had to propose.

They said goodbye to Gia, then walked out of the room.

Maria-Therese smiled at him. “What’s on the schedule after we’re finished here?”

He pictured the itinerary for the day. They would return to the villa where a surprise awaited them before lunch. “How do you feel about puppies?”

*

Four days later,
as the sun lowered toward the horizon, Emily sat on the boat dock. Her legs hung over the edge and her toes swung back and forth skimming the water.

She leaned back on her arms and lifted her face to the red sky. Her role here had been to find Luc a bride. She’d succeeded the way she knew she would. The hospital visit had been the deciding factor in sending two princesses—Brigitte and Jemma—home. Playing with the puppies that afternoon had reaffirmed his choice of the two—Maria-Therese and Sophie—to stay.

But since the two royal women had arrived at the villa, everything had changed.

No more texts.

No more jokes.

No late night treats.

No more kisses.

Okay, Emily had told Luc they should stop kissing. She just thought he might try to steal one or two. Going cold turkey sucked.

She knew Luc had needed this time to decide between Maria-Therese and Sophie, even if Emily had known what his decision should be. And she’d been correct.

Maria-Therese was his choice. Last night, Sophie had left the villa in tears.

“Here you are.” Luc walked toward Emily. His steps sounded on the dock, sending a bird flying. “I was wondering where you were hiding.”

Emily glanced to her left. A wide smile reached all the way to his eyes. “Not hiding, relaxing.”

“Never thought I’d see you relax.”

“A new experience. One I’m enjoying.” She peered around him. “Where’s Maria-Therese?”

“Being filmed in one of the villages. Brad wanted some footage of her alone.” He sat next to Emily. “So here I am. No cameras or microphones or royalty following me around. I feel like a bird released from a cage for the first time in days.”

“You look like you’ve been enjoying yourself with two women vying for your attention.” Emily cringed at the tone of her voice. She needed to retract the claws.

“How would you know? You haven’t been around.”

But she had. Not exactly spying or stalking. A better term might be lurking. “The villa isn’t that big.”

“A little over five acres of grounds and fifteen thousand square feet inside.”

“Hard to miss with the crew following you.” Or the sound of laughter wherever he and Maria-Therese went.

Not that Emily cared. That much anyway.

“I wanted to tell you—” he rubbed his lips together “—I asked Maria-Therese to marry me.”

Emily’s jaw dropped. She closed her mouth, but sat stunned, as if someone had just told her Clint Wallingford had gotten her promotion. But she thought Luc would have told her his plan, not just proposed without saying something to her first.

She moistened her dry lips. “Maria-Therese is perfect for you. Congratulations.”

The fact Emily managed to say a five-syllable word without having her voice crack had to be a record.

“We haven’t made an official announcement.” His gaze didn’t meet hers, and for that she was grateful. “We’re working out some details first. Emily…”

She looked up at him. “What?”

He touched her shoulder. “Thank you for finding me a royal bride.”

Emily swallowed. She should be happy, not feeling like someone stole Miss Mousie. “You’re welcome.”

“I hope you’ll be in Alvernia for the engagement presentation.”

She nodded, not trusting her voice. Her boss and his wife would be there also. She hoped Don offered the partnership in Alvernia instead of making her wait until they returned to San Diego. That might make her feel…better.

Now she was being silly.

This was what she’d been working toward since she arrived in Europe. The engagement presentation, a royal custom, would secure Luc’s place in his family. He would keep his title, his land, and his money. Most importantly, his good work with the foundation would continue. And she would have her partnership. She should be happy. Thrilled.

She forced a smile, but the muscles around her mouth fought her. “Told you we’d be successful.

“I knew you wouldn’t fail me.” Luc sounded pleased. “Life as I know it will remain the same.”

Hers would be changed forever.

Not because of her job. Work no longer seemed as important. But his Royal Highness Lucas Alexander Leopold Casimir von Rexburg had touched her heart with his kindness, his generosity, his sense of humor and his kisses.

A royal engagement ring sized lump burned in her throat.

No. No. No.

She’d fallen for Luc. Probably the first day they’d met when she saw him with Vivianca. But Emily had been in denial; too scared to admit what she was feeling when her job was to find him a wife.

But she had and fallen hard.

No regrets.

Yeah, right.

She didn’t know where to start with the regrets. She should have never kissed him, never told him about her parents or listened to him talk about his family, never allowed him into her heart.

But she had.

And she…

I love him.

Oh, no. She loved Luc.

He’d shown her how life could be so much more than work and for that she would be grateful. She no longer needed to define herself by what she did for a living and her ability to take care of herself. She could laugh, have fun, relax.

Like now.

Except she felt more tense and shivery, than relaxed.

He leaned toward her, his mouth inches from hers. The desire in his eyes matched hers for him. He wanted to kiss her. She wanted him to kiss her.

One last kiss.

What was she doing? Emily scooted away, nearly slipping off the dock. “We can’t. You proposed to Maria-Therese.”

“The proposal is not official until the engagement presentation.”

Emily kept backing away from him. “Semantics. You don’t need me now.”

“I do need you.”

The longing in his voice caused a physical ache inside her. “My job was to find you a bride. I did. Now you’ll have a wife to help you.”

And Emily would have…her promotion. She had the feeling Luc ended up with the better deal.

‡

B
eing back at
the palace made Luc feel like an imposter. He wasn’t thinking about his fiancée. Emily was the only woman on his mind. He needed to do something about that.

The production crew moved equipment into the throne room for tomorrow’s engagement presentation. He found Brad reviewing the ceremony’s schedule with her. She looked lovely in a pair of pants with a frilly pale green shirt.

“Can I borrow Emily?” Luc asked.

“Go ahead, sir.” Brad checked what Dylan was doing. “We’ve got cameras and lighting to work on.”

Emily’s tired eyes made Luc wonder if she’d been experiencing the same difficulty sleeping as him.

“Come.” Luc motioned for her to follow. “I have something to show you.”

She rose, wiping her hands against her thighs. The black fabric stretched across her hips and thighs, making him jealous of the pair of pants. She straightened the hem of her shirt.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

He placed his index finger by her lips, desperate to touch her. “Shhh. The palace is full of secrets.”

Her smile brightened her face. “Lots of skeletons in closets.”

“You have no idea.” He led her into the music room where a grand piano resided in one corner and a harp in the other. “Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

He fought the urge to kiss her to stop the questions. “Time to put away your analytical side and have fun.”

“If you say so.” She closed her eyes.

He pulled back a fake bookcase to open the hidden door behind. “Keep them closed.”

“What’s taking so long?”

“Patience.” He held her hand. “Walk with me. But don’t open your eyes until I tell you. I won’t let you fall.”

“Isn’t that my line?”

“Not today.” Inside the secret room, he reset the bookcase, then the door. “You may open your eyes.”

She did. Blinked. “What is this place?”

“A secret hideaway. During the Great Wars, the royal family stored artwork and other valuables here. Now, this is where we go to escape.”

Emily explored. “Who knows about this room?”

“Only the royal family. That’s why you had to keep your eyes closed. Rules.”

She ran her fingers across a leather sofa. “The ultimate man cave.”

“I’m the only one who uses the room.”