AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“May I suggest the Grand Ballroom, Your Highness?” It took me a second to switch my attention to another man who separated himself from the crowd of onlookers.
I remembered him introducing himself as the hotel manager when David had checked us in. “Thank you, Mr. Kirkpatrick, that will do quite nicely. Do you think you could have some tea and refreshments delivered? My parents prefer Earl Grey, but my sisters and I like orange or cinnamon.” Turning my head to look over my shoulder at Max, I asked, “What would you prefer, Si… um, sweetheart?”
His lips twitched, but he said, “Scotch is fine.”
The manager smiled and gave a brief nod of his head. “It would be our pleasure, Your Highness.”
With that, he turned and swept an arm at the crowd. He might not have a royal title, but the man definitely had power and used it to part the people, allowing Max to guide me down the narrow corridor. As he’d instructed, I kept my head high, looking straight ahead, a smile on my face, and I barely even flinched when another flash of light hit my eyes.
“Excuse me,” Max said in that tone that made my blood race. “There will be an opportunity to speak with the princess and perhaps take a photo or two, but this is not the time nor the place. We would very much appreciate your cooperation.”
While he never mentioned what would happen without that cooperation, I not only saw the reporter nod and pull the photographer back, I heard her instructing him to delete the photo as a third crew member stepped back.
“Thank you,” I said, giving the news team a nod. “Our families will remember your kindness.”
Leaving the trio gawking a bit, we continued to walk through the hallway, across the lobby and followed another employee to the ballroom. We had enough of a head start for Max to pull me close and whisper, “You’re killing it, babe,” before my father stalked in. Evidently, even an aborted kidnapping charge wasn’t enough to ruffle my mother’s feathers. She glided in like the royalty she was, politely thanking the staff who were hurrying to prepare refreshments and took her husband’s arm.
I caught the expression on my father’s face as he stared at Max as if still questioning his claims to me or the throne.
My mother glanced over at Max and me and then at her husband. “You may stop glowering now, darling. I honestly do believe it is our future son-in-law beneath that beard. Now, where would you like to sit?”
My father’s expression softened as he looked down at my mother. “Wherever you’d like, my dear, but forget tea, I’m having a bloody scotch.”
It was at that moment that I realized my parents might not be quite the trolls I’d thought them to be. As the rest of my family came in, every sister stopped by to hug me and whisper everything from “glad you’re safe” to “happy birthday” and Deanna giving a longer hug and whispering, “I promise I didn’t tell.”
“We know,” I assured her, including Max’s belief in the sanctity of a sister’s vow.
She giggled and bent forward again. “Good god, if I’d known he’d grow into such a hunk, I might have driven you to the club myself.”
A cough David gave had both our attention turning to him. “I’m sorry, David. I really didn’t mean to involve you in all of this.”
“I accept your apologies, but I can’t say I was surprised when our quiet evening blew up. I’m glad you’re safe, but as for your sister, there will be a consequence for her part in this little surprise party.”
“You can’t?—”
“Yes he can,” Deanna broke in. “You might not expect it, but even men who deal in boring financial stuff can be quite, shall we say ‘hunky’ as well.”
They left me with my mouth hanging open and Max chuckling. The exchange was titillating to say the least and I couldn’t wait to get Deanna alone. But for now, when Max took my hand and gave it a squeeze, stating, “Together we stand.”
I smiled and returned, “Together forever.”
As we walked toward the table in the center of the room, I knew it was time to return the respect my parents had offered us even if reluctantly.
EPILOGUE
Six months later
It turned out I wasn’t quite as opposed to pomp and circumstance as I’d thought that night in the front seat of Max’s truck.
I stood on the landing of the grand staircase and looked out over the crowd gathered in the gardens below. Everywhere one gazed, they saw huge vases of flowers, the air sweetened by the blossoms’ aromas. On the horizon, the robin-egg-blue of the sky met the azure of the ocean. Waves leapt up to become tipped with white as if they’d been dusted with the puffy clouds’ glitter.
The string quartet playing on a raised platform provided music that swept over the grounds. Banners hung from the castle’s battlements, those of the Debari family displayed beside flags bearing the Picard crest. It wasn’t that unusual for a royal to marry, but when that marriage would join two houses that measured their history in millennium rather than decades, well, it seemed to be quite the big deal.
My sisters stood on the stairs in front of me. My two oldest sisters, Penny and Ingrid, kept their eyes on their sons who both held satin pillows, ribbons holding bands of gold in place. The little boys had been promised cake and ice cream if they’d manage not to start a pillow fight in the middle of the ceremony. My nieces all held baskets with purple ribbons, ready to drop pink rose petals for me to step on as my father and I made the journey down the long staircase.
“Are you sure this is the man you want?” my father asked softly.
Looking up, no longer surprised that he’d only wanted to assure my protection and my happiness my entire life, I smiled. “Yes, you and mother picked the only man in this world who fills my heart. Thank you, Daddy. I love you.”
