Crowns & Courtships Compilation Volume 1

by Carol Moncado

  So enamored was she with the slideshow that she didn’t realize what else was happening until Dare nudged her.

  Jordan hadn’t expected a standing ovation for Astrid, but there was one. After a minute, everyone sat back down. He looked back down at his notes. This was, by far, his longest speech ever. Even in high school speech class. And he wasn’t nearly done yet.

  “My wife would be the first to tell you that despite how hard it was to make that decision, she would make it again in a...” He gave what he hoped was a self-deprecating smirk. “Well, in a heartbeat. I told you this story for a reason, and not just in the hopes you would consider being an organ donor yourself. Dr. Catherine Lyttelton is the head of cardiothorasic surgery at Cabo Juan-Eduardo General Hospital. As such, one thing she does when necessary is heart transplants. She cut open my chest, removed my barely functioning heart, and replaced it with one that gave me a new lease on life. When I found out she’s the president of the San Majorian Women in Medicine Foundation, I did some research.”

  Another long list. How bored were these people? Or were they as fascinated as he had been? “She is the first San Majorian woman to perform a heart transplant. In fact, she’s the first native San Majorian surgeon, male or female, to do one. Dr. Lyttelton is the youngest doctor ever promoted to the head of a department similar to hers.” The list of other accomplishments he read off were equally impressive. “She is renowned not only for her skill with a lancet and Finocheitto retractor.” He leaned closer to the microphone. “For those of us who’ve never been to medical school, those are a scalpel and a rib spreader.”

  The laughter helped him relax.

  “Dr. Lyttelton doesn’t just know her way around an operating theater, but the bedside as well. Her bedside manner is one to be emulated. I don’t know how many times I talked to her during those months at San Majorian General, but I do know that every time she left, I felt reassured. She donates her time to organizations around the world, visiting third world countries, doing procedures and performing surgery, free of charge. She is an example of what a great doctor, male or female, should be.” Jordan grinned. “And she had absolutely no idea this was coming.”

  He picked up the certificate and plaque. “Ladies and gentlemen, Dr. Catherine Lyttelton, recipient of the first annual San Majorian Excellence Award for Women in Medicine.”

  Dr. Lyttelton walked up onto the stage and took the certificate and plaque then gave him a big hug.

  Jordan hugged her back, this woman he owed his life to. “Thank you,” he whispered.

  “My pleasure, Your Royal Highness.” The smirk in her whisper made him smile.

  They took a couple of pictures, and she stepped up to the podium. There was a note there telling her to end the banquet as planned when she was done. Jordan wasn’t sure where he was supposed to go so he slipped off the other side of the stage, in the shadows and went to sit by his wife.

  “I don’t usually see my former patients all dressed up,” she started. “And I really don’t expect them to hand me something like this. To say I’m shocked is an understatement.” She made a few remarks thanking her family, the foundation, her team, and several others. She then closed the dinner and mentioned that the recipients needed to come to the stage for pictures.

  The stress of getting ready for the event finally bled off. Jordan wanted nothing more than to return to San Minoria with his family, get some sleep, then enjoy the day tomorrow with his family.

  But they had to mingle. It seemed like an eternity, but eventually, Jordan drove his car back to the local palace. They boarded a helicopter, and flew to the other island. After a round of hugs, his parents and Dare and Betsy went to their rooms.

  Astrid had disappeared, likely into her dressing room to change out of the gorgeous dress that had been perfect for her. He tugged off his tie and dropped it onto a chair. His tuxedo jacket came off and went over the back of the same chair.

  The door opened behind him, but he didn’t turn around. “How do you think tonight went?” he asked, unbuttoning his top button before starting on his cuff links.

  “I never did give you your other birthday present.”

  Jordan still didn’t turn but worked on the other cuff link. “I’m not too worried about it. The ones you gave me were fantastic. I can’t wait to go ice skating with you two.” They hadn’t yet had a chance.

  “I asked your mom to send me some of your other things, too.”

  With his second cuff link off, he finally felt a bit freer. Jordan turned, but froze when he saw her leaning against the door frame to her dressing room. “Is that what I think it is?”

  Astrid looked down and uncrossed her arms, holding the hem like a dress. “This old thing?”

  “Is that my hockey jersey?”

  She spun. Sure enough. Haines was spelled across the top. “Is it?” As she started toward him, he realized her smile could mean only one thing.

  His hands rested on her hips, and he kissed her. Without breaking contact, he murmured, “I think I’m going to need that back.”

  His wife giggled and kissed him.

  Jordan forgot everything but her. Time stood still and the two of them once again discovered the dance as old as time.

  Later, with his wife curled at his side, she traced down the scar in the center of his chest. “I know ‘heart’ is metaphorical as well as physical. I know your metaphorical heart is the one I can trust.” She pushed up on her elbow and leaned over to kiss the center of the scar. “But it seems this physical heart was just meant to belong with me. Do you think that’s how God planned it from the beginning?”

  “I don’t know. Probably. If He knows what’s going to happen long before it does, before we’re even born, then I would imagine He knew this was where we’d both end up.”

  She seemed to turn that over in her head. “Well, just don’t go forgetting this heart is mine.”

  He chuckled and pulled her closer. “Not a chance. I’m pretty sure it’s been yours since I first saw you on the beach. Somehow I knew.”

  She leaned up and whispered in his ear. “Me, too.”

  When Astrid kissed him, everything else fled, but he knew.

  He’d found the one his heart loved.

  Epilogue

  “Good morning.”

  Jordan’s husky voice in Astrid’s ear didn’t startle her. Neither did the arm pulling her backward and into the hollow created by his body.

  “Morning.”

  “Merry Christmas.”

  “Merry Christmas to you, too.” She rolled away from him and then turned to face her husband. “Want your first present?”

  A slow grin crossed his face. “We have to meet our families before long.”

  Astrid smacked his arm. “Not that.” She rolled over and opened the drawer of the table next to the bed, pulling out a card before rolling back. “This.”

  Jordan lay on his back and opened the envelope, pulling the card out. On the front were a few words and three pairs of ice skates - hockey, figure skates, and a smaller pair. He read it aloud. “While it’s just the two of us laying here, before we go see the family and more...” He glanced over and opened the card. “The three of us will soon become four.” The three skates were replicated with a fourth tiny pair next to them.

  His head twisted to look at her. “Four?” He blinked a couple of times. “Wait.” With one finger, he traced the skates on the inside of the card then turned to look at her again. “Are you...?”

  Astrid’s vision blurred as she nodded. “You’re going to be a daddy.”

  Jordan dropped the card and cradled her face in his hand. “Are you serious?”

  She laughed as the tears spilled over. “Do you really think I’d tell you if I wasn’t? I saw the doctor yesterday, just to make sure before I told you. They did a test. I wanted you to be the first to know, but I had to be certain, and I can’t exactly go buy a pregnancy test without the whole country knowing.”

  He kissed her, a long slow ki
ss. “You have no idea how happy that makes me,” he whispered.

  Astrid thought she did. She loved Sofia with her entire being, but this time there was none of the trepidation there had been when she first found out she was pregnant last time.

  She trailed her finger down the scar on Jordan’s chest. “You know, when I found out I was pregnant with Sofia, I didn’t tell Andrei. He didn’t know before he died, and I was nearly ten weeks along. I wasn’t very sick, just tired, so it’s not like I was throwing up every morning or anything. But I didn’t want to tell him. I was going to a few days later, but I never had the chance. I almost told him in the car that night. I was going to just say it, but I knew he’d be upset I had known so long. He’d told me I wasn’t smart enough to make it in medicine. It annoyed me, so I didn’t tell him.”

  Anger flashed from Jordan’s eyes, but she covered his mouth with a finger.

  “I don’t think he was trying to be mean, just that he didn’t think I would be able to do it. And that’s okay. I’m not sure he was wrong. Not everyone is cut out for every job they think they might want. I’m okay with it now, really.” She kissed him softly. “This time, I’m only about five weeks. I only started to suspect a few days ago. I just needed to be sure.”

  Before they could talk any further, a yell from the other room caught their attention.

  Jordan’s arm around Astrid’s waist pulled her close. “She’ll be okay for a minute,” he murmured against her lips. “The big question is do we tell our families today?”

  “We can.” She kissed him. “I’ll show you the cards I printed up for them. If you want to, we can, or we can wait. Your family will be here for a week.”

  “We’ll see.” Another shout from the other room sent Jordan rolling away from her. “Stay put, Mama. I got her.”

  Astrid grinned and wondered if she’d be allowed to do anything for herself any time soon.

  A couple of hours later, they were all gathered in her parents’ sitting room. Jordan’s family, along with Dare’s mom, was there. Presents were handed out. Jordan’s gift of a photo album, including pictures of her and Sofia experiencing a virtual white Christmas, something she’d mentioned once in passing that she’d never had, made Astrid cry. Not too surprising given her other news.

  As everyone was about to disperse, Jordan nodded and winked.

  “There’s one more,” she told them as her sisters both started to stand. She reached into a bag and pulled out the cards. “There’s one for everyone.” She handed the stack to Betsy who sat on the floor next to her. Betsy took the ones with her name and Dare’s on them before handing the stack off.

  When everyone had one, Astrid told them to open it.

  She could see over Betsy’s shoulder. The cards were similar to the inside of Jordan’s. Personalized for each family member, with four pairs of skates and the phrase, “New Recruit for Team Haines arriving late summer 2017.”

  Dare got it first. He pumped both fists in the air. “I knew it!” He wrapped an arm around Betsy’s neck and tugged her toward him. “Didn’t I tell you?”

  Everyone laughed and swarmed Astrid and Jordan. Hugs were given all around, even Sofia, though she didn’t understand what was going on. Astrid wasn’t ready for Sofia to know. She’d be in the public eye several times in the next few weeks, and her secret keeping ability was questionable.

  By the time Astrid crawled into bed next to her husband, she was exhausted, but happy. The Christmas before had been the loneliest of her life. Single mother. Starting to get pressure from outside her family to marry again.

  But this year, her heart was full. Overflowing. With her head on Jordan’s shoulder, they talked for nearly an hour about everything and nothing until he dozed.

  She shifted until her ear rested on his chest. With the steady rhythm in his chest as her lullaby, Astrid drifted off.

  To the beat of the heart of her prince.

  The Inadvertent Princess

  Author’s Note

  The Inadvertent Princess begins in February 2017, which is in the middle of the timeline for Winning the Queen’s Heart. It continues through the summer of 2017, therefore covering the timelines of Protecting the Prince and Prince from her Past. If you have not read those, there may be some spoilers contained in these pages.

  I appreciate all of you!

  Carol Moncado

  1

  March 2017

  “My call you Kenny.”

  Kensington Wilhelm Edward Charles of San Majoria grinned. No one had ever called him Kenny. His very royal mother wouldn’t stand for it.

  “What’s your name?” he asked the little girl.

  “G’acie.”

  “Gracie? That’s a lovely name.”

  The little girl’s blond curls bounced as she nodded.

  “Well, Gracie. Do you know where your mummy is?” He’d found the little girl wandering alone in the mall.

  She shook her head. “Mummy gone.”

  “Gone?” Great. He didn’t really want to contact the authorities. No one knew he was here, and Kensington wanted to keep it that way for another day or so until he met with Benjamin for the first time.

  Gracie nodded.

  “What about your papa?”

  “Papa gone.”

  “Did your mummy and papa leave you at the mall?” he asked, confused.

  She shook her head.

  “Gracie!”

  They both turned to see a brunette rushing toward them.

  “Annie!” Gracie wrenched away from Kensington. She ran to the brunette who swept her up into her arms.

  “Where’d you go?” Tears streamed down Annie’s face. “You aren’t ever supposed to leave my side.”

  “My sorry, Annie.” Gracie’s voice was muffled into Annie’s shoulder.

  Kensington nodded at the woman then turned. Gracie was clearly back where she belonged.

  Rob glared at him, but Rob wasn’t happy with any of this, despite the baseball hat pulled low over Kensington’s forehead and the unnecessary glasses obscuring his eyes.

  He started for the tchotchke shop across the walkway. His mother, for all her refined taste, loved the stupid knickknack type things. He hadn’t said good-bye when he left, so he probably needed to bring her something she’d love back from Eyjania.

  “Kenny?”

  Kensington put the Eyjanian flag back on the shelf before turning to look at Annie. “Yes?”

  “Gracie said you were helping her look for her parents. Thank you.”

  He smiled. “My pleasure.”

  Gracie held her arms up to Kensington. He lifted her up and gave her his stern uncle look. “You should never, ever sneak away from Annie.”

  “My not.”

  Kensington handed the little girl back to Annie.

  “You’re good with her.”

  He grinned. “I have a niece a little younger than her. She’s a lot of fun.” He leaned closer to whisper. “I’m her favorite uncle.”

  Annie laughed. “Are you her only uncle?”

  Kensington shook his head. “Nope. I’ve got a younger brother, and her dad has a brother-in-law who’s been his best friend since they were like born or something so basically a brother. Her Uncle Dare brought her ice skates, but I’m still her favorite.” Kensington wasn’t sure Sofia had an actual favorite, but he was claiming the title anyway. Rob glared at him again. Kensington took a step back. “It was nice to meet you, Gracie.” He nodded to the brunette. “And you, Annie. I hope you have a more pleasant rest of the day.” He turned back to the shelf of knickknacks before picking one up and starting for the register.

  “Why did you call me Annie?” a voice behind him called.

  He turned. “That’s what Gracie called you.”

  She shook her head. “Gracie called me auntie. She just doesn’t say it very well.”

  “Then what’s your name?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Anabelle, but I’ve always hated being called Annie.”

  �
�Then I won’t call you that anymore.” She intrigued him. He gave her his best smile as the little girl’s stomach growled. “Since Miss Gracie’s stomach is grumbling, please allow me to take both of you to lunch.”

  Anabelle hesitated then nodded as Gracie whined, “My hungry, Annie.”

  Kensington walked next to them as they headed to the food court with Rob trailing behind. His bodyguard wore his usual grumpy face. He’d get over it. Neither Anabelle or Gracie presented a threat. If anything, food poisoning was the greatest threat.

  Kensington paid for their lunch at the pizza place.

  “You’re not from here,” Anabelle told him as they took a seat.

  He shook his head. “No, I’m San Majorian.”

  “How long are you in Eyjania?”

  “Indefinitely.” He hesitated then went with his fairly standard answer when talking to the rare person who didn’t know who he was. “Family business. For a few weeks anyway.”

  “What kind of business is your family in?”

  That was a new one. He didn’t get that question often. “Tourism,” he finally said. True enough. It was part of the reason some people came to San Majoria, and being a part of the royal family meant he could persuade or dissuade people from visiting by their interactions with him.

  “Trying to get people to stay at your family’s resort for the Games of the Sargasso Sea?”

  “Something like that.”

  The Games were held every other year and resembled the Summer Olympics. Since it was 2017, this would be kind of an off year. 2019 would be held in Islas del Sargasso and would be a preview of the Olympians for 2020. Islas del Sargasso would hold the Games in 2021 as well before they moved back to San Majoria in 2023 and 2025. A winter version alternated between Eyjania and Auverignon in a similar fashion.

  This year, he’d been put in charge of everything. Now that the winter games in Eyjania were over, he needed them to focus on their part of what needed doing for the summer games.