by Noelle Adams
So I came to this spot a lot. It was better than hiding in my bedroom all the time.
It was nice to be away from the world for a little while.
As if on cue, my phone buzzed, and I picked it up and held it over my face so I could see the message without lifting my head.
It was Alexander Georgeson.
Alex had been my best friend since I was five and he was six. He was the son of my father’s long time administrator, who took care of all the logistics of our complicated household, so Alex and I had been raised together.
You hiding?
I smiled and sat up so I could tap out a reply to his text. No. In my spot. Just getting away.
You might want to hide for real.
Why?
Visitors.
I cursed under my breath and glanced around, but there was nothing in sight except an old stone wall—one that had survived basically intact since the sixteenth century—and the trees that blocked my resting spot from the view of the palace.
It might sound impressive to live in a historic palace, but it was not nearly as comfortable as a modern residence would be. The rooms were drafty, the walls were creaky, and the grounds were really not very expansive. When you were the royal family of a European microstate, you might have the largest piece of property in the country, but it was right in the middle of a city. With the limitations of medieval standards of size and the immovability of the city walls, there was simply nowhere for the palace grounds to expand.
Who are they? I texted back to Alex.
French. Came a day early.
We’d been expected a French delegation for a couple of months now, but they were scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I wasn’t ready to face strangers in a formal setting. My heart started to race.
I was about to text Alex another question, but I was interrupted by a male voice calling my name.
I looked up and saw my brother, Henry, pushing his way through the low branches of the surrounding trees. There was no path to this particular spot. You had to tramp through the wooded grounds to find me.
I was the youngest of two sisters and one brother. Henry was the oldest. He’d always been the perfect representation of a prince—a genuine golden boy who was good at both athletics and academics, not to mention being charming and kind and funny. Even his tanned skin and fair hair looked golden in the sunlight.
“I thought I’d find you here,” he said with a warm smile.
No one can look at Henry’s smile and not smile back. At least, I never could. “You’re not here to drag me in to talk to people, are you?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Can’t you say you couldn’t find me?”
“No one would believe me. You haven’t left the grounds, so how many places are there to hide?”
There was nowhere. I’d learned that sad fact a long time ago. Even my secret hideaway just wasn’t very secret.
He leaned over and stretched out a hand to help me to my feet. “You’re better off meeting them now, when it’s less stuffy and awkward. There are only three of them. We’re just having tea in the small parlor.”
I let out a breath, relieved by this news. The easiest socializing happened in that small parlor. It was more comfortable, more intimate, far less intimidating. “Fine. But I’ll need to change clothes.”
Henry glanced down at my outfit, which consisted of ankle boots, leggings, and a soft, thin tunic sweater. “You look fine. They’re not dressed up.”
I looked down at myself dubiously and then over at Henry, who was wearing brown trousers and a rugby shirt but still managed to look attractive and pulled together. Amalie and Victoria were like that too. Everyone in the family was like that but me. “Mother isn’t going to like this outfit.”
“She doesn’t have a say in that matter, does she? She sent me to get you, and I’m getting you.”
I brushed myself off, although I didn’t have any grass on myself. I used to come to this spot and lie directly on the grass, but too often I’d ended up with grass or dirt on my ass. I leaned over to pick up the blanket, shake it off, and fold it up in the waterproof plastic box where I kept it so I didn’t always have to lug it out to this spot.
“All right,” I said with another sigh. “Let’s get this over with.”
Anyone who wasn’t as shy as I was has no idea how much courage it took to face so many meetings with strangers. It wasn’t something I ever got used to. Every time, it took a great effort of will, and afterwards I was always exhausted.
“This one will be easy,” Henry said, as if he’d seen some of these emotions on my face. “Just three of them. Tea for no more than an hour.”
I nodded, feeling better when he reached over and put a supportive hand between my shoulder blades for a few seconds.
I appreciated the encouragement, although it also left me feeling silly and incompetent, as if I weren’t capable of dealing with normal life. “I’m fine. I just wasn’t expecting it today. I usually prep myself.”
“I’ll have your back. I can cover for you so you don’t have to talk much.”
“Thank you. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“Just so you know…”
I cursed under my breath again, knowing from his tone that something was going to be said that I didn’t like.
“One of them is single. And rich, with a good pedigree. And about your age.”
“Damn it.” This time, the mutter wasn’t quite under my breath. “Does mother already have her eye on him?”
“She honed in on him within fifteen seconds.”
This was another sad truth of my life. Not only was I forced into a lot of uncomfortable socializing as a princess. I was also the target of my mother’s endless matchmaking.
I’d had a reprieve on this until recently because both of my sisters were prettier than me and more outgoing and charming. But Amalie was living with her boyfriend in the States now, and Victoria was married, so I was the only available daughter.
I was the only one left.
“Thanks for the warning,” I murmured as Henry.
Then I remember I’d left Alex hanging on a response to his text so I paused to text him back. Trapped.
Sorry. Will be over quick.
I hope.
I believe in you.
My hand trembled slightly as I stared down at my phone, at the words. Alex meant it. I knew he did. He always had.
I wasn’t sure why it was making me so emotional at the moment, but I realized Henry was watching me so I tried to compose myself.
“All right?” Henry asked, peering at me closely.
“Yes. Sorry.” I gave my head a little shake and smiled at him.
“Is that Alex?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
Henry seemed to be hiding a smile. “No reason.”
I frowned at him but didn’t have time to interrogate him further since we were walking into a side door of the palace.
***
You can find out more about A Princess in Waiting here.
About Noelle Adams
Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn’t stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she writes full time, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances. For more information, please check out her website: noelle-adams.com.
Books by Noelle Adams
Rothman Royals Series
A Princess Next Door
A Princess for a Bride
A Princess in Waiting
Preston’s Mill Series (co-written with Samantha Chase)
Roommating
Speed Dating
Procreating
Eden Manor S
eries
One Week with her Rival
One Week with her (Ex) Stepbrother
One Week with her Husband
Christmas at Eden Manor
Beaufort Brides Series
Hired Bride
Substitute Bride
Accidental Bride
One Night Novellas
One Hot Night: Three Contemporary Romance Novellas
One Night with her Boss
One Night with her Roommate
One Night with the Best Man
Willow Park Series
Married for Christmas
A Baby for Easter
A Family for Christmas
Reconciled for Easter
Home for Christmas
Heirs of Damon Series
Seducing the Enemy
Playing the Playboy
Engaging the Boss
Stripping the Billionaire
Standalones
A Negotiated Marriage
Listed
Bittersweet
Missing
Revival
Holiday Heat
Salvation
Excavated
Overexposed
Road Tripping
Chasing Jane
Late Fall
Fooling Around
Married by Contract
Trophy Wife
The Protectors Series (co-written with Samantha Chase)
Duty Bound
Honor Bound
Forever Bound
Home Bound