Dylan did.
She heard Luc swallow. The man was definitely attracted. Likely turned on.
He bowed. “Good evening, Your Highness.”
“Well, hello to you, sir.” Dimitra’s voice was sensual-husky. “May we drop protocol so I can call you Luc?”
The princess purred his name.
“Feel free to call me whatever you’d like.” He escorted her to the table-for-two positioned near where water from the hot tub cascaded down steps into the main pool. He handed her a flute of champagne that had been poured minutes ago.
She took the glass. “I’d like you to call me what you did when we met on New Year’s Eve.”
“We met in Paris?”
The woman sucked in a breath. “Aspen.”
“I was in Paris that night.” He gave her the once-over, his eyes filled with desire. “Trust me, I’d remember meeting you.”
“I don’t know why you won’t admit you were in Aspen.” Her painted and glossed lips pursed into an enormous pout. “Spending New Year’s Eve with you was the best night of my life. You agreed we were soulmates, but then I never heard from you again. I texted, called. Nothing. I’ve been heartbroken for over three months.”
No one could deny the emotion behind the woman’s words. Her voice cracked more than once.
Emily looked at Dylan. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
“Don’t. This is pure rating’s gold. A psycho princess is exactly what the show needed.”
“Not psycho. Heartbroken.”
Dylan shook his head. “Only if she’s telling the truth.”
Emily couldn’t tell who the victim was, but she knew the prince was as experienced breaking hearts as he was kissing.
Luc raised his hands, palms out, in a gesture of surrender. “I never received your calls or texts. I swear. It wasn’t me in Aspen. We’ve never met.”
Dimitra’s eyes hardened. The look sent chills down Emily’s spine. “Where’s Nick?”
“He should be around here somewhere.”
Emily sent him a 911 text.
Dimitra raised her champagne glass, then took a sip. “I bet you say that to all the women whose hearts you shatter.”
Luc shook his head. “No, I—”
She tossed the remaining contents of her flute at him.
He jerked back, only steps away from the pool’s edge. Liquid ran down his nose, cheeks, and chin.
“Psycho,” Dylan said, sounding like he was enjoying this. “Bet she’s crazy in bed.”
Luc blinked, wiped his face. He took half a step back, closer to the edge of the water. “I’m telling the truth.”
“Liar.” The woman’s eyes glassed over. “You can’t treat women like this.”
She pushed Luc. He fell backward. His arms stretched out, but he was too close to the edge to balance himself. He fell into the pool. Water splashed. Dimitra gave a triumphant cheer.
Oh, no. Before Emily could take off the headset, Nick ran onto the terrace and subdued Dimitra, who struggled to get away.
“Are you okay, sir?” Nick asked.
Luc brushed back his wet hair. He climbed out of the pool. “Fine.”
“Wait a minute.” Dimitra took a closer look. “You didn’t have a scar beneath your eye in Aspen.”
“I’ve had the scar since I was fifteen. An unfortunate accident with an ice axe while climbing.” Water dripped from his hair and tuxedo. “Whatever you believe, I wasn’t in Aspen.”
Dimitra stared up at him. Her mouth gaped. “You’re taller. Younger. More handsome too.”
“Let her go,” he ordered Nick.
“Thank you.” She adjusted her skirt. “I suppose it’s a little late for an apology, and I should go.”
Please tell her to go, Emily thought.
“Let her stay,” Dylan said.
“That will be best under the circumstances,” Luc said in that regal tone of his.
“Too bad.” Dimitra’s gaze raked over him. “Bet you’d be better in bed than your namesake.”
“Is it scary that I’m turned on right now?” Dylan whispered.
“Yes,” Emily said without a missing a beat.
Luc looked more frightened than flattered. She wanted to give the guy a hug for bringing Princess Dimitra into his life.
“I apologize, Your Highness.” Dimitra turned, then strutted out of the room, followed closely by Nick.
Emily took a step out of the cabana, but Dylan stopped her. “We’re still filming.”
Luc removed his tuxedo jacket. Water poured from the sleeves. His white dress shirt was plastered to his chest, leaving nothing to the imagination.
Not that she hadn’t seen him before, but the wet, see-through fabric pressed against his skin, showed off his chest and abs. Talk about sexy.
Nick returned with towels. “I shouldn’t have left you alone.”
“Not your fault. Hers, either.” Luc dried himself. “She believed I was in Aspen with her. I’m sure someone was.”
“Your doppelgänger?”
Luc hesitated, wiped his face with a towel. “Maybe. Who knows? Some guy could have been feeding her a line.”
Emily could tell by the two-second hesitation that Luc knew more than he was saying.
“I’m going to shower, then I’ll be back for dinner. No reason to let the chef’s cooking go to waste.” Luc glanced around. “Everyone is welcome to join me. Emily?”
She was surprised he knew she was there. She peeked out of the cabana. “Sure. That’s the least I can do after setting up this dating disaster.”
“No one knew that Dimitra was here to rekindle a romance,” Luc said.
“We need to be more careful.” Nick cleaned up the towels. “I’m going to run background checks on Luc’s future dates.”
Emily agreed something more needed to be done to ensure Luc’s safety. “I’ll get you the information you need.”
“Be back shortly.” Luc walked into the villa.
Nick looked at Emily. “Do you think the woman is crazy or she really thought Luc was in Aspen?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out right now.”
And not only for her sake.
*
Thirty minutes later, Luc sat across from Emily on the terrace. He wasn’t disappointed how his date had ended, though he’d rather not have been pushed into the pool. Still, having dinner with Emily was worth it.
A server went to refill Luc’s wine glass. He cut him off once he saw Emily’s glass was still full. “No more.”
“Have another glass,” Emily said. “I don’t mind.”
But Luc did. “One glass is enough.”
“After the night you had?”
He wanted her to feel comfortable around him. He motioned the man away. “Brad said a drama princess is exactly what the show needed. The crew is thrilled with the footage.”
“Let’s hope she’s the only crazy one.”
“I know I’m in good hands.” Luc wished he could be touching those hands right now. He took another bite of halibut instead.
“Dimitra seemed certain she was with you in Aspen.”
Luc took another bite so he didn’t have to reply.
“I did an Internet search while you showered,” Emily continued. “Your older brothers and their families were in Aspen over New Year’s.”
Damn. Luc wiped his mouth. “They were?”
“Yes.” She set her fork on her plate. “I noticed something else. You look like a younger, taller version of the crown prince. Just as Princess Dimitra said.”
His stomach knotted. He reached for his wine glass only to remember it was empty. “She also said I was more handsome.”
“Princess Dimitra thought she’d been with you because Prince Bernard used your name instead of his.”
It wasn’t a question. “Emily—”
“That’s what you meant about not being in drug rehab.” Her lips parted, the gears in her brain turning like crazy. “It wasn’t you
, but him. Your parents lied.”
Luc took a breath, then another. “Please. You can’t say anything. Bernard’s the next king of Alvernia. The people cannot lose confidence in him and the monarchy.”
“Someone with addiction issues and who cheats on his wife doesn’t sound like he’ll be a noble ruler.”
“Bernard’s first in line to the throne.” Luc wanted her to understand. “That’s all that matters.”
“No, you matter.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m serious.” She spoke louder. “You’ve bought into what people think of you. Accepting their views of you. People think you’re—”
“There are expectations I must live up to.”
“Live up to your own. No one else’s expectations matter.”
“I do what I must for my family and country. Even if it means being my brother’s scapegoat.”
“It’s not fair. What happens after you marry? Will you continue to take the fall for Bernard’s indiscretions?”
“No. That wouldn’t be fair to my wife. Even my father agrees. He said Bernard will behave or else.”
Luc had no idea what his father meant by or else.
She toyed with her napkin.
Luc reached across the table and touched her forearm. If he held her hand, he might not want to let go.
“No one’s cared enough to figure out what’s going on. It means…” Everything. “…a lot that you did.”
Her gaze met his. “I hate to say this, but it’s almost as if your father has set you up to fail.”
“He has.” Once again, her insight surprised him. “That is why I must succeed. With your help, I will.”
A thoughtful expression formed on Emily’s face. “I know your foundation is off-limits, but perhaps you could visit a hospital or school during your second dates? Something to show that side of your personality to the princesses.”
“You’re not going to give up.”
“I believe this will make a difference in your search.”
“Have you talked to Nick about this?”
“I wanted to see what you thought first.”
“If Nick agrees, then I’ll go.”
“Nick agrees,” a familiar voice said from the shadows.
“There’s your answer.” Luc laughed.
She looked around. “I didn’t realize Nick was here.”
“My bodyguard is always lurking. He’s often out of my sight, but I’m rarely out of his.” Thank goodness for non-disclosure agreements.
Emily’s eyes twinkled. “You won’t regret this.”
“If I do, you’ll have to make it up to me.”
“What do you have in mind?” she asked.
He pictured a blanket on the sand, her lips against his. “Oh, I have a few ideas.”
Chapter Seven
‡
Two days later, Emily was running on fumes. She sat at the desk in the library trying to do four things at once. Thank goodness for coffee or she’d be passed out in the chair.
No television viewer wanted to watch the same date twice. Trying to come up with different romantic dates at the villa stretched her creativity to the limit.
Only two first dates remained. She hoped these went well. Not all had. Dimitra’s was the worst, but others with an addicted texter from Meinstin and an annoying giggler from Herzenslust had been busts. A good thing brunch with Princess Jemma, an astrophysicist from Melia and dessert with Princess Sophie, a social worker from Alistonia, made up for the bad dates.
A short list of second date candidates was forming. So were ideas to showcase Luc’s positive traits to those women.
Addie set a file on her desk. “Visits to the hospital as well as a local school are arranged. But do you really want to rent a litter of puppies for an afternoon?”
“I doubt any mother would loan us her kids for a few hours, so puppies will have to do.”
“The breeder wants to supervise.”
“That’s fine as long as they sign an NDA.”
“He also wants his kennel’s name listed on the credits.”
“Ask Brad. He’s the producer so needs to sign off on that.”
Addie scribbled notes on a pad of paper. “You should take off an hour or two. I’ve enjoyed sightseeing, but it would be more fun if I wasn’t alone.”
“Maybe before I leave.”
“That means no.” Addie gave her a curious look. “I bet your answer would be different if Luc asked you to go.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The two of you seem chummy.”
“We’re…coworkers.” Saying the word felt wrong. But Emily didn’t know how else to describe them. “Friends.”
That sounded a little better.
“The way he looks at you is not friendly. He’s downright territorial. And the way you two keep disappearing to plan dates. Makes me wonder what’s really going on. Nick’s not saying a word when I ask.”
Good for Nick. Emily scanned the papers in Addie’s file. “The newlywed in you views everything through romantic colored lenses. Nothing is going on.”
Unfortunately. Correction. Fortunately.
“Positive?” Addie wanted everyone to have a happily ever after.
“Yes.”
“Too bad. The two of you make a cute couple.”
Emily’s pulse spurted. “Even if we did, which we don’t, I’m not royalty. Besides I’m not interested in dating anyone, let alone a crush-worthy prince.”
“So you have a crush.” Addie’s brows wriggled.
“Maybe a little one.”
Addie beamed. “That’s more than I thought you’d admit.”
“Well, keep the news to yourself, okay? I have a job to do, and I need the guys to see me as a taskmaster. Not a giggling, blushing school girl.”
Addie rubbed her hands together. “Oh, I’d love to see you act that way. Just once.”
“Not. Going. To. Happen.”
“Maybe not here, but someday…”
Emily shooed her friend away. “See if the chef’s ready to go shopping.”
“Going, but I’m living proof, you never know what will happen.”
Emily’s lips tingled from the memory of Luc’s kiss by the clock tower. That had been unexpected. “Very true.”
But one kiss didn’t mean anything, even if she wouldn’t be forgetting that kiss for a very long time.
*
In the pool cabana, Luc found the crew reviewing footage, but no sign of Emily. That was strange. If anything, her schedule was predictable. He could count on her being where she needed to be. Luc appreciated that about her.
Too bad she had to leave on Tuesday. Because she’d found him dates, he told himself.
“Has anyone seen Emily?” he asked the crew.
“She’s out with the chef.” Dylan worked on one of the microphone packs. “They’ve come up with a special menu for your date tonight.”
Another one? Luc couldn’t keep track of the princesses coming in and out of the villa. “Emily doesn’t cook.”
“Not cooking is different from knowing how to cook but choosing not to,” Brad said in an all-too-knowing voice. “Emily knows her way around the kitchen. And a few other places.”
The producer’s words poked like a knife. Luc didn’t like that.
“The chef is cooking a seven-course meal combining dishes from Alvernia and Mariposa,” Conrad said.
The back of the hair on Luc’s neck stiffened. “Mariposa?”
Conrad nodded. “That’s where Princess Marguerite is from.”
“Mariposa means butterfly in Spanish.” Wes smiled smugly. “Haven’t forgotten everything I learned in high school.”
A volcano-worthy headache erupted behind Luc’s temples. He rubbed his forehead.
Brad touched Luc’s shoulder. “Hey, you don’t look so good. Are you sick?”
“I have a case of early regrets.”
“Is this princess ugly or something?” Dylan as
ked.
“No.” Luc tried to remember the last time he’d seen Marguerite. Skiing in Klosters, perhaps? They’d never been formally introduced. “She’s quite beautiful.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Wes’s brows furrowed. “Seriously, dude, you need to watch episodes of The Bachelor. You’re the only one who’s been in the pool. The hot tub hasn’t been used. You’re totally blowing what you could get away with here.”
“I’m not trying to get away with anything. I need to find a wife.” Outrageous stories about Marguerite had made the rounds at his most recent fundraisers. “But a woman who prefers to be addressed by the name Princess Butterfly may not be the right choice.”
Luc trusted Emily, more than he’d trusted anyone in a long while, but this dinner had disaster written all over it. He hoped he wasn’t the one getting wet again.
*
That evening, Emily rechecked the formal dining room. A freshly pressed linen cloth covered the left end of the long table. The two place settings had napkins folded in the shape of a butterfly, courtesy of Addie and a YouTube video. Fresh cut flowers from one of the gardens filled a crystal vase. The candelabra would be lit soon.
Everything was perfect except for…
Luc.
He looked so…princely in his dark gray suit, starched white shirt and solid red tie. He wore a lapel pin with his family crest. His shoulder length hair added a dash of sexy to his classic style. But he kept pacing, circling the table that seated twenty-four.
Emily hadn’t expected him to be nervous. Not after his other first dates. “You okay?”
He nodded once.
“You look great. But if you don’t stop brooding, you’re going to steal the title of Mr. Darcy away from Nick.”
Lines formed on either side of Luc’s mouth like cracks in granite. “You should have canceled the date when I texted you.”
“Princess Marguerite was already on her way to Lake Como.” Emily studied him. The guy seemed fidgety. “Why don’t you want to have dinner with her?”
He shrugged.
“Marguerite can’t wait to meet you. The least you can do is try to enjoy yourself.”
“Marguerite is…eccentric. I’ve heard—”
“Wait a minute.” Emily blocked his path so he couldn’t pace. “You don’t want people to believe gossip about you, but you’re willing to judge Marguerite on hearsay?”
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