The Cinderella Princess

by Melissa McClone

  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.

  Chapter Nine

  ‡

  Being 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.”

  She looked around, then at him. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

  “You’re the first.”

  “I’m honored.”

  He walked toward her with a sense of purpose. “I wanted you to see this place, but I brought you here for another reason. I never collected on our bet over Princess Marguerite. It’s time to claim my winnings.”

  Emily wet her lips. “What do you want?”

  “A goodbye kiss.” He touched her lips with his finger. “Before you say no, I want you to know Maria-Therese is not here. She’s at her great aunt’s house packing her belongings and doesn’t arrive till tomorrow. She knows there have been women in my life, ones I should say goodbye to.”

  “Is that what I am?”

  He cupped her face. “I wish I knew what you were.”

  Emily turned so he wasn’t touching her. “Well, the bet was for anything. I guess a kiss counts, and this place seems private enough. But no tongue action.”

  “I’m good with that.”

  She planted her lips against his with a hunger that surprised him and turned him on. This was his best bet ever.

  And to whatever great-great-great-great relative had built this secret hideaway, Luc had one thing to say.

  Thank you.

  *

  The morning of the engagement presentation, Emily sat across from her boss, Don, in the hotel’s dining room. She sipped from her second cup of coffee, desperate for a jolt of caffeine to keep her going. She hadn’t slept for more than an hour or two, working on Luc’s engagement present and thinking about her time with him in the secret room.

  One last kiss.

  No regrets.

  Only memories. Good ones. A few bittersweet ones too.

  But she’d met her goal. Found the prince his Cinderella. In a few hours, Luc would slip his royal engagement ring on Maria-Therese’s finger.

  Emily glanced at her bare left hand. Ignored the way her insides twisted. She set her cup on the table. “I hope Kendra is pleased with the footage from Lake Como.”<
br />
  “She’s sure she has another hit on her hands.” Don raised his glass of orange juice. “You’ve succeeded where others have failed. Congrats.”

  Knowing Emily would be made a partner had kept her going. So what if she fell in love? No reason to cry over Luc. He was happy. She needed to focus on work. “Thank you. I’m excited to see what I can do as a partner.”

  “About that.” Don stared into his juice glass. “You’re going to have to wait until next year for your promotion.”

  She blinked as if that would change what she’d heard or enable her to see that he was teasing. Except Don’s facial expression remained serious. He hadn’t been kidding.

  She stared in disbelief. “We had a deal.”

  “Yes, but a year isn’t that long,” Don said. “Kendra’s idea for a royal wedding show might get picked up by a major network. Since you’re familiar with the people involved—”

  “You gave your word. I deserve to be made a partner now.”

  Don swirled his juice cup. “What you think you deserve doesn’t align with our view of you at the agency.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You’re a worker bee, Emily. You get whatever task is assigned to you completed. You’ve done a lot for the agency, but I’ll be honest. You don’t show the necessary creativity and initiative to be named a partner. By next year—”

  “Bull.” Her temperature spiraled. “I’ve worked my butt off since I joined the company. My creativity and initiative is apparent on every single project, including your wife’s TV shows.”

  “Kendra’s royal wedding series will give you more visibility.”

  “I have plenty of that at the agency. I don’t want to work on any more TV shows.”

  “You don’t have a choice.”

  Realization dawned. “I would if I was a partner.”

  Don choked on his juice. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Emily not being named a partner had nothing to do with her abilities, but everything to do with Kendra Peabody. “Your wife doesn’t want you to promote me.”

  “Kendra has no say at the ad agency.”

  “Then make me a partner.”

  “I can’t do that. Continue to work hard—”

  “Not good enough.”

  “That’s all I can offer.”

  Emily thought about how hard she’d worked these past seven years, sacrificing her personal life and giving up relationships that interfered with her job. All she’d wanted was the promotion. She still wanted to be a partner. But she wouldn’t put in another year working crazy hours and reality TV projects for a temper-tantrum throwing, selfish boss.

  Because of Luc, she knew there was more to life than work. For all she knew, Don would drag this out another seven years. She’d be no different than her mother, waiting for her dad to change his mind and decide he wanted them. No way. “I quit.”

  Don’s mouth gaped. “You can’t quit.”

  “I just did.” A thousand pound weight lifted off Emily’s shoulders. “I’ll work through the engagement presentation, then I’m finished.”

  “You’re required to give notice.”

  “I’m giving you notice. I’ll email HR when I get back to my room.” She should be shocked, upset, but the only thing she felt was contentment. A new feeling for her. “I’ve never taken a day of vacation or sick time in the seven years I’ve been at the agency. I’m sure I have more than enough paid time off to cover my two weeks notice.”

  “Now, wait a minute.” Don leaned over the table. A smarmy smile formed. “Perhaps I was hasty in saying a year. Maybe in six months…”

  “No, thanks.” She felt almost giddy. “I’m sure there’s another ad agency who’ll love to find a worker bee like me.”

  “I won’t give you a recommendation.”

  His words didn’t surprise her. One more reason she needed to get away from Peabody-Franks. “Your choice, but I have copies of my reviews as well as the letters that accompanied my bonuses. Perhaps Kevin will give me one.”

  Emily rose. And though the unknown was scary for someone who planned everything out the way she did, she knew in her heart she’d made the right choice about her job.

  If only she had a choice with Luc.

  *

  That afternoon, Luc stood in the foyer outside the palace’s throne room. He peeked through the cracked doors. His parents sat in their impressive throne chairs, wearing the royal crown and tiara and fur-lined capes draped over their shoulders. His father held a scepter, rumored to have been stolen in the thirteenth century from an evil Germanic despot. The story changed with each king’s coronation.

  Maria-Therese stood at Luc’s side. “Are you ready?”

  Nodding, Luc resisted the urge to tug at his collar. Too many eyes were watching, waiting for him to make a mistake, and embarrass his family. He wouldn’t. Emily was correct. The only expectations he needed to live up to were his own. He wished he could see her.

  Duty first.

  Luc straightened. “I’ve been preparing for this since my eldest brother became engaged.”

  Six siblings had participated in the ceremony before Luc. He would be the last unless his brother, Leo, a widower with two young children, repeated the ceremony if he remarried. In the royal family, divorce wasn’t an option if a couple wanted to separate, only death. An archaic custom, that meant bad marriages were to be endured for the sake of Alvernia and the monarchy.

  “We had more fun playing tag and hide-and-seek in here when we were younger, than practicing.”

  “Your parents allowed that?” Maria-Therese sounded shocked. Luc didn’t blame her.

  “No, the throne room was off-limits, but that didn’t stop us from sneaking in on a rainy day.”

  “Almost time, sir.” Nick used the formal address protocol demanded at the palace.

  Luc nodded an acknowledgment. He glanced into the room once again.

  Tapestries, depicting scenes from Alvernia’s past, covered the walls made of stone. He hoped Emily had seen the panels before the lights and cameras were set up yesterday.

  Three elaborate chandeliers hung from the ceiling, each a testament to a beloved ruler. Antlers for King Gregor the Hunter. Swords for King Phillip the Fighter. Arrows for King Alexander the Brave.

  So much history and accomplishment.

  A sense of pride filled Luc. Each man had left a legacy, and Luc, though he would never rule, wanted to leave one, too. Emily believed he would with Dream Big Alvernia. He hoped she was right. Too bad she couldn’t be the one to help him take the foundation to the next level.

  Luc glanced over at Maria-Therese. She wore a stylish yellow dress with a blue and red sash, the colors of her former country. “You look lovely.”

  Her smile widened. “Emily took me shopping. She helped me pick out this dress and the shoes.”

  Was there anything his Emily couldn’t do? “It’s perfect.”

  “Thank you.” Maria-Therese touched one of the medals on his uniform. “I didn’t realize you were in the military.”

  “All royal family members, regardless of gender, serve. Length of active duty varies. Being the youngest, mine was brief due to a request from the Queen.”

  “You’re still her baby.”

  “I hope that will change once I’m married.”

  Maria-Therese looked around. “If this is what your family does for an engagement, I’m intimidated to imagine what our wedding will be like.”

  Her smile reached her eyes, letting him know she was joking.

  He smiled back. “My family goes overboard with ceremonial events, but especially weddings.”

  “Make it easy on yourselves and elope,” Nick suggested.

  “We can’t,” Luc and Maria-Therese said at the same time. And then laughed.

  He waited to feel a connection or spark. Nothing. If this had been Emily…

  Coronets sounded. A crier read from a scroll, announcing their names and presenting them to
the king and queen.

  “That’s our cue,” Luc said.

  Maria-Therese nodded once, straightened her shoulders and smiled. So did he, the way he’d been trained by Mrs. Renault.

  He extended his left arm. Maria-Therese laid her right forearm and hand on top of his. The two stepped with their right feet at the same time.

  This was it. Luc’s moment to shine with the woman he was going to marry. But one thought hammered through his brain. The wrong woman was being presented to his parents.

  Emily should be on his arm.

  He…loved her.

  He wanted to marry her.

  Only her.

  What in the hell was he doing with Maria-Therese?

  *

  The palace buzzed with excitement. Emily, too. Kevin Franks, Don’s original partner, had called and asked her to reconsider leaving the ad agency, but she wasn’t going back.

  Time to move on.

  But to what?

  The question both scared and exhilarated her. She wanted more balance in her life. She wanted love. Luc.

  Her heart twisted as if someone was trying to squeeze the blood from it.

  Well, maybe someone like him…

  She took a chocolate-drenched crème puff from the dessert table, then headed onto the balcony.

  “Hiding?” Luc asked.

  Her heart lodged in her throat. She’d only seen him at a distance during the presentation, but he looked handsomer up close in his uniform and sash. She fought the urge to move toward him.

  She raised her dessert plate. “I didn’t want anyone to see I’m having another crème puff.”

  “Your second?”

  She wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Third.”

  His smile was a combination of sexy and sweet, like his kiss. “Addicted to Alvernia’s pastries.”

  “Among other things.” She forced her gaze away from his lips.

  He walked toward her. Each step sounded a gong in her head. “Such as?”

  “The landscape and gorgeous views of the Alps.”

  “Anything else?”

  “The people.” She needed to speak in general terms. “So friendly and welcoming.”

  Luc stood next to her. His heat and scent and strength made her want to feel his arms around her one more time. “Any specific people?”

  “Perhaps.”