by Annie West
For long still moments they gazed into each other’s eyes. ‘Amelie Evangelos has a ring to it,’ he said finally. ‘If you’re sure?’
‘I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.’
EPILOGUE
IT WAS A small wedding by royal standards, since Amelie and Lambis hadn’t wanted to wait. Their eagerness had nothing to do with that last, unguarded morning in Greece when neither had thought about protection. Though more and more Lambis found himself speculating with excitement about the way his betrothed glowed.
Surveying today’s crowd, he wondered how much more pomp and splendour a large royal wedding would manage.
The St Gallans had pulled out all stops for their beloved Princess. From the VIPs filling the great cathedral to the thousands gathered in the square outside, everyone wore finery, silks and jewels, dazzling uniforms or bright traditional cottons.
Flowers were everywhere. In huge arrangements and pinned to dresses and shirts, or carried ready to toss before the bride and groom as they left the cathedral.
Lambis swallowed, overcome by the familiar feeling that he didn’t deserve this, didn’t deserve Amelie. That he’d wake up and discover it a dream.
‘Don’t be scared, Lambis. I’ll help you.’ Beside him Sébastien’s face was grave but his eyes sparkled. ‘I know about important ceremonies.’
He did. Only a week ago he’d given his formal acceptance speech before parliament, on the same day Amelie had been made Regent.
‘Thank you, Your Highness. I’m lucky to have you as my best man.’
The boy frowned. ‘It’s only Highness in public. You know that.’ A small hand slipped into his. ‘If you’re scared, I’ll hold your hand.’
Emotion blindsided Lambis as he looked down into those eyes so like his beloved Amelie’s. It wasn’t only Amelie he loved. The three of them were already a family. ‘Thank you, Seb. I’d like that.’
A trumpet fanfare sounded high above and Lambis’s heart quickened. Slowly he turned.
In the front row, with the new Prime Minister and other dignitaries, was Cat Dubois, eye-catching in green and almost as pretty as her half-sister. She smiled and winked. Beside her, King Alex of Bengaria looked ridiculously handsome in his dress uniform but his eyes were only for Cat, so Lambis had come to like his almost brother-in-law. Lambis’s own friends were scattered in the front rows, either grinning at him or craning for a view of the bride.
The music changed to something softer yet jubilant and there was movement in the great arched doorway. Out of the light stepped two figures. One, upright despite her years, was Lady Enide, beaming as Lambis had never seen her.
Holding her arm was Amelie. Gorgeous Amelie, who regularly stole his breath with just a smile. Now, wearing a long traditional gown, she was stunning. The fitted bodice of heirloom lace accentuated her slim yet lush femininity. The spreading skirt and the glimpse he caught of a delicate train made her look like something out of a fairy story. She wore no veil, but had been persuaded to wear a tiara of brilliant diamonds, trembling and glittering as she moved. She’d joked that wearing it might lessen their height difference at the altar.
All that Lambis took in with one sweeping glance before his eyes locked on hers. Heat pounded through him, and pride. The Princess Regent of St Galla was utterly magnificent, and she was his. He grinned and watched her mouth twitch into an answering smile.
Then she was before him and everything else faded.
‘No second thoughts?’ He held her gaze.
‘Never,’ she whispered. dpg
‘Good.’ Against all protocol he bent and nuzzled her ear. ‘Because I’m never letting you go.’ He grazed her cheek with his lips and straightened, satisfied now her eyes shone brighter than her diamonds.
Then he closed his left hand around hers, his right hand still grasping Sébastien’s, and turned the three of them towards the waiting archbishop.
His love. His family. For ever.
* * * * *
EXCLUSIVE EXTRACT
Reluctant Sheikh Salim Al-Noury would rather abdicate than taint the realm with his dark secrets.
But could one exquisitely beautiful diplomat convince him otherwise?…
Christmas means heartbreak to Charlotte, and this overseas assignment offers the perfect getaway. But Salim proves to be her most challenging client yet, and his rugged masculinity awakens untouched Charlotte to unimaginable pleasures!
Read on for a sneak preview of Abby Green’s book
A CHRISTMAS BRIDE FOR THE KING
Rulers of the Desert
She looked Salim straight in the eye. ‘Life is so easy for you, isn’t it? No wonder you don’t want to rule—it would put a serious cramp in your lifestyle and a dent in your empire. Have you ever had to think of anyone but yourself, Salim? Have you ever had to consider the consequences of your actions? People like you make me—’
‘Enough.’ Salim punctuated the harshly spoken word by taking her arms in his hands. He said it again. ‘Enough, Charlotte. You’ve made your point.’
She couldn’t breathe after the way he’d just said her name. Roughly. His hands were huge on her arms, and firm but not painful. She knew she should say Let me go but somehow the words wouldn’t form in her mouth.
Salim’s eyes were blazing down into hers and for a second she had the impression that she’d somehow…hurt him. But in the next instant any coherent thought fled, because he slammed his mouth down onto hers and all she was aware of was shocking heat, strength, and a surge of need such as she’d never experienced before.
Salim couldn’t recall when he’d felt angrier—people had thrown all sorts of insults at him for years. Women who’d expected more than he’d been prepared to give. Business adversaries he’d bested. His brother. His parents. But for some reason this buttoned-up slender woman with her cool judgmental attitude was getting to him like no one else ever had.
The urge to kiss her had been born out of that anger and a need to stop her words, but also because he’d felt a hot throb of desire that had eluded him for so long he’d almost forgotten what it felt like.
Her mouth was soft and pliant under his, but on some dim level not clouded red with lust and anger he knew it was shock—and, sure enough, after a couple of seconds he felt her tense and her mouth tighten against his.
He knew he should draw back.
If he was another man he might try to convince himself he’d only intended the kiss to be a display of power, but Salim had never drawn back from admitting his full failings. And he couldn’t pull back—not if a thousand horses were tied to his body. Because he wanted her.
Don’t miss
A CHRISTMAS BRIDE FOR THE KING
By Abby Green
Available December 2017
www.millsandboon.co.uk
Copyright ©2017 Abby Green
ISBN: 978-1-474-05309-9
The Greek’s Forbidden Princess
© 2017 Annie West
Published in Great Britain 2017
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
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