"A second attack in the castle?" Sophia sipped her champagne. "This must be terrifying for you and the upcoming vote."
Queen Anna raised her eyebrow at Sophia. "Our family doesn't scare easily. Let's eat."
Marco led Renee to her seat. Servants poured wine and set the salads in front of them. Renee turned her knees toward Marco who then said, "Renee, everything will be fine."
He patted her hand. She wasn’t sure she believed him, but everyone did as the queen bid. Renee looked up at the sound of the door opening. Kristin walked in, her head held high, her red gown slightly torn.
Renee met her best friend's gaze but then Kristin backed out of the room.
Strange. She started to get up but sat back when Queen Anna said, "Renee, please tell us about your family and where you come from?"
Right. The truth. Her entire life was set to become just like dear old Mom and Dad, so she might as well explain. "My parents live in Jupiter, Florida. My older brother, Neil, is a computer programmer and working on the west coast these days. My parents practically live at the Jupiter Country Club and go to all the events there."
Soup was served, the servants effortless in their duties.
Marco sipped his broth. "And you're a teacher?"
"Yes, in Miami." She tasted vegetable soup done with spices that made her crave the next bite. She had one more sip of the soup and then put her spoon down. "Kristin is my roommate, though I think she's going to marry your oldest son and leave the apartment."
The queen signaled for her next course and leaned forward with a smile on her wrinkled face. "Marco is clearly smitten with you. It would do my heart justice if two of my sons found brides this month."
"Mother." Marco spoke in an absolute tone that meant no one should question him.
His mother shrugged, sat back and gazed at her. "Fine, I won't push. Renee, the roasted lamb tonight was prepared in your friend Kristin’s honor."
"I've never had lamb." Renee shook her head and finished her soup. "And I didn’t know Kristin missed this dish, but I’m game."
"The maids know everything," Marco supplied. "At least in this castle. They all report everything to my mother."
Renee's gaze went to the table and she studied the white table cloth.
Wait staff brought the next course when Kristin came back in with Antonio.
The meal was disrupted as everyone stood while her friend apologized to the queen for running out. Renee overheard the queen discuss a press conference outside and how Kristin needed to keep the rip in her once gorgeous red gown.
Antonio spoke to his mother, and Renee took the opportunity to join her friend. "Are you okay?"
"They tried to kidnap me, but I remembered the self-defense classes we took," Kristin said fast. Antonio glanced at her. Kristin murmured, "Talk to you tomorrow."
Her friend had been attacked while she ate soup. Palace life wasn't right for her as this was way too adventurous for a simple vacation.
Once Kristin and Antonio left again, they retook their seats and the queen said, "All of this is very unusual, but I like your friend's spirit. It speaks highly of you too, handling the chaos. I do hope my son has treated you well."
"Very much so." Renee met Marco's brown-eyed gaze. "He's been the perfect host and protector."
"Marco has always run into danger, like that time he trained in a war zone on how to disarm bombs." His mother's voice trailed off and she shook her head. "Never mind about that. Do you like the lamb?"
"It's delicious." Renee nodded and cut another piece for herself. "Thank you."
Everyone ate in silence, one eye on the door as if waiting for more bad news.
The servants cleared the lamb and brought out pastries and tea. Renee's stomach was full. Marco whispered, "Another half an hour and we'll go."
"Go where?" his mother asked. "Will you be convincing this lovely young lady to stay?"
"This is why adults leave their parents’ homes, Mother. If we were in England, I'd have moved out."
"Luckily, we are not in England anymore," she countered. "And as my son and a prince, you are welcomed in all circles. A wife will be good for you and help you settle down."
There was no way she was ready to be wife. In a castle, nothing was a secret, but it was wrong to let the Queen believe her relationship with Marcus was on the marriage track.
8
Renee woke up warm and relaxed in Marco's bed. Last night they’d used no handcuffs and he was still the most erotic man she'd ever experienced. His arm wrapped around her hip. "Good morning."
"Morning." She looked into his eyes.
Marco leaned down, kissed her and sat straight with a smile. "I had meant to take you out last night."
"Maybe tonight?" She hedged, unsure if he thought of this as a one-night-stand. Her own mind raced. If she stayed with him, she'd never need the country club—she’d never felt accepted there anyway. She couldn't focus. She stood from the bed and dragged the sheets with her. "I need to get up and go help Kristin this morning."
"Don't let my mother get to you." He followed her, naked. She saw every ripple of every muscle on his hard body and his morning erection that she chose to ignore.
She walked to the bathroom. If only his mother was her issue. Perhaps the country club types would envy her and not pity her, if she married Marco. And perhaps she was out of her mind for thinking any of this which was why she splashed cold water on her face. "She’s sweet."
He spoke through the half-opened door while he went to his walk-in closet. "My mother thinks I need a grounding influence and hopes you're it."
"My own mother wouldn't know or understand if I brought you home to meet her." She walked into the bedroom, noting a stack of her clothes on the bureau. The maid, Anise, must have put them there.
He wrapped his arms around her and the sheet she still wore. "I'd fly her here and let my mother handle all the formalities."
His mother might be the meddling type, but she commanded attention. She turned around in his arms. "Not a bad idea. It's hard to say no to her."
He kissed her cheek. "Tonight, it's just you and me, and no formal dining." He began to unwrap her sheet, baring an inch of skin at a time. "I swear I'll take you out of the palace and keep my hands to myself until we get back."
Her entire body ached for his touch again. She let go of the sheet. "Now that would be disappointing if there was no touching."
"Okay, some touching." He reached between her legs. She blushed though she knew she was ready for him.
Instead he led her toward his bed, one more time, and she quickly agreed. One more time with Marco. She'd never have enough of him. He entered her ready and waiting body, returning her to the heaven she’d visited multiple times last night.
Marco found another release and for a while neither stirred.
Chirping birds landed on the window across the room and she laughed. If the birds sang, she'd be in an animated movie. They both got out of bed for the second time that morning. Marco said, "The maid left you clothes in my closet, too."
She went into the bathroom again to shower. Once finished and dressed she called through the open door, "How does it not creep you out that the maids know everything, including who you're sleeping with?"
"I don’t normally conduct my affairs in the castle for that reason." He walked into the bathroom and hopped in the shower while she stood at the vanity, brushing her teeth. "But when I do marry, my wife and I will screen the staff and set up the house rules of my castle." He turned and rinsed soap from his body. "I'm still processing all the background checks of the servants here."
Her three long term ex-boyfriends had never felt so open with her. She tugged on her bra and asked, "Why wasn't that done before?"
He finished in the shower and grabbed the towel she'd used. "I was eighteen when my parents retook their kingdom and hadn't finished high school, so I stayed in England through college. I was away but I take full responsibility. I should have done this two years
ago, but the commanders of the military took precedence. I still haven't completed the background checks of the soldiers which is the current situation and why I'm walking you to my mother for the dress fitting. No more mistakes."
Guess a spy thought he'd find foreign threats without checking the internal ones. She shrugged and slipped on a silk blouse. "Marco, she'll get the wrong idea about us."
He met her gaze in the mirror. "Renee, I don’t care what people think, but I do care that you're safe." He threw on his green polo shirt and gray slacks that were clearly made for his body. "I'm working with General Babik on an order of importance to ensure no one gets to my father or family or you again."
"Me?" She watched him finish getting dressed, smoothing a dark wave down at his nape.
"Yes. You." He held out his hand for her. She took it and he led her out where he'd laid a pair of black flat sandals for her next to his shoes. "I'll come and get you when you're done."
If only she could believe in a future with Marco. All her life she'd planned for a guy like Greg. The farther they walked the quiet halls in the morning, the more she wished she could stay with him. The impossible almost made her laugh, but she held it together. At the conference door, he kissed her lightly.
She forgot all her doubts in his arms.
Echoes of voices grew behind the door and she stood taller the moment his lips left hers. He mouthed goodbye and she watched him walk down the hall.
Then she let herself inside and saw the queen surrounded by a dozen women in various suits. She lifted her chin, walked inside and asked, "Good morning, Your Highness. Where is Kristin?"
The queen pointed to the next room which had over a dozen bellhop racks that held countless wedding dresses. Renee popped her head in and turned on the light. The queen placed her hand on Renee’s back. "Not here yet, but why don't you select a dress for yourself, for when you marry my son?"
A few of the women jotted something on their papers. If these were reporters, her mother would see this gossip on the news tonight. She turned toward Queen Anna and tried to ignore the fact that there were other people in the room. "Your Highness, Marco and I aren't there and I don't feel comfortable talking to you about our relationship."
Queen Anna smiled benevolently and they returned to the conference room, where they both took a seat. "You're a good influence on him. I see that." A servant brought her a small plate of fruit and pastries and a cup of coffee, even though there was a huge buffet lined against the wall. The queen hardly noticed. "Since you've been here, he's not wanted to leave immediately and go find another dangerous training scenario to overcome. He's stayed put, and we need him right now."
Marco loved his family. She picked up an apple slice. "Maybe he's here because he knows that."
She quickly ate while the queen sipped her coffee. Neither of them said much, but the second the door opened, they both stood. The queen said, "Kristin, glad you could join us, come in."
"Am I late to a meeting?" Kristin asked while a servant took the remaining plates and cups away from the table.
"I let you sleep in as my son hadn't left your room until three hours ago." The queen spoke to Kristin while Renee finished her coffee, and handed the cup to the waiting servant.
"Yes, er, thank you." Kristin's face was red while Renee returned her focus to the conversation.
The queen asked, "So you worked out the problem?"
"There was a problem?" Renee's brow furrowed and she stared at both of them. She was way too wrapped up in Marco to notice much else.
Kristin took her hand. "It's fine now, Renee. Antonio and I made plans to see each other tonight."
If they both ended up with princes, did that mean they both ended up with the happily-ever-after bit like in all the movies she'd ever watched? Renee shook the thought out of her mind. She was destined for dying in suburbia with two children and a dog. Her plan wasn't that bad.
Kristin had no plans for marriage and now look at her, trying on wedding gowns.
Queen Anna said, "He has already informed me that he will not be available for tonight's foreign affairs dinner."
"Ohh." Marco had mentioned no formal dinner tonight too, but he hadn't said what they'd skip.
Kristin gestured to the others, "Are these your foreign affairs guests?"
"No." The queen waved her hand. "These are designers and they wish to know your taste in clothes. Some have samples for you."
No pressure, choosing the dream frock she wanted to imagine her life in.
Kristin hugged her waist. "I thought we were here to discuss the wedding? The ceremony? Expectations."
Perhaps when they were alone, she'd ask Kristin what she thought about a long term idea of sisterhood instead of just best friends.
For now, Renee smiled. "Valentino, next to me here, is a top designer, and there are a few other brands we both know. Everyone wants you in their line of clothes. At press conferences or just out in public, you are to always look fabulous!" Renee met Queen Anna’s gaze and released a small laugh. Today wasn't about her. It was about Kristin and Antonio. "But the primary purpose for today is to choose your gown."
"The truth is I never thought about getting married to have a dress picked out, so I'd like to try on a few different styles to really see which one I like."
Renee walked into the next room and waited for Kristin to follow. "This sounds awesome—and I’ll go through the designs of the my maid-of-honor outfit."
The queen and one of the designers stared at her, and it was obvious they both thought she was next. The haughty designer said, "The other room is already set up for you to try things on. Right now, we'll just choose from different whites and basic body types."
Renee smiled. "Try the mermaid on first, Kristin. You have the perfect figure for it."
"Glad you're here, Renee."
Renee linked her arm with hers as they proceeded to a rack of wedding dresses. "Once the wedding is over, I'll go back to my normal life but you'll start living in this world forever. I'm excited for you."
Kristin passed her a few minutes later, a gown over her arm. "I’ll go try this on."
"Want help?"
"It seems easy enough."
"Just yell if you change your mind."
Renee rummaged through the Balenciaga designs and wondered if she really could marry Marco and get more than she ever imagined for herself. Kristin soon returned in the mermaid dress Renee had suggested earlier and stood in front of her. "Renee, I'm happy..."
Renee dropped all the dresses as Kristin turned suddenly. She was about to say something, but the main door of the room opened and a cold wind felt like it brushed against her spine.
The queen walked toward the door and blocked the threshold, her arms crossed. "Sophia, we discussed that you would not come today."
Kristin moved to the main room to see what the commotion was about, and Renee joined the queen in case she needed backup.
Sophia said, "Your Highness, I came to apologize. My own wishes..." As she spoke Sophia stared through Renee and right at her best friend, who was standing behind Renee and the queen. "I shouldn't have put the ring on. I wanted..." Sophia seemed menacing. Renee tensed. "I hoped to be the one, but he chose you."
Kristin smoothed the white satin at her waist. "Okay. Don't worry about it, Sophia."
Clearly, Renee had missed a few things between Sophia and Kristin. She'd not be so wrapped up in a man next time her friend was in trouble. Sophia wrung her hands. "Before you start trying on more dresses, can I talk to you?"
No. Renee kept that thought to herself. Kristin nodded. "Of course." She handed the next dress she'd try on to Renee and exited with Sophia. "Be right back."
This wasn't a good idea. Should she go after her best friend? What did she know about palace intrigue?
The queen turned toward Renee, her mouth curved downward. "Sophia might not have been the best choice for my oldest. I wish Kristin had stayed."
"Me too," Renee murmured.
Guards suddenly rushed through the hall and one of them closed the conference room door. Renee shivered. "What's going on?"
"I don't know." The queen hurried toward an old-fashioned phone on a marble table that was ringing. "Give me one second."
"Kristin's out there." Renee inched toward the door. "I should help my friend."
The queen was on the phone. She called out, "Renee, please come and talk to your parents."
"My parents?" Renee walked closer in confusion. Had the queen invited her parents to her wedding that she'd never really thought possible? Marrying Marcus made no sense to her, but then no one in Marco's family seemed devious enough to trick her into a wedding. She took the phone. "Mom, what's going on?"
"FBI agents were at our door and told us to call you. Are you okay, dear?"
Her heart sped up and she held the wall for support. "I'm fine. I'm on vacation in Avce. My roommate Kristin is going to marry the prince."
"Too bad it wasn't you, but then you'd never be a good princess, dear."
The words felt like bullet holes in her chest. Her mother hadn't even known what Renee was thinking, and managed to make her feel stupid for even imagining. She shook her head.
Her mother said, "I'm glad you're okay. The agents have to stay so I'm going to serve them high tea, like we get at the Club on Sundays. When you're back from vacation, I'll reintroduce you to our members and hope one of them still has a single son."
"Thanks, Mom," Renee said through gritted teeth. Her mother would love someone like Greg to bring to the country club. She pushed off the wall and looked at Queen Anna Camilla. The queen wanted her to marry her son. She shouldn't let her mother get to her, not like this. She tugged her ear. "I'll call when I'm back or if anything else changes."
After goodbyes, she hung up and asked, "Why was my mother contacted by FBI agents?"
"It seems whoever made a threat against Kristin also mentioned your parents and your neighbor and his family."
The only neighbor she knew personally was Greg. Renee blinked and the conference room door opened.
Forbidden Prince (Princes of Avce Book 2) Page 5