The Bachelor Prince

by Jane Beckenham

  The only thing Ms. Fix-It can’t fix is her traitorous heart.

  Of the many thrills Lucas Palmera has pursued, marriage isn’t one of them. Having witnessed how the death of his mother destroyed his father, Lucas considers love and matrimony too great an emotional risk. But Torrevna’s crown prince must marry—and soon—if he is to ascend the throne.

  That doesn’t mean he’s not determined to put it off as long as possible. For that, he needs the cooperation of his indispensable personal assistant, Cassie Masters.

  Cassie learned how to handle high-powered men by watching her social-climbing mother parade a string of them through her life—and vowing never to follow those footsteps. But when Lucas proposes Cassie act as his “fiancée” to fend off his meddling sisters, she’s in no position to refuse. After all, cleaning up Lucas’s messes is in her job description.

  Trouble is, Cassie’s traitorous heart has always belonged to Lucas. And by the time she realizes she’s in too deep, her heart is pulling her headlong down a path she swore she’d never follow.

  Warning: Contains a prince whose playboy ways conceal a tender heart and a long-suffering PA who’s determined to keep love off the schedule—especially her own. Toe-curling kisses and royal gossip included at no extra charge.

  The Bachelor Prince

  Jane Beckenham

  Dedication

  To Yvonne and Nicole for such valued friendship.

  Chapter One

  For the umpteenth time, Cassie Masters skimmed the email, each word tugging at her heart. Her grandparents needed her. Her half sister, Tina, her father’s daughter from his brief second marriage, needed her. With a heavy sigh, she shut down the email program just as her boss, Prince Lucas Palmera, stormed into the office of Palmera Enterprises. She instantly recognized the frustration etched in his high-born visage.

  Quietly efficient, she took his overcoat and hung it in the closet, then poured a cup of freshly brewed coffee and handed it to him.

  He dropped his briefcase where he stood and shook his head. “Where do my sisters come up with these women? Why don’t they get it? I don’t want a wife. I don’t need a wife to rule San Torrevna.”

  Struggling to hide her amusement, Cassie handed him a stack of messages. “Your sisters are trying to help you find a suitable—”

  “Wife!” Lucas snorted and scanned the first message, brows creasing. “Why didn’t my father call my cell phone?”

  “He knew you were on a lunch date.”

  Lucas rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, igniting a hint of sympathy for the royal.

  “That bad, huh?”

  He exhaled heavily. “Worse.”

  Cassie pressed her lips together, but a bubble of laughter escaped. “Oh, Lucas, you should see yourself.”

  He shot her a scowl. “You find it amusing?” He raked a hand through his hair, an action Cassie found fascinating as she watched the silky strands settle back into styled precision. It wouldn’t dare do otherwise. Lucas rarely looked anything but perfect, but then, she was biased.

  As the heir of the Principality of San Torrevna, he cut a striking figure. His hand-stitched designer suit showed just enough of his crisp shirt cuffs and gold cufflinks embedded with diamonds. A gold Rolex glittered on one wrist—San Torrevna gold, of course. With hair as ebony as night, an aquiline nose, and a strong, square jaw, he radiated strength and power as autocratic as his forebears. The man definitely possessed magnificent genes.

  “Whomever you marry will be your consort. It’s a huge responsibility.”

  “That may be, but I won’t be pressured by my sisters, my father, nor my country.”

  He ran a finger beneath his shirt collar, and then pivoting, strode toward his private office, prompting Cassie to move swiftly to intercept him. She laid a hand on his arm. “Wait!”

  He stopped mid-stride, and she inhaled a shaky breath as an electric current jettisoned from her fingertips and along her arm. She curled her fingers into her palms to stem her reaction. Touching him had been bad, but inhaling his exotic cologne was far worse. She took a step back, switching her gaze briefly to the closed boardroom door, then back to him. “Your father and sisters are already here.”

  Lucas’s expression hardened. “So the interrogation squad is ready and waiting.”

  “They do care, Lucas.”

  “I know. Just too much sometimes.” Jaw set at a determined angle, he strode into the boardroom and closed the door behind him. Within seconds, she heard Lucas’s father, Prince Frederick, raise his voice, the strain clear.

  Walking back to her desk, she quickly took the opportunity to email her grandmother back, hoping to appease her worries regarding Tina. That completed, she tried to concentrate on work, but within minutes, the door to the boardroom was flung open and Lucas strode out, his sisters quickly following. Cassie offered them a stiff smile and automatically tugged at her skirt with her free hand. Both women were styled to perfection, their haute couture so unlike the plain clothes she wore.

  As Prince Frederick followed his daughters out of the boardroom, concern tightened Cassie’s chest as she took in his gray pallor.

  Lucas faced his family, his body rigid and foot tapping on the luxurious, inky carpet, the only outward signs of an inner impatience.

  Stalemate!

  Scooping up a file from her desk, she stepped over to Lucas and held out the file to him. “The Princes’ Trust representatives have arrived, Your Highness.” She slipped automatically into formality for the sake of his family. Her first day working for Lucas, she’d been so nervous. The man was royal, after all. She’d used his title constantly until, exasperated, he’d told her to stop. From that moment on, he’d been simply Lucas, and she Cassie, and everything had been perfect…until a tiny seed germinated in her heart, and the trouble was, it hadn’t gone away.

  Lucas’s gaze shifted to her, but he said nothing, and she stared hard at him, willing him to understand—fast. “They’re waiting, Your Highness. I’ve ushered them into the guest salon. They require your immediate approval of the plans for the post-gala conference.”

  At last a tiny smile flickered at the corner of his mouth, the movement so subtle no one else noticed. Cassie did. She missed nothing about him.

  With inbred courtesy, he turned to his family. “Sorry, Father, this will have to wait.”

  Marina reached out to her brother. “Don’t you understand the predicament you’re causing?”

  Lucas’s eyes colored with contrition, his hands fisted at his sides. “I understand fully.”

  “Father has served as monarch of San Torrevna for years and deserves happiness now that he has found love again. He wants to hand over the reins to you. It’s time.”

  “I’m aware of that, but I will not be forced into marrying because Father wishes to abdicate.”

  Prince Frederick stepped up to Lucas, a sad smile playing across his face as he rested a hand on Lucas’s shoulder. “When I hand the reins over to you, my son, you will need a wife at your side. It is a lonely job at times, and your mother was an excellent listener.”

  “I pay staff to listen. I can rule without a wife, for now.”

  “That is not the same, Lucas. With the one you love, you can pour out your heart. You know how much I relied on your mother. Without her, life has been lonely, but now I’ve found a wonderful woman and have a second chance at happiness. You need to get married.”

  “Father isn’t getting any younger, Lucas.”

  Prince Frederick harrumphed as he stepped away, shaking his head, but neither Lucas nor his sisters glanced in their father’s direc
tion. This was a standoff between siblings.

  Lucas leaned in closer to his sister. “This is my life we’re talking about.”

  “And Larissa wants Father to retire. She’s worried about his health.”

  Lucas’s jaw flexed, and he swallowed visibly. His gaze shifted toward his father. “We’re all worried.”

  “So do what we ask. Larissa won’t marry Father until he retires, and he wants to see you settled. Do what you know is right and find a woman to marry, and soon, brother dear.”

  “There’s no law dictating I must marry to rule San Torrevna.”

  “I know, but Father won’t pass over the reins until he feels you are settled. He’s as stubborn as you are.”

  “And flitting from girlfriend to girlfriend doesn’t look good,” Princess Layla cut in, tossing back a silky curl from her forehead with a manicured finger accompanied by the chink of gold bracelets.

  Lucas’s scowl deepened. “And…”

  Marina took Lucas’s hand in hers, eyes dewy soft, voice pleading. “We love you. The country loves you, but it deserves to have a settled man leading it. Not some Romeo flitting from actress to model to actress again. All Father wants…we want, is to see you at least make an effort to find the woman who will be at your side.”

  Lucas stepped away, dragging a hand through his hair, and for the space of several heartbeats, the siblings warred silently.

  “We’ll discuss this later.” He glanced toward Cassie. “I have a meeting to attend.”

  Marina shook her head. “Evasive as always. You, Lucas, are a damaged playboy.”

  “So you tell me at least once a month.”

  “So why do you pigeonhole your life and keep commitment at bay? One day it will come back and bite you, when you least expect it.”

  “I don’t need you prompting me day in and day out and can manage my life without any help.”

  Cassie clamped her lips together. Poor Lucas. She knew by his tone and expression, he’d already tuned out to his sister’s lecture.

  “Then you must be very lonely, as well as cynical.”

  “I’ve every right to be. Women want me for what I can give them.”

  Marina tutted and shook her head. “Just because Galiana turned out to be—”

  “Enough! This is my life, and I will not be dictated to.”

  Deciding it best to keep silent on what had just unfolded, Cassie quickly assisted the aging monarch toward the elevator. “Your car is waiting downstairs.”

  He smiled appreciatively and patted her hand as if she were a child. “You’re too good for him, Ms. Masters.”

  Her smile slipped. If the elderly royal knew she’d scuttled this meeting, he probably would revise his opinion. At any other time, it would be amusing to see Lucas in a situation he couldn’t control.

  “Tell my son he needs to see reason.”

  As if she could.

  Cassie escorted the royals into Lucas’s private elevator. Outside, bodyguards stepped forward as the royal trio reached the waiting limousine.

  With the royals settled into the luxury vehicle, Cassie waited for it to leave, but just as it began to move off, the rear window slid down and Lucas’s father leaned forward and dropped her a wink. “You are good, Ms. Masters, but next time, do check if the Princes’ Trust representative is actually in the city. Lord Lionel is at my home at Mont Piermont, I believe.”

  Cassie’s jaw dropped, an apology forming on the tip of her tongue, but the smoky glass window rose and blocked off that knowing, dark gaze so identical to his son’s.

  Mortified she’d been caught lying, she headed back to her office. Lucas’s door was ajar, but she held back a fraction and stood at the doorway and watched him. He sat at his desk, the vast panorama of the city, ancient sitting alongside modern in a comfortable partnership, behind him. A soft sigh slipped from her as she tapped on the door. “They’re gone, Lucas.”

  He eased back in his chair, released the file he’d been reading and fixed his attention on her. “Smart thinking.”

  “Unfortunately, not smart enough. Lord Lionel is staying at your father’s villa.”

  He frowned, dark eyes keen, but before he could respond, the phone on his desk rang. With a quick glance at the digital display, he groaned. “Not again.”

  Cassie’s professionalism came into play. She pushed away from the door and scooped up the phone. “Palmera International.”

  “It’s Felicia Damani.” The brittle, condescending voice of one of Europe’s richest socialites and Lucas’s latest date echoed down the phone line. “I’m accompanying His Highness to the charity gala tonight. What time is he sending the limousine?”

  Cassie shot Lucas a querying look, but he simply shook his head. She knew exactly what that meant—a phone call to the jewelers and the florist. She hit the Hold button. “But tonight’s the charity event, Lucas. You have to attend, and Ms. Damani is expecting to be at your side.”

  “Just do it.”

  One look at his inflexible facade and she knew he wouldn’t compromise. Redirecting the call to her desk, she turned and walked back to her office to retrieve it, bracing herself for what she knew would follow. “Unfortunately, His Highness’s plans have changed.”

  “What?” Felicia’s incredulity only made Cassie feel worse.

  “He’s been held up at the conference-planning meeting.” How she hated this part, and admitted sympathy for yet another woman with misplaced dreams, knowing too that her excuse wouldn’t offer any consolation.

  Disconnecting the call, she hit speed dial to connect with the florist Lucas used on a regular basis. Next she phoned the jeweler and ordered a diamond bracelet to be delivered.

  Would the jewels appease the socialite’s ego?

  Probably.

  “Did you take care of it?”

  Cassie replaced the phone and turned, about to go tell Lucas she’d done his dirty work for him, only to find him standing in the doorway to his office. “They’re on their way.”

  “Always efficient, Ms. Masters.” He shot her one of his usual smiles. Lucas at his most charming could melt the heart of the indifferent. Unfortunately, she was not in that category. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “You can’t keep doing this.”

  “I know,” he finally admitted with that aristocratic charisma he’d perfected still firmly in place.

  Cassie refused to be thwarted. “Don’t bother trying your charm—it won’t work.”

  “Shame.” He offered her another wry grin. “Remind me next time to hire an assistant who’s far more malleable than you, Ms. Masters.”

  Next time?

  Lucas found himself staring at Cassie.

  There wouldn’t be a next time, because he didn’t intend to let Cassie Masters go. As his assistant, she was perfect for the job.

  Even when she rolled her eyes at him, like now. “Oh, Lucas, your sisters only have your wellbeing at heart.”

  His brows shot skyward. “My sisters’ wife hunt on my behalf is something I put up with for their sakes, and my father’s. My responsibilities to my family and my country are ingrained, something I’m born with and not likely to forget.”

  “Your father is tired, and deserves to be happy.”

  Lucas stiffened. “Don’t you think I’m aware of that? All my life I have obeyed the strictures of being born into royalty. I’ve followed the rules, but marriage is not something I intend to rush into. Women like Felicia know the score and what they’re after, which certainly isn’t the role of my consort. All they want is lots of extremely expensive jewels.”

  Cassie shook her head, a thread of her normally prim chignon falling lose. As she tucked it behind her ear, Lucas couldn’t help but notice a strange spiral of unrest churning in his chest. He stamped it right down.

  “You are so cynical.
”

  He offered a disinterested shrug, annoyed that disquiet still lingered. “I’ve just cause. As a royal, I’m different. The women I’ve dated perceive me as their personal bank account.”

  “That’s because you are.”

  “So how come you don’t treat me like a credit card?”

  A soft trill of laughter fluttered across her lips. “First of all, I work for you, and second of all, I won’t be bought by any man. Not even a prince.”

  His brows lifted, and the hint of a smile played across his full mouth. “Do you know you’re the first woman I’ve met who couldn’t be bought?”

  “Then you’ve led a very sheltered existence.” And she turned and away from him.

  Had he?

  Lucas turned back and strode into his office, closing the door behind him. As he sat in silence, brooding on the day’s disaster, he considered Cassie’s statement. He should have taken Felicia’s call, but the woman drove him to distraction with her incessant prattling. Ditching her at the last minute, however, left him with a dilemma. The event was in aid of the children’s fund his mother had set up, and it was inconceivable he not attend. Plus, he was expected to have a date at his side. While normally there were always women waiting in the wings to date him, tonight there was a seed of dissatisfaction growing inside him that he couldn’t shake off, and none of his usual options would suffice.

  He retrieved the list of prospective brides his sisters provided and scanned each name, mentally marking them off. Every one of them was socially adept. Beautiful. Sophisticated. And predictable.

  A week, a month, then their hints would start. A watch. A diamond. And don’t forget expensive. Then hints for a ring on their finger.

  And the garrote would tighten.

  Shit!

  Lucas turned from the gilt-framed portrait of his parents.

  All his life, he’d known this day would come. Time to take up the reins. To take charge. And while he understood his duty to his country, his family…it was…

  He wasn’t scared of the job. Could handle it. In fact, his role for the last ten years had been as his father’s right-hand man, developing the country’s profile in a variety of international businesses so that San Torrevna would grow into the twenty-first century.