Reunited with Her Secret Prince

by Susanne Hampton

  The chief stewardess arrived to alert them that the yacht would be docking in fifteen minutes. This gave the team time to pack everything ready to be transported to the cool rooms at the resort. It would be like another military operation with everything cut and carefully placed in containers along with three enormous pots of custard that had been chilling.

  ‘When will you do all of the work putting two hundred desserts together?’

  ‘Once we dock, I’ll follow the crew to the resort and once mains are served I will begin final preparation. I don’t like to chill the pastry so I keep the other ingredients cold and construct and plate the dessert at the last minute. It’s so much nicer to bite through room-temperature pastry into a chilled filling. It just adds that bespoke touch at the end of the meal, and Walter loves it done that way.’

  ‘You’re such a fussy pants, aren’t you?’ Libby joked with her friend as they busily gathered everything and stacked it all safely on a trolley for collection by crew members. ‘But so is Walter. He loves the whole regalia of uniformed crew and it does look lovely, I must admit.’

  ‘It’s the little touches that make the difference,’ Georgie replied with an expression that showed she was ready for battle. The engagement cake had to be transported too and Libby could see that was weighing on Georgie’s mind. This was a huge event and a lot of the focus would be on the work undertaken by Georgie.

  ‘It will be the best engagement party that San Lucia has ever seen,’ Libby said.

  ‘I have a feeling that tonight will absolutely be a night to remember for everyone!’ Georgie responded with a wink.

  * * *

  Daniel assisted Walter to dress for the party. The proud uncle was wearing a tuxedo and bow-tie and requested Daniel do the same.

  ‘The invitation says black tie, so I will truss up like a turkey for the next few hours only because I’ll never hear the end of it from Sophia if I don’t...and because that is what Contessa would expect of me.’

  Daniel noticed Walter turn away abruptly as he spoke and he suspected it was to hide a tear or two.

  ‘It will be a wonderful night, Walter. Everyone will have the best time and you’re looking very suave,’ Daniel told him. ‘Sophia will be proud and Contessa will without doubt be watching all of the celebrations with you.’

  ‘Hmm, do you think so?’

  ‘Absolutely.’

  ‘All right, enough of the mushy stuff,’ Walter said gruffly, and he brushed non-existent lint from his jacket sleeves and crossed to the door of the largest suite on the yacht. ‘Let’s get this show on the road. I think it will be a night to remember.’

  * * *

  The party had begun and Libby stood in the perfect, balmy night air, looking around in amazement at the most beautiful setting she had ever seen. Fairy lights were strung across four giant pontoons only a few metres from shore. Two of the pontoons had tables and chairs, one had a dance floor and there was one for the band, and all four were joined by arched bridges that were also lit by fairy lights and covered in an array of brightly coloured Caribbean flowers, including hundreds of enormous coral-coloured hibiscus flowers. It was a sudden splash of colour and a stark contrast to the predominantly white decor.

  The pontoons were secured by large pylons driven through the water and deep into the sand so they didn’t shift with the movement of the tide that gently lapped beneath. It was postcard perfect and Libby was standing guard in front of the most stunning engagement cake that she thought had ever been made by anyone anywhere in the world. It was divine in every aspect and Libby was still amazed that it had made it onto the floating pontoon without dislodging one piece of the delicate filigree flowers that cascaded down the five layers like a waterfall of pastel shades of coral tipped with gold leaf over a naked Belgian chocolate torte. It was a piece of art and Libby had watched Walter look over more than once or twice with a smile born of pride in Georgie’s work.

  Georgie had also been correct in saying that stray hands might be tempted to touch the cake and the potential perpetrators were just as she had expected—the extended family that had sailed in with Walter. Libby had to be firm in reminding them to keep their fingers away from it.

  Sophia and her fiancé, Etienne, arrived and the party was soon in full swing. Sophia wore a striking coral-coloured dress that skimmed her shoulders and fell to the floor and her blonde hair was styled in a high ponytail secured with a silk hibiscus flower encrusted with diamonds. Her fiancé was wearing a tuxedo, as were all of the men at the event. Libby thought Walter’s niece looked absolutely beautiful and she told him as much when he passed by.

  ‘Thank you. I told you she’s the spitting image of her mother.’ Then, stepping back and running his gaze over Libby, he added, ‘And you look very beautiful yourself.’

  ‘Why, thank you, Walter.’

  ‘But I’m still not completely sold on her fiancé,’ Walter leaned in and whispered in her ear. ‘He’s an actor apparently but I’ve been told I don’t get a choice in the matter.’

  ‘He seems lovely and the way he looks at her shows he is a man in love, and that thought should bring you comfort.’

  Walter nodded. ‘I guess when you pare everything back, finding true love is all that really matters in life.’

  ‘Yes, it is.’

  Walter reached for Libby’s hands in a fatherly way. ‘Tell me, my dear, are you married? I know you have a little boy but you never mentioned a husband neither do you wear a ring.’

  ‘No, I’m single.’

  ‘Not met the right man yet?’ he asked with an impish wink as he sipped on his lime and soda.

  ‘I thought I’d met him but he had other ideas. It’s complicated.’

  ‘All matters of the heart are complicated but, just between you and me, if you’re looking for a potential boyfriend, I think Dr Daniel is more than a bit keen on you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you when no one’s watching. It’s all happened quite quickly since you only met on my yacht, but that level of emotion can’t be feigned. It was love at first sight for Contessa and myself so I never judge the speed at which Cupid’s arrow hits,’ he said with a wink.

  ‘Anyway, I’m not sure how you feel about him, but his face lights up when anyone mentions your name. I’ve not raised it with him because it’s not my place, and he’s a bit of a closed book. I thought I’d test my theory yesterday so I asked him to accompany you to Martinique and, just as I thought, he jumped at the chance. I’m quite intuitive when it comes to people. You know, Libby, he’s not a bad looking rooster and you’d have medicine as a common interest. You could do worse...if you’re in the market for a husband, I mean.’

  ‘I’m not in the market,’ she snapped quickly.

  ‘Well, maybe not now, but keep our Dr Daniel in mind for the future. Who knows, he might grow on you. It took me a while to win my gorgeous wife but eventually she fell in love with me. Anyway, enough of my matchmaking, I’d best be off and mingle with all the other guests... And by the way, you’re doing a wonderful job keeping Contessa’s relatives away from the cake. Georgie told me you were on duty. Excellent job, keep it up.’

  Libby felt her back stiffen, her heart begin to race and her thoughts become airborne swirling above her, unable to be reined in. She was having a fight-or-flight response to what Walter had told her before he’d rushed off to mingle with the guests. It was fortunate he had left her alone because she was both stunned and speechless.

  Just when Libby thought their conversation about Daniel was finished, Walter came back. ‘By the way, he’s looking your way from over at the bar. You’ve certainly got him mesmerised...and a man mesmerised is a man in love.’

  Libby instantly turned to see Daniel standing at the bar with a drink in his hand. His smile widened and as much as she didn’t want to smile back, her lips seemed to take on a mind of their own and curled upwards. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo. B
ut Libby had to admit that Daniel looked handsome in anything he wore...and even more handsome when he wore nothing.

  Suddenly, she was so angry at herself for having romantic thoughts about Daniel. In fact, any thoughts about him. He was a closed book—even Walter agreed about that part and the rest of what he’d said was disturbing. She turned her attention back to the cake and away from him. Guarding the cake was her job for the night until Sophia and her fiancé cut it, and then she could return to the yacht and close the door on the world.

  It wasn’t long before the happy couple made their way to the cake. Mains had finished and the Persian tartlets arrived and were quickly devoured by all the guests, with a number asking for seconds, including Walter. Libby took a few small steps backwards as the couple posed for the photographs by the professional photographer and guests alike. She hadn’t realised how close she was to the edge of the pontoon but that soon became evident. Her stomach sank with the realisation that her left heel was off the pontoon and hovering over the water. Suddenly, she lost her balance and with her arms flapping ungraciously she fell backwards into the water. There were gasps from the guests and Walter signalled the band to stop playing. Daniel sprinted from the bar where he had been standing most of the night and dived into the water in his tuxedo. While it wasn’t overly deep or cold, it was eerily dark and the moment Libby felt Daniel’s strong arms around her, she felt safe. Humiliated but safe.

  ‘Are you all right?’ he asked as he gently swept away the damp curls clinging to her face.

  ‘I’m fine thank you...’ she began, trying to catch her breath. ‘But I can’t believe you did that. Your tuxedo is drenched now and we both look silly. You should’ve let me look silly on my own.’

  Daniel smiled. ‘You don’t look silly, you look beautiful. I’ve wanted to tell you just how beautiful you looked all night. Now you look wet and beautiful.’

  Libby looked back at him in silence and realised just why she had fallen in love with him. And why it had been impossible to forget him.

  ‘Is everything okay?’ Walter called out from the edge of the pontoon, where he stood surrounded by an army of concerned guests, including Sophia and Etienne.

  ‘We’re fine, just felt like a late-night swim,’ Daniel said as he took Libby’s hand and led her from the water to shore. ‘We might head back to the yacht...for some dry clothes.’

  * * *

  Libby didn’t remember much about the walk back to the marina and the yacht. With Daniel’s hand still holding hers, she felt like she was home even though she was four thousand miles from San Francisco. She couldn’t pull her hand free despite how much she knew she should. She was tired of doing everything alone and she loved feeling protected. Perhaps she was making another mistake, she wasn’t sure, but at that moment it felt right. Her heart felt light and she couldn’t remember ever feeling this happy.

  * * *

  Finally, they reached the Coral Contessa and one of the stewards, who must have seen them making their way towards the yacht, greeted them with two large white towels.

  ‘Late-night dip?’

  ‘Something like that,’ Daniel said as he wrapped one of the towels around Libby and pulled her close.

  The steward departed as quietly as he had arrived, leaving them alone on the deck. Daniel looked at Libby and knew it was time to tell her everything. He cared deeply for her and he knew in his heart he could trust her. She had given him no reason not to trust her. He wanted her to know everything. He knew it wouldn’t change the outcome but she deserved to know it all.

  His family was going to have him for the rest of his life so he deserved to give Libby what she needed to move on with hers. Daniel looked into the blackness of the star-filled sky. The dark canvas above them was dotted with tiny sparkling beacons of hope and, while there were none in Daniel’s mind, he knew he was doing the right thing.

  ‘You have to stop saving me,’ Libby said softly. ‘You’re starting to make a habit of it. First rescuing me from Maxwell and now Caribbean sharks.’

  Daniel smiled. He would willingly rescue Libby for the rest of his life if he could. But he couldn’t.

  ‘I want to tell you something, Libby.’ He turned to her and began, ‘It’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a very long time and I tried to tell you this morning.’

  ‘That you actually still care for me and that’s why you jumped into the water to save me?’

  ‘That...and something else...’

  ‘If it’s true that you still care for me then the something else can wait until tomorrow,’ she told him as she stood up and looked into his eyes. ‘Let’s not talk any more...let’s just have tonight and talk about the rest tomorrow.’

  Daniel was surprised but he didn’t want to argue. He felt the same way. He hadn’t made any promises and he never would. Libby knew that, and yet she wanted to spend the night with him and he wanted her more than words could say. What he needed to tell her could wait until the morning.

  His arms reached for her like a man possessed, his mouth hovering inches from hers. ‘Are you sure?’ he asked, his voice low and husky.

  Libby nodded and with her head tilted upwards she stood on tiptoe to meet his lips. Unable to wait a moment longer, his mouth met hers with a tenderness and urgency that she returned. His hands gently roamed the curves of her still-damp body as their kisses become more passionate. Her back arched against the hardness of his body and his lips began to trail kisses down her neck. Within moments, Daniel scooped her into his arms and she buried her head against his chest as he carried her to his suite and to the bed that would be theirs for the night.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  DANIEL WOKE IN the morning with Libby lying naked in his arms and he wished with all of his heart he could wake that way for ever. Gently she stirred and, turning to face him, she smiled the most angelic smile he had ever seen.

  ‘Good morning,’ he whispered, and kissed her tenderly.

  ‘Good morning, yourself,’ she said, and kissed him back.

  Daniel rolled onto his back and looked towards the ceiling while Libby rested her head on his chest. ‘Would you like some breakfast?’

  ‘No,’ she murmured. ‘I’m fine right here. I don’t want to leave bed, it means we have to face reality and I’m not ready yet.’

  Daniel turned his face away and looked into the distance. He had to agree, but he also had to tell Libby the truth.

  ‘Nor me,’ he told her with a melancholy tone to his voice. ‘It couldn’t be more perfect but there’s something I do need to tell you. I tried to last night...’

  ‘I know,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry I stopped you.’

  ‘I’m very glad you did,’ he said, kissing her softly. ‘But now we really do need to talk. It’s important that you know everything.’

  ‘I have something I need to tell you too, Daniel,’ Libby began.

  Daniel smiled a bitter-sweet smile, knowing he would love to spend his life learning everything there was about Libby, but instead he had to tell her the harsh realities of his so they truly could have closure.

  ‘To understand why I did what I did four years ago, you need to know about my background, where I came from—’

  ‘I’m not going to judge you by where you grew up,’ Libby interrupted him, and stroked his arm. ‘I don’t believe in that whole “born on the wrong side of the tracks” idea. I think you are what you make of yourself; it’s not where you came from.’

  Daniel couldn’t help but smile again at what Libby had said. She obviously thought he came from a disadvantaged background and was trying to make him feel better. Her heart was huge and accepting and she didn’t have a judgmental bone in her gorgeous body. He couldn’t have loved her more and that made it all so very sad. Libby deserved better than a life with him.

  ‘No, Libby, I didn’t struggle growing up. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I grew up
with great privilege.’

  ‘I see,’ she said with a curious look on her face. ‘What sort of privilege? An elite school and a nanny?’

  ‘Yes...and some.’

  ‘And some?’

  ‘My family is the royal family of a small principality in Europe.’

  ‘You’re a member of a royal family?’ she asked in an incredulous tone. ‘An actual royal family?’

  ‘Yes, but it’s not a huge country. I doubt you’ve heard of it. My father is the Crown Prince of Chezlovinka.’

  ‘Chezlovinka? The principality that borders Greece.’

  ‘You’ve heard of it?’

  ‘Yes, I’ve heard of it,’ she replied with curiosity on her face as she propped herself up on the pillow and looked into his eyes. ‘I studied it in my final year of college.’

  ‘You studied Chezlovinka?’

  ‘Yes, it’s a beautiful Mediterranean country...’ Libby paused, her eyes wide with shock and a little disbelief. ‘But I never saw any images of you.’

  ‘My mother was very protective and she kept me from the scrutiny of the media so I could have a relatively normal childhood and early adult life. She was the one who encouraged me to pursue medicine. I studied in London.’

  Libby was silent for a moment. ‘Oh, my God, that means you’re a prince.’

  ‘Yes,’ he nodded. ‘Prince Daniel Dimosa.’

  ‘So that’s what this is all about. Now it makes sense,’ she said, pulling the covers up around her and moving away. Her forehead wrinkled with a frown as she stared at Daniel. ‘You’re a prince and I’m a commoner. I get it. You need a princess and I’m a long way from that.’

  ‘No, Libby, you’re not a long way from that. You’re kind and intelligent and empathetic and everything a princess needs to be, but there’s a dark side to the story, as there always is in fairy tales. My life isn’t about palaces and joy. It will be filled with sacrifice and duty and I don’t want you to have to sacrifice anything in life. I want you to have everything you want and I can’t give you that.’