Zoe squealed in delight.
“After we finish dinner, I want you to go upstairs and get ready. Put on your prettiest dresses, because there’s going to be dancing. When it’s time, I’ll come by for you.”
Dancing?
Adrenalin surged through Dottie’s body at the thought of getting that close to him. Heat poured off her, but she couldn’t attribute all of it to the sun. She suspected his announcement had caused a spike in her temperature.
Her mind went through a mental search of her wardrobe. The only thing possibly presentable for such an affair was her simple black dress with her black high heels.
“Will it be a large party, Your Highness?”
He darted her a curious glance. “Thirty or so guests, mostly family friends. If you’re both finished with dinner, let’s go upstairs.”
After gathering their things, Dottie said she’d see them later and she hurried back to her bedroom for a long shower and shampoo. She blowdried her hair and left it loose with a side part, then put on her black dress with the cap sleeves and round neck.
While she was applying her coral-frost lipstick, she thought she heard a noise in the other room. When she went to investigate, she saw Zoe looking like a vision in a long white dress with ruffles and a big yellow sash. But her face was awash in tears. She came running to her.
Without conscious thought, Dottie knelt down and drew her into her arms. It was the first hug she’d given her, but she could no longer hold back. Zoe clung to her while she wept, exactly the way Cory had done so many hundreds of times when he’d needed comfort.
“What’s wrong, darling?”
“Daddy’s going to get married.”
Dottie was trying to understand. “Don’t you mean your uncle?”
“No—I heard Yiayia tell Sofia. My daddy’s going to marry Princess Genevieve. But I want you to be my new mommy. When I kissed Yiayia good-night, she told me Princess Genevieve will be at the party and I had to be good.”
A stabbing pain attacked Dottie until she could hardly breathe. “I see. Zoe, this is something you need to talk to your daddy about, but not until you go to bed. Does he know you’re here with me?”
“No.”
Dottie stood up. “I need to phone Hector so he can tell your daddy you ran to my room.”
When that was done, she took Zoe in the bathroom. After wetting a washcloth, she wiped the tears off her face. “There. Now we’re ready. When we get to the party, I want you to smile and keep smiling. Can you do that for me?”
After a slight hesitation, Zoe nodded.
Dottie clasped her hand and walked her back in the other room. “Have I told you how pretty you look in your new dress?”
“Both of you look absolutely beautiful,” came the sound of a deep, familiar voice.
Alex.
Dottie gasped softly when she saw that he’d entered the room. Since Zoe had left the door open, he must not have felt the need to knock. The prince, tall and dark, had dressed in a formal, midnight-blue suit and tie, taking her breath. His penetrating black eyes swept over her, missing nothing. The look in them sent a river of heat through her body.
“Zoe wanted to show me how she looked, Your Highness. In her haste, she forgot to tell Sofia.”
He looked so handsome when he smiled, Dottie felt light-headed. “That’s understandable. This is my daughter’s first real party. Are you ready?”
When Zoe nodded, he grasped her other hand and the three of them left the room. He led them down the grand staircase where they could hear music and voices. Though Zoe lacked her usual sparkle, she kept smiling like the princess she was. Her training had served her well. Even at her young age, she moved with the grace and dignity of a royal.
Some of the elegantly dressed guests were dancing, others were eating. The three of them passed through a receiving line of titled people and close friends of the Constantinides family.
“Zoe?” her father said. “I’d like you to meet Princess Genevieve.”
For a minute, Dottie reeled. She’d seen the lovely young princess in the news. Zoe was a trooper and handled their first meeting beautifully. One royal princess to another. Dottie loved Zoe for her great show of poise in front of the woman she didn’t want for her new mother.
Dottie was trying to see the good. It was natural that Alex would marry again, and Zoe desperately needed a mother’s love. Plus their match would give Alex more children and Zoe wouldn’t have to be the only child. In that respect it was more necessary than ever that her speech improve enough that when Alex married Princess Genevieve, his daughter could make herself understood. Zoe also needed to be strong in her English speech because she would be tested when French was introduced into their household. Princess Genevieve would expect it. The House of Helvetia was located on the south side of Lake Geneva in the French-speaking region.
Now that she knew of Alex’s future plans, Dottie had to focus on the additional goal to pursue for his daughter. She needed to help prepare Zoe for the next phase in her life and—
“My, my. What have we here?”
A male voice Dottie didn’t recognize broke in on her thoughts. She turned her head to discover another extremely attractive man with black hair standing at the end of the line. Almost the same height as Alex, he bore a superficial resemblance to him, but his features were less rugged. The brothers could be the same age, which she estimated to be early to mid-thirties.
When she realized it was Crown Prince Stasio, she curtsied. “Welcome home, Your Highness.”
He flashed her an infectious smile. “You don’t need to do that around me. My little brother told me you’re working with Zoe. That makes us all family. Did anyone ever tell you you’re very easy on the eyes?” His were black, too. “Alex held back on that pertinent fact.”
What a tease he was! “Zoe told me you were funny. I think she’s right.”
The crown prince laughed. She noticed he had a fabulous tan. “Tell me about yourself. Where have you been hiding all my life?” He was incorrigible and so different from Alex, who was more serious minded. Of the two, Dottie privately thought that Zoe’s father seemed much more the natural ruler of their country.
“I’m from New York.”
His eyes narrowed. “Coming to Hellenica must feel like you dropped off the edge of the planet, right?”
“It’s paradise here.”
“It is now that I’ve got my little Zoe to dance with.” He reached over and picked up his niece. After they hugged, he set her down again. “Come on. I’m going to spin you around the ballroom.”
Zoe’s smile lit up for real as he whirled her away. Dancing lessons hadn’t been wasted on her either. She moved like a royal princess who was years older, capturing everyone’s attention. People started clapping. Dottie couldn’t have been prouder of her if she’d been Zoe’s real mother.
While she watched, she felt a strong hand slip around her waist. The next thing she knew Alex had drawn her into his arms. His wonderful, clean male scent and the brush of his legs against hers sent sparks of electricity through her system. In her heels, she was a little taller and felt like their bodies had been made for each other.
“Why won’t you look at me?” he whispered. “Everyone’s going to think you don’t like me.”
“I’m trying to concentrate on our dancing. It’s been a long time.” The soft rock had a hypnotizing effect on her. She could stay like this for hours, almost but not quite embracing him.
“For me, too. I’ve been waiting ages to get you in my arms like this. If it’s in plain sight of our guests, so be it. You feel good to me, Dottie. So damn good you’re in danger of being carried off. Only my princely duty keeps me from doing what I feel like doing.”
Ah c Before Zoe’s revelations in the bedroom tonight, Dottie might have allowed herself to be carried away. The clamorings of her body had come to painful life and only he could assuage them.
“I understand.
That’s why I’m going to say good-night after this dance. There are other female guests in the ballroom no doubt waiting for their turn around the floor with you. You’re a terrific dancer, by the way.”
“There’s only one woman I want to be with tonight and she’s right here within kissing distance. You could have no idea the willpower it’s taking not to taste that tempting mouth of yours.” He spoke with an intensity that made her legs go weak. “While we were out at the pool, I would have pulled you in if Zoe hadn’t been with us.”
“It’s a good thing you didn’t. Otherwise your daughter will be more confused than ever when she sees you ask Princess Genevieve to dance.”
His body stiffened. She’d hit a nerve, but he had no clue it had pierced her to the depths. “I know you well enough to realize you had a deliberate reason for bringing up her name. Why did you do it?”
Dottie’s heart died a little because the music had stopped, bringing those thrilling moments in his arms to an end. She lifted her head and looked at him for the first time since they’d entered the ballroom. “When you put Zoe to bed tonight, she’ll tell you. Thank you for an enchanting evening, Your Highness. I won’t forget. See you in the morning.”
She eased out of his arms and walked out of the ballroom. But the second she reached the staircase, she raced up the steps and ran the rest of the way to her room.
“Dot,” Zoe called to her the next morning as she and her father came into the classroom. “Look at this?” She held up a CD.
“What’s on it?”
“It’s a surprise. Put it in your laptop,” said Alex.
After giving him a curious glance, Dottie walked around to the end of the table and put it in. After a moment they could all see last night’s events at the party on the screen, complete with the music. There she was enclosed in Alex’s arms. Princess Genevieve would not have been happy.
Whoever had taken the video had caught everything, including what went on after Dottie had left the ballroom. Her throat swelled with emotion as she watched Alex dance with his daughter. If he’d asked Princess Genevieve to dance, that portion hadn’t been put on the CD.
She smiled at Zoe. “You’re so lucky to have a video of your first party. Did you love it?”
“Yes!” There weren’t any shadows in the little girl’s eyes. Whatever conversation had taken place between father and daughter at bedtime, she looked happy. “Uncle Stasi told me I could stand on his feet while he danced with me. He made me laugh.”
“The crown prince is a real character.” Her gaze swerved to Alex. “He made me laugh, as well. I’ve decided you and your brother must have given certain people some nervous moments when you were younger.”
Alex’s grin turned her heart right over. “Our parents particularly. My brother was upset you left the party before he could dance with you.”
“Maybe that was for the best. My high heels might have hurt the tops of his feet.”
At that remark both he and Zoe laughed. Dottie was enjoying this too much and suggested they get started on the morning lesson.
They worked in harmony until Alex said it was time for lunch by the pool. After they’d finished eating, Zoe ran into the cabana to get into her swimsuit. Dottie took advantage of the time they were alone to talk to him.
“I’m glad we’re by ourselves for a minute. I want to discuss Zoe’s preschool situation and wondered how you’d feel if I went with her to class in the morning. You know, just to prop up her confidence. We’ll come back here for lunch and enjoy our afternoon session with her out here. What do you think?”
He sipped his coffee. “That’s an excellent suggestion. Otherwise she’ll keep putting off wanting to go back.”
“Exactly.”
Alex released a sigh. “Since our talk about her friends, I’ve worried about her being away from the other children this long.”
Dottie was glad they were on her same wavelength. “Is there any particular child she’s close to at school?”
Their gazes held. “Not that she has mentioned. As you know, school hasn’t been her best experience.”
“Then tell me this. Who goes to the school?”
“Besides those who live in Hellenica, there are a few children of some younger diplomats who attend at the various elementary grade levels.”
“From where?”
“The U.K., France, Italy, Bosnia, Germany, the States.”
The States? “That’s interesting.” Dottie started to get excited, but she kept her ideas to herself and finished her coffee.
Alex didn’t say anything more, yet she felt a strange new tension growing between them. Her awareness of him was so powerful, she couldn’t sit there any longer. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go change into my bathing suit.”
“Not yet,” he countered. “There’s something I need to tell you before Zoe comes out.”
Her pulse picked up speed. “If it’s about her running to my room last eve—”
“It is,” he cut in on her. “After what Zoe told me while I was putting her to bed, I realize this matter needs to be cleared up.”
“Your marriage to Princess Genevieve is none of my business. As long as—”
“Dottie,” he interrupted her again, this time with an underlying trace of impatience. “There will be no marriage. Believe me when I tell you there was never any question of my marrying her. I impressed that on Zoe before she went to sleep.”
Dottie had to fight to prevent Alex from seeing her great relief and joy.
“Since Teresa’s death, it has been my grandmother’s ambition to join the House of Helvetia to our own. Zoe had the great misfortune of overhearing her tell Sofia about her plans. In her innocence, Zoe has expressed her love for you and has told Yiayia she wants you to be her new mommy.”
“I was afraid of that,” she whispered.
“Last night I spoke to my grandmother. She admitted that she arranged last night’s party for me, not Stasi. She hoped that by inviting Princess Genevieve, it would put an end to Zoe’s foolishness.”
“Oh, dear.”
“The queen has taken great pains to remind me once again what a wonderful mother Teresa was and that it is time I took another wife. Naturally she’s grateful you’ve identified Zoe’s problem, but now she wants you to go back to New York. I learned she’s already found another speech therapist to replace you.”
Dottie’s head reared. “Who?”
“I have no idea, but it’s not important. My grandmother is running true to form,” he said before Dottie could comment further. “She tried to use all her logic with me by reminding me Zoe will have to be taken care of by a nanny until maturity; therefore it won’t be good to allow her to get any more attached to you.”
“In that regard, she’s right.”
Anger rose inside him. “Nevertheless, the queen stepped way out of bounds last night. I told her that I had no plans to marry again. She would have to find another way to strengthen the ties with Helvetia because Zoe’s welfare was my only concern and you were staying put.”
His dark eyes pierced hers. “I’m sure my words have shocked you, but it’s necessary you know the truth so there won’t be any more misunderstandings.”
“Daddy?” They both turned to see Zoe trying to drag out her five-foot inflated whale from the cabana, but it was stuck. “I need help!”
Before he moved in her direction he said, “My grandmother may still be the ruler of Hellenica, but I rule over my own life and Zoe’s. My daughter knows she doesn’t have to worry about Princess Genevieve ever again, no matter what her yiayia might say.”
With that declaration, he took a few steps, then paused. “Just so you know, after I’ve put Zoe to bed tonight, I’m taking you to the old part of the city, so don’t plan on an early night.”
Alex stayed with Zoe and read stories to her until she fell asleep. Since she realized he wasn’t going to marry Princess Genevieve, his daughter actually seemed
at peace for a change. With a nod to Sofia in the next room to keep an eye on her, he left for his own suite.
He showered and shaved before dressing in a sport shirt and trousers. On his way out of the room, he called for an unmarked car with smoked glass to be brought around to his private entrance. With Stasio in the palace, Alex didn’t need to worry about anything else tonight. He called security and asked them to escort Dottie to the entrance.
After she climbed in the back with him, he explained that they were driving to the city’s ancient amphitheater to see the famous sound and light show. “We’re going to visit the site of many archaeological ruins. As we walk around, you’ll see evidence of the Cycladic civilization and the Byzantium empire.”
Alex had seen the show many times before with visiting dignitaries, but tonight he was with Dottie and he’d never felt so alive. The balmy air caused him to forget everything but the exciting woman who sat next to him.
Throughout the program he could tell by her questions and remarks that she loved it. After it was over he lounged against a temple column while she explored. The tourists had started leaving, yet all he could see was her beautiful silhouette against the night sky. She’d put her hair back so her distinctive profile was revealed. She was dressed in another skirt and blouse, and he was reminded of the first time he’d seen her in his office.
“Dottie?” he called softly in the fragrant night air as he moved behind her. She let out a slight gasp and swung around.
He caught her to him swiftly and kissed her mouth to stop any other sound from escaping. Her lips were warm and tempting, but he didn’t deepen the kiss. “Forgive me for doing that,” he whispered against them, “but I didn’t want you to say Your Highness and draw attention. Come and get in the car. It’s late.”
He helped her into the backseat with him and shut the door. “I’m not going to apologize for what I did,” he murmured against her hot cheek. “If you want to slap me, you have my permission. But if I’m going to be punished for it, I’ll take my chances now and give you a proper reason.”
A Bride for the Island Prince Page 7