A Royal Affair Series: Book 1, 2, and 3: A paranormal, time travel, royal romance

by Christina George

Astrid shook her head, “Women’s intuition. Also, that girl is up to no good. She worries me.”

  “Worries” wasn’t quite how Emma would describe it. More like terrifies, but she kept her comments to herself.

  “She did bring me here,” Emma said finally, and she told Astrid the whole story. Maybe it was the cottage, or being tired, or longing to go home, but Em felt so comfortable around this woman, as though she’d been friends with her all her life.

  “Oh, dear,” Astrid said when Em finished the story. “Dear, oh, dear.”

  Emma sipped her tea, “Now I’m stuck here until I can get home. Not only without a job, but once I turn this down, officially, I’ll be without work, probably for a long while. If not forever,” she added gloomily.

  Astrid shook her head. “You need to tell Peter. He’s in the palace, probably working with his father.”

  “No,” Emma said resolutely, “I can’t bother him with this, and I can’t see him.”

  Astrid reached out and touched Emma’s hand, “He loves you, dear.”

  Emma’s hand shook slightly. She loved him too, but it wasn’t going to help her out of this pickle.

  “It doesn’t matter, Astrid. Whatever I feel or he feels, it does not matter.”

  Astrid sat up straighter and said, “When Peter came to me, the day we found out about his brother, I told him following in his father’s footsteps was what he needed to do—it was the right thing to do. But now, that girl and her father. There is something almost diabolical about them. I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

  Diabolical. Hm. Can’t argue with that description.

  Emma sipped her tea, and then said, “She seems to be out to rub my nose in the situation. I can’t fathom why else she’d bring me here.”

  Astrid got up, “Let me show you something.” She walked to her bookshelf and took down a large, leather-bound book that looked quite old. Astrid sat back and down and thumbed through it.

  “It wasn’t until Peter talked to me about you that I started putting the pieces together.”

  “What pieces?”

  Astrid was quiet for a moment, and then, without any preamble she said, “I know about your gift, Emmeline.”

  Em felt herself stiffen. My gift? How could she possibly know?

  “When you were here,” Astrid said, “you kept saying you’d been here before, had lived here, the way most children would talk about visiting their neighbor’s house. Years before, I remember your grandmother telling me you had this skill. At first she thought you were imagining things, until she realized you had a very special ability.” Astrid hesitated and then added, “You have the ability to see into the past, don’t you?”

  Emma could only nod. Her grandmother had been such a nurturing soul, and though they’d never talked about it directly, she had also never scolded or dismissed Emma when she talked about things she’d seen that couldn’t possibly have happened in this lifetime. Although she and her grandfather had never discussed it, she was pretty sure her grandmother told him. They kept no secrets from each other.

  “I have been here—lived here—in another life.”

  Astrid continued to thumb through the book, “Ah, here it is,” she looked up, “the reason why you remembered in particular detail the things you did. I was so intrigued with your gift that I kept asking you questions and taking you to parts of the palace where you knew details no one, let alone a child, could possibly know.” Astrid turned the book around to show Emma a page captioned “King Fitz and Queen Anna-Maria.”

  It was the first time Emma had seen a picture of them, and even though she already knew, she was stunned again at their resemblance to her and to Peter.

  “It makes sense, of course, that Peter looks like Fitz, because he is a direct descendant and all, but you, my dear, are quite something else. When you stood in my doorway just now, I thought I was seeing a ghost.”

  Emma swallowed hard, “I have…” she began to say, and then paused, so overwhelmed she could scarcely breathe. “I have seen that…that time, I mean, with them both. They were so in love. I was thrown back there, first unwillingly, when I danced with Peter at a charity event... Then yesterday I went back again.”

  “It was one of this country’s greatest love stories, certainly.” Astrid gazed out a window for a moment, then turned back to Emma. “But with great love came great tragedy.”

  Without waiting for Emma to respond, Astrid continued. “There is a reason you were brought here today, beyond whatever that horrible woman did. There is a reason you’re here, Emmeline, and it’s this.” She pointed again to the picture of Fitz and Anna-Maria. “They need resolution.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “When you travel back in time again, you will. I think being in this place will help.”

  Emma shook her head, resolute. “I won’t be here for long. Actually, I need to leave today.”

  “Could you possibly stay overnight?” Astrid reached out and touched Emma’s hand.

  “No, I need to get out of here. It’s too overwhelming. It’s not only because Peter is here, and seeing him would break my heart all over again, but I feel Anna-Maria everywhere. In fact, when I walked in I saw them, Anna-Maria and Fitz, walking through the entry with our—I mean, their—children. Being here is entirely too overwhelming. In all my life, through all of the odd, often complicated past lives I’ve seen, this one is beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.”

  “Because it directly relates to your own life. You understand that, do you not?”

  “I do know. Because I know, I need to get some distance from the palace, so I can experience it in my own way and my own time.” Emma sipped her tea and continued, “Being here, I feel like I’m being sucked into a time travel vortex that I may never escape. Besides, Peter is gone. I need to move on with my life, and I’m not sure looking into a past life will necessarily help.”

  Astrid set down the book, “I believe it will, my dear, but I understand how overwhelmed you must be right now.” Astrid thought for a moment and then said, “Let me go arrange transportation for you to the airport. I don’t have the connections I once did when I worked for the family, but I’ll see what I can do.”

  She got to her feet and added with a wink, “You stay here, and I’ll be right back.”

  chapter 15

  Astrid knew exactly where to find Peter.

  Given everything that was going on, he would naturally be working with his father in the King’s main office. She walked quickly, careful not to be seen. While she was welcome to live on the property, she rarely visited the palace anymore, and her presence would be noticed and perhaps questioned.

  She walked quickly up one corridor and turned down a couple of dimly lit halls, rapidly making her way to her destination. Astrid knew the complex layout of the palace better than most because she worked in this palace from the time she was barely fifteen—first with her mother, who was an upstairs maid, and then as the boys’ governess.

  She reached the office to find the door slightly ajar, and she could hear both Peter and his father speaking in French. She tapped on the door lightly.

  “Entrez!” the King barked. Despite his declining years, his voice remained deep and strong, and could, with a single word, make it very clear he was in charge.

  “Forgive the intrusion, Sirs, but there is a matter most pressing I must discuss with the Prince.”

  Peter smiled, as he always did when he saw Astrid, and King Frederick narrowed his eyes at her. They’d practically grown up together, and he knew her well.

  “What’s this about?” the King demanded.

  Peter nodded, “Go ahead, Astrid, please tell us what’s so urgent.”

  “Very well,” Astrid said. Though the King never insisted she stand on ceremony around him, she still felt rather uncomfortable being too informal.

  “
Sir, it has come to my attention that Ms. Dalca is up to no good.” This got a raised eyebrow from Peter.

  “Please, Astrid, explain to us what’s happened,” he said.

  “First, you should know that Emmeline is here.” She watched the neutral expression on Peter’s face turn to utter disbelief.

  “What!?” he jumped to his feet. “How is this possible? What in God’s name does this have to do with Alex?”

  “Your bride-to-be brought Emmeline here, Sir, to hire her as the publicist for your trip to the States.”

  Peter jammed his fingers through his hair, and Astrid could feel the heat of his anger from several feet away.

  The King seemed equally dumbfounded, “Emmeline, she’s Marcel’s granddaughter, and your…” He looked at Peter, and his son nodded.

  “Em and I were involved, yes. She is the girl I gave up to marry Alex,” he said, his voice uneven. “Now tell me, Astrid, exactly what Alex has done, before I go confront her? Where is Emma?”

  “She’s in my cottage. She knocked on my door, hoping I could give her a ride to the airport. Ms. Dalca brought her here on her father’s plane, and clearly she cannot go home the same way.”

  Peter started pacing the room, “My God, I need to go see her,” he said and darted toward the door.

  “Sir, if I may,” Astrid began. “You may want to speak with Ms. Dalca first. After I tell you what she did, I think you’ll want to.”

  chapter 16

  Peter left his father’s office angrier than he he’d ever been in his life. His long legs carried him quickly down the hall toward the wing Alexandra and her father occupied. When he arrived at her office, he flung the door open so hard it banged against the wall and bounced. Alex, her assistant, and her father flinched at the sound.

  “Why, darling, hello,” Alex purred, “I wasn’t expecting to see…”

  “Everyone out!” Peter growled. “I have things to discuss with Alexandra privately.”

  “What is this about?” Sebastian moved his feet apart in a militant stance and did not leave, but Adrienne was already past him and out the door.

  “This is none of your concern, Sebastian. Please go now, or I’ll have you removed.”

  Sebastian blinked and his composure wavered. Then he gave a quick nod and left, “I’ll be right outside if you need me,” he said to his daughter before Peter slammed the door after him.

  “What is it?” Alexandra asked sweetly, fluttering her long eyelashes.

  Peter took two long strides and didn’t stop until he towered over her.

  “You brought Emmeline here to force her to work for you. That’s what this is about.”

  She took her time rising from the chair, making sure her cleavage showed, and spread her hands helplessly. “All lies. I did no such thing. I offered her a job and…”

  “You went to the gossip blogs, which had already enjoyed a field day writing about her relationship with me, and you told them she was working for you. Does that about sum it up?”

  Alex crossed her arms and looked indignant. “Did the little twit come crying to you, Peter?”

  Peter had never wanted to hit a woman before, or even considered it, but right now it was all he could do not to slap her.

  “Do not ever refer to her in that manner, do you understand me?” he spat.

  “Please, Peter, get over yourself. You had a fling with this girl, and it’s over. She’s a publicist and knows this family well, so I thought she’d jump at the chance to work for us.”

  He took a breath, trying to control the seething anger. “Why on earth would she want to work for you, let alone us? Furthermore, it wasn’t a fling. I love her.”

  Alexandra let out a snort, “However, it’s too late for that now, isn’t it?” She reached down and picked up an engagement photo from her desk. “Look at what a stunning couple we make, and someday we’ll make equally beautiful babies.”

  The thought of having children with a woman who could be so vile turned his stomach. “Don’t change the subject, Alex. Let me be clear: Under no circumstances are you to speak with or have any more contact with Emmeline.”

  “I would suggest you abide by those same rules, Peter,” she snapped.

  “Regardless of how I feel about this so-called engagement, I would never disrespect Emmeline in that way.”

  He could see his words hit her hard when her face turned red. “She’ll never find work if she turns this down.”

  “Yes, she will. In fact, when I’m finished here, I’m going to call the gossip blogs you contacted and tell them she can’t accept our offer, since Walter Waldstad outbid us and has hired her to do his publicity.”

  Alex suppressed a laugh. “Walter Waldstad. Are you kidding me?”

  Waldstad was a client of Peter’s firm in New York, and Peter knew Walter well. He was one of the youngest, most creative, and wealthiest entrepreneurs in the US. He had launched two apps gone viral, their popularity increasing daily, so much so that one of them was recently valued at ten billion dollars. He was also in the market for a publicist, and Peter was certain if he recommended Emma, he’d pay her top dollar and treat her like gold. Walter was good people.

  “I’m going to see Emma now,” Peter continued, “and tell her the good news. Then together she and I are going to contact the celebrity bloggers and get them off her back. As for the US trip, since it’s been announced, we will need to go. But we’re cutting it to a week.”

  “Peter, be reasonable. I couldn’t possibly get everything done in a week!” She checked her mirror, flipping her hair off her shoulders and fluffing it.

  “You can, and you will. And one more peep out of you, and I’m cutting the trip to three days.” He pinned her with his glare.

  Peter strode to the door, paused, and then turned and said, “Alexandra, we have an unfortunate situation here. We are engaged, but not in love. And I will never love you. You should know that up front. There was a time when I hoped I could, but after what you pulled today, I realize it would be impossible. But I will abide by my father’s wishes and marry you, for him, and for my country. Make no mistake, you will lead your life. And I will lead mine. Separately. Is that understood?”

  Alexandra’s eyes darkened as she threw her hair back and said, “Most men would die to be able to spend one night with me.”

  “Then you should look them up.” And with that, Peter left, storming past a stunned Sebastian and Adrienne, who tried her best not to make eye contact.

  chapter 17

  Peter left the palace and headed straight for Astrid’s cottage, and while he ran, he wished his feet could carry him faster. As the cottage came into view, he felt his heart speed up, not from running, but from the anticipation of seeing Emma again. He started to knock and then realized she wouldn’t answer a stranger’s door.

  “Emma! It’s Peter, please open up,” he said, just loud enough for her to hear. Slowly the door opened and she peered out.

  “Emmeline,” Peter said, when he saw her worried face turn radiant. He pushed the door open farther, and then grabbed her and hugged her, kicking the door closed behind him.

  “It’s so wonderful to see you,” he whispered, and then, “What a nightmare you’ve endured. I’m so sorry, Em, so very sorry.”

  “It’s okay. I mean, it was stupid of me to get on a plane without knowing more, but I needed the work. And…the distraction.”

  Peter stepped back slightly and looked down at her, pushing a stray hair off her face and then cupping her chin in his hands.

  “I have missed you so much, and I want so badly to kiss you right now.” He was, quite literally, starving for her.

  Emma’s eyes told him everything he needed to know. He saw the ache in them, the same one he felt. The desire, the longing, the heartbreak.

  “Emma, we should talk.”

  “Of course.”
She half-smiled, trying to ratchet her desire down to manageable levels.

  When Peter released her face, she felt a rush of disappointment. He stepped past her and walked over to the couch.

  “I didn’t ask Astrid to tell you,” she said in a rush. “I want you to know that.”

  Peter took her hand and pulled her onto the couch to sit beside him. “I know, she told us.”

  “Us?”

  “My father and me. He is equally furious.”

  Emma couldn’t feel her legs. The King of Belgium was now involved in this drama. God, it had already been a long, gruesome day, and it wasn’t even over.

  Emma sighed. “I’m going to have to give up this work, at least for a while. I’m a cocktail party joke now. After the very public breakup with Rob Westerfield, and then you, and now this, no one will hire a publicist who can’t keep her business and personal life separate.”

  Peter took her hand, and she shivered. “It’s going to be fine, Em. We’re going to call the celebrity reports or blogs, or whoever Alex got in touch with, and tell them that while we’d love to have you work for us, you can’t because you’ve accepted a job working for Walter Waldstad.”

  Emma frowned, “Waldstad? But I’ve never met him.”

  “I have. In fact, he’s a friend of mine, and he’s looking for a publicist. He’s extremely generous, and I can almost guarantee that you’ll be paid far more than you have been in the past, and he is a very easy, likeable guy to work with.”

  Emma pulled her hand back and shook her head. “I can’t accept your charity, Peter. I’ll have to simply suck it up and—”

  “It’s not charity, Em,” Peter said, putting a finger against her lips. For a moment it stayed there while he held her eyes. Then he quickly pulled away and said, “He has been looking for a new publicist for a while. I should have thought of you sooner, but I didn’t, and I apologize. I sent him a text after I finished dealing with Alexandra, and he’s already responded.”