by Geneva Lee
“After today you’re going to have to call me Queen,” she joked, biting her lip nervously.
“Tonight I’ll show you that I’m completely at your service, Your Majesty.” My mouth slanted over hers, bringing her body into hard contact with mine. A moment later, she pushed me away, slightly winded.
“You’ll never get through all these layers,” she advised me.
“I do like a challenge.”A rap at the door put an end to the discussion. “Tonight.” My lips whispered the promise over hers.
Leaving Clarence House was the easiest part of today’s journey. After consideration, the coronation planning had suggested a different route than the one we had taken the previous April. Clara had refused, insisting that our lives couldn’t be ruled by fear.
The hand clutching mine as we turned toward Westminster Abbey suggested this was more difficult for her than she let on.
Our nightmares of that ill-fated morning had subsided with time, but this was the first time we had been forced back to the cathedral. It wouldn’t be the last as Elizabeth’s christening would take place there upon our return from America. We’d jokingly referred to today as a practice run.
The security around the perimeter was tighter this morning. I’d personally appointed Norris to help oversee the operation, and he greeted us in full Blues and Royals uniform at the red carpet.
“Everything is in order,” he said as we saluted one another. “And if you’ll permit me saying it, you look beautiful, Your Majesty.”
Clara glared affectionately at him. “That’s worse than Miss Bishop.” He accompanied us inside the entrance, bowing slightly as he took his leave.
“I couldn’t do this without you by my side,” I told her, drawing her eyes to mine as trumpets heralded our arrival.
Holding out my arm, she placed her hand over mine. We stayed like that for a moment, merely looking at one another before we moved hand in hand toward our shared destiny.
Thank you for reading CROWN ME. I hope you loved Clara and Alexander’s story as much as I loved writing it.
I love feedback from readers and would love to hear from you. As you might have guessed, Clara and Alexander’s story is over, but there’s more tales to be told. Who do you want to see in the next Royals novel? Drop me a line and let me know: [email protected]
Please take a moment and leave an honest review on the product page or at GoodReads. A book’s success depends largely on readers like you. Leaving a review helps other readers find my books, which helps ensure I can keep writing them for you!
XOXO,
CLARA AND ALEXANDER’S STORY WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING…
LOOK FOR THE FOURTH BOOK IN THE ROYALS SAGA IN 2015
Which characters do you want to see in upcoming books? Voice your opinion by email to [email protected] or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/genevaleebooks.
Geneva Lee prefers fantasy to reality, especially fantasies involving powerful, dangerous, and sexy men. You can find her devouring a good romance while avoiding the laundry—and her children.
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I am so fortunate to be able to do what I love, and to have people in my life who support me doing it! I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t get these characters out of my head and onto the page.
First of all I have to say thank you to my agent, Mollie Glick, a woman who has supported my career every step of the way, even when she thinks I’m crazy. I’m so lucky to have you on this wild ride with me. You’re willingness to adapt and learn along side me has made all the difference. I’m really glad I didn’t let how intimidated I was by your awesome scare me away! Onwards and upwards!
Jessica Regal, thank you for rocking the foreign sales!
To the entire group at Foundry Literary+Media, a big thank you. You are truly the best in the business. I am honored to count myself amongst your clientele.
Thank you Jess and Elise for keeping me sane! I would be lost without you two.
To Vania and Chandler, you girls rock my world! Thank you for the amazing cover.
I can’t believe that it’s only been a year and a half since a crazy bunch of misfits got together and decided to write smut. They say your success is largely due to the people you surround yourself with, so thank you! It’s comforting to know that even as our solo careers take off, the band is always together. Thank you Laurelin Paige, Kayti McGee, Melanie Harlow, Tamara Mataya, and Sierra Simone for your dirty minds…oh and your support.
To K.A. Linde, C.D. Reiss, Whitney Garcia Williams, S.L. Scott, Corinne Michaels, Claire Contreras, Elisabeth Grace, Faith Andrews, RE Hunter, Livia Jamerlan, K. Bromberg, Viv Daniels, Kari March, E.K. Blair, Mia Asher, Aleatha Romig, and Pepper Winters, thank you for keeping it real. You single-handedly prove everyday that women do support other women. You’ve empowered me as an author to take chances and inspired me to keep going.
A massive thank you to Lauren Blakely for basically knowing everything—no really, she does! You are one of the most generous people I’ve ever met. Thank you for taking the time to discuss and encourage. I look forward everyday to what you’ll teach me next. I owe you a tiara, girl!
These books wouldn’t exist without the gentle touch of Tamara Mataya and Bethany Taylor—editors extraordinaire. I promise not to do this to you again. At least not without sending whiskey first.
Thank you to Cait Greer for beautiful formatting and all-around brilliance!
To the ladies of the Royal Court, not only do you throw a truly wicked party you’re also the best readers an author could ask for. On nights when I don’t want to work all I have to do is pop in and see your posts. You are my ultimate motivation! I feel so blessed to have gotten to know each of you. Mettie Griffin, Jennifer Lynn Pearson-Thompson, Stephanie Huddleston, Natasha Audet Dingle, Kimberly Kelleman Kazawic, Shannon Mace Wing, Kimberly Bell Ward, Tanya King, Patty Champion, Kimberly Cooke, Mindi Lou, Elise Kratz, Krista Ricchi, Pamela Washington, Jeri Branson, Bonnie Doubleday Harmon, Inna Vaynberg, Felicia Webster Gerdes, Susan Fulop Decker, Kayla Orton, Holly Duve, Doreen Barnes, Maria Bardales, R.e. Rose, Allison Bryan Workman, Natalie Martinez, Kim Walker, Francisca Saldivar, Tammy Shaffer, Bambi Hamilton, Delilah K. Stephans, Dorie Bowen, Tammy Kyle, Brandi Ditmars Bradford, Becky Harley Martin, Chandler Steele Dollahite, Casey Britton, Sherrell Ladson, Kristin Kitts Nelson, Janelle Lee Schindler, Iveta Veličkaitė, Trish Henson Varney, Leoniza Monzon, Kristan Pace, Trisha Quarles Strubhar
Here’s to many more wild online events! Clara’s bridal shower rocked! #GLRC
A big huge special thank you to Pamela Washington for forming the Royal Court and always being on tops of things! I’m so proud of how hard you’re working to achieve your own dreams. Get it, girl!
I can’t say this enough but I am so, so grateful to bloggers! Thank you for taking the time to read and review my books. I could not do this without you. A special thanks to Milasy and the Rockstars of Romance for the cover reveal! You are a class act. Big thanks to Trish Mint for real-time reading. It makes my day! And also for all the FSOG posts when I need a tasty distraction. Thank you Schemxy Girl Book Blog!
Thanks to Making It Happen Book Blog, Angie at Fan Girl Book Blog, Cocktails and Books, Summer’s Book Blog, Ramblings from This Chick, and The Next Chapter. There have been so many amazing blogs that have supported these books that I know I’ll miss some. Please know how much appreciate each and every one of you.
Lindsey, I’m sorry that I keep putting you through this. I hope Alexander makes up for it. I couldn’t do this without you urging me on. I love you, bitch!
Thank you to my family for giving mommy time to write books, especially my endlessl
y supportive husband. Thanks for all the research help, babe! And you know feeding me and seeing to my every need when I’m on deadline.
And, of course, thank you for reading this! I’m talking to you, readers. Your passion for books is what makes it possible for me to tell stories. As long as you’re reading, I’ll keep writing, deal? Thank you for all of your notes, reviews, messages, and enthusiasm. Alexander has some of the best reader girlfriends in the world. I hope he’s not too jealous when I introduce you to someone new.
Thank you.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Two Week Turnaround
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter XIX
Chapter Twenty
Chapter XXI
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter XXIX
Chapter XXX
Chapter XXXI
Chapter Thirty-Two
Epilogue
Authors Note
About the Author
Acknowledgments