The Cinderella Princess Read online

  His nearness sent Emily scooting back across the seat until she crashed into the side of the van.

  A wicked smile spread across his face. “Or perhaps I’m not sorry since I’m arrogant and obnoxious.”

  His tone teased. Emily’s shoulders hunched. The man pushed her buttons without having to try hard. Feeling out of control bothered her, reminded her of her childhood.

  “Do you intend to give me a personality makeover before or after you introduce me to my future wife?” he asked.

  If he had any manners or sense of decorum, he wouldn’t have brought up what he’d heard. But, of course, he didn’t and he had. “I’m—”

  “Don’t apologize.” He moved to the last row and sat behind her, but the distance didn’t keep his intoxicating scent from tickling her nose. “You calling me gorgeous makes up for the rest.”

  If Emily’s cheeks were pink before, they burned now. Scorching hot. The more time she spent with him, the less she liked him. At this rate he would join her list of dislikes. Right between taxes and fava beans.

  Addie laughed. “A speechless, blushing Emily. Well done, Luc. I should have been recording this.”

  Traitor.

  Emily flexed her fingers to keep from balling her hands into fists. No way could she get herself out of this mess. Time to change the subject. “Where’s Nick?”

  As if on cue, the driver door opened. Nick jumped in the van. He buckled his seatbelt. “Right here.”

  Emily had known him for over two decades. The two good-looking guys in the van couldn’t be more different. One she would trust with her life. The other she wouldn’t trust with a goldfish. Well, if she had time for a pet.

  Nick drove down the ramp to the street, then turned left. “Stay low until we’re out of town, Luc.”

  The prince ducked so the seats hid him.

  Emily glanced behind her seat at Luc. Based on how comfortable he looked, she doubted this was the first time he’d hidden in a car or wore a disguise. “Next stop the airport.”

  He looked up at her. “We need to make a slight detour first.”

  “No.”

  “It won’t take long.”

  “The jet is waiting for us.” So was the production crew at the villa in Lake Como. A princess Emily had contacted in between flights would be arriving at the villa tomorrow. “We have to get to Italy.”

  “Non-negotiable.” Luc’s voice, firm and unyielding, carried through the van. “We stop, or I will not get on the plane.”

  “What’s so important about stopping?” she asked.

  “I have an obligation.”

  “To do what? Purchase champagne for the trip?”

  His features hardened. “I promised someone I would say goodbye before I left.”

  “Vivianca?” Nick asked.

  “Yes. She’s expecting me.”

  Emily’s fingernails dug into her palms. She should have known a female was involved. “You’ve taken too many chances as it is. What if someone sees you with her?”

  “No one will. I give my word. The way I gave my word to Vivianca about saying goodbye.”

  His word wasn’t worth much to Emily. The only four she wanted to hear him say were “Will you marry me” to whatever princess would say yes. “What do you think, Nick?”

  “Your call.” Nick turned onto what looked like a highway. “But we need his cooperation here and in Italy.”

  She weighed the pros and the cons, but Nick made a good point. They didn’t have much time to finish filming.

  “Five minutes. That’s all the time we have.” She used her don’t-mess-with-me voice. “You need to tell Vivianca you won’t be returning to Alvernia for two weeks no matter what.”

  “But—”

  “Non-negotiable.” She wasn’t taking any more grief from him. “If you’d rather go straight to the airport—”

  “I’ll tell her. Thank you, Emily.”

  Her name rolled off Luc’s tongue with the slightest of accents and a musical sound. Her tummy tingled. Warmth spread through her veins.

  Argh. She needed to go on more dates if a handsome guy saying her name while wanting to see another woman made her feel all girly inside. She would sign up for the next speed-dating event when she was back in San Diego. A little male company and she’d be good for another couple of months on her own.

  “Tell Nick how to get there,” she said.

  Luc provided directions.

  As they left the town, the road narrowed, and the traffic decreased. Towering trees lined the side of the highway. The long branches had grown together to form a canopy across the road. Tall grass at the base of the trunks swayed in the breeze.

  Pretty, but surreal. This could be a page out of a fairy tale picture book with the intense colors and greenery surrounding them.

  “You can stop hiding,” Nick said.

  Luc sat. The silly cap remained on his head. “Have any of you been to Alvernia before?”

  “No,” Addie said. “None of us have.”

  That didn’t stop Emily. “Based on my research, your country seems similar to Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, and Liechtenstein.”

  “Yes, but there are more differences than similarities. Alvernia has one of the top baking and pastry programs in the world. The Alps are a big draw, and tourism is our second largest industry after pastries.”

  He launched into a history lesson about how his country had picked the right side in some wars, the wrong side in others, and now remained neutral in international affairs, even though they maintained an army.

  “The monarchy’s sense of humor has fallen to an all time low, but so have unemployment levels,” he continued. “Salaries keep increasing so no real complaints from the populace. A vocal few call for an end of aristocracy, but those cries die each time the quarterly financial numbers are released.”

  His knowledge and passion for his country surprised Emily. He tossed facts and figures around like an economics advisor. Amusing, given he was dressed as a blue-collar worker and his party reputation.

  Had she misjudged the prince? Too soon to tell, but she recognized one thing. “You love Alvernia.”

  “Very much so.” Affection sounded in his voice. “I would do anything for my country.”

  “That’s obvious. Otherwise you wouldn’t be on a reality TV show looking for a princess bride.”

  “A man must settle down eventually.” His playful tone didn’t quite match the hint of sadness in his eyes. “My Cinderella is out there. I just need to find her.”

  Maybe the guy wasn’t that bad. “And when she’s found, let’s hope her fairy godmother puts in a good word for you.”

  His smile widened. “A wave of her magic wand might do the trick.”

  “Or Cupid’s arrow.” Having a princess fall in love with Luc would make things so much easier. “But in case those fail, I have a questionnaire that’s supposed to help couples fall in love.”

  Luc shrugged. “Worth a try.”

  “You can’t force love,” Addie said.

  “Maybe not.” Emily wasn’t sure if love was an extreme case of like and lust or something more. “But perhaps one can give love a shove in the right direction.”

  “Love doesn’t have to enter into a marriage,” Luc said matter of fact. “Having a relationship that’s more like a business transaction is not unheard of in royal marriages.”

  “Don’t lose hope.” Turning, Addie smiled at the prince. “You never know what might happen.”

  They passed a gated entrance with a coat of arms on the wrought iron and colorful flags waving overhead.

  “Is this the palace?” Emily asked.

  “No, a private estate,” Luc said. “Turn right at the gate and follow the dirt road until you come to a small cottage. Park in front. No need to pull over to the side. No one comes down this road.”

  “At least you hope not,” Nick mumbled.

  “They don’t.” Luc leaned toward the window, his nose close to the glass, like a child se
eing snow fall for the first time.

  She turned toward him. “You’re excited to see Vivianca.”

  “Yes.” His gaze didn’t stray from the window. “I don’t see her nearly enough.”

  Emily wondered if Vivianca knew how much the prince wanted to see her. No guy, not even Emily’s father, had felt that way about her. Must be nice. Someday. Though finding a boyfriend was at the bottom of her To Do list. “I’m sorry you can’t stay longer.”

  The words slipped out before she could stop them. Funny thing was she meant them. Weird. Very unlike her.

  “I’ll make the most of the five minutes I have,” he said.

  Nick drove slower. “Isolated out here.”

  “Yes, but only a short drive to town.” Luc’s breath fogged the window. “The location affords both privacy and convenience.”

  Questions circled through Emily’s head. Had he put Vivianca in a house where they could meet unseen? If that were the case, why was he staying at the hotel alone instead of here?

  A small house appeared. Wooden flower boxes filled with brightly colored blossoms hung in front of the brightly painted house’s paned glass windows. A stone path cut a carpet of green grass in half. The animal-shaped topiaries and a Snow White-worthy life-sized wishing well reminded Emily of Disneyland, a place she hadn’t been to since high school.

  “What a cute cottage. Fairies should live here,” Addie said.

  “They do.” Luc laughed. “Or so I’ve been told. I’ve yet to see one myself, but I keep hoping.”

  Fairies? Emily hoped he was just playing along, and not delusional. He had enough strikes against him.

  “Are you going to change clothes?” she asked.

  “No.” He adjusted his nametag. “I’ll need the disguise at the airport.

  Nick parked. “Five minutes. Emily will go with you.”

  The thought of watching Luc make out with his girlfriend unsettled Emily. “You go, Nick. I’ll stay with Addie.”

  “No.” Nick looked around, as if he expected a photographer to pop out of the wishing well like a Jack-in-the-box. “This could be a ruse for the prince to escape.”

  A muscle throbbed at Luc’s jaw. “It’s not.”

  “If someone shows up—” Nick continued as if Luc hadn’t spoken “—I’ll need you to hide the prince.”

  Luc exhaled loudly. “The prince can hear you and is capable of hiding himself from photographers, ninjas, and princess wannabes.”

  “Keep your cellphone in hand,” Nick instructed Emily. “Be ready.”

  “The prince is getting out of the van.” Luc did.

  He sounded frustrated. No doubt, Emily’s presence would ruin his plans for a quick romantic rendezvous. She hopped out of the van and caught up to him.

  The scent of wildflowers hung on the air. Sweet, but not overpowering. Hummingbirds zipped by one of the planters. A silver unicorn wind chime cling-clinked-clanged in an appealing rhythm. Bright green moss grew between the path’s stones.

  Almost everything she’d seen in Alvernia seemed to be straight out of storybook or fairy tale film adaption. She half-expected to see seven dwarfs stroll by or be greeted by a talking rabbit. Maybe a magic mirror inside would show her Luc’s future wife. Emily crossed her fingers.

  For being jet lagged, she felt unexpectedly playful. “This is the perfect fairy house, but I could imagine a few hobbits hanging around this place, too.”

  “As long as the goblins and Smaug the Dragon stay away. Only goodness and light are allowed here, never any dark.” Luc knocked on a bright purple painted door.

  “Who’s there?” a hesitant feminine voice asked.

  “Luc.”

  The door swung open. A twenty-something woman with dark circles under her eyes stood in the doorway.

  “Oh, sir. I didn’t recognize the van.” The words rushed out in English. Her accent sounded Australian. She wore black yoga pants, a flour stained T-shirt, and mismatched socks. She looked more like a worn-out mom than the paramour of a prince. “I hadn’t heard from you and was worried.”

  “I apologize for not calling.” He touched the woman’s shoulder. “When was the last time you slept?”

  “It’s been a long day, after a longer night.” Weariness filled the woman’s voice. “Tonight will be better. I hope.”

  Lines creased Luc’s forehead. “How is she?”

  “Been asking for you since she woke.”

  He walked into the house without an invitation.

  Emily smiled at the woman. “Hello. I’m Emily Rodgers.”

  “I’m Gretchen Barton. Please come inside.” She opened the door wider. “Any friend of Prince Luc’s is welcome, but excuse the mess.”

  Emily didn’t consider herself his friend, but the less she said the better. She hadn’t a clue what was going on. She stepped inside, curious for answers.

  Hand-drawn pictures made by children hung on the wall. One of fairies flying around a wishing well caught her eye. Lots of pinks and purples and sparkles covered the paper.

  Toys lay scattered on the floor. Stuffing stuck out of the back of a well-loved pink bear. One of the eyes was missing. Just like Emily’s Miss Mousie cat.

  The scent of freshly baked treats filled the house. Emily’s mouth watered and her stomach grumbled.

  “You have a lovely home.” A crayon drawing of a girl holding a man’s hand captured Emily’s attention. A pink heart surrounded the pair. The word daddy was scribbled on the bottom. “I love the artwork.”

  “My daughter Vivianca, is quite the artist.”

  Daughter, huh? Emily had more questions than answers. “How old is she?”

  “Seven.”

  That explained the drawings and toys. “Are you related to the prince?”

  “No, but he treats us like family. My daughter calls him our fairy godfather. His foundation helped us after my husband was killed and Vivianca injured by a hit-and-run driver. I’m from Australia and have no family locally. Prince Luc moved us into this house and has become a dear friend.” Gretchen’s respect and affection for the prince was clear in her voice. “I don’t know how I’ll repay his generosity.”

  “I had no idea the prince was personally involved with his charity’s recipients.”

  Gretchen nodded. “Very hands-on with all of us.”

  Excitement shot through Emily. The prince’s foundation work would be a huge boon for the show. Princesses might be more willing to meet with Luc if they saw a caring side to him.

  Gretchen continued toward the back of the house. “The prince checks in with Vivianca every day no matter where he is and he comes when she asks him to visit.”

  A missing puzzle piece clicked into place. “Did your daughter ask Prince Luc to visit this week?”

  “Yes. She was hospitalized with an infection. He couldn’t come immediately, but once he arrived, he stayed by her side until she was discharged yesterday. The man is a saint. So kind and patient with the children.”

  Not child. Children, as in plural. Emily wiggled her toes. “Is he with your daughter now?”

  Gretchen nodded. “In the dining room, though we’ve never eaten there.”

  A minute later, Emily understood why. A hospital bed took up the space. A young girl with dark blonde curls and brown eyes lay on a pink sheet under a fuzzy pink blanket. Half a dozen stuffed animals surrounded her. A TV hung on the wall next to a video game system. A wheelchair was nearby.

  Luc was sitting on the bed. His attention was focused on the girl, who smiled up at him like he was the center of her universe.

  Vivianca touched his nametag. “Your name isn’t Otto.”

  “This is my disguise so I could come see you.” He tilted his cap to one side. “What do you think?”

  She giggled. “You don’t look like a prince.”

  “That, my princess, is the point of the disguise. Though the cap is ridiculous, don’t you think?”

  She laughed. “Very silly.”

  Luc raised the girl’s
hand and kissed the top of it. “I will do what it takes to see you.”

  Vivianca sighed.

  Emily’s heart melted. Luc’s tender bedside manner contradicted what she knew—well, assumed—about him. Hard to believe an hour ago he was lying naked in bed with a hangover.

  “Someone wants to meet you,” Gretchen said to her daughter.

  Luc glanced over. “I brought a visitor with me today, Vivianca. I’d like to introduce you to Emily Rodgers.”

  Emily approached the bed. “Nice to meet you, Vivianca.”

  The girl stared up with wide eyes. Her pink lips formed a perfect o. “You must be a princess dressed in disguise.”

  “No, I’m just plain Emily.”

  Vivianca’s brow furrowed. “Prince Luc says all girls are princesses.”

  Oops. Emily wasn’t familiar with children. She’d been an only child and never babysat. Well, except for her mother.

  “I’m from America,” Emily said. “We don’t have royalty, but I’ve been told there are princesses everywhere else. Like here in this room. Am I right?”

  Dark blonde curls bounced from the enthusiastic nodding.

  “I have a tiara and a scepter. A dress and a hooded cap.” Excitement filled Vivianca’s young voice. “Oh, and sparkly pink shoes, but I can’t wear those until my legs aren’t broken anymore. I am a fairy princess, but I haven’t visited my fairies because they live outside and I’m stuck inside. But I see them flying by the window.”

  “When the weather warms, you shall be outside with your fairies, princess,” Luc said without missing a beat. “Your subjects will cheer your return with fanfare and flowers.”

  Vivianca’s narrow shoulders shimmied. “I love flowers. And I love you, Prince Luc.”

  “I love you.” He kissed the girl’s forehead. “I wish I could stay longer, but Emily and I must get to the airport.”

  The girl thrust forward her lower lip in an enormous, adorable pout. “When will you be back?”

  “Two weeks, but keep your tablet handy so we can chat.”

  “You must have important work to do.”

  A beat passed. And another. “Very important. As do you. I cannot wait to see your progress when I return.”

  “One day I will dance again.”

  The gentle way he touched Vivianca’s face brought tears to Emily’s eyes.