The Crown Prince's Bride (Royal Duology 2)

“Yes, I believe they are,” she answered softly. “Lucy and Brody are perfect for each other, and Rose is just what Diego needed. They have it, Raoul. Just like you did with Ceci.”

His eyes, nearly black in the dim light, met hers. “Do you think it’s possible to have it more than once?”

She thought of their kiss in the alcove. Thought of the times he’d made her laugh, of the little considerations like bringing her a meal when she was working late. She thought of how she catered to his preferences without him even realizing, not just because it was her job but because she cared about him so deeply. If he gave her a chance, maybe they could see if there was something real between them. But even tonight, he brought up the kiss and then moved on. If there was another it out there for Raoul, he probably wasn’t envisioning her in that role.

“I think it’s possible, for sure,” she answered. She picked up her snifter and downed the rest of the brandy in one burning gulp. After a small gasp, she looked up. “You’re thirty-seven, Raoul. You’re too young to be alone for the rest of your life.”

The brief silence that followed her statement was slightly awkward. Raoul finished his brandy as well and put the glass down with a faint clink. “And what about you, Steph? You never mention your personal life. Do you want marriage, children?”

She got up then, uncomfortable with the questions, afraid of the responses sitting on her tongue. “It’s getting late, and when we start talking about my love life it’s clear we’ve exhausted all interesting topics.” She laughed lightly, though inside she was churning. Was it wrong that she wished he’d take the hint? That he’d see what was right in front of him and maybe, just maybe, feel the same?

Or was it that she simply couldn’t live up to Ceci’s legacy? Even if Raoul did care for her, would she always be in her cousin’s shadow?

Could she settle for that?

“I’m sorry if I overstepped,” Raoul offered, rising from his chair and coming toward her. “I just . . . I want you to be happy. I’m afraid this job hasn’t just worn you out, but it’s kept you from living your own life.” He frowned. “I was born into this family and into the responsibility. This is my duty. But it’s not yours.”

She lifted her chin. “I think I can decide what is and what isn’t my duty, and I have as much right to love Marazur as anyone else. Even if I was born elsewhere.” After all, Ceci hadn’t been born in Marazur, either. But she’d loved her adopted country, and its people had loved her, too.

Of course, Ceci had always fit in better than Stephani. Her side of the family had been wealthy and connected. Stephani’s family had been . . . well, not poor, but certainly lived a very different life from Ceci’s. Not that it had ever mattered to the cousins. They’d spent a summer together when they were twelve and had been like sisters ever since.

“Of course you do. Are we arguing about something?”

She shook her head and let out a breath. “No. I’m just tired, and feeling the brandy, I think. I need to get out of these shoes and into bed so I can deal with tomorrow.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Wedding day dawned gray and gloomy, with a steady rain falling. But by nine, the rain stopped, the clouds cleared, and the island of Marazur was clean and sparkling for the third royal wedding it had seen in a decade.

Stephani looked out her borrowed bedroom window and sighed, wistful but happy. Two people she cared deeply about were heading to the church today. The wedding was to be deceptively simple and elegant, but it had taken an amazing amount of planning for it to be so. An early breakfast buffet had been set up in the dining room so people could eat as their schedules allowed. A fleet of cars waited to transport guests and family to the cathedral. Security was already in place. The wedding party was small and intimate, with Raoul and Rose’s brother standing up with Diego, and Hayley and another close friend, Becca, as bridesmaids.

Lucy and Imogene were in charge of getting the children ready. Both girls were standing as flower girls, and the boys were escorting them up the aisle. Diego and Rose had insisted that since Max and Emilia had been little matchmakers, they needed to be part of the day.

Flowers had already been delivered and were in place. Stephani had been downstairs already to oversee the ballroom and the preparations for the feast that would happen later in the day. Marco was on standby for driving Diego, Raoul, and King Alexander. Now Stephani just had to get dressed, redo her makeup, and get to the church ahead of everyone else.

She’d picked a more subdued dress for the wedding, a sheath-style in classic navy, with matching heels and sapphire earrings and a necklace that Ceci had given her for her thirtieth birthday. Elegant and appropriate, but not flashy in any sense, and suitable for remaining in the background.

The face that looked back at her in the mirror frowned. She should be happy. This was a glorious day. Wonderful for the family and for the kingdom. Instead she was standing here feeling left out, like she wanted to belong as she had last night. Raoul could say all he wanted about her being family. Behind castle walls was one thing. The face they showed the world was quite another.

Lately it had caused more dissatisfaction than she was comfortable with. To be overly intimate in public would spark rumors. The media looked for any opportunity. She understood it completely, but nights like last night in the library underscored the loneliness she tried to ignore.

She changed her frown to her work-smiley-face and hoped it didn’t look fake. Then she grabbed her jeweled clutch to head downstairs to the back entrance, where she’d leave for the cathedral, ensure everything was working like clockwork, and do her job.

She met Raoul in the corridor and stopped short, catching her breath.

Seeing him in a tux dozens of times over the years should dampen the effect, but it didn’t. He looked utterly dashing—suave and powerful and sexy and with a presence that was both alluring and a little intimidating. “Raoul,” she said abruptly, pressing a hand to her chest. “I didn’t expect to see you.”

“I was coming to look for you. Slight kink in the works. Hayley has apparently come down with some sort of virus. She’s saying she can’t possibly attend.”

Her eyes widened. “And they sent the crown prince as a messenger?”

He shrugged. “Rose called Diego in a panic. Diego called me and we came up with a fix. Rose is totally on board.”

“A fix for a Maid of Honor? Really?” Her heart thudded. Of all the things to go wrong—losing a bridesmaid was huge.

“You,” he stated simply. “You’re nearly the same size as Hayley. You are going to stand up for Rose today.”

Oh, no. This wouldn’t do at all. Her stomach churned as she thought about it. “It shouldn’t be me. It should be someone close