The Crown Prince's Bride (Royal Duology 2)

Her smile was bright and her eyes lit up, then she turned and walked away, heading toward the bride and groom. Raoul watched the subtle sway to her hips, lifted his glass to his lips and then realized it was empty.

Positively fraught with complications. He handled dealings with governments all over Europe, but he had no idea how to handle this.

* * *

He’d been watching her all night.

Stephani couldn’t stop the fizz of awareness that skittered across her skin. First it had been at dinner, over toasts to the bride and groom and then the delicious meal. His fingers had brushed hers accidentally when he slid his dessert over to her, simply because he knew she had a sweet tooth and the dark chocolate ganache was a particular favorite. Once, he’d leaned back to ask a passing waiter for more wine, and put his arm along the back of her chair, the material brushing against her exposed skin.

More than once, as she’d tried to eat, she’d felt his gaze on her, and it had taken all her fortitude not to look back at him. It didn’t matter, anyway. She didn’t need to look at him to feel the energy running between them, around them. Why now? Why on earth had Hayley pulled this immature trick, throwing them together? Why did she hate it and love it at the same time?

When the dinner was finally over, Imogene appeared with Max and Emilia. “The children wanted to say good night, sir.”

“Of course.” Raoul turned in his seat. “Max, you have chocolate around your mouth.”

Max’s tongue swiped around his lips, but it was no good. The chocolate was there to stay until a washcloth could clean up the mess. “Dessert was good,” he said.

“I know.” He leaned forward and whispered, “Stephani had two.”

Max looked at her with something like hero worship in his eyes, and she laughed. “I confess. I did have two, because I love chocolate.”

Emilia hung back a bit, but she did look at Stephani with a smile. “Your necklace is very pretty.”

A little pang went through Stephani’s heart. “Your mother gave it to me. It’s very special.”

Emilia touched the little strand of pearls around her own neck. “These were hers, too.”

“She would be very proud of you two today. You were wonderful during the wedding.”

The compliment didn’t impress Max as much as the chocolate confession, but Emilia’s eyes glowed.

“Come, give me a hug before Imogene takes you up to bed.” Emilia came forward and Steph gave her a squeeze. How they must miss their mother. No cousin or nanny or aunt could make up for it, though they all tried.

“You too, Max. I need a hug before you disappear.” When the little boy put his arms around her neck, she whispered in his ear, “I’ll have Señora Ortiz put aside a spare dessert for your tea tomorrow.”

Raoul looked over at her as the children prepared to leave. “I’m going to go up with them for a few minutes. I’ll be back, though.” His dark gaze held hers. “To claim the dance you owe me.”

And boom. The butterflies in her stomach returned in full for

ce.

She spent the next forty-five minutes checking in with Sofia, but the day was winding down and the list of things to do was dwindling. There was dancing to come, and more food, and Marco was on standby to whisk Diego and Rose to the airport, where they’d take a private jet to a resort on the Spanish coast for a few days of privacy before heading to Tanzania.

She managed to spend a few moments with Rose’s family, as well. They were a little wide-eyed at their surroundings, not to mention the guest list, but Stephani found them charming, with the exception of Hayley. Hayley had arrived just before the meal, in time to sit with her parents and brother and sister-in-law. Her eyes shot little daggers at Stephani from time to time; after all, Steph was wearing what was meant to be Hayley’s dress, and sitting with the crown prince. Now that the dinner was concluded, she told anyone near that she was sure she’d picked up some sort of food poisoning at the hotel and thank goodness she was feeling much better now so she could be there for her sister’s big day. It was a big load of manure, as far as Stephani was concerned, but Rose shook her head and gave Steph a smile. A few minutes later she was at Steph’s side and giving her a hug. “Thank you for everything you did today.”

“It was my pleasure. Truly.”

“I should have asked you in the first place. But sisters . . .”

“Are family.” Steph smiled. “I get it.”

“Hayley’s all right. Most of the time. She’s resentful about how things turned out, is all, and I’m not sure she’ll ever learn how to be happy.”

“Well, I think you learned. You’re beaming.”

Rose laughed. “I am, aren’t I? I can feel it. I’m so happy.”

Diego came up and slid his arms around her waist. “There’s my beautiful bride.”