The Playboy Prince and the Nanny (Royal Duology 1)

“Oh!” she cried, spinning around, but it tumbled like a wheel, turning over and over.

She sighed, and her eyes watered. She told herself it was from the wind and the sand blowing into her eyes, but it wasn’t. As she retrieved her sunglasses from her bag, she admitted that she was tired. The walk had been long, the heat sapping, and the earlier peace she’d felt sitting at the café, calmly drinking coffee, was gone. She could call Marco right now and just go home. The beach wasn’t going anywhere.

Maybe she was just hungry.

The plan for a picnic had been a good one, except there were no umbrellas free and no tables or places to sit unless she sat right on the sand, in full sunlight.

“Forget it,” she muttered as she hooked her fingers into her shoes and headed for the water. “I’ll dip my toes in the damn ocean and call for Marco.” At this point, all she wanted wassome shade, a cool drink, and some peace and quiet. The water would ease her hot and sore feet and then she’d head back to the palace to enjoy the rest of her day off.

“Pardon, senorita?”

She’d just stepped to the edge of the breakers when a deep voice sounded behind her shoulder. She turned and saw a man, about thirty-five or so, holding out her hat.

“My hat!” She stepped back, her feet sinking a bit into the wet sand, and held out her hand. “Oh, gracias. Thank you.”

“You are welcome.” He looked around. “The sun is bright today. You should perhaps”—he frowned, as if searching for the right words—“sit in the shade.”

“I’d love to. But I don’t have an umbrella.”

He rattled something off in Spanish and her lips dropped open. All she could make out was something like “casa” and “five minutes” and “walking” . . . until she followed the path of his finger as he pointed east. “Your house? Tu casa?”

“Si!” He smiled, showing her a perfect row of white teeth. He was somewhat attractive, though not quite her type. And she certainly didn’t feel comfortable going to his house, shade or not.

“Thank you, but I’m fine. I’m just about to return to the . . . to home,” she finished weakly. “I do appreciate you bringing me my hat.”

“I insist,” he continued, his smile widening as he moved closer. “You can sit on my patio, have a cold drink. Then I can take you where you need to go.”

Hah. She could just imagine telling him to drop her off at the palace gates. Or sitting alone with him in a car, for that matter. The strange vibe strengthened, and once again she was aware of the mistake she’d made staying at the beach when she really was ready to be home. “No, thank you,” she said, in her most priggish English tone. “Good day.”

She turned to walk away, back up from the beach, hoping against hope that she could somehow flag a taxi, knowing full well that she might not be able to since she was now outside city limits. She didn’t want to wait twenty minutes for Marco to arrive.

She’d gone three steps when his hand clamped around her arm.

CHAPTER NINE

Diego stopped by the nursery around one thirty. He’d missed having lunch with the children, and he didn’t really have time to stay long this afternoon, either. It looked increasingly like he was going to have to make a trip to Tanzania to meet with the board of directors for the women’s education charity. The executive director had put in her notice, and several projects were at critical points of development. Phone calls were taking up too much of his time. What he needed to do was go

and spend about a week of serious focus and boots-on-the-ground work.

“Ernestina.” He blinked in surprise as the maid opened the nursery door. “Is Rose sick today?”

“No, Your Highness. It’s her day off.”

To his recollection, she hadn’t actually taken a personal day since she’d started working. She’d more than earned the time away.

“I’ve come to see Max and Emilia, but I can’t stay long.”

She opened the door wider. “They’ve been asking to go to the pool.”

“I’ve been taking them most afternoons,” he admitted, stepping inside. “And Rose has been taking them for a swim on the days I can’t.”

The maid’s eyes widened and Diego laughed. “Don’t worry. I won’t suggest you take them, Ernestina. Thank you for watching them today.”

She nodded. “They love Miss Rose. And so does the staff. She’s . . .” Ernestina colored and looked away.

“She’s what?” Diego asked.

Ernestina hesitated, then lifted her chin. “She brought some happiness back to the palace. She smiles a lot.”