Leanne Banks - The Prince's Texas Bride / The Reluctant Princess

“Of course I was right,” Bridget said, neatly eliminating Stefan from the equation. “The staff has prepared lunch. We can eat in an hour or two. They’ll also be putting up umbrellas soon. It has occurred to me that you’ve been too busy to make new friends in Chantaine since you arrived. In the same vein, you haven’t had the opportunity to meet any men. While I’ll confess that the selection is much better in Europe than here,” Bridget said in a dry voice, “I could introduce you to someone who could amuse you. You and I could visit one of our nightclubs.”

“Not my thing,” Eve said, keeping her eyes closed.

“Why ever not? What do you do for fun?”

“I enjoy riding and taking care of horses. I enjoy the beach. I like to read. I like to play card games and Chicken Scratch—”

“Oh, well, I can agree with Chicken Scratch. We are all determined to have you return for family dinner night and another round of it,” Bridget said.

“Great,” Eve said wryly. “I can’t wait to have the entire Devereaux dynasty gang up on me.”

Bridget laughed. “It’s your fault. You started it.” “I thought this was supposed to help me relax,” Eve muttered, but focused on the sound of the ocean waves.

She cautioned herself not to get used to it, but this was bliss. She drifted off….

“Is she getting too much sun?”

The voice, which seemed to affect her on a cellular level, awakened her with no warning and she sat up, disoriented. “What?”

The tall, strong body of Prince Stefan towered over her, casting a long shadow. Eve covered her eyes at the bright sunlight.

“Not at all. She applied sunscreen, and the staff put up an umbrella to shield her. Poor thing must be dead tired. She’s been asleep for the last half hour. Stefan, you’re working her too hard,” Bridget said.

“It’s not me,” he said. “She insists on working from before dawn to after dusk. The American way.”

Eve drew in a mind-clearing breath and tried to dismiss the effect Stefan had on her. She noticed he was dressed in a dark suit and the contrast with the white sand distracted her. She wondered how he would look wearing just a swim suit. Or less. “I’m awake now. You can talk to me instead of about me.”

Bridget giggled. “I tried to talk Eve into going to a nightclub with me, but she wasn’t interested. You should wave your imperial wand, Stefan. That was the only way I was able to persuade her to join me at the beach. I’m sure Tina would want to make sure we’re introducing her to new friends, including new male friends.”

“Perhaps Eve isn’t interested in the kind of men she would meet at a club,” Stefan said.

“Won’t know till she tries,” Bridget said in an airy voice. “However, I would be more than willing to escort her to Italy. I have the perfect club selected for tonight, thought—”

“I couldn’t be less interested in a club tonight,” Eve said. “The little trip to this perfect beach has relaxed me so much it scares me. Even though I’m being a slug today, I’m certain I’ll sleep like a log tonight. I think it’s the sea air.”

“Good to hear it,” Stefan said with a nod. “The family is having an early dinner with Jacques since he will be returning this weekend. We want you to join us.”

Eve slid a sideways glance at Bridget, who looked as innocent as possible in her black bikini and straw hat with a martini in her hand. “I’m sure you would prefer to keep the night to just your family. I don’t want to interfere.”

“We insist,” Stefan said, using the royal we.

“This is about Chicken Scratch, isn’t it?” Eve said glumly.

“My siblings are compelled to hold a rematch,” Stefan said.

“Okay, okay,” Eve said. “But only two games.”

“That leaves no opportunity for a tiebreaker,” Bridget said.

“Exactly,” Eve said.

Stefan met Eve’s gaze and shot her a grin that mixed challenge and sensuality. The combination sent a ripple down her spine. “I look forward to the evening,” he said and walked away.

Eve sank back against her lounge and groaned. “I thought you intended this to be relaxing.”

“It is,” Bridget said cheerfully as she lifted her martini glass.

“How can I relax knowing I’m attending a family dinner at the palace where all of you want to rip me to shreds?” Eve asked.

“The dinner will be delicious,” Bridget said. “We only want to best you at Chicken Scratch. It’s a matter of honor.”

“Good luck,” Eve said. She was from Texas, and a Texan fought till the bloody end.

“Would you like a drink?”

“Not until we’re finished with the game,” Eve said.

After consuming a gourmet meal, Eve and the Deveraux clan engaged in a death match of Chicken Scratch. They cajoled her into playing more than two games and each of them won once, but Eve won most overall, much to the siblings’ dismay. Stefan had been forced to leave early to take a call.

Jacques bared his teeth playfully. “You’re in our targets now even more than ever. Don’t get used to winning.”

“I’ll try not to,” Eve drawled, “but since most of my experience is with winning … “ She gave a mock shrug.

Phillipa giggled. “She pummeled us even after all our practice.”

Eve smiled. “You have to remember that I’ve been playing this game practically since the cradle.”

“That’s okay,” Bridget said, putting her nose in the air. “We’re just getting started. We will conquer Chicken Scratch and you.”

“Well, you’ll have to do it without me for a while since I’m returning to university,” Jacques said.

Bridget rose and gave her brother a big hug around his neck, which seemed to surprise him. “I’ll miss you. Just be careful with the girls. You know how Stefan is about living down the Deveraux playboy image.”

“I’m careful, but I’ll never lock myself away from the women the way Stefan does.”

“Yes, well, that may be part of the reason he’s always in a bad mood. I may put together a plan to change things in that area,” Bridget said, her eyes glinting with a diabolical gleam.

Eve almost felt sorry for Stefan. “Time for me to go. Thank you again for the wonderful dinner and company. Good luck at university, Jacques.”

“Thank you,” Jacques said, rising. “I’ll look forward to a rematch when I return on break.”

“My pleasure, Your Highness,” she said, then looked at Bridget and Phillipa. “Sweet dreams.”

“And to you,” Phillipa said, smiling.

Eve left the palace and headed for the staff quarters, when she overheard a muttered string of oaths followed by a succession of what she suspected were more expletives in a language she didn’t understand coming from behind a tall hedge. What she did understand was that Stefan was the one voicing the litany. For a millisecond, she considered continuing down her path away from him, but some part of her wouldn’t allow it.

Turning around, she took in a breath of the night air filled with the scent of flowers, and then peeked through a large hedge. Stefan stood with his back to her, hands on hips, still hissing in frustration. “I hope it’s not the landscaping that has you so upset,” she said. “If that’s true, then your groundskeepers better grab a canoe and get off the island.”

Silence followed, then a heavy sigh. He turned toward her voice and his gaze found her immediately. “Join me,” he said. “If you dare.”

For a moment, she wondered if she really did dare. Then she shook off the silly thought. Sure he was a prince, but he was still just a man. She walked through the maze of hedging to step inside the small courtyard. “Needed some fresh air, eh?” she asked. “What’s got you so pissed off this time?”