Michelle Willingham - The Accidental Prince

‘You’re wrong.’ He reached out and lowered her hood, brushing his fingertips against her damp cheek. In her eyes he saw the startled shock. ‘I find you very interesting indeed, Princess.’

He could see from the look on her face that she wasn’t at all looking forward to their union. ‘Our marriage can be more than political.’

She turned her face to the window, the melancholy sinking in. ‘Sometimes I wish I could live like an ordinary woman, just for a few days. Free to make my own decisions.’ Her voice held a note of misery, as though she believed herself a prisoner.

‘Is it such a hardship, wearing diamonds and silks?’

‘Sometimes,’ she admitted. She stared outside the coach and said, ‘This isn’t the way to my grandfather’s lodge.’

‘We can’t go there,’ he admitted. ‘If we do, they’ll find you within a few hours.’

Her face paled. ‘Then you really are abducting me?’

‘Yes.’ He made no apology for his actions. ‘You’ll still have your holiday away from the palace,’ he reassured her. ‘And I’ll bring you back within a week.’

As my wife .

MICHELLE WILLINGHAMgrew up living in places all over the world, including Germany, England, and Thailand. When her parents hauled her to antiques shows in manor houses and castles Michelle entertained herself by making up stories and pondering whether she could afford a broadsword with her allowance. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, with a degree in English, and received her master’s degree in Education from George Mason University. Currently she teaches American History and English. She lives in south-eastern Virginia with her husband and children. She still doesn’t have her broadsword.

Visit her website at www.michellewillingham.com, or e-mail her at michelle@michellewillingham.com

Previous novels by this author:HER IRISH WARRIOR * * The MacEgan Brothers † prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series ** The MacKinloch Clan †† linked by character Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk THE WARRIOR’S TOUCH * * The MacEgan Brothers † prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series ** The MacKinloch Clan †† linked by character Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk HER WARRIOR KING * * The MacEgan Brothers † prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series ** The MacKinloch Clan †† linked by character Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk HER WARRIOR SLAVE † * The MacEgan Brothers † prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series ** The MacKinloch Clan †† linked by character Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESS †† * The MacEgan Brothers † prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series ** The MacKinloch Clan †† linked by character Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk THE ACCIDENTAL PRINCESS †† * The MacEgan Brothers † prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series ** The MacKinloch Clan †† linked by character Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk TAMING HER IRISH WARRIOR * * The MacEgan Brothers † prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series ** The MacKinloch Clan †† linked by character Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk SURRENDER TO AN IRISH WARRIOR * * The MacEgan Brothers † prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series ** The MacKinloch Clan †† linked by character Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk CLAIMED BY THE HIGHLAND WARRIOR ** * The MacEgan Brothers † prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series ** The MacKinloch Clan †† linked by character Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk SEDUCED BY THE HIGHLAND WARRIOR ** * The MacEgan Brothers † prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series ** The MacKinloch Clan †† linked by character Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk TEMPTED BY THE HIGHLAND WARRIOR ** * The MacEgan Brothers † prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series ** The MacKinloch Clan †† linked by character Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk WARRIORS IN WINTER

Available in Mills & Boon ®Historical Undone! eBooks:THE VIKING’S FORBIDDEN LOVE-SLAVE THE WARRIOR’S FORBIDDEN VIRGIN AN ACCIDENTAL SEDUCTION †† * The MacEgan Brothers † prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series ** The MacKinloch Clan †† linked by character Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk INNOCENT IN THE HAREM PLEASURED BY THE VIKING CRAVING THE HIGHLANDER’S TOUCH

And in M&B:LIONHEART’S BRIDE (part of Royal Weddings Through the Ages )

* The MacEgan Brothers †prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series ** The MacKinloch Clan ††linked by character

Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

THE ACCIDENTAL PRINCE is a book I’ve wanted to write for a long time after completing THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESS and THE ACCIDENTAL PRINCESS. Fürst Karl von Lohenberg was a character who intrigued me in THE ACCIDENTAL PRINCESS, and I wondered what he would do after losing the kingdom he’d been born to rule. He struck me as a fighter—a man who wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted. And in this case he’s determined to marry a princess and reclaim his throne before anyone can stop him.

It’s no secret that I love fairytales, and all three books in this series have elements of classic stories such as Cinderella (THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESS), and The Prince and the Pauper (THE ACCIDENTAL PRINCESS), and it seemed fitting to do a Cinderella reversal with THE ACCIDENTAL PRINCE. I had great fun with this book, and I hope you’ll enjoy how Karl and Serena fall in love as an ordinary man and woman.

Many thanks to my editor, Joanne Grant, and to Flo Nicoll for her help with this book. I always appreciate the work that goes into making a story stronger. Thanks also to my agent, Helen Breitwieser, for being such a wonderful supporter. I appreciate all of you so much.

Visit my website at www.michellewillingham.com for a full listing of all my books, excerpts, and behind-the-scenes details. You’re welcome to interact with me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michellewillinghamfans or on Twitter at @michellewilling. I love to hear from readers, and you may e-mail me at michelle@michellewillingham.com or via mail at PO Box 2242 Poquoson, VA 23662 USA.