Susan Mallery: A Royal Baby on the Way

Worlds and hearts collide in this beloved tale by New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.

All-pomp-no-play Princess Alexandra Wyndham gets a royal wake-up call when a letter arrives at the palace, alleging the rightful heir to her throne is alive. Now she must travel to the ranch of the most majestic man she’s ever met. Cowboy Mitch Colton might be the key to finding her missing brother…if she can keep her focus on the search instead of the sexy rancher.

Mitch is tight-lipped when it comes to the whereabouts of his elusive stepbrother—the suspected long-lost heir!—but he grudgingly opens his home to Alexandra. He can’t seem to resist the regal beauty, and it isn’t long before he opens his heart to her, as well. But can their romance survive their abiding differences…and the revelation of a royal baby on the way?

A Royal Baby on the Way was originally part of the Royally Wed miniseries, which also featured the following titles:

Undercover Princess by Suzanne Brockmann

The Princess's White Knight by Carla Cassidy

The Pregnant Princess by Anne Marie Winston

Man…Mercenary…Monarch by Joan Elliott Pickart

A Royal Masquerade by Arlene James

A Royal Marriage by Cara Colter

A Royal Mission by Elizabeth August

The Expectant Princess by Stella Bagwell

The Blacksheep Prince's Bride by Martha Shields

Code Name: Prince by Valerie Parv

An Officer and a Princess by Carla Cassidy

A Royal Baby on the Way

Susan Mallery

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Worlds and hearts collide in this beloved tale by New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery. All-pomp-no-play Princess Alexandra Wyndham gets a royal wake-up call when a letter arrives at the palace, alleging the rightful heir to her throne is alive. Now she must travel to the ranch of the most majestic man she’s ever met. Cowboy Mitch Colton might be the key to finding her missing brother…if she can keep her focus on the search instead of the sexy rancher. Mitch is tight-lipped when it comes to the whereabouts of his elusive stepbrother—the suspected long-lost heir!—but he grudgingly opens his home to Alexandra. He can’t seem to resist the regal beauty, and it isn’t long before he opens his heart to her, as well. But can their romance survive their abiding differences…and the revelation of a royal baby on the way? A Royal Baby on the Way was originally part of the Royally Wed miniseries, which also featured the following titles: Undercover Princess by Suzanne Brockmann The Princess's White Knight by Carla Cassidy The Pregnant Princess by Anne Marie Winston Man…Mercenary…Monarch by Joan Elliott Pickart A Royal Masquerade by Arlene James A Royal Marriage by Cara Colter A Royal Mission by Elizabeth August The Expectant Princess by Stella Bagwell The Blacksheep Prince's Bride by Martha Shields Code Name: Prince by Valerie Parv An Officer and a Princess by Carla Cassidy

Title Page A Royal Baby on the Way Susan Mallery www.millsandboon.co.uk

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Excerpt

Copyright

Prologue

‘‘Alex, I think you should take a look at this.’’

Princess Alexandra Wyndham, the oldest of King Phillip’s four daughters, glanced up from the computer printout she’d been scanning. It was nearly eleven in the morning and she was, as usual, buried in her daily reports. The kingdom of Wynborough might not be huge, but it required a large staff to keep things running smoothly. Despite the efficiency of the palace’s employees and loyalty of the senior staff, Alex insisted on overseeing many things herself. She spent her mornings in her office, looking for potential problems and smoothing them out before anyone noticed they’d been there in the first place. Her afternoons and evenings were reserved for state functions and occasionally, very occasionally, time for herself.

Alex set down the papers and smiled at Laura Bishop, the social secretary who had been with the royal family for five years. ‘‘Another marriage proposal from an American rock star?’’ Alex asked. ‘‘While I don’t understand them, I do confess to being flattered. After all, I’ll be thirty next year. Not exactly the right age to be a bimbo.’’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘‘Is that term still in use or am I being old-fashioned again?’’

Laura grinned. ‘‘I think bimbo still works, although it’s not really appropriate when used to describe a princess.’’ Her smile faded. ‘‘No marriage proposal this time. It’s a little more serious than that. I didn’t know what to do with this.’’ She waved the single sheet of paper. ‘‘I thought about going to the king, but he and your mother are busy with plans for the celebration and I wasn’t sure….’’ Her voice trailed off.

Alex gave Laura her full attention. The royal social secretary was many wonderful things, including efficient. It wasn’t like her to be indecisive about anything.

‘‘All right,’’ Alex said slowly and held out her hand. When Laura gave her the letter, she scanned it quickly, then read it a second time. Her breath caught in her throat and her chest tightened. ‘‘Dear Lord, can this be right?’’

‘‘I don’t know,’’ Laura admitted.

Was it possible? Alex shook her head to clear it, but her confused thoughts refused to be put in order. What to do?

‘‘I’m glad you didn’t go to my parents,’’ Alex said slowly. ‘‘If it’s true, then it’s wonderful news, but if it isn’t, they could be devastated all over again. I don’t want that.’’

Laura nodded. ‘‘That’s what I thought, too. I don’t know the whole story, but I’ve read about the basics.’’

‘‘I don’t think anyone knows the whole story. That’s part of the problem.’’ She set the letter on her desk. ‘‘All right. Tell my sisters that I need to see them immediately.’’ She glanced at her slender, elegant gold watch. ‘‘Have them meet me for lunch in our private dining room at noon. I’ll tell the kitchen to have something simple sent up.’’ She looked at her friend. ‘‘I’ll want you to be there, too, Laura.’’

Laura stared back at her. ‘‘Are you sure? Isn’t this a family matter?’’

‘‘Yes, but I suspect we’re going to need your help. I have a couple of ideas. If my sisters agree with my plan, then you’ll be an important part of things.’’ Despite her shock, Alex managed a smile. ‘‘As usual.’’

‘‘Thank you.’’

After Laura left, Alex turned in her chair and stared out the window. The view was nearly as familiar as her own reflection. She’d spent many hours in this office, working, planning and, during rare moments of quiet, dreaming. While Wyndham Castle was a major tourist attraction, and even now a large group of visitors toured the manicured gardens below her third-story window, it was also her home. She’d been born here, grown up, played, laughed and cried, all within the confines of the old stone-and-wood structure. People she met often asked her what it was like to live in a castle, but for Alexandra it was all she’d ever known. If she occasionally wondered what it would be like to live a normal life, she reminded herself that she’d been blessed by her circumstances and her loving family. She had wonderful parents and three sisters with whom she was very close.