Julia London: The Princess Plan

Princes have pomp and glory—not crushes on commoners

Nothing gets the tongues of London’s high society wagging like a good scandal. And when the personal secretary of the visiting Prince Sebastian of Alucia is found murdered, it’s all anyone can talk about, including Eliza Tricklebank. Her unapologetic gossip gazette has benefited from an anonymous tip about the crime, prompting Sebastian to take an interest in playing detective—and an even greater interest in Eliza.

With a trade deal on the line and mounting pressure to secure a noble bride, there’s nothing more salacious than a prince dallying with a commoner. Sebastian finds Eliza’s contrary manner as frustrating as it is seductive, but they’ll have to work together if they’re going to catch the culprit. And when things heat up behind closed doors, it’s the prince who’ll have to decide what comes first—his country or his heart.

JULIA LONDONis the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the best-selling Highland Grooms historical romance series, and the Lake Haven contemporary romance series. Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA ®award for excellence in romantic fiction. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Also by Julia London and Mills & Boon

Highland Grooms

Wild Wicked Scot

Seduced by a Scot

Tempting the Laird,

Devil in Tartan

Hard-Hearted Highlander

Sinful Scottish Laird

The Cabot Sisters

The Trouble with Honour

The Devil Takes a Bride

The Scoundrel and the Debutante

The Princess Plan

Julia London

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09902-8

THE PRINCESS PLAN

© 2019 Dinah Dinwiddie

Published in Great Britain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

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www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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Praise for New York Times bestselling author Julia London

‘There is such an emotional depth to the book…The gorgeous characters and the wit and charm made this a book I simply didn’t want to put down. I was willing Eliza and Sebastian on to their fairtytale happy ending!’

—Nicola Cornick, on The Princess Plan

‘Charming, witty and warm. This is the perfect historical romance.’

—Sunday Times bestselling author

Sarah Morgan, on The Princess Plan

‘Julia London writes vibrant, emotional stories and sexy, richly drawn characters.’

—Madeline Hunter,

New York Times bestselling author

‘London is at the top of her game in this thrilling tale of political intrigue and second chances.’

— Booklist , on Wild Wicked Scot

‘London’s new Highland Grooms series will be well worth following if this first novel is any indication…. An absorbing read from a novelist at the top of her game.’

— Kirkus Reviews on Wild Wicked Scot

‘Expert storytelling and believable characters make the romance between Arran and Margot come alive in this compelling novel packed with characters whom readers will be sad to leave behind.’

— Publishers Weekly on Wild Wicked Scot

‘Warm, witty and decidedly wicked—great entertainment.’

—#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens on Hard-Hearted Highlander

Dear Reader,

I am so excited to introduce a new historical series to you. A Royal Wedding series was inspired by the very real fairy tale we all saw unfold when Meghan Markle married Prince Harry.

The fairytale of a prince and a commoner has endured as the ultimate romantic fantasy—a handsome man of considerable means plucks an unassuming woman (us) from obscurity, puts a crown on our head, sets us up in a big beautiful home with lots of servants to do the washing and cleaning and, bonus, he worships the ground we walk on. You can’t look at the way Prince Harry looks at Meghan and imagine any less.

I wanted to capture that magical thinking after the recent spate of royal weddings. I thought it would be fun to set the fairy tale in London in the Victorian era. But with a bit of a contemporary twist—the women are strong and outspoken characters that today’s readers can relate to. In The Princess Plan , Eliza Tricklebank didn’t go looking for a prince. But after a murder, some titillating gossip, and some snooping around, a prince came looking for her. The rest, as they say, is a happy ever after.

I hope you enjoy The Princess Plan as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Julia London 2019

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Praise

Dear Reader

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN