Jennifer Hayward - Claiming The Royal Innocent

“What if I did? Want that, I mean?”

His gaze narrowed. “You are a princess. Third in line to the throne, in case you’d forgotten. I’m supposed to be protecting you.”

“There’s no threat here,” she derided. “The only thing you’re protecting me from is you.”

“Damn right.”

She took a deep breath. Maybe the deepest she’d ever taken. Lifted her chin. “What you said last night…”

He gave her a suspicious look. “Which part would that be?”

“The incendiary part. I would…like that.”

His eyes widened. He set his glass down on the railing. “Are you trying to destroy my head?”

She shook her head. “I’m suggesting, as you said, that we do what we both want to do. Nobody needs to know.”

A long moment passed. “Just so we’re clear,” he ventured in a silky voice. “You’re suggesting we have an affair? Confined to this island?”

“Yes.”

Jennifer Hayward invites you into a world of…

Young royals in reckless pursuit of passion!

When a centuries-old battle between the kingdoms of Akathinia and Carnelia is reignited the nation’s young royals find themselves on the brink of war. But their kingdoms aren’t the only thing at stake…

Soon these young monarchs are facing an unexpected royal baby, the appearance of a lost princess and an alliance with the enemy.

Can love conquer all?

Find out in:

King Nikandros and Sofía Ramirez’s story

Carrying the King’s Pride March 2016

Princess Aleksandra and Aristos Nicolades’s story

Claiming the Royal Innocent May 2016

And look for:

King Kostas and Princess Stella’s story

Coming soon!

www.millsandboon.co.uk

JENNIFER HAYWARDhas been a fan of romance since filching her sister’s novels to escape her teenage angst. Her career in journalism and PR—including years of working alongside powerful, charismatic CEOs and travelling the world—has provided her with perfect fodder for the fast-paced, sexy stories she likes to write—always with a touch of humour. A native of Canada’s east coast, Jennifer lives in Toronto with her Viking husband and young Viking-in-training.

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This one is for my brother, Andrew, and his unfailing belief in me in following my dream. It’s true—dreams aren’t too expensive to keep! xx

Contents

Cover

Introduction “You can’t be mine,” Aristos rasped, his gaze tracking her. “You want my list again? I don’t do relationships, Alex. My affairs are short-lived—commitment-free in nature. You are off-limits.” “What if I did? Want that, I mean?” His gaze narrowed. “You are a princess. Third in line to the throne, in case you’d forgotten. I’m supposed to be protecting you.” “There’s no threat here,” she derided. “The only thing you’re protecting me from is you.” “Damn right.” She took a deep breath. Maybe the deepest she’d ever taken. Lifted her chin. “What you said last night…” He gave her a suspicious look. “Which part would that be?” “The incendiary part. I would…like that.” His eyes widened. He set his glass down on the railing. “Are you trying to destroy my head?” She shook her head. “I’m suggesting, as you said, that we do what we both want to do. Nobody needs to know.” A long moment passed. “Just so we’re clear,” he ventured in a silky voice. “You’re suggesting we have an affair? Confined to this island?” “Yes.”

Kingdoms & Crowns Jennifer Hayward invites you into a world of…

Title Page Claiming the Royal Innocent Jennifer Hayward www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author JENNIFER HAYWARD has been a fan of romance since filching her sister’s novels to escape her teenage angst. Her career in journalism and PR—including years of working alongside powerful, charismatic CEOs and travelling the world—has provided her with perfect fodder for the fast-paced, sexy stories she likes to write—always with a touch of humour. A native of Canada’s east coast, Jennifer lives in Toronto with her Viking husband and young Viking-in-training.

Dedication This one is for my brother, Andrew, and his unfailing belief in me in following my dream. It’s true—dreams aren’t too expensive to keep! xx

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

Extract

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

“THE COUNT AND Countess of Agiero.”

A soldier in ceremonial uniform announced the exquisitely dressed couple queued in front of Aleksandra Dimitriou in the foyer of the Akathinian royal palace ballroom, his booming voice with its perfect elocution sending her heart plunging to the marble floor. She had hoped arriving late for Princess Stella’s twenty-fifth birthday party would mean the introductions would have been long concluded.

But then again, what did she know? She had never attended a high society party before, let alone an official royal function. The blue silk gown she wore was rented from one of those designer dress services that mailed the couture creation to you in exchange for an exorbitant amount of money, her shoes were those of her fashionable friend Kira, her jewelry unearthed in a knockoff boutique in the city. In fact, not even the invitation belonged to her. She had stolen it with the intent of slipping in unnoticed.

The furor in her head, gathering momentum by the minute, suggested her ploy was about to be revealed to the hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the princess’s birthday. Not to mention the dozens of paparazzi who stood poised like a flock of vultures behind the stanchioned-off red carpet waiting for a money shot.

Her palms went sweaty. A shot of her in handcuffs, a royal intruder caught red-handed during a time of high security for the country, would be great fodder for them. She could just see the residents of her small, sleepy coastal village waking up to her face splashed across the front page of the daily newspaper. Picture them doing a double take, their bemusement quickly turning to horror...

Her heart pounded madly against her ribs. There was no way she was going to pull this off. She should turn around and go back to Stygos and forget she’d ever had this stupid, foolish need to know a piece of herself. To right a wrong that had long since been undoable.