Leanne Banks - A Royal Christmas Proposal

Здесь есть возможность читать онлайн «Leanne Banks - A Royal Christmas Proposal» — ознакомительный отрывок электронной книги совершенно бесплатно, а после прочтения отрывка купить полную версию. В некоторых случаях можно слушать аудио, скачать через торрент в формате fb2 и присутствует краткое содержание. Жанр: unrecognised, на английском языке. Описание произведения, (предисловие) а так же отзывы посетителей доступны на портале библиотеки ЛибКат.

A Royal Christmas Proposal: краткое содержание, описание и аннотация

Предлагаем к чтению аннотацию, описание, краткое содержание или предисловие (зависит от того, что написал сам автор книги «A Royal Christmas Proposal»). Если вы не нашли необходимую информацию о книге — напишите в комментариях, мы постараемся отыскать её.

A Royal Christmas Proposal — читать онлайн ознакомительный отрывок

Ниже представлен текст книги, разбитый по страницам. Система сохранения места последней прочитанной страницы, позволяет с удобством читать онлайн бесплатно книгу «A Royal Christmas Proposal», без необходимости каждый раз заново искать на чём Вы остановились. Поставьте закладку, и сможете в любой момент перейти на страницу, на которой закончили чтение.

Тёмная тема
Сбросить

Интервал:

Закладка:

Сделать

Even now, she felt twinges from her memories, but she was determined to keep her feelings and future in perspective. One of her most important decisions had been not to live at the palace. Another important decision had been to hire Nanny Marley. The next decision would be to get rid of her assigned security man, Mr. Walker.

As she pulled up to the palace, the gates were opened and she was waved through. Parking her car at the side of the main building, she touched her finger to the sensor that would allow her inside the door. Her shoes echoed on the marble floor of the hallways as she made her way to her brother’s office. The same office had once belonged to her father, although her father had spent far less time performing royal duties and much more time on his yacht with his mistress du jour. She’d always found it amazing that her father had managed to sire six legitimate children despite his numerous affairs. Now that Ericka was grown, she could look back and see that her mother had continued to have children in hopes of truly winning her father’s heart. Unfortunately, her mother’s wish had never come true.

Ericka’s stomach knotted as she remembered feeling that same sense of desperation at losing her husband. She’d been all too aware of the deterioration of his feelings for her. In fact, she’d made love with him in a final effort to win him back. When she thought of how weak she’d been, she could hardly bear it. It had taken her over a year to find herself again and get centered. She never wanted to be that weak woman, dependent on a man again. Never.

Reaching her brother’s office, she knocked on the door and waited. Impatience nicked at her and she knocked again.

The door swung open and one of her brother’s assistants dipped his head. “Your Highness,” he said.

“I need to see my brother,” she said.

“But he’s—”

“It won’t take long. I promise. Stefan,” she called. “I know you’re in there. Do you really want me yelling outside your office?”

Her brother’s assistant groaned and seconds later, he backed away, allowing her entrance. Stefan frowned at her. “I just got off a conference call with two dukes from Spain and Italy.”

“Great timing,” she said, and shot him a broad smile. “I thought you might be signing off around this time.”

“I actually had some other items on my list,” he said, his irritation clear.

“I imagine they could wait until tomorrow. Eve and your little ones would probably love to see you tonight.”

His hard gaze softened. “You’re probably right. Eve is worn out by the end of the day with this pregnancy, although she would deny it.”

“You married a strong woman,” she said.

“So I did,” Stefan said. “I suspect you’re here to complain about your new security man.”

“Your suspicion is correct. I specifically requested someone low key, who won’t interrupt my routine or bring undue attention.”

“Mr. Jackson will work out with no problem. He comes highly recommended. I wanted the best for you and Leo.”

“You gave me the Texas version of the Jolly Green Giant. He’s been an interruption since he walked through the door. He doesn’t like the cat—”

“Can’t blame him there,” Stefan muttered.

“Leo likes the cat,” she said.

“Leo doesn’t know any better,” Stefan retorted. “Listen, you haven’t even given Mr. Walker a chance. He hasn’t been there a whole day. The least you can do is give him a trial period.”

“One more day,” she said.

Stefan shook his head. “At least a week. He left an assignment in the States at my request.”

“I don’t need this kind of invasion into my privacy. I can’t believe you think Leo or I are at risk here in Chantaine.”

“You forget Eve’s encounter with that crowd before we were married,” he said.

“That’s different. I won’t be doing nearly as many appearances since I’m focusing on the conference. Any time I’m making an appearance, you can assign someone from your security detail for me.”

Stefan sighed. “I don’t like to frighten you, but I don’t trust your ex-husband. How do you know he won’t try to use Leo to get some sort of settlement?”

Ericka’s blood ran cold at the thought. She swallowed over a lump of fear and shook it off. “My ex-husband couldn’t be less interested in Leo. He knew I was pregnant when I left.”

“He could change his mind. If he does, I want to be ready for him.”

Chapter Two

Treat heard two voices coming from the den of the house as he walked down the hall. He stopped outside the den and watched as the princess used sign language while she gazed at her computer tablet. The baby sat next to her with his eyes closed, apparently asleep.

“So, how did you like that, Leo?” she asked and turned to look at her child. She gave a soft laugh. “Bored you to sleep, right?”

She sighed. “Well, maybe we can get you to extend your little nap in your crib,” she said as she gently picked up the baby and stood. She turned and met his gaze.

Treat saw the way her body stiffened slightly. “Anything I can do for you? I’ve decided to focus security around the perimeter of the property and give you and your nanny a panic button.”

“Fine,” she said with a total lack of interest. “I’m going to try to put Leo down now. He has a hard time sleeping unless he can see me or I’m holding him.”

“Maybe it has something to do with his other senses being heightened. Do you leave a light on in the bedroom?” he asked.

“No. I hadn’t thought of that,” she said. “I use room darkening shades for him during the day.”

Treat shrugged. “Just something to think about. He’s probably a very visual guy.”

She studied him for a moment. “I’ll do some research.”

He nodded. “Looked like you were doing well with the sign language,” he said.

“You know sign language?” she asked.

“A little. Not enough to get any—” he said, and wiggled his hands for the sign for applause.

Her lips twitched in an almost smile. “I’ve got a long way to go. Right now, though, I’m putting my big guy to bed. I’m glad you won’t be concentrating as much on alarming the house. Leo may not be able to hear the alarms, but it would be startling for Nanny and me.”

“I hear you,” he said. “Listen, do you mind if I take a swim in the pool at night? It’s one of the ways I like to stay in shape.”

He felt her gaze dip to his shoulders then she blinked and cleared her throat. “Of course not,” she said. “Excuse me while I put Leo to bed.”

Treat felt something wrap around his ankles and watched Sam wind around him. He frowned.

“Looks like Sam likes you,” Princess Fredericka said.

Treat watched her as she retreated down the hallway. He shifted from one foot to the other and narrowed his eyes. Sam looked up at him and gave a meow. He glared down at the cat, but the cat continued to mark him. Glancing toward the hallway, he thought about the woman who’d just left the room. He’d expected a snooty princess. At first glance, maybe she was. But in less than twenty-four hours, he’d glimpsed something else. A princess trying to teach herself and her baby son sign language? She wasn’t what he’d expected.

Treat felt a strange gnawing sensation in his gut. He hadn’t felt anything like it in a long time. In fact, he hadn’t felt much of anything for a long time. He’d made sure not to invest in anything too emotional. His life hadn’t allowed for it once he’d suffered that last professional football injury. Treat hadn’t gotten truly involved with a woman in several years. He’d been too busy trying to make a living. Once he’d switched to security, he’d decided to make his fortune with it. The past few years he’d worked non-stop with his partner to build their security business. Now, he was making the step to take the business international.

Читать дальше
Тёмная тема
Сбросить

Интервал:

Закладка:

Сделать

Похожие книги на «A Royal Christmas Proposal»

Представляем Вашему вниманию похожие книги на «A Royal Christmas Proposal» списком для выбора. Мы отобрали схожую по названию и смыслу литературу в надежде предоставить читателям больше вариантов отыскать новые, интересные, ещё непрочитанные произведения.


Отзывы о книге «A Royal Christmas Proposal»

Обсуждение, отзывы о книге «A Royal Christmas Proposal» и просто собственные мнения читателей. Оставьте ваши комментарии, напишите, что Вы думаете о произведении, его смысле или главных героях. Укажите что конкретно понравилось, а что нет, и почему Вы так считаете.

x