an excerpt from CHAPTER ONE: ROYAL PALACE GARDEN PARTY
Elizabeth had a distinct feeling of being watched but dismissed it, thinking it was probably some of the grand old dames enviously admiring her outfit. She couldn’t see the Grangers anywhere, and the aroma of food reminded her she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. She bent over an elaborately decorated buffet table, which was lavishly covered with a variety of unusual delicacies.
She placed a tasty looking canapé on a napkin and turned, straightening up quickly, to continue her quest for the Grangers. She bumped into a man who must have just walked up because he certainly hadn’t been there a moment ago.
Both said simultaneously, “I’m so sorry,” and she looked to see if any of the crushed canapé had soiled his jacket, which it had not, then she looked up at his face.
Startled, she blurted, “Oh, Your Royal Highness! I…I’m so sorry. I…I didn’t know you were there and…”
“Please don’t apologize,” he interrupted softly, “It’s my fault. I was too close behind you. I’m terribly sorry, Did your beautiful dress get soiled?”
She looked down at her dress but couldn’t see anything. In fact, she could barely think. Her heart was racing, her usually strong legs felt gelatinous, and the long-banished stirrings in the pit of her abdomen surprised her. His face was mere inches away from hers, and he made no attempt to move away.
She stuttered, “N…no, i…it’s alright, thank you. Please forgive me, Your Highness, I must go. My aunt and uncle must be looking for me. I’ve not seen them since we arrived. Excuse me.”
Despite her weakened legs, she wanted to run, not walk away. He wasn’t supposed to be here. She didn’t understand why she had become so filled with consternation when she didn’t even get the proverbial butterflies in her stomach upon meeting the King and other members of the royal family earlier. Was it because of the way this hot prince’s blue-gray eyes with sparks of silver gazed at her intensely, or because his luscious lips parted to a seductive smile? Maybe it was due to the nearness of the perfect physique that she knew existed under his exquisitely tailored gray suit, or maybe it was the masculine smell of him that mixed provocatively with his cologne? Maybe it was just the fact that she was in the presence of this particular prince, now so alarmingly close to her?
He held her arm firmly as he said, “But we haven’t even met. You can’t just dash away from me. How would it look to all these people, seeing the most beautiful young lady at the party running away from the person the media refers to as ‘the world’s most eligible bachelor,’ not to mention the heir to the throne?” His voice was stern, making Elizabeth feel doubly embarrassed at her ostensibly improper etiquette with royalty.
Trying to think of a suitable apology, she slowly lifted her head and looked up at his face. He was grinning impishly, obviously taking great delight in her discomfort.
She drew in a breath, attempting to contain her growing annoyance. Discerning it, he softened his smile, stuck out his right hand, and straightened himself with overstated formality. “Allow me to introduce myself,” he said. “I am Michael Alexander Stephen and a string of other more impressive names I won’t bore you with. May I have the honor of knowing who you are?”
In spite of herself, she was soothed by the easy yet somewhat shy charm of this charismatic man of royal blood, who seemed so unpretentious that he didn’t deem it necessary to use his full formal title when introducing himself to her. She took his hand with a firm handshake and replied, “I am Elizabeth Angelique Richardson. I’m here with my aunt and uncle, the Robert Charles Grangers.”
“The American oil tycoon?”
“Oh, you know him?”
“No, I know of him—there aren’t too many oil billionaires left. I’d like to meet them,” he said and gave her his left arm, where she reservedly placed her right hand in the crook. “Shall we go look for them, or do you know where they are?”
Looking around, she shook her head, “No, I don’t, but I simply must find them now. We should be leaving soon, as we have an important dinner engagement-”
“More important than a royal party?” he interrupted, arching an eyebrow but smiling teasingly at her.
This time she smiled back as she replied, “Don’t think you’ll have me trying to stammer out another apology, sir. I’ve caught on to you now. I realize you’re a terrible tease, so I won’t let you upset me anymore.” He laughed appreciatively. “Oh, there they are!” she exclaimed on seeing the Grangers chatting amiably with a distinguished-looking gentleman.
They walked quickly towards them, Prince Michael nodding and smiling at everyone who greeted him as they passed by.
The older gentleman smiled and said as they approached, “Michael, my boy. And who is this little beauty?”
“This little beauty happens to be the niece of the people with whom you are speaking, Uncle Patrick. May I present Elizabeth Angelique Richardson? Elizabeth, my uncle, His Royal Highness, Prince Patrick Barrington.”
Shaking Prince Patrick’s hand, Elizabeth noticed his eyes had his nephew’s teasing gleam, accompanied by unabashed admiration, “Ah, I see you two have known each other for some time. Where have you been hiding her, Michael?”
“Well…ah…actually, we’ve only just met.”
He grinned at Michael. “Oh? This is surprising for you, calling a lady by her first name when you’ve only just met.,” As he turned to Elizabeth, the teasing gleam increased as he said, “Usually takes a few dates before he gets to know a girl well enough to call her by her first name. You must have something extra special.”
Elizabeth felt herself blushing and turned her head to look away, but her glance caught Prince Michael’s face. She gazed at his eyes, then smiled teasingly at him, for he, too, was blushing.
The passionate love story surrounded by mystery and danger continues in SACRIFICES FOR KINGDOMS.
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