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She detected a vague note of exasperation in his tone. To her it sounded wonderful. After her parents died, she had been shuttled to the States to live with her great-aunt and uncle, who had little concept of family. Childless by choice, they saw their orphaned great-niece as more of an interloper than a part of the family. They wasted little time shipping her off to boarding school for her education and camp for the summers. Not that she blamed them. They’d done the best they could. Had they chosen not to take her in she would have become a ward of the state, and who knows where she would be today.
Melissa became aware that the car was climbing, and she knew that they were nearly there. Then the trees cleared and there sat the royal castle, like a scene from a child’s picture book, high on a cliff overlooking the ocean and hovering like a sentinel above a charming village below. Far less modern than Morgan Isle, she thought with a tug of pride, but magnificent nonetheless. She felt a little as though she had been thrown back into a past century.
From what she’d learned in her research, where Morgan Isle was modern and forward-thinking—a flourishing and expanding resort community—Thomas Isle was traditional and private. Most of their economy was based on export, primarily fishing and organic farming. Some considered it archaic, but she saw it as quaint and charming.
“It’s magnificent,” she told him, gazing up from the car window.
“Do you know the history between our two countries?”
“Only that they’ve been rivals for many years.”
“It’s a fascinating story. Were you aware that both islands used to be ruled by one family? A king and queen with two sons. Twins, born only minutes apart.”
“Their names wouldn’t have been Thomas and Morgan, would they?”
He smiled. “In fact, they were. When the king died, the princes became ensnared in a battle over who would be become the next ruler. They each felt they deserved the title. When an accord couldn’t be reached, one challenged the other to a duel.” He paused for dramatic effect. “To the death.
“The survivor would reign as king. But their mother couldn’t bear the thought of losing either one of them, and begged them not to fight. She suggested a compromise. They could split the kingdom by each taking one of the islands. They agreed, but their discord was so bitter, they never spoke again.”
“That’s so sad.”
“To spite the other, each chose his own name for his island. Their subjects, as a show of loyalty to their respective kings, were banned from visiting the island on which they didn’t reside, or even communicating with its people. Many families were broken and businesses ruined.”
“What about the queen? Which island did she choose?”
“She refused to choose between her sons and was banished from both islands.”
She pressed a hand to her heart. “Oh, my goodness, how awful!” How could they banish their own mother?
“It took hundreds of years to put our history behind us,” he said. “That’s why it’s so important that we maintain accord between our two countries. Joining our resources could benefit both our islands. Both of our societies. Both of our families.”
“King Phillip feels the same way,” she assured him. “That’s why I’m here.”
“I’m relieved to hear that. Matters such as these have the potential to be very…awkward.”
“I’m a go-with-the-flow princess,” she said, which was true, for the most part. “However, I take my new role very seriously. Anything for the good of the country.”
He flashed her another one of those sizzling smiles. “Then I’m sure we’ll get along quite well.”
The car pulled up the drive to the gates, where a mob of press waited with microphones poised and cameras at the ready.
The gates swung open and guards in formal uniform stepped forward to control the crowd. The car continued on past a stone wall that seemed to extend miles in each direction, and what she saw on the other side took her breath away. Everything looked green and vibrant, and the castle itself was a towering edifice of stone and mortar and ornate stained-glass windows, all meticulously maintained and preserved.
“Welcome to Sparrowfax Castle,” Chris said.
It was clear, as they rounded the drive and she saw the royal family and what appeared to be the entire staff lined up awaiting their arrival, that they were pulling out all of the royal stops. That annoying knot of nerves coiled even tighter in her belly.
This sure seemed liked a lot of trouble to go to for a simple diplomatic visit. Yet she couldn’t let herself forget how important this was to her family and country, which would mean watching her behavior. Particularly biting her sharp Southern tongue that sometimes had a mind of its own.
As the car slowed to a halt, footmen in royal dress approached to open the doors. Melissa took the proffered hand thrust her way and rose from the back seat, feeling underdressed in her basic linen suit. The family was dressed and poised to receive royalty—which she had to remind herself, she was—and for the first time in her adult life she felt apprehensive about her suitability.
Chris’s parents, the king and queen, stepped forward to greet her. Though getting up in years, they appeared healthy and vibrant. Their other children, Chris’s brother and twin sisters, were as breathtakingly attractive as their sibling. What a privilege it would be, Melissa mused, to belong to such a beautiful family. It was a wonder that all of them had yet to marry.
Good looks, however, were only a fraction of a much larger picture. For all she knew they could be rude and unfriendly.
Chris appeared at her side, and though it was silly, his presence seemed to have a calming effect on her.
“All this for me?” she asked.
Her question seemed to perplex him. “Of course. You’re an honored guest. Your visit marks a new era for both of our kingdoms.”
Little ol’ me? She hadn’t realized her visit would be seen as quite that big of a deal. Her own family hadn’t put up close to this much fuss when she’d come home to her native land. In fact, there hadn’t been any fuss at all. Her return to Morgan Isle had been very hush-hush, to avoid a media frenzy.
But it wasn’t as though she was going to complain. What woman didn’t enjoy a little ego-stroking every now and then?
Chris offered his arm. “Are you ready to meet my family?”
She looped her arm through his, finding his solid warmth a decadent treat. And a comfort. He made her feel…safe.
She smiled up at him and nodded. Back in New Orleans she sat at the very top of the social food chain. But none of that carried much weight here, where she was known only as the illegitimate daughter of the late King Frederick.
And she suspected that for the rest of her life no one would let her forget it.
Chapter Two
Within five minutes of meeting her, Chris suspected that he and Princess Melissa would get along quite well.
Though he typically preferred blondes, Melissa’s dark hair and eyes and her warm complexion were unexpectedly exotic and appealing. She was not only attractive and seemingly pleasant, but as had been suggested by King Phillip, she had a resilient personality and a sharp wit. Traits some might find undesirable, but a necessity for the type of arrangement they were considering.
He walked her over to his family to start the introductions. It had already been determined how everyone was to behave. It was imperative they make her feel welcome.
“Melissa, I would like to introduce you to my parents, the king and queen of Thomas Isle.”
Melissa curtsied and said, “It’s an honor, Your Majesties.”
His mother took her hand and said warmly, “The honor is ours, Melissa. We’re so happy that you could visit us.”
“I hope we find it mutually beneficial,” his father said, his tone serious.
“I’m certain we will,” Melissa answered with a warm smile.
The king cast Chris a sideways glance, one that conveyed the message don’t screw this up. Despite his past resistance when it came to the idea of settling down, even Chris couldn’t deny that an alliance with the royals of Morgan Isle would be a smart move. Politically and financially.
“Meet my brother and sisters,” Chris said, introducing them each in turn. “Prince Aaron Felix Gastel, and princesses Anne Charlotte Amalia and Louisa Josephine Elisabeth.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Melissa said. She shook each of their hands, and just as planned, they all greeted her warmly. Aaron was simply relieved that it was Chris in this position and not himself, though at thirty-one he should have been ready for the responsibility.
Louisa, the younger fraternal twin by five minutes, greeted Melissa with her usual bubbly enthusiasm. From the time that she was a small child, Louisa loved everyone, often to her own detriment. Her siblings had spent a good deal of time sheltering her from harm.
Anne was the older and more cautious twin. Too many times her trust had been betrayed by people she had mistakenly considered her friends. But even she put her best foot forward and welcomed Melissa warmly. She, like everyone else, knew how important it was that this visit go smoothly.
The introductions complete, Chris gestured to the maid who would tend to Melissa for the duration of her trip.
“Elise, would you please show our guest to her quarters?” Then he asked Melissa, “How much time do you need to settle in?”
“Not long,” she said, a light of excitement flashing in the dark depths of her eyes. “I’m anxious to see the gardens. They looked decadent from the air.”
“Then that’s where we’ll begin,” he told her. “Will an hour suffice?”
She nodded. “I’ll expect you in an hour.”
Elise stepped forward, curtsied, and said, “This way, Your Highness.”
When they disappeared inside the castle and out of earshot, and the staff was dismissed to resume their duties, everyone seemed to let out a collective breath of relief.
“I think that went quite well,” his mother said.
And from his father, “Have you discussed it with her?”
Chris refrained from rolling his eyes and struggled to keep the exasperation from his voice. “Of course not, Father. We’ve only just met.”
His mother shot her husband a sharp look. “Give it time, James.” Then she told Chris, “Take all the time you need, dear. A decision like this shouldn’t be rushed. But I do have to say, I think she’s lovely.”
“Although illegitimate,” the king reminded her.
“That’s hardly her fault,” she snapped back. “Besides, what family doesn’t have its share of scandal? And secrets.”
“Just some more than others,” Aaron quipped, receiving a stern look from the his mother.
“Well, I like her,” Louisa bubbled.
Anne shot her an exasperated look. “You like everyone.”
“Not everyone. But I really like Melissa, and I’m an excellent judge of character.”
Actually, Louisa was a rotten judge of character, but Chris hoped in this case she was right.
“We all have to remember to be on our best behavior,” their mother said firmly. “Make her feel welcome.” She took Chris’s hands in hers and gave them a squeeze. “I think this might be the one, dear.”
Though at first he had resisted, now Chris was inclined to agree.
He was quite sure already that Melissa would make a suitable wife.
“We need to talk,” Aaron said quietly to Chris as the rest of the family dispersed.
Chris nodded and followed his brother away from the castle, where they could speak in private. “Is there a problem?”
“There might be,” Aaron said, brow wrinkled with concern, which wasn’t at all like him. It took a lot to put a frown on his face.
“Something about Melissa?”
Aaron shook his head. “No, no, nothing like that. I had an urgent message from the foreman of the east fields, saying he needed to see me as soon as possible. So I drove down there this morning.”
The east fields, which made up close to a third of the royal family’s vast acreage, was used primarily to grow soy and housed the largest of their research and greenhouse facilities. “What did he want?”
“There’s some sort of disease causing a blight on the crops. A strain he doesn’t recognize.”
Due to the organic nature of their business, disease and insect infestations were at times a concern. “Is it treatable?”
“He’s tried several methods, but so far it appears resistant. He called in a botanist from the university who he believes will be able to help. But at the rate it’s spreading, we could lose half of the crop. Maybe more.”
Which would be unfortunate, but not a devastating loss. Unless it spread. “You say it’s confined to the east fields?”
“So far, yes.”
“And there have been no problems reported from local farmers?”
“None that I’ve heard.”
“Good. Lets try to keep it that way. The last thing we need right now is an epidemic. Or the fear of one.” Which could be just as damaging. The timing couldn’t be worse. “And we shouldn’t burden Father with this. Not until it’s absolutely necessary.”
“I’ll see that the situation is handled discreetly,” Aaron assured him. “Although if it begins to spread we’ll have no choice but to post a countrywide bulletin.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” This alliance with the royal family of Morgan Isle depended on a stable economy and strong leadership. Their father’s health issues were a closely guarded secret known only to the family and the king’s personal physician. And Chris intended to keep it that way. If he was to become king, sooner rather than later as the case might be, he needed a strong base on which to build.
“Try not to worry about it. Concentrate on your princess.” Aaron flashed Chris a sly grin. “Not that it will be much of a hardship. She’s very attractive.”
“And just think, once I’m married off, you’ll be next.”
Aaron snorted out a rueful laugh. “I wouldn’t hold your breath. Only the crown prince is required to marry and have an heir.”
“That won’t stop Mother from setting you up with every eligible female on the island.”
“She knows better.”
Chris laughed and said, “You keep telling yourself that. But mark my words, the instant I’m spoken for, you’ll be next.”
Aaron glared at him. “Don’t you have a princess to seduce?”
He did, and seduce her was exactly what he planned to do.
The interior of the castle was even more magnificent than the exterior.
As the maid led Melissa up to the room she would occupy for the duration of her visit, she took in with sheer wonder the high, ornately scribed ceilings and tall stained-glass windows, the authentic period furniture, magnificent tapestries and rich oriental rugs over gleaming polished wood and inlaid marble floors. On the walls hung amazing works of art, landscapes and portraits and even a few abstracts.
In New Orleans she’d seen many magnificent residences—her own estate had been highlighted in its share of newspaper and magazine articles—and the palace on Morgan Isle was the pinnacle of luxury and style. Yet none could compare to the grandeur of Sparrowfax Castle. Though she had anticipated a dark, dank atmosphere—it was after all built of stone and mortar—it was surprisingly bright and airy, her own room included.
While her things were unpacked, she took some time to change and freshen her makeup, then investigate her chamber. It wasn’t a terribly large room, maybe only a third the size of her suite at the palace. But what it lacked in size, it made up for in luxury. The furnishings were rich and traditional, authentic to the period and meticulously preserved.
