Her Prince's Secret Son (9 page)

Nico played at a sand table.

The nurse Maria stood at his side, a glass in hand that she was offering to Nico.

Her little prince took the drink and sipped.

Sara’s stomach hurt. Why was Maria here, alone, with her son? But she knew the answer. Aleks had considered her concerns as nothing more than hysteria. Or manipulation.

She must have made a sound because Maria turned, smiling. “Miss Presley, welcome.”

“Sara, Sara!” Nico handed the glass to Maria and rushed to Sara.

As she went to her haunches to embrace her son, Sara watched Maria over Nico’s shoulder. The woman looked on, a fond expression on her face.

Maria’s friendliness made Sara feel ridiculous. Maybe there was no connection between Nico’s bouts of vomiting and this particular nurse. After all, Maria was with him every day. If the nurse had an ulterior motive, wouldn’t Nico be sick more often?

Perhaps she was imagining things. Perhaps the stress and emotional turmoil of recent weeks had stolen her common sense.

Much later, when Nico had grown tired enough for a rest, Sara made her way back to the guest suite. Dinner would be served soon and she wanted to relax in the spa tub first and consider today’s events. Once she returned to Kansas, there would be no more servants, no more spa treatments, no more candle-lined hot tub.

Not that she craved any of those things, but they were nice.

After Antonia filled the private tub, lit the candles and sprinkled fragrant bath salts into the water, she left a tray of fruit and mineral water on the edge and slipped out of the room.

Sara took her cell phone and settled into the steaming water. She made a habit of calling Penny every night. Her friend, though furious at Aleks, remained enamored of the “royal treatment” as she termed Sara’s experience in the castle. So, to please her friend, Sara kept her worries to herself and told story after story about the beautiful castle and luxurious treatments.

Using her big toe, she pressed the jet button and slid down into the swirling water as she punched in the long-distance numbers.

She and Penny chatted for a while, laughing above the noise of the tub. Sara told her about the maze and the dungeon, but kept the kisses to herself.

“You sound happier today,” Penny said.

“I’m feeling better.”

“No, it’s more than that. I’ve known you a long time, girlfriend. You sound different.”

“I’ve found my son.”

“Yes, but you found him weeks ago. What’s going on? Tell Aunt Penny.”

Sara chuckled. “Stop prying. I’ll tell you when I come home.”

“Are you falling for that prince jerk again?”

Sara couldn’t answer without lying.

Penny groaned through the receiver. “Sara, honey, be careful. He hurt you before. He’ll do it again.”

Wasn’t that what she feared?

“Don’t worry about me.” She tried to sound breezy. “I’m having the time of my life. Servants, massages, pedicures. You should see my toenails.”

Penny said no more but Sara knew her friend was worried.

So was she.

After the call ended, a thoughtful Sara placed the phone on the edge of the tub and leaned her head back. She needed to get out soon before she was wrinkled as a raisin.

As she silenced the jetting tub, she heard a noise. She sat up, listening. The walls in this place were too thick to hear through. Was someone in her suite?

“Antonia?”

No answer.

Frowning, she exited the tub, dried quickly and slipped into the thick robe, pulling it close around her. Aleks had toyed with the belt of this robe earlier today. It was the first time since coming here that she’d considered what it would be like to make love with him again.

Dangerous thoughts, to be sure.

She padded out of the bath into the living space and found it empty.

Her imagination was playing tricks on her today.

A knock sounded on her door.

Like a lovesick teenager, her mind immediately thought of Aleks.

She rushed to the door and opened it.

Looking down her aristocratic nose with disapproval was Queen Irena.

“Y
OUR
H
IGHNESS
.”
Not well versed on the proper way to address a Queen Mother, Sara dipped in a half curtsy.

The queen arched one brow. “Miss Presley. May I come in?”

How did she refuse a royal? She didn’t. She and the handsome queen had been introduced, but the woman had never before made a point of starting a conversation. On the contrary, Queen Irena had hiked her nose and hurried away every time they met. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that she disapproved of her grandson’s mother.

Sara opened the door wider and the queen swept inside with the air of one accustomed to being in charge and having her way.

Like mother, like son.

The thought amused Sara, but she didn’t smile. She was far too uncomfortable in the queen’s presence. What could the woman possibly want?

Eyes so like Aleks’s swept around the room before coming to rest on Sara.

“I trust you are well.” Rather than a kindness, the words sounded like a command.

“Yes.”

“Excellent. Then I expect you shall be leaving us soon. May I enquire as to when that might be?”

Sara blinked, stunned by the obvious effort to get rid of her. “I—I—I’m not sure yet.”

The queen looked disappointed but was undaunted. “I’ll be happy to have my secretary make the arrangements. How would tomorrow be?”

“Tomorrow?”

“Surely, you see the reason behind leaving as soon as possible? The longer you remain in Prince Domenico’s company, the more difficult the parting will be.” She offered a smile that never reached her eyes. “Especially for the child. Our prince is too fragile for emotional upheavals, don’t you agree?”

“Yes, of course, but—”

“Wonderful. I will send my secretary to you, and let Antonia know to prepare your belongings for travel right away.”

“No!”

The queen looked taken aback. “I beg your pardon?”

“I’m not leaving tomorrow.”

“But you must.”

“I can’t.” Grasping for a reason to stay, Sara latched onto a thin hope. “Dr. Konstantine has not yet released me medically.”

“I see.” The queen’s nostrils flared, but she kept her composure. “Very well, then. But do keep me informed as to your plans. I want very much to accommodate you in every way possible. We are ever so grateful for all you’ve done.”

Right. That’s why she was so eager to have Sara gone. But this was Aleks’s mother, Nico’s grandmother, and Sara would be civil even when deeply offended by the woman’s carefully worded rudeness.

“Helping Nico has been one of the greatest joys of my life.”

One side of Queen Irena’s mouth twisted. “How kind of you.”

The words were polite but her expression was nothing short of hostile.

“Not kind, Your Highness,” Sara said. “Love. I’m his mother. I love him.”

Queen Irena seemed to weigh a response but in the end, chose to switch strategies. That she disliked Sara was obvious. Apparently, Aleks had poisoned her mind with his anger, and there was nothing Sara could do about it. To all the royal family except Nico, she was the evil American who had abandoned the heir to a throne.

The fact that they were correct didn’t help one bit.

“I saw Prince Aleksandre leave your rooms.”

Ah, now they were getting somewhere. But Sara was not about to satisfy the woman’s curiosity, particularly now, when she and Aleks seemed to be opening up to each other. The relationship was far too fragile to share.

If Queen Irena wanted to know why her son had been in this suite, she would have to ask him.

When Sara kept silent, the queen said, “Did His Majesty mention the grand affair coming up this weekend?”

“No.” That she was not privy to such details of his life pained her.

“Of course not. Why would he? It is a royal affair that has nothing to do with you.”

Sara tried not to let the words affect her, but her insides trembled. “Why indeed.”

“Diplomats from around the region will be dining and dancing in the Grand Ballroom.”

“How nice.” Sara was not an idiot. She knew very well she did not fit into this lifestyle, but Queen Irena seemed intent on forcing the issue.

“I wouldn’t want to—how shall I put this delicately—
offend Prince Aleksandre’s fiancée. She doesn’t know of your
previous
relationship and we can’t have her upset.”

Sara felt the blood drain from her face. Her body went numb. “I didn’t know Aleks was engaged.”

“Well, not officially yet, but very soon. I wouldn’t expect you to know anything about that. How could you, not being privy to the inner workings of royalty. Marriages in our class are always among our own kind. Aleksandre has known Duchess Philamena since they both were small children. They’ve been in love for years. She will make a wonderful queen to my son.”

But he’d kissed
her
. He’d fathered a child with
her
. Did his fiancée know that?

Of course she didn’t, which was exactly why Queen Irena was here. She wanted Sara out of the way, fearful that a plain bookshop owner from Kansas could shake the royal family tree.

Sara wanted to laugh hysterically. Or maybe she wanted to weep.

She was a nobody from Kansas who didn’t even know who her father was. Aleks was a prince with a pedigree as long as history. She was nothing but a fling who had surprised him with a child.

And yet, he’d come to her today. He’d expressed caring and concern. They’d laughed and touched and kissed. He felt passion for her, she was certain.

But did he feel anything more?

According to Queen Irena, he did not. He could not.

Regardless of these last few days of hopefulness, Prince Aleksandre was completely out of her league.

If only she could accept it and let him go.

Humming softly, Aleks tucked the photograph album under one arm as he stepped off the elevator. Earlier when he and Sara had talked, Sara had eagerly soaked up every scrap of information he shared about Nico. It had occurred to him this afternoon, in the middle of a news conference, that she had never seen any photos of her son as an infant.

He paused, staring down at the crested album. He’d referred to Nico as her son. Odd. When had he switched loyalties? When had he come to think of Sara as Nico’s mother?

Concern fluttered under his ribs like a case of indigestion.

He’d never fully listened to her side of the story. Part of him wanted to, but he’d spent so many years despising her, blaming her, he was afraid of her lies.

What if she hadn’t lied?

The elevator doors rumbled open.

But she had. He was certain. His mother had told him of Sara’s treachery. Mother would know. She’d been there.

He gripped the photo album tighter. He and Sara had shared a pleasant interlude. That was all. Nothing serious. And she
had
given Nico new life when Aleks feared all hope was lost. She deserved this gift in return. It was the least he could do to show his gratitude.

The thought of that million-dollar contract nagged the edges of his mind. Wasn’t that gratitude enough?

The conflicting ideas annoyed him. He tried to shake them off. Sara would be gone soon and none of this would matter.

A sick feeling pulled at his gut. Sara would be out of his life again.

Would this time be forever?

He wasn’t ready to let her go again.

Desire. That’s all it could be. He was a man, accustomed
to having women, though he was rigidly discreet. Since Nico’s illness he had been celibate.

Yes, desire was as good an excuse as any for this fixation on Sara Presley.

As Aleks stepped off the elevator, his mind jumping from the reasons he should despise Sara to the reasons he shouldn’t, he was surprised to observe Queen Irena coming down the corridor. She wore her usual two-piece suit, probably silk, only this one was blood-red and screamed power. Her hair, always immaculately groomed, appeared freshly coiffed. Her pumps made firm taps on the floor. He knew that walk. She was annoyed.

“Mother?” he said, curious.

Her hand went to the creamy scarf at her throat. “Aleksandre. You startled me.”

Indeed. She sounded breathless.

“What are you doing in the guest wing? Has someone arrived already?” With the event planned for this weekend, he would not be surprised to find guests arriving early. Carvainia Castle was noted for its luxury treatment of all guests.

“No, I—” His mother looked extremely nervous for some reason. “I was speaking to Miss Presley.”

Knowing how the queen had both ignored and avoided “that American woman,” Aleks went on alert. “Sara? Why would you want to talk to Sara?”

“I wished to express my gratitude in person. She has done our country a great service.”

Something in his mother’s manner didn’t ring true. “I see.”

“Do you?” She gripped his elbow, eyes narrowed. “Why are
you
here, my son? To express your
gratitude
, as well?”

Aleksandre knew from her tone that the queen suspected more than gratitude drew him to Sara. At the moment, he
couldn’t say for certain if she was right or wrong. Regardless of his reasons, he would not share the information with his mother.

All he knew was that he had to see Sara.

“I do not need to explain my activities.”

With a sharp gasp of hurt, she dropped her hand. “Gossip is flying, Aleksandre. You were in her rooms earlier. Now you are here again. Have you no sense where this wicked American is concerned? Does she have some sort of power over you?”

He’d wondered the same thing. “Don’t be ludicrous.”

“Listen to me, my son. I am not without sympathy. You are a man without a wife. You have needs, and yet as prince you bear a responsibility to be especially careful. There are Carvainian women who would welcome your attentions.”

“Mother—” he started. Though his thoughts had been along similar lines, his libido was not something he cared to discuss with his mother.

She raised a hand to silence him. “Hear me. Duchess Philamena will be here this weekend as well as other beautiful women of royal blood. It is time for you to choose one of them. Take a queen. Take a mistress. But this attraction for the American is dangerous.”

“Do you think I am not man enough to handle Sara Presley?”

She drew up to her full height, head high and eyes of dark fire. “You are a warrior prince, a ruler with ice in your veins and the heart of a lion. You serve your country with honor and dignity every day. Five years ago, you were young and untried. The unworthy woman turned your head and broke your heart. You are too strong, too proud and too wise to allow this to happen again.”

As her lips quivered with the passion of her words, Aleks saw her intent. She was not interfering. She was afraid for him.

He touched her shoulder and said gently, “I will think about these things.”

Seeing that she could do no more, the queen nodded once and continued her journey, leaving him in the corridor with Nico’s photographs in his hand.

Mother was right in many ways.

Sara had fooled him before. He glanced toward the closed door of her suite.

Even now, after his mother’s impassioned speech, the thought of being with Sara called to him like a siren’s song. As long as she was under his roof, he could not stay away.

Sara awakened at dawn, inexplicably drawn to the balcony. A hill gently sloped from the castle to the seashore. A fading moon cast a silvery reflection across the water and dimly lit a solitary figure walking along the sandy beach below. Head down, hands in his pockets, he looked more than alone. He looked lonely.

What must it be like for a man so young to have such responsibility on his shoulders? Granted, Aleks was a man born and trained to the role and yet, the Aleks she’d known would care deeply, worry too much and try too hard. Failure, for Aleks d’Gabriel, was never an option.

In the last few days she’d seen more and more glimpses of the old Aleks beneath the angry face he’d first presented.

She suffered for him, wishing for a way to ease his burdens—a laughable sentiment.

“Aleks,” she whispered, fingers touching the spot over her heart that called to him as eagerly as her lips.

As if he’d heard, he turned toward the castle. The sea breeze caught her hair and tossed it back, then played with
the edge of her robe, baring her legs and unshod feet. She lifted a hand in greeting.

She could almost imagine Aleks’s smile as he waved in return.

Heart lifting, she waved again before going to the balcony gate. The last few days had been wonderful. Though she’d battled falling in love with Aleks again, yesterday, she’d lost the fight.

Nico’s baby photo album had broken down the last barrier. She’d cried, her heart aching for all she’d missed, but she’d also cried with joy that Aleks would intuitively understand how important those pictures were to her. He had held her and kissed away her tears.

Then he’d paged through the album, telling sweet stories behind each photo until she’d almost felt as if she’d been there.

Last night, she had taken dinner with him and Nico, and later, after reading a story to the little prince and tucking him in bed, the two of them had watched a movie in the theater room. Rather, the movie had played. They had not watched.

They had talked. And touched. And used the cover of darkness as an excuse for more kisses. He wanted to make love to her. She could feel it in the passion of his kiss and tremble of his body against hers. She wanted that, too, but she would not because other than renewed desire for one another, nothing had really changed. They had never resolved the terrible rift lying dormant like a volcano waiting to erupt.

Yet their attraction couldn’t be denied, an attraction that, to Sara, was far more than physical. She loved him with a love that wanted what was best for him.

But what exactly was best for Aleks? A duchess he had known from birth? Or a commoner from Kansas who’d given him a son?

Beneath the austerity of his position, Aleks was still Aleks.
She knew he’d suffered terribly in the war. He’d told her as much. War had changed him, hardened him, shattered his faith in humanity. He was edgier and more cautious, but he could still make her feel like the most incredible woman on earth.