Page 84 of A Whiskey River Princess

Gabriella nodded, a smile lighting her lips. “Yes, they took good care of me.” She didn’t tell him that it was Dirk who had saved her life… upon more than one occasion.

“Gabriella, I can’t imagine the ordeal you’ve been through.” He pulled her to a stop and clasped her hands. “I’m just glad that you’re safe and that Manfred brought you back home safely to me.” He paused and resumed walking. “I’ve been thinking. Gabriella, you’re of marrying age and I hate to bring this up now, but I’ve arranged a marriage for you.”

Gabriella’s heart sank. She was prepared to do her duty, but she had no idea that it would be so soon.

He pulled her to a stop and raised an eyebrow. “Do you object?”

Gabriella’s eyes filled with concern as she shook her head. “No. I trust that you found a suitable husband for me.” She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I’m prepared to do what is best for the good of the monarchy.”

A crease formed between his eyes. “Even at the expense of your heart?”

Her head jerked up. “My heart is irrelevant. I now know that I must do what is best for my family… and for my country.”

He nodded. They came to a door, and he stopped to face her. “Gabriella, ever since your parents died and you came to live with me, I have thought of you as my own daughter. I couldn’t love you more if you were my own.”

She nodded as she forced a smile. “I love you, too, Uncle Charles. And thank you for taking me in and raising me.” She let out a deep breath as she smiled. “Don’t worry. This is the least I could do for you, for what you have done for me.”

Prince Charles III looked down at her. “I’m glad to hear you say that.” When he flung the door open, to her amazement, Dirk Price stood in the room.

“Dirk?” Gabriella asked, looking up at her uncle with wide eyes. “I… I don’t understand.”

Her uncle smiled. “Manfred Carlo told me everything and you have my blessing.”

Gabriella pulled her uncle in for a hug. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Then she looked over at Dirk, who was waiting patiently, a broad smile spreading across his face as he moved toward her.

“Dirk!” she squealed as she ran toward him, meeting him in the middle of the room.

His lips descended upon hers as he placed his hand on the back of her head, pulling her into his arms. “I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered when he pulled back, holding her to his chest.

Her uncle cleared his throat behind them. When Gabriella looked over, he was smiling. “Mr. Price, don’t you have something you would like to ask my niece?”

Dirk arched an eyebrow.

Prince Charles III nodded. “With my blessing, of course.”

Dirk smiled as he got down on one knee and pulled out a ring. The diamond gleamed, but she only had eyes for the man kneeling before her. “Gabriella Grimaldi, Princess of Monaco, will you do me the extraordinary honor of becoming my wife?”

Gabriella looked into his eyes. “I’d be honored,” she replied, and then added, “I thought you’d never ask.”

He laughed, and then pulled her in for a hug as he pressed his lips to hers. As her lips moved with his, she knew that she had finally found a home of her own… with Dirk Price.

Dirk pulled back, smiling as he looked in her eyes. “You’re a princess, huh?”

She shrugged. “I’m afraid so.”

He smiled. “My Whiskey River princess.”

She laughed. “I’d just be happy to be called your wife.”

“Well then?” Prince Charles III interrupted. “What are we waiting for?”

“Now?” Gabriella asked in disbelief as she looked instinctively down at her dress.

Her uncle chuckled. “I have everything already arranged with the Catholic Church and Monsignor Jean Claude. By royal decree, you are to be married tonight.” Then he held her hands and looked in her eyes. “That is, if you wish.”

Gabriella nodded. “Yes, of course. Thank you, uncle. I will never forget this.”

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