Page 12 of The Duke's Virgin

“If you don’t want to attract attention, Stacia, you probably shouldn’t poke the Crown Prince of Monaco in the ribs in front of so many people.” His voice was filled with a mix of annoyance and amusement. His gaze slid off to the left, and I glanced over just in time to see one of his security team smoothly block what was clearly a member of the press.

“Great,” I muttered.

He patted my hand. “Relax. If they start speculating about our upcoming marriage, I’ll just have my assistant issue a statement addressing the fact that we’re cousins.”

“Which will just point more attention my way.” Rolling my eyes, I adjusted my sunglasses and squared my shoulders, mentally and physically. “Get me through this pack, Your Highness. Surely the press isn’t allowed everywhere.”

He laughed, and after settling my hand in the crook of his elbow, picked up his pace. “You need to learn to brazen your way through this shit, darling. Fix that very look on your face, pull your shoulders back like you just did, and stride right through the fray. Learn the attitude, Stacia, and you can brazen your way through most things. It could even help you deal with your parents, makethatnightmare easier.”

“Nothing would make that nightmare easier unless they suddenly have a rapid personality adjustment.” Sighing, I squeezed his arm. “Okay, so tell me about who we’re to see.”

“Some friends of mine.” He gestured ahead at the next gate where several uniformed officers waited. “One of them sponsors a team. I’m friends with the driver too. Andthatteam, by the way, is the one we want to win.”

“Okay.” Curiosity stirred inside me, warranting enough interest that it brushed aside the concern about the press and any possible interest Aeric and I might have piqued. “Do you sponsor a team?”

“No.” He shot me an abashed look. “Part of me wants to, but with it being so popular here, it doesn’t seem fair to favor one team over another.”

“But we’re rooting for this team, the one with a couple of friends to win? Are they from Monaco?”

“No.” He gave me a wide grin. “That’s what makes it safe. The driver is from America. If I’m not avidly pushing for one of the Monaco drivers to win, then I don’t feel guilty if one wins and the others don’t.”

I rolled my eyes. “Please. It’s not like theyallexpect to win.”

“No. But you’d be amazed at how petty some people can be. Not necessarily the drivers, but the sponsors, the well-financed companies that support the drivers.” He hitched up a shoulder in a Gallic shrug. “If I don’t pick a personal favorite from among them, then I don’t have to listen to petty squabbles later on.”

“Ah…staying distant right off the bat. I like it. I use that technique myself.”

With a snort, he said, “It’s called diplomacy when I do it, darling. You aren’t beingdiplomatic. You just stay cut off from society as much as possible because you don’t want to risk getting involved with…well…” He paused for so long that I looked up at him, wondering what had him hedging. Finally, he stopped and looked at me, his expression wistful. “With anything. You’re letting life pass you by, Stacia, all because of the shitty way your family raised you, and the shitty example they set for you. If they want to stand by and sneer down their noses at everything, let them. You don’t have to do the same.”

Words trapped in my throat, and I wanted to argue.

The problem was…I couldn’t. I couldn’t even force a smile. “It’s…”

That was all I got out.

Somebody shouted Aeric’s name in a distinctly American voice. There was none of the typical royal address, and I saw more than a few people around me wince. Aeric just grinned and bent down to murmur in my ear. “Another friend. Come on.”

Soon, I was swept into a chaotic whirl of names and handshakes.

Aeric kept me to his side for most of it, but bit by bit, the noise and the curiosity took its toll, and I broke away, squeezing his arm and smiling at him, then nodding to the side to let him know where I’d be.

He gave me a concerned look, and I patted his shoulder, hoping he’d understand.

I didn’t want him to feel like he had to hover around me. He was obviously enjoying himself, and I just needed a break away from all the questions and the people and the noise and the…socializing.

Everybody did so well at it.

Except for me.

“Are you well, Miss Stacia?”

I looked up into the cocoa-brown eyes of Paulo, one of Aeric’s bodyguards. Forcing a smile, I nodded. “I’m fine. Just more people than I’m used to. I wanted a break.”

“Of course.” He offered a polite nod. “Would you care for a drink? There is wine, a mini bar? Or I can fetch you a bite to eat?”

“Ah…wine.” Maybe it would take the edge off my nerves.

As Paulo strode away, I eased a bit farther from the crowd and looked around, taking in more now that I wasn’t surrounded. There was alotgoing on. A few yards ahead, men wore colorful uniforms—green, black, and white. Most of them moved back and forth rapidly or were talking, the energy about them frenetic. A few gathered around a car, and my curiosity stirred again. I’d never seen a race car up close before.

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