Page 16 of Forbidden Prince
The queen signaled for her next course and leaned forward with a smile on her wrinkled face. "Marco is clearly smitten with you. It would do my heart justice if two of my sons found brides thismonth."
"Mother." Marco spoke in an absolute tone that meant no one should questionhim.
His mother shrugged, sat back and gazed at her. "Fine, I won't push. Renee, the roasted lamb tonight was prepared in your friend Kristin’shonor."
"I've never had lamb." Renee shook her head and finished her soup. "And I didn’t know Kristin missed this dish, but I’mgame."
"The maids know everything," Marco supplied. "At least in this castle. They all report everything to mymother."
Renee's gaze went to the table and she studied the white tablecloth.
Wait staff brought the next course when Kristin came back in withAntonio.
The meal was disrupted as everyone stood while her friend apologized to the queen for running out. Renee overheard the queen discuss a press conference outside and how Kristin needed to keep the rip in her once gorgeous redgown.
Antonio spoke to his mother, and Renee took the opportunity to join her friend. "Are youokay?"
"They tried to kidnap me, but I remembered the self-defense classes we took," Kristin said fast. Antonio glanced at her. Kristin murmured, "Talk to youtomorrow."
Her friend had been attacked while she ate soup. Palace life wasn't right for her as this was way too adventurous for a simplevacation.
Once Kristin and Antonio left again, they retook their seats and the queen said, "All of this is very unusual, but I like your friend's spirit. It speaks highly of you too, handling the chaos. I do hope my son has treated youwell."
"Very much so." Renee met Marco's brown-eyed gaze. "He's been the perfect host andprotector."
"Marco has always run into danger, like that time he trained in a war zone on how to disarm bombs." His mother's voice trailed off and she shook her head. "Never mind about that. Do you like thelamb?"
"It's delicious." Renee nodded and cut another piece for herself. "Thankyou."
Everyone ate in silence, one eye on the door as if waiting for more badnews.
The servants cleared the lamb and brought out pastries and tea. Renee's stomach was full. Marco whispered, "Another half an hour and we'llgo."
"Go where?" his mother asked. "Will you be convincing this lovely young lady tostay?"
"This is why adults leave their parents’ homes, Mother. If we were in England, I'd have movedout."
"Luckily, we are not in England anymore," she countered. "And as my son and a prince, you are welcomed in all circles. A wife will be good for you and help you settledown."
There was no way she was ready to be wife. In a castle, nothing was a secret, but it was wrong to let the Queen believe her relationship with Marcus was on the marriagetrack.
8
Renee wokeup warm and relaxed in Marco's bed. Last night they’d used no handcuffs and he was still the most erotic man she'd ever experienced. His arm wrapped around her hip. "Goodmorning."
"Morning." She looked into hiseyes.
Marco leaned down, kissed her and sat straight with a smile. "I had meant to take you out lastnight."
"Maybe tonight?" She hedged, unsure if he thought of this as a one-night-stand. Her own mind raced. If she stayed with him, she'd never need the country club—she’d never felt accepted there anyway. She couldn't focus. She stood from the bed and dragged the sheets with her. "I need to get up and go help Kristin thismorning."
"Don't let my mother get to you." He followed her, naked. She saw every ripple of every muscle on his hard body and his morning erection that she chose toignore.
She walked to the bathroom. If only his mother was her issue. Perhaps the country club types would envy her and not pity her, if she married Marco. And perhaps she was out of her mind for thinking any of this which was why she splashed cold water on her face. "She’ssweet."
He spoke through the half-opened door while he went to his walk-in closet. "My mother thinks I need a grounding influence and hopes you'reit."
"My own mother wouldn't know or understand if I brought you home to meet her." She walked into the bedroom, noting a stack of her clothes on the bureau. The maid, Anise, must have put themthere.
