Page 36 of Forbidden Prince
"I remember." Near him, even with the bomb threat, she’d feltsafe.
"Here you are safe." He guided her down the hall and toward a classroom where she saw girls who seemed to be first graders painting. "And it's not just about protection. It'smore."
Now she was curious. She followed him into the classroom—she knew this was a school, instantly, but asked because it seemed out of place. "Why are their childrenhere?"
"You were a teacher. And I think the tourist thing fits you, but for our day-to-day, this is school for the residents of the island. These students are given extra activities to help them perform better in academics, sports and everything else. You can help on the boardhere."
The school was part of the castle grounds? Good. Helping students succeed meant everyone in the future was better off. She looked around and saw these girls clearly loved art class. "I’ve never been on a board and now it seems I’m heading the tourist committee and taking part in guiding education. It’s quite a learning curve, but I’mgame."
He pulled up a small chair meant for a child and sat. "I'm hoping through education we find industrious individuals who can help us continue the economic transition my brother Antonio already started. I'd like you to take an active interest in our local system,here."
She followed him, but a young girl walked over and handed Renee a doll. Her precocious pig tails and clear blue eyes somehow made her smile more jubilant. She lifted the doll with a smile. "This isadorable."
"Keep it, my lady." The girl bowed herhead.
Renee lowered herself onto one knee. "I'm not alady."
"Tomorrow, Renee becomes my princess." Marco scooted his chair closer tothem.
Tomorrow? What happened to meeting her parents first? She didn’t argue, but he had to stop making such bold statements. The girl didn't move. Renee turned to Marco and whispered, "Why would she give me herdoll?"
Marco stared at the girl until she finally looked at him and he gave her a conspiratorial wink. "In our culture, we welcome newcomers withgifts."
Renee tucked the doll on the table beside Marco. "What's yourname?"
The girl curtsied. "Maria, mylady."
Renee took the girl's hand. "Maria, I want you to be in wedding." Whenever it is. "I don't have a flower girl and you'd beperfect."
A huge smile grew on her face. Marco placed his hand on Renee's back to help steady her as she rose to stand. "Maria, please report to the palace with this note for Henri. He'll set you up with the seamstress for the dress and give you a rundown of your responsibilities and send you and your parents to the mainland for theceremony."
"What about my brother? He's only four," Maria said. "My mother won't leavehim."
"She shouldn't leave him." Marco winked at her. "He can cometoo."
Renee drew strength from Marco’s hand on herback.
"Thank you, my lady." Maria skipped back to the group ofgirls.
"You made her day,Renee."
Marco guided her out of the classroom and the front door and Renee's heart felt lighter. His school meant he cared about otherstoo.
Henri and Anisewere talking in the courtyard, their heads together as they headed inside the main castle. It had been so thoughtful of Marco to bring Anise to help with thedresses.
As they walked toward the gate and the village, she asked, "Marco, thank you for showing me the school and I'd love to help with historical tourism. But what did you meantomorrow? You have to stop announcing thesethings."
"Sorry. Our wedding can be next month…or tomorrow." A flush crept up his throat. "But I would like to set adate."
"That we can do." Again, she tingled for a kiss that hadn't even been offered, but then she felt a slight discomfort in her belly. She ignored it, took a deep breath and continued down the cobblestone path. She’d better not have the flu or there would be no walking down the aisle. "Okay. So, what's next on your agenda fortoday?"
He came beside her and placed his hand on her back. "Our date continues. We will see the village, and then I’ve got a treat where we can spend the afternoonalone."
"Lead the way." She lifted her face to the summer sea breeze that tickled her skin. Marco’s strong profile, his care for her comfort...She sighed. Life was good at the moment. Perhaps they had a future and all she needed was to havefaith.
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Marco inhaledthe rose smell that was all Renee and ignored the sweet scent of the bakery. His mouth watered, but it wasn't for sweet pastries. Gaining Renee's trust was tantamount to a happy life, and he'd provide that forher.
