Page 8 of Forbidden Prince
Antonio backed up. "She's nice. I likeher."
Laughter built up in his chest. "Youlikeher. Well, that is an improvement. I hope she says yes then," Marco said. "Maybe Mom won't demand you marrySophia."
Antonio's face soured. Marco got it. She'd been in the castle and chasing his brother since Marco could remember. Antonio asked, "Sophia?"
Marco nodded. "Didn't they tell you? She's in the castle, staying with us andstillavailable."
He channeled his mother in that last sentence. Hopefully, his brother found a nicer option than Sophia Venko. Antonio shouldn't marry the daughter of a woman that their father had skipped over in favor of their mother. He should get his own choicetoo.
Antonio shuffled in place. "I'm sure she's hanging out with Victor Amadeus. They seem like close friends now, and besides, she's the last person I'd evermarry."
"They are still friends." Marco answered in the affirmative, recalling how often he’d discovered Sophia and Victor whispering together. "But she's been apossibilitysince you were thirteen. You must have realized that Mother would bring her here now in desperatetimes."
Antonio patted his arm and passed him toward the hall that led to the women's rooms. "I'm going to see Kristin and tell her about this dinner, and then we’ll be out for the rest of the day. What do you intend to do withRenee?"
"Have fun. I'll entertain her friend." Marco winked and nodded. "Because I'm the goodbrother."
"It doesn't hurt that Renee is very pretty." Antonio continued, "I'll summon both women to the great hall. Meet me there if you meanit."
"I always keep my word." Marco made his way to the hall at the front of the palace. He'd gladly arrange for his brother to court Kristin and soon he'd seek out Renee. It was healthier to let the physical attraction flame bright. He knew desire but the sweet taste of her kiss hinted that perhaps there was more… Physically Renee had all the right curves and he'd uncover every single inch of her tenderflesh.
He couldn’t wait to see heragain.
4
Renee had beenout on her balcony taking in the view of the river, her mind on Marco’s kiss. She’d heard her door close and went back inside to find rows of dresses that had appeared like magic. Renee chose a summer dress of dark green that hugged hercurves.
Excited, she knocked on the adjoining door between her and Kristin’sroom.
"Come in!" Kristincalled.
She saw that Kristin had even more of the designer dresses to choose from. Her best friend looked beautiful and romantic in a cream dress with pink flowers. "Are you feeling like a princessyet?"
"No." Kristin seemed uncertain about her role with Antonio, if she agreed to marriage. She gestured to the racks of lace. "This is the stuff dreams are madeof."
"Dreams and love both exist if you just listen. Kristin, when is the last time you did anything foryourself?"
Kristin crossed her arms, a frown on her face. "I don'tknow."
"Oh, hon." Her friend had been unhappy at her job, constantly striving to be the best. Her parents had drummed it into her that success could only be earned by hard work. And yet here she was now, ready to become a princess. Before Renee could say anything else, there was a knock on Kristin’s bedroom door. For a split second, Renee hoped it was Marco, though she was in the wrong room for that tomatter.
All afternoon, she'd kept her promise, and Marco’s mind-numbing kiss asecret.
A young, dark-haired maid entered, her head lowered. She announced, "His Royal Highness has requested an audience with both of you in the greathall."
"We're coming!" Renee waved at the maid, who nodded and slipped deferentially out of the chamber to wait outside the door. If her friend found romance, Renee might find a good time. "Kristin, are youready?"
"Yeah, let'sgo."
Was it wrong to want another chance to tasteheaven?
Renee tried to stay at the same pace with the maid, who kept trying to be in front. Kristin was right behind them. Soon it became a race to see who would walk the fastest. Renee's heart started pumping with adrenaline and she inched out the maid until she walked into the room and saw Antonio. Marco was not there so she backed out and let Kristinpass.
Renee whispered to the maid, "What's yourname?"
"Anise,Miss."
Renee gave the maid a smile and followed her friend into the gilded ballroom of a royal palace. The chandelier was the centerpiece and the floors were polished. At the end, she saw a huge red velvet curtain that divided the room. She assumed if the curtain was pulled back, the space doubled—she’d read about it in her historybooks.
