Page 110 of A Princess for Christmas

“I’m done letting people tell me what to do. I’m done playing princess. I’ve spent the last few years doing exactly what my father wanted me to, the way he wanted me to, my own wishes be damned, and—”

He cut her off with a kiss. When she put it like that, it was a no-brainer. He thought he’d been protecting her by trying to talk her out of abdication, but he could see now that what she needed wasn’t his protection, but his support. He pulled away. “Okay, let’s go. You want to stop by your suite and change first?”

She looked down at herself. The bottom of her gown was wet, the deep blue looking navy. It was muddy in spots, too, and there were a few twigs stuck to its hem. “No, no, I do not. In fact, I think this is perfect for the task at hand.” Her gaze flickered to him. “I think we’re perfect.”

He didn’t look any more respectable than she did, with his jeans and bare feet—which he proceeded to stuff into his sneakers. The two of them looked like Prince and Princess Ken and Barbie torsos had been mistakenly stuck on top of rag-doll legs.

He held out his arm. “Then let’s get this show on the road. It’s Christmas Eve. We have other places to be.” Namely, cozied around the fire with Gabby, getting Marie an airplane ticket so they could all get the hell out of Dodge tomorrow.

As they approached the ballroom, Leo caught a flash of yellow. A flash of yellow that looked like a dress on a small person who had just disappeared through the double doors into the room.

“Was thatGabby?” Marie asked.

Oh fuck him. Was this night ever going to be over? He picked up their pace. “Well, we’re already going out with a bang.” And this way Gabby would get her wish to see the ball, if only for a moment before they were all thrown out on their nonroyal asses.

“I think that was one of my old dresses,” Marie said, puzzlement in her tone.

When they started down the stairs, Gabby was about halfway across the dance floor, in the same spot Marie had been in when Leo had burst through these same doors earlier. And she had everyone’s attention, just as Marie had. Including the king’s. Emil was on the dais, dressed in a plain tuxedo.No spare bullshit king outfits clean, huh, Your Royal Asshole?

“Ah, good,” Emil said mildly. “We’re all here.” He raised his eyebrows at Marie and Leo as they reached the edge of the empty dance floor. “Though I can see that MissRicci is the only one who followed my directive regarding attire.” He turned his attention to Gabby. “MissRicci, will you please do me the honor of joining me up here? I would be delighted if you would dance with me later, but I have a few words to say first.”

“Hang on now,” Leo said. He wasn’t about to stand here while the king insulted or embarrassed his sister. He had stood for that shit all week, and he was done. He dropped Marie’s hand and started forward as the king extended his arm to Gabby and she took it.

“Mr.Ricci.” Mr.Benz stepped into Leo’s path.

Marie, following Leo closely, managed to dodge Mr. Benz. “No, Father,Ihave something to say.” She started toward him.

“Get out of my way, Benz,” Leo growled. The equerry was surprisingly nimble as he got in Leo’s face like an NCAA shooting guard.

“Mr. Ricci, would you agree that despite what I’m sure are my many faults, I am a passable student of human nature, especially when it comes to this family?”

“What?” Why couldn’t this dude talk like a normal person? And why wouldn’t he get the hell out of the way?

“Do you trust me, Mr.Ricci? Have I led you astray yet today?”

“Other than losing my sister, you mean?”

Mr.Benz didn’t even blink. “Other than that, yes.”

“No,” Leo had to admit. And really, he couldn’t blame Benz for Gabby’s disappearance. She’d managed that all on her own.

“Then I suggest you listen to His Majesty.”

“Oh, shit.” Leo cursed as the crowd closed around Marie. He leveled a death glare at Mr.Benz that finally made him step aside and Leo started pushing his way through the crowd to get to Marie. He was determined to at least be by her side as she said her piece.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the king said, which at least made Leo’s journey easier because everyone stopped looking between him and Marie and turned their attention to the front. “Thank you for coming this evening to the one hundred and seventieth annual Cocoa Ball. You may recall that traditionally, I would welcome you with my beloved Joséphine by my side.” Marie sucked in a breath as Leo reached her side. “She is three years gone, but...” He paused and cleared his throat.

Leo was listening to the king but watching Marie. Astonishment washed over her features.

The king’s voice broke as he added, “I miss her every day, but perhaps the most at Christmastime.” A sympathetic murmur broke out through the crowd, and Marie gasped. “But life goes on, doesit not? Family goes on. Which is why I’m so pleased to be able to make an announcement today of a royal suitor for my dear daughter, Marie.”

Leo grabbed Marie’s hand and squeezed. “It doesn’t matter,” he whispered. “He can say whatever he wants. It doesn’t mean anything.”

She turned to him, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “That’s right. He’ll say what he’s going to say, and I’ll say what I’m going to say, and then we’ll go to New York.”

Aww, shit, he loved her. His brave princess who was so unassailably herself, even when it was hard. Even when it was about to cost her everything.

“I’m not even gonna make you shovel when we get home,” he whispered. “You can order me around, like Gabby does.” He was saying that to make sure she knew that she was his. That she had a home with him. But he actually got off on the idea of MissPrim having the run of the place. Of doing her bidding. In all ways. It was going to be—

---