Page 3 of Princely Agreement

Me: How about my sister? I’m supposed to find her a husband tonight, so you’d be doing me a favor.

Flynn doesn’t respond before I see an urgent email I need to reply to, and then I’m swept up in work. Before I realize it, my valet Avery is coming into my office and telling me I’ll have to get dressed quickly if I’m going to make it on time.

My dark suit is embroidered with gold on the lapels, and I’m wearing a gold tie and vest. My mother is in all black, and I’m not surprised. It’s the only color she’s worn since my father died, but I don’t mention it as I tell her she looks beautiful.

Tonight is about fulfilling my family obligations and nothing more. I’m supposed to treat my mother to a night out, interview prospective husbands for my sister, and strengthen business relationships that mutually benefit Prince Enterprise.

It’s too bad nothing goes according to my plan.

Chapter Three

ELLA

“Ella, dear, what are you doing?” I pull my nose out from the book I’m reading to see my stepmom in the doorway of my bedroom.

After I got done cooking with Oliver, I slipped out and took a shower before putting on my comfy pajamas for the night.

“Reading.” I hold up the book, smiling at her. It’s always nice when Fiona knows my name.

Even when she doesn’t remember, she’s always so sweet and tells me I’m the most beautiful thing she’s ever seen.

I enjoy it until she talks about introducing me to one of her sons. It is a bit funny, though, that she’ll whisper that they need a strong woman to put them in their place. At least on some level, she knows her sons aren’t perfect, but I’m sure that would be hard. To love them but know that they aren’t the best.

“Reading? Now?”

“Ah, yeah. Do you want me to read to you?” I ask as I pat the other side of my bed. I’m guessing not, though, since her makeup and hair are already done. She must be going to the party tonight.

“You can read to me while you’re in the makeup chair if you want.”

“What?” I ask, confused.

“The party is starting soon. You can be fashionably late but not too late. Don’t you want to see if there are any handsome men?” She gives me a smirk I know all too well, and I hold back the lump in my throat.

I can’t go to the party. My stepbrothers would freak out, but I can pretend for the moment. Fiona’s head is clear, and I’ll go along with anything to keep it that way.

“Are you trying to marry me off?” I tease, picking up Jaq from my lap. I carry him over to the cat tree and set him on top with his brother Gus.

I found the two of them a year ago. They must have gotten through the gate and onto the property. They were so tiny that I had to bottle-feed them at first. I give Gus a scratch on his head, and although he’s a bit fluffier than his brother, he loves his snacks, and I can’t fault him for that.

“I don’t think I’ll have to try. They’ll be all over you.”

“Right,” I laugh.

“What's so funny? Boobs and ass for days.” I burst into laughter. Fiona is tall and thin. “Isn’t that what men are into these days?”

“I think everyone has their own tastes,” I respond, because I haven’t a clue what men are into besides money and power.

“What’s yours?” She grabs my hand to hurry me along to get ready.

“Loving.” It’s the first thing that comes to mind as I follow Fiona down the long hallway into her suite. There are people waiting when we walk in, and I’m taken aback. They look like they could be pieces of art.

“Oh, you were right,” the man says before coming over to me. He grabs my chin and tilts my face back and forth. “A little shine to give her some sparkle. But yes, we should keep her natural for the most part. Your skin is perfect. What do you use?”

“Soap?” I say, and he laughs.

“I’m Mic.” Now he’s the one pulling me over to a chair.

“And I’m Nova.” The lady introduces herself. Of course she has a cool name. Her hair is waves of purple and pink. “Is this virgin hair?” she asks as she threads her fingers through my locks.

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