The Secret Princess Read online

  Will was just her island.

  And psychologically, she viewed him as her way out if things got to be too much, although realistically she knew darn well she could call an airline and get a flight out herself.

  As soon as he saw her, his eyes lit up and he came over to her.

  Her heart pounded with every one of his strides.

  “Good morning, Amé. Did you sleep well?”

  “Extremely well,” she said, trying to sound nonchalant. “It was almost like I was tranquilized.”

  He frowned for a moment, then said, “You must have been exhausted.”

  “I was.” A chill ran over her and she rubbed her hands along her arms. “So, is one of these men the doctor?”

  “Yes. Dr. Trilling,” he called, and a very tall man with gray hair turned to them.

  When he saw who had summoned him, the doctor came over to Will and Amy. “Your Highness?”

  “Doctor, this is Amy Scott,” Will said, gesturing toward Amy.

  She was grateful that he didn’t introduce her as the princess. “Hi,” she said, taking the hand the doctor proffered.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Dr. Trilling said, bowing. “I’ve heard so much about you already.”

  She glanced uncertainly at Will, who said, “Word travels fast.”

  “I’ll say.”

  “Are you ready for the test?” the doctor asked. “It will only take a moment and I’d like to get the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible.”

  “I’m all for that,” Amy said, acutely aware of Will’s eyes on her. “Where do you want me to go?”

  The doctor showed her to a chair and asked her to push her sleeve up.

  Will stood nearby and looked on. “This won’t hurt,” he assured her.

  “I’ve given blood before,” she said with a smile, touched by his unnecessary reassurance. “Don’t worry about me—ouch!”

  “I apologize,” the doctor said, loosening the rubber tie on her upper arm. “Sometimes it pinches a bit.”

  She gave Will a look and he shrugged.

  She turned back to look at the vial filling rapidly with her future. So much depended on the blood within. So many questions could be answered, if only Will’s theory was correct. The vial filled quickly and before she knew it, he had removed the needle and placed a bandage over the spot.

  “That’s all we need,” the doctor said, handing the vial to another man, who wrote Amy’s name on it. “I’ll rush the results as much as I can.”

  “Very good,” Will said.

  Amy watched as the doctor and his small entourage quickly gathered their things and left. When they had, the room felt nearly empty.

  “That’s a lot of people for just one blood test,” she remarked to Will.

  “There are a lot of people who want to ensure that the test results are accurate,” he answered. “That should put your mind somewhat at ease.”

  She laughed. “I don’t know what could put my mind at ease at this point.”

  “I hope the truth will.” He looked so deeply into her eyes, she felt naked. “I hope your birthright will bring you the peace you seek.”

  She wanted so badly to believe it, but caution welled in her. “Will, you don’t seem to be allowing for even the possibility that you’re wrong about who I am,” she said, concerned. “I hope you’re right, I truly do, but you may be in for a big surprise.”

  “You have surprised me more than once already,” he said, cocking his head to the side. “I have no doubt you will surprise me again. But this test will not. I already know who you are. And I hope you will be able to accept it when the results come back.”

  Chapter Six

  Their conversation was interrupted by Christian. “May I have a word with you, sir?” he asked, then, with an apologetic nod at Amy, added, “A private word?”

  “Excuse me,” Amy said quickly. “I think I saw some orange juice on the table over there, I’ll just go and get a glass. You gentlemen take your time.”

  Will watched her go, then turned back to Christian, who looked very serious.

  Amy watched them from across the room, marveling at how conspicuously good-looking Will really was. He was the perfect Prince Charming, tall and graceful, and so handsome it made her ache sometimes. On top of that, he was truly noble, looking out for Amy’s well-being.

  He returned to her and explained, “Christian and Letty are most concerned about the fact that you do not plan to attend the winter ball. I believe they have Cinderella visions for you.”

  She smiled. “That’s sweet, but I didn’t even know about the winter ball until this morning. And it’s just a week away. By then I may be gone.”

  He shook his head, giving a light smile. “And by then you may be, officially, Princess Amelia of Lufthania. In which case, your presence at the ball would be expected.”

  “I hate to keep harping on this, but my presence at the bookshop is also expected.” Okay, the truth was that she would far prefer to be at a ball in an Alpine palace, but she was fairly certain that the test results would have sent her packing by then. “Don’t forget I have a life to get back to.”

  “A life that could easily be handled from here, if you chose to retain the bookshop after you are crowned.” He took a step closer to her.

  Suddenly, it was as if everyone in the room faded into the background. There was no one there except the two of them.

  “Is there something else in your life in the United States that truly compels you to return?”

  Her face felt warm. “My life compels me to return.” She knew she should step away from him, but she didn’t.

  “What in particular?” He looked into her eyes. “Your parents? They can easily be brought here. The store? Your employee? The nights you spend alone in your apartment?”

  “You don’t know anything about my private life.” She stepped back quickly. “And you have no right to imply that it’s meaningless.”

  “I didn’t say it was meaningless.”

  “You might as well have.” She looked fiercely into his eyes. “Listen, Your Highness, I may not be some snooty royal, featured monthly in tabloid magazines, but my life is every bit as worthwhile as yours is.”

  “Perhaps more so,” he said quietly, unruffled by her outburst. “You’ve misunderstood me. It isn’t the value of your life that is in question, it’s where it’s best for you to spend it. I’ve no doubt that you make the lives of your customers and employee more pleasant in your dealings with them. You are no doubt as important to them as they are to you, but you have the opportunity to make a difference to an entire nation. A small one to be sure…” He nodded. “But a nation nevertheless.”

  “There are hundreds, probably thousands, of people who could do that better than I could.” Amy was close to tears, but she didn’t want him to see that.

  “That,” he said, touching her cheek, “is not true. No one else represents what you do. No one else is Lufthania, as you are.”

  She looked at him wordlessly.

  “Tell me,” he said after a moment. “Is there someone in particular whom you wish to return to?” He hesitated. “A man?”

  His question caught her off guard. “Didn’t your research answer that for you?”

  “My research was incomplete in that area.”

  Not as incomplete as her life had been, she’d wager. “What is it you want to know?” she asked, heart pounding.

  There wasn’t much to say. In twenty-eight years, she’d had one serious boyfriend—also known as her one serious mistake—in college. It had taken a conscious effort, but she had learned to trust him…right before he’d left her for her roommate. He’d called Amy emotionally inaccessible, which she took as code for cold.

  Since then, there had been no serious boyfriends at all. She didn’t want to let anyone in.

  “I want to know,” Will said, “if there’s someone special you want to return to in the States.” He hesitated before adding, “Someone special whom
we should perhaps arrange to come here?”

  She gave a dry laugh. No, there was no one special to return to. No one who would particularly miss her. Not even a cat. “Why do you want to know that?” she asked, though she found herself nervous about his answer. But whether or not she was nervous that he cared or he didn’t care she didn’t know.

  He looked down for a moment, before answering, “It could affect your feelings about staying or not staying in Lufthania.”

  “My decision is my own,” she contended. “It’s not based on anyone else.” Not even you, she added silently. It would be so easy to stay on in order to try to get to know Will better. It would be easy to accept his story and take on the glory of a title and remain in Lufthania close to him.

  But she wouldn’t let herself fall into that trap. She had made the mistake of falling hard for a man only once before in her life, and it had caused her enormous pain. She would not make that mistake again. She never wanted to feel that bereft again.

  “I’m going to my room,” she said.

  “Wait—” he began.

  “What?”

  There was a long hesitation before he shook his head and said, “Nothing.”

  She wondered what he had wanted to say, but pride prevented her from asking. Instead she simply said, “Okay,” and left the room, feeling his eyes on her every step of the way.

  Several hours later, she was in her sitting room sending an e-mail to Mara to ask how business was going and to tell her about her adventure so far when Will showed up.

  “Can you spare a moment?” he asked.

  “That depends,” she said. “Are you going to tell me my life at home is worthless again?”

  He shook his head. “I didn’t mean to say or imply that. My passion for this country and for your place in it made me speak too frankly. Or too enthusiastically. I do realize that you have quite a successful life in the United States. But what I know, and you don’t yet, is that you were born into a great family here in Lufthania. You were born to the position of princess, and that is, or at least was, meant to be your destiny. When I think about the possibility of you not pursuing that destiny, it saddens me deeply.”

  “If I am who you say I am, I will take that responsibility into consideration, I promise you,” she said.

  “I appreciate that.” He reached into his pocket. “I brought something for you. Call it a peace offering, if you like.” He handed her what appeared to be a candy bar.

  She frowned and tried to read the label, but it was in German. She spotted the word schokolade. “Chocolate?” she asked Will.

  He nodded. “Try it.”

  She unwrapped the gold foil, broke off a piece and popped it into her mouth. It melted on her tongue like butter, filling her mouth with the most intense, rich chocolate flavor she had ever tasted. Her eyes widened. “This is amazing,” she said.

  “It’s very good,” he agreed.

  “You could make a fortune selling this in the United States.”

  He splayed his arms. “Exactly. But right now we have small chocolatiers making this in tiny batches because it can only be sold in Lufthania. The only reason they can make a living at it at all is because the reputation for the chocolate’s excellence has spread far and wide, and people cross the border to buy it in large quantities. Unfortunately, it’s not in quantities large enough to sustain the economy.”

  “Is it legal to take food across the border like that?”

  He smiled. “That’s another problem. It costs a lot to declare a trunkful of chocolate.”

  “I see.” She broke off another piece and put it in her mouth. Honestly, it not only gave her taste buds a lift but her mood as well. “This is something you hope to change?” She smiled. “Because that’s a cause I can really get behind.”

  “I know it sounds frivolous, but, believe me, to the people of this country, it could make a world of difference to their quality of life.”

  She sobered. “I wish I could help.”

  “You will. Just by being here. Lufthania is undergoing a whole new revolution. A wonderful one. And it’s thanks to you.”

  Her face grew warm. “I don’t know about that.”

  He studied her for a moment, then asked, “Would you like to see the town?”

  “When?”

  “Right now. Why don’t we take the car down so I can show you around. I think you’ll find it quite charming.”

  “Well, gee, I had planned on sitting around doing nothing for a few more hours, but I suppose I can take a little time off.”

  He smiled. “Get a coat. I’ll get the car and meet you in the front courtyard.”

  “Great.”

  They went their separate ways and Amy retrieved her coat from Letty, who had stashed it away heaven knows where, probably with the hopes that if Amy didn’t have her coat, she wouldn’t leave. Ever. It took some persuading for Letty to get it, but when she heard that Will was going to show Amy around, she jumped to the task eagerly.

  Ten minutes later, Christian opened the door to a crystal-white wonderland and Amy stepped outside into the lightly falling snow.

  There was a low rumbling to the east and she looked over and saw a small SUV coming through the snow. When it got closer, she saw that Will was driving. No chauffeur, no security, just the man himself.

  They would be alone.

  A small, but hesitant thrill rushed through her as she went for the door. She barely reached the handle before he was there, opening it for her.

  “Letty would have my head if I forced you into the indignity of having to open your own door,” he explained with a smile. “She is one of the old school, very proper about things like this. She’s probably watching us right now.”

  Amy had the feeling she was, but more because of her enthusiasm when she heard Amy would be going with Will than her suspicion that he might be anything less than a perfect gentleman.

  Amy sat back against the soft leather seats and drank in the smell of crisp snow mingled with cold leather. It was enticing. Her spirits danced as he got in and asked, “Should we take the scenic route?”

  “By all means!”

  They laughed as he took off driving through the snow-covered hills, going off the larger road and onto a winding path through the woods and down the valley. As the snowflakes swirled dizzily in front of the windshield, Amy thought of the song “Winter Wonderland.” There was no dirty, black street-side snow here, just piles of soft white cotton. It was absolutely lovely.

  When Will rounded the last bend, the town center came into view in all its gingerbread-house glory. Though it was only late afternoon, the valley grew dark early and the shop lights were already on, casting warm, golden glows on the snow and the sidewalks.

  Will drew the car up in front of—what else?—a chocolate shop.

  “Is this another attempt to persuade me?” Amy asked.

  “Perhaps.”

  “If this keeps up I’ll weigh five hundred pounds.”

  He gave a rakish grin. “But you’ll be beautiful, anyway.”

  “Wow. You’re really good at this.”

  He shook his head. “I am completely sincere.” He opened the door and walked around to open hers.

  “Are you this sweet-talking with all the girls you try to hire as princesses?”

  He met her eyes as he reached his hand forward to assist her from the car. “Only you, Amé. There is only you.”

  She caught herself before she went so far as to swoon, but she could have. She knew her cheeks had turned red, so she tried to cover for that by saying, “It certainly is brisk out here.”

  “Let’s get inside, then,” he said, opening his coat to cocoon her.

  If she’d hoped to regain her composure, she failed miserably. Powerless to refuse, she moved close to his body. For just a moment, she closed her eyes and took in the details of him: his clean, masculine scent, the penetrating warmth of his body, and the feel of his powerfully muscled chest against her arm. The closeness made
her knees feel so weak she actually tripped in the snow.

  His reflexes were quick, and he caught her with one powerful arm and held her close until they got to the door.

  She wished the walk could have been a little bit longer.

  When he stepped back to open the door for her, she felt cold where he had been. She wanted to ask him to come back and warm her up, but the gust of warmth that came from inside the shop told her that would be foolish. She walked over the threshold and he followed.

  “Guten abend, Herr Baten,” he called to the proprietor.

  The man looked up lazily, caught sight of his patron and jumped to his feet. “Guten abend, souvera¨n.”

  “My friend speaks only English,” Will said, extending his arm toward Amy.

  “Ah, good evening, madam,” Herr George said to her.

  “Good evening.”

  “Amy Scott, this is Herr George, who has owned this shop for nearly fifty years. Herr George, this is Amy Scott, a friend from America.”

  Herr George put his fingers to his lips. “But you know who she resembles.…”

  “Indeed,” Will agreed, then changed the subject in order to avoid questions. “Do you have any of the chocolates you created for Princess Lily?”

  “They are very popular.” The old man looked through the glass display shelves until his eyes alighted on something. “There! One left!” He opened the back of the case and took out a small round light chocolate. “It is milk chocolate with butter cream and milk-chocolate cream combined inside.” He handed it to Amy. “I created it for Princess Lily forty-five years ago because those were her favorite flavors. Go on. Try it.”

  Amy bit into the truffle and was immediately in love. The creams inside swirled in her mouth like a thick, sweet, warm drink. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the flavors, then said to Will. “Remember what I said about weighing five hundred pounds? It’s a certainty. I want a hundred boxes of these.” She looked at Herr George. “Honestly, this is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”