Expecting Royal Twins! (8 page)

“You’re not helping.”

Niko raised a brow. “I didn’t think you needed anyone’s help.”

Izzy made a face at him.

“You may have trouble finding an outfit to go with that expression,” he teased.

“I’m sure I can find an outfit to match every expression as well as one to wear each hour of the day. I thought I was going shopping at a store or a mall.” She motioned to all the clothing. “It’s a bit…much, don’t you think?”

“Not for a princess,” Niko said. “There will be dinners, outings, appearances at the High Court.”

“I won’t be here that long.”

“Long enough.”

Izzy tried to take it all in. Tried and failed. “I think I’m beginning to understand what Cinderella might have gone through.”

“Except in your case the shoe already fits.”

“But we want to get it off as soon as possible.”

“That is the plan.”

He sounded excited. Izzy set her chin. “You know, dude, I want the annulment just as badly as you do.”

Before he could reply, the supermodel hurried over, walking on high heels as if she were wearing tennis shoes. She probably taught Pilates, cooked like a gourmet chef and rescued orphans from third-world countries in her spare time. The woman smiled, showing off two rows of perfectly spaced white teeth. The boys at the garage would be comatose in her presence. “You must be Princess Isabel.”

“Isabel,” Niko said. “This is Her Royal Highness Princess Julianna Von Schneckel of Aliestle.”

Julianna. Niko’s girlfriend and future wife. She was also a princess. No wonder he couldn’t wait to annul the marriage and marry a woman who exuded so much confidence and beauty even a
Sports Illustrated
swimsuit model would be intimidated.

Izzy was out of her element in every possible way. She forced her foot to stop tapping.

Julianna extended her arm. Everything about the princess was perfect right down to her manicured and polished fingernails. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Isabel.”

She shook her hand. Julianna’s grip was firm and her hands rougher than Izzy expected them to be. “And you.”

Niko watched them with interest. No doubt comparing his current wife to his future one.

A chilling thought inched its way down Izzy’s spine. She hoped he wasn’t planning to stay while she tried on clothing. This was going to be difficult enough without him here watching or, worse, providing commentary.

“Thanks for arranging all this, Niko.” Izzy tried to sound as cheerful as she could. “But I’m sure you have better things to do with your time so don’t feel you have to stick around. As your father said, I’m in good hands.”

“You’re in excellent hands,” Niko said. “But I have a few minutes before my meeting.”

Bummer, Izzy thought.

“You keep Isabel company, Niko,” Julianna said. “I want to get everyone in their places.”

People had places? Izzy took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

“It won’t be that bad,” Niko said, as soon as Julianna was out of earshot.

“Want to trade places?” Izzy asked.

“My legs weren’t meant for dresses.”

“Mine, either. I mean, I haven’t worn a dress since…” Uncle Frank’s funeral, she realized. “It’s been a long time.”

“You’ll look fine.”

She shrugged. “New clothing isn’t going to turn me into a princess.”

“Whether you wear a pair of coveralls or a dress by Chanel, you are already a princess,” he said. “But new clothing might help you feel more comfortable here.”

She stared at the large crystal chandeliers hanging from the ballroom ceiling. “I don’t think that’s possible.”

“You only just arrived.”

“I’m not like her.”

“Her?”

“Your girlfriend. Princess Julianna.”

“I never thought you were like Julianna,” Niko said. “You said you needed clothing so I arranged for you to go shopping.”

“I should learn to keep my mouth shut.”

“Perhaps.” He sounded amused. “But this is a gift, Isabel. I appreciate you coming all this way to settle matters. Please indulge yourself shopping. Even if you never plan on wearing the clothing once you leave, you can always donate the clothes to a worthy cause.”

That was some gift, Izzy realized. Royalty really were different than normal folk. “You’re wasting a lot of money doing this.”

“The expense is irrelevant.”

“Maybe for you.” Her gaze locked with his. “But for me, this would buy a lot of car.”

A knowing smiled played at the corner of his mouth. “Noted.”

Something held them connected. Izzy didn’t know what, but she couldn’t look away. Truth was, she didn’t want to. She had no idea how long they stood like that, but it felt like forever.

“Are you two finished sparring so we can shop?” Julianna asked playfully.

As Niko looked away, Izzy felt an odd sense of rejection from the broken connection. It must be jet lag.

He focused his gaze on his future bride. “Yes.”

“Then off with you.” Julianna waved her hand toward the doors. “Your presence will make Isabel uncomfortable.”

He nodded once. “Enjoy the shopping, ladies.”

Izzy watched as Niko exited the room. “You need to teach me how to do that.”

“I am going to teach you many things. How to handle a prince is only one of them.”

“I don’t think I could ever handle Niko like that.”

“I believe you already have.” Julianna smiled mischievously. “Ready to shop till you drop?”

“Not really.” Izzy wondered what the princess had meant by her first sentence. Then again, maybe she was reading too much into things. “I’m not big on shopping and clothes and things like that.”

Julianna’s grin widened. “Then it’s good you have me.”

T
HAT
evening, Niko stood in the dining room with Julianna, waiting for his parents and Isabel to arrive. Servants scurried about like mice only instead of carrying crumbs and cheese they carried pitchers of water and platters.

Anticipation filled the air. Even Niko felt himself caught up in it. Everyone wanted a glimpse of Princess Isabel. Unfortunately she was far from the princess they expected to see. She might be here by birthright, but she was clearly unhappy and didn’t want to stay. The thought of her leaving brought a strange pang. Even if a wrench belonged in her hand, not a scepter.

He glanced at his watch. “Isabel is late.”

“Isabel is not late.” Julianna swirled her champagne flute. She looked lovely in a green cocktail dress and silver heels. Isabel could never pull off such an outfit. “A princess needs to make an entrance. Anxious to see her?”

“Anxious to know how much damage control I’ll need to do tonight. Perhaps she has decided not to attend.”

“Oh, believe me, she’ll be here.” Julianna smiled, as if she knew a secret. “By the way, the wind should be lovely for a sail tomorrow.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“The wind? Or your wife?”

Niko liked Julianna. There might not be any chemistry between them, but a friendship was growing. Friendship would be a good foundation for a marriage. Perhaps, in time, passion would enter into the relationship. Then again, passion never lasted, so perhaps friendship would be enough. “That role will soon be…”

Footsteps sounded outside the dining room. He glanced across the large room to the wide doorway.

A stunning woman wearing a lavender dress stood with a hesitant smile on her gorgeous face.

His heart rate kicked up a notch.

What a beauty. He gaze was immediately drawn to her expressive eyes. The rest of her was as appealing. Her brown hair was piled on the top of her head, secured by an invisible clip of some sort. Soft tendrils framed her oval face. But her eyes continued to mesmerize him.

“So what time should we leave on our sail tomorrow?”

“Time?” he asked yet couldn’t take his eyes off the vision in the doorway.

Julianna laughed. “The makeover definitely worked.”

Niko did a double take. “Isabel?”

“She cleans up quite well, don’t you think?”

He’d seen her cleaned up, but not like this. All he could do was stare captivated. Isabel was…stunning.

“I can’t believe you said she reminded you of a man,” Julianna continued quietly. “She may not like the color pink and prefer motor oil to moisturizer, but she’s quite feminine.”

“I see that.”

He liked what he saw. The above the knee hem of her dress showed off Isabel’s long legs. He hoped she would be wearing more dresses. Legs like hers needed to be shown off, not hidden beneath coveralls, jeans and bathrobes.

“Though I will admit the rest of her princess transformation may take a lot more time,” Julianna said. “Isabel says whatever is on her mind. That must stop or the media will take advantage of her.”

“I have no doubt in your abilities now.”

“I had fun. Izzy may not be a typical princess, but she’s a charming young woman.”

“Izzy?”

“That’s what her friends call her,” Julianna said.

Isabel had mentioned she liked being called Izzy, but he preferred her full name, liked the way it rolled off his tongue. Izzy sounded too…pedestrian. But there was nothing dull or unimaginative about her now. The lavender complemented her pale complexion. The style flattered her figure. She looked like a princess. “I doubt any of her friends would recognize her.”

“You didn’t.”

“Shock.”

“Nothing more?” Julianna asked.

Attraction, desire, lust. But he knew better than to tell his future wife those things. “Nothing else.”

“Be a dear, Niko, and escort her into the dining room.” Julianna sounded genuinely pleased with his reaction. “She’s still trying to master the art of walking in high heels. I’d hate to see her make a mistake and berate herself over it.”

He wasn’t going to have to be asked twice. He smiled at Julianna, who looked almost smug with satisfaction. “I will be right back with your work of art.”

As he approached Isabel, Niko was even more impressed by her transformation. The expert makeup application complemented her high cheekbones. Her glossed lips sparkled. Flecks of gold danced in her eyes. A complete change from the way she’d looked asleep on the airplane. Julianna had outdone herself. “You look lovely, Isabel.”

“Thanks.”

Niko caught a whiff of her vanilla and jasmine scent. That was the one thing that hadn’t changed.

“I feel like a fraud,” she whispered.

He didn’t understand the agitation in her voice. She should be happy with the makeover. “Why a fraud?”

“I’m still me. Only the outer packaging has changed,” she explained. “With all this makeup on, I feel like a clown. I’m sure in this dress and high heels, I must look like a corner hooker.”

Niko winced. “No one would mistake you for anything but a princess.”

Too bad she didn’t act or speak like one.

“I appreciate that,” she said. “Even if it’s not one hundred percent true.”

He extended his arm. “May I?”

“Royalty is big on escorting.”

“It is part of our prince training.”

“Is princess training available?” she asked.

“Yours has already started.”

She pursed her glossed lips. “I was kidding.”

He raised a brow. “I’m not.”

She eyed his arm warily then placed her hand over his.

Niko felt a jolt of awareness. Perhaps it was just a shock from static electricity.

“Just so you know, I’m only doing this so I don’t end up spread-eagled on the floor with my new lace thong showing.”

Niko’s gaze drifted to her round, delectable bottom and lingered for a second.

What the hell was he doing?

Abruptly he forced himself to look into her eyes. Anywhere else was unacceptable. He really would have preferred not knowing what type of lingerie she wore underneath her dress. The erotic image plastered across his brain would take time to erase. “I will make sure that doesn’t happen.”

For both their sakes.

Isabel took a step, teetering on her heels. “I don’t know why anyone would choose to strap these torture devices to their feet.”

“Why did you?”

“Because Princess Julianna told me I had to. A closet full of shoes seems to be a prerequisite for being a princess. But it seems as if none of them are allowed to be comfortable.”

He smiled at the exasperation in her voice and led her into the dining room with nary a stumble or peek at her panties.

She glanced around the room. “Wow.”

Niko understood her look of awe. The room was quite impressive with its marble fireplace, the gold damask-covered walls, chandeliers and the long, rectangular table set with fine china, sparkling crystal, freshly cut flowers and a candelabra full of lit candles.

“No wonder you dress for dinner around here,” she added. “Black tie not optional.”

Julianna joined them halfway across the room. “Good evening, Izzy.”

“Hey, Jules.”

Niko noticed and liked the familiarity between the two women. Shopping must quicken the bonds of feminine friendship. Perhaps Jovan had been correct about Julianna being Isabel’s role model.

“You look lovely,” Julianna said.

Isabel smiled. “Thanks to you.”

A waiter appeared with the tray of champagne flutes. Niko took one and handed the glass to Isabel.

“No, thanks.” She waved him off. “Tonight’s going to be hard enough without adding alcohol to the mix. I doubt your parents would appreciate me dancing on the table.”

No, but Niko wouldn’t mind too much. He did, however, approve of her good judgment in refusing to drink.

Isabel studied one of the place settings. “I might have better luck dancing than trying to figure out what silverware and glass to use when.”

“Go from the outside in,” he said, remembering all the etiquette lessons forced on him even during the war.

“Watch what we do,” Julianna added. “You’ll do fine.”

Two little lines appeared above Isabel’s nose. She rubbed her hands together as if nervous. “Maybe I should get a plate to go.”

A flurry of noise sounded in the doorway. Niko stiffened. “My parents have arrived.”

“Don’t worry.” Julianna touched Isabel’s shoulder. “Just remember what I told you earlier.”

Isabel nodded, but she bit her lower lip. Uncertainty filled her eyes.

He almost felt sorry for her.

His father entered the dining room with a rare smile. He acknowledged Niko and Julianna before turning his full attention on Isabel. “What a lovely dress, Izzy.”

Niko appreciated the way his father was trying to make her feel comfortable by using her nickname. King Dmitar could intimidate even the most seasoned statesman.

She curtsied. “Thank you, King Dmitar.”

“I would like to introduce you to my wife, Her Royal Majesty Queen Beatrice.” Dmitar presented his mother, who wore a floor-length ball gown, a diamond necklace and matching tiara. No one would mistake her for anything but the queen. “Beatrice, this is Isabel, but her friends call her Izzy.”

Niko bit back a laugh. His mother would never call Isabel by anything other than her given name.

“We are delighted to have you back in Vernonia, Izzy,” Beatrice said.

What? Niko stared in disbelief.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Royal Majesty.” Isabel curtsied again only this time she swayed on her heels like a tree in a windstorm. A soft gasp escaped her lips. Panic flashed in her eyes.

Niko grabbed her elbow so she wouldn’t tip over.

She mouthed the word “thanks,” and shrugged off his hand. She didn’t look any steadier on her feet so he kept hold of her. “Isabel is still recovering from the long flight. I’m sure she would like to sit down.”

“Of course.” Dmitar motioned everyone to the table. “We have much to discuss.”

“Yes, we do.” Beatrice sat, and a waiter handed her a napkin. “But now that I’ve seen Izzy myself I agree with you, Dee. We won’t have any trouble.”

Isabel was seated across the table from him. She shot a questioning gaze to him and Julianna.

“Trouble, Mother?” Niko asked, curious what his parents had been discussing.

“Your father and I have been discussing Izzy’s future,” Beatrice said.

His mother’s words set off an alarm in Niko’s head. Waiters brought out the first course and set the bowls of soup on the table at the exact same time.

“That’s really nice of you all.” Izzy’s smile looked forced. “But it’s not necessary, Your Highnesses.”

“But it is,” King Dmitar countered. “All this must still be a shock to you, Izzy, but we are your family now. We don’t have much time. We must make plans for what is to happen next.”

“An annulment comes next, Father,” Niko said. “We will go to the High Court first thing Monday morning.”

Izzy nodded. “You don’t need to waste your time planning anything, sir. My future is set.”

“I appreciate your concern over my time.” Dmitar’s expression was earnest. “But I think it’s time for a little history lesson.”

Niko took a sip of his chilled eggplant soup. His father’s lessons usually lasted until the wee hours of the morning.

Dmitar continued. “You, Izzy, are the last of the royal Sachestian bloodline that ruled the northern region for years before joining with the southern portion of the country to form Vernonia. For centuries, the Separatists have asked that your bloodline rule the north again. But the Loyalists have wanted the Kresimir bloodline to rule over all the land. The two groups hotly disagreed and fights would break out.”

“A little like the Montagues and the Capulets?” Izzy asked.

“Only not so romantic,” Niko said.

“But still quite Shakespearean,” Beatrice said.

Julianna nodded. “History has shown a marriage between rival sides can ease strife and lead to peace.”

“Excellent point, Julianna.” Dmitar took a sip of water. “Over time, the arguments between the Separatists and the Loyalists intensified, Izzy. An official petition to separate the Northern portion of Vernonia circulated in the late 1980s. Civil war seemed imminent. Your father believed that a union between the two royal families would appease the Separatists and avoid war. His goal, our goal really, was to unite Vernonia once and for all with your marriage. But the civil unrest turned violent with terrorist acts. The people remained divided, and war broke out.”

Silence enveloped the room.

Isabel toyed with her napkin. She hadn’t tasted the soup yet. “It must have been a horrible time, Your Majesty.”

“Horrible does not begin to describe it, my dear. Our country has been at peace for the last five years,” Dmitar said. “But that was after the last of the Sachestian bloodline was killed during the conflict. The Separatists believed, they still believe, no Sachestian descendents remain. But now that you have returned like a Phoenix from the ashes—”

“So let’s not tell them I’m back. No one has to know about me,” Izzy interrupted. “I’m sorry for butting in, sir, but your country has been through enough. I don’t want to cause any problems here. The truth is I really don’t want to be a princess. Let’s get the marriage annulled. If you can’t transfer my father’s estate we can figure something else out so I can disappear from Vernonia forever.”

“That sounds like an excellent plan.” Niko was proud of her for speaking up and succinctly saying what needed to be said. That was one positive to Isabel’s lack of princess skills. Julianna would have never said anything.

“I wish it were that simple,” Dmitar said with regret. “We cannot pretend the Separatists do not exist or that their desire is not real.”

“Julianna’s father supported the Separatists during the war,” Niko countered. “They support my marriage to her?”

“Yes, but they do not know about Isabel.”

“Father—”

“Imagine you are a Separatist,” Dmitar interrupted. “You have agreed per the peace accord to be a part of a new united Vernonia. You believe all the members of your royal family are dead, but suddenly discover one young princess lives. Oh, the joy. But then you learn the crown prince of your country has annulled his marriage to your princess so he can wed a different princess from another country. How do you think that will go over in this so-called united land?”