Expecting Royal Twins! by Melissa McClone

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.”

CHAPTER SIX
     
    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