HOW TO MARRY A PRINCESS by Christine Rimmer Page A

With my bare hands.”
    Her mother reached across and clasped her arm, a soothing touch. “My advice? Let it go. On reflection, I honestly do think that this is more about the changes in your brother than anything else.” Adrienne tipped her head to the side, considering. “And I think you do like this man, Noah. I think you like him very much.”
    Alice had nothing to hide. Why not just admit it? She sat a little straighter. “I do like him. I’m beginning to...care for him. He’s tough and competitive and way too smart. He calls me every evening. I can talk with him for hours. He’s come a long way in his life and he’s very proud and more than a little controlling. But he’s also tender and funny and generous, too.”
    Adrienne’s expression had softened. “I see that Dami isn’t the only one of my children who is changing, growing more thoughtful, more mature, more capable of truly loving— And how about this? I will speak with your brother again on this subject. I will remind him that your life is your own and I have faith in your judgment.”
    Her mother’s words touched her. “Thank you. Noah’s invited me to come and visit him in California.”
    “Will you go?”
    “Yes, Mother. I believe that I will.”

Chapter Six
    T hat night when Noah called, Alice told him she would like to come for a visit.
    He instantly tried to take over. “Come tomorrow. I’ll send a plane for you. I’ll handle everything.”
    She was prepared for that. “Thank you. But no. I’ll make my own arrangements. I’ll need a little more time.”
    He made a growling sound. “How long is a little more time?”
    “A couple of days.”
    “Thursday, then. You’re coming Thursday.”
    “Friday, actually.”
    “That’s three days. You said two.”
    “It’s so nice that you’re eager to see me.”
    “So, then, you’ll come Thursday.”
    Rather than allow him to keep pushing her when she’d already made it clear she would arrive on Friday, she let a moment of silence speak for her.
    “Alice. Alice, are you still there?”
    “Right here,” she answered sweetly.
    “I’ve been patient.”
    She couldn’t suppress a chuckle. “Oh, you have not.”
    “Yes, I have. I’ve waited for you to be ready to come to me. Don’t you dare change your mind on me now.”
    “I’m not changing my mind, Noah.”
    “How long can you stay?”
    “A week?”
    “Not long enough,” he grumbled. “You should stay for a month, at least. Longer. Forever.”
    “Let’s leave it open-ended, why don’t we? We’ll see how it goes. I’ll have to return by the middle of next month for Montedoro’s annual Autumn Faire.”
    “A fair? That sounds like something you could skip this year.”
    “I never skip the Autumn Faire. There will be a street bazaar and a parade. I’ll wear traditional dress and ride one of my horses.”
    “Sounds thrilling.” His tone implied otherwise.
    She held her ground. “I have to return for it. I’ve already agreed to participate.”
    He relented. “All right, then—and I have a meeting in San Francisco on Friday,” he admitted at last. “No way to reschedule it.”
    “It’s not a problem. I can come later, when you’re at home.”
    “But if you came Thursday, you could fly with me up to the Bay Area. We could—”
    “Noah.”
    “What?”
    “Just tell me when you’ll be back.”
    “Never mind,” he grumbled. “Come Friday. Lucy and Hannah will be here to welcome you. And I’ll be home Saturday.”
    “Wonderful. I’ll see you then.”
    * * *
    She took Altus and Michelle with her—Altus because her mother insisted that they all use bodyguards when traveling outside the principality. And Michelle because the housekeeper was an excellent companion who never got flustered by long lines or inconveniences and could pack weeks’ worth of gear and clothing in a small number of bags.
    With the time difference, they were able to leave Nice Friday morning and arrive at Santa Barbara Airport that