MAID FOR A PRINCE: (Book 1) (Point St. Claire, where true love finds a way) by Robyn Grady Page B
Authors: Robyn Grady
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Helene said, amused. “But I sure like to window shop.”
“I went to school in Switzerland,” Tahlia said, lowering herself to sit among cushions scattered over an extravagant sofa. “And I’ve been to many places in Europe. It only makes me hungry for more.”
Helene liked Tahlia already. The princess was a girl after her own heart.
“Darius tells me you might go to the UK to study,” Helene said delicately.
“I’ve had enough of tutors and books for now.” She sat back. “Although I do love to read poetry. Keats, Byron…”
Helene suddenly remembered those old pages she’d found. “Stories, too?” she asked, heading for her knapsack.
“Only if they have a happy ending.”
Helene eased out the writing block then removed the yellowed sheets and presented them to Tahlia. “I found these at the villa, tucked away in a wardrobe and a desk.”
Pages in hand, Tahlia ran an interested gaze over the top sheet. “This was written many years ago.” She eyed the initials of the author. “D.D…” Her focus shot up. “Have you read it?”
“Only the first few pages.”
“Oh, then you should read it all first.”
“How about I keep these here and when you visit again, we can read it together,” she suggested, accepting the pages back.
“And afterward you can tell me how you came to be with my brother alone on that island.”
As Tahlia’s eyes twinkled with playful curiosity, Helene set the pages aside. “Darius should probably fill you in on that.”
Tahlia slumped. “My brother finds it difficult to talk to me about anything other than duty these days.”
Tahlia’s attention had slid to one of a dozen soaring arched windows. Was she thinking about the stables and that boy she’d fallen in love with? Helene wanted to ask about Otis. She wanted to help if she could, but she shouldn’t interfere. It wasn’t her place.
“How long are you staying, Helene?”
“Two weeks.” By that time she should be certain that her and Darius’s first time together hadn’t evolved into anything…irreversible. “I’ve been in your country a few weeks now,” Helene went on. “I worked at a taverna and stayed with a family downtown.” She threw a glance at her knapsack. “I’ll pick up the rest of my stuff tomorrow.”
“You have nothing else to wear?”
“Does a sarong and swimsuit count?”
“We’re something of the same size.” Tahlia found her feet. “I’ll have clothes brought around straight away.”
Wow . “That’s incredibly generous.”
“It’s my pleasure. And I’ll come again tomorrow while Darius is busy with his work, and we can read that story.” Tahlia crossed to the door. “Let’s hope we get that happy ending.”
Chapter 12
An hour later, feeling brave enough to scout around a little, Helene swung open her quarters’ door. Darius stood the other side of the ornate framework, his hand raised, ready to knock. He arched a brow.
“Going somewhere?” His gaze dropped to take in her recently acquired attire. “Nice dress.”
When the clothes Tahlia promised had arrived, there’d been so many gorgeous outfits to choose from, as well as a pair of jeans. After trying on half a dozen combinations, Helene had opted for a sky-blue jersey wrap-around.
She smoothed the cool fabric draped over her hips. “I was about to go exploring.”
His fingertips trailed up her arm. “I’ll tag along.”
They traveled down the long hallway, descended the grand staircase, and wandered through an enormous room with an elevated domed ceiling painted ultramarine and dotted with gold stars. Along the way, they passed several curious house staff who might have liked to ask questions but only averted their gazes. Finally, she and Darius emerged from the solemn palace walls into wide open spaces and sunshine. Strips of manicured lawn, divided by exquisite perfumed gardens, rolled out before them.
Helene breathed in air fragrant with the scent of orange blossoms then glanced
“I went to school in Switzerland,” Tahlia said, lowering herself to sit among cushions scattered over an extravagant sofa. “And I’ve been to many places in Europe. It only makes me hungry for more.”
Helene liked Tahlia already. The princess was a girl after her own heart.
“Darius tells me you might go to the UK to study,” Helene said delicately.
“I’ve had enough of tutors and books for now.” She sat back. “Although I do love to read poetry. Keats, Byron…”
Helene suddenly remembered those old pages she’d found. “Stories, too?” she asked, heading for her knapsack.
“Only if they have a happy ending.”
Helene eased out the writing block then removed the yellowed sheets and presented them to Tahlia. “I found these at the villa, tucked away in a wardrobe and a desk.”
Pages in hand, Tahlia ran an interested gaze over the top sheet. “This was written many years ago.” She eyed the initials of the author. “D.D…” Her focus shot up. “Have you read it?”
“Only the first few pages.”
“Oh, then you should read it all first.”
“How about I keep these here and when you visit again, we can read it together,” she suggested, accepting the pages back.
“And afterward you can tell me how you came to be with my brother alone on that island.”
As Tahlia’s eyes twinkled with playful curiosity, Helene set the pages aside. “Darius should probably fill you in on that.”
Tahlia slumped. “My brother finds it difficult to talk to me about anything other than duty these days.”
Tahlia’s attention had slid to one of a dozen soaring arched windows. Was she thinking about the stables and that boy she’d fallen in love with? Helene wanted to ask about Otis. She wanted to help if she could, but she shouldn’t interfere. It wasn’t her place.
“How long are you staying, Helene?”
“Two weeks.” By that time she should be certain that her and Darius’s first time together hadn’t evolved into anything…irreversible. “I’ve been in your country a few weeks now,” Helene went on. “I worked at a taverna and stayed with a family downtown.” She threw a glance at her knapsack. “I’ll pick up the rest of my stuff tomorrow.”
“You have nothing else to wear?”
“Does a sarong and swimsuit count?”
“We’re something of the same size.” Tahlia found her feet. “I’ll have clothes brought around straight away.”
Wow . “That’s incredibly generous.”
“It’s my pleasure. And I’ll come again tomorrow while Darius is busy with his work, and we can read that story.” Tahlia crossed to the door. “Let’s hope we get that happy ending.”
Chapter 12
An hour later, feeling brave enough to scout around a little, Helene swung open her quarters’ door. Darius stood the other side of the ornate framework, his hand raised, ready to knock. He arched a brow.
“Going somewhere?” His gaze dropped to take in her recently acquired attire. “Nice dress.”
When the clothes Tahlia promised had arrived, there’d been so many gorgeous outfits to choose from, as well as a pair of jeans. After trying on half a dozen combinations, Helene had opted for a sky-blue jersey wrap-around.
She smoothed the cool fabric draped over her hips. “I was about to go exploring.”
His fingertips trailed up her arm. “I’ll tag along.”
They traveled down the long hallway, descended the grand staircase, and wandered through an enormous room with an elevated domed ceiling painted ultramarine and dotted with gold stars. Along the way, they passed several curious house staff who might have liked to ask questions but only averted their gazes. Finally, she and Darius emerged from the solemn palace walls into wide open spaces and sunshine. Strips of manicured lawn, divided by exquisite perfumed gardens, rolled out before them.
Helene breathed in air fragrant with the scent of orange blossoms then glanced
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