A Royal Engagement: The Young Royals Book 1 Read Online Free PDF

Alexandra, were you employed before being summoned to Merveille?"
    Alexandra nodded, "Yes, Your Highness," she replied.
    "And what was it that you did in your previous employ?"
    "I was the personal assistant to the CEO of a multimillion dollar investment firm."
    I smiled at her and then turned to Lorraine, "I think that Lady Alexandra has a firm enough grip on the tasks that I will require of her, don't you agree?"
    Lorraine flushed and her lips thinned in disapproval, "Of course, Your Highness," she replied, "However I do think that her role as the Queen's Personal Secretary has a little more import than that of being an assistant to a banker."   She said the word banker as if it tasted sour on her tongue.
    "Actually," I said, "I disagree.   Lady Alexandra has grown up in a Royal household and knows the protocols that need to be heeded and on top of that she has worked for, what I daresay, was a particularly difficult man, and excelled.   I would not have chosen her if I did not think that she was up to the task."
    Lorraine knew when she was beaten, although she was not gracious in defeat.   "Very well," she said, standing, "Then if you have no further use of me, I shall return to the Queen...I mean the Queen Mother."   She curtsied briefly and left the room.
    I sighed and looked back at Alexandra who had a small smile on her face and a mischievous glint in her eye.   Meredith, who was seated beside me, had her hand covering her mouth and was attempting to disguise a giggle.
    Alexandra was gorgeous and I felt rather plain beside her.   Her smooth blonde hair was twisted into a perfect French Knot without a stray piece out of place.   Her blue eyes were large and clear, framed by incredibly long lashes and her red lips were full.   She was dressed in an impeccable dove grey, tailored skirt suit with a purple silk blouse underneath.   The woman had class and she seemed to be sweet as well.
    "I'm sorry, Lady Alexandra," I said and Alexandra's face broke into a fully fledged smile, "She was incredibly rude to you."
    "It's fine, Your Highness," she replied, "It is not the first time I have been found wanting."
    "Please, call me Alyssa," I said, "We're going to be working closely with one another and I don't like the fussiness of titles."
    "Of course," she said, "And I prefer Alex.   My name is such a mouthful without adding the Lady part to it."
    "Have you officially met Lady Meredith Bingham?" I asked smirking at my best friend.
    Meredith rolled her eyes at me before smiling at Alex, "We have met, but don't you dare call me Lady Meredith.   I have a hard enough time with the rest of my team without them latching on to that little nugget."
    I raised my eyebrows, "Benjamin doesn't know you're titled?"
    "Of course he knows, but none of the others do.   I made him promise me on pain of death that he wouldn't tell them."
    "Your father is the Duke of Monterey?" Alex asked.
    Meredith nodded, "Yes," she said with a sigh, "He will be arriving today with my mother."   She grimaced.   Meredith's mother was not at all fond of the fact that she had decided to train to become my personal body guard, although her father had been delighted.
    "Is Frederic coming as well?" I asked.
    She huffed out a laugh, "Of course he is," she replied, "He asked about you."
    Now I rolled my eyes.   I loved Frederic, but he was a well known playboy and I had no desire to become another notch on his bedpost.
    Meredith laughed and Alex looked between us, puzzled.
    "My brother, Earl of Avonlea, is an incurable flirt," Meredith said, "And it doesn't help that he is as handsome as sin.   Fortunately though, Lys here has been able to resist his charms and he cannot for the life of him understand why."
    I chuckled, "You know I love him dearly," I said, "And he is quite pretty to look at.   Unfortunately he is all too aware of how he looks and I know that no sooner would I say yes to him than he would be scouting for his next conquest."
    "It is the