Royal Affair Read Online Free PDF Page A

marriage. And no children.
    “There hasn’t been anyone since,” she said
softly.
    “Except for a friend who came to comfort you
and took advantage to kiss you.”
    “And immediately ran away as if he’d
committed a crime,” she said. “Really, Friedrich.”
    “I can only explain myself by saying I
hadn’t…um…known any woman other than Cecile since my marriage.”
    She stared at him, noticed that her mouth
had dropped open, and closed it. “No one at all?”
    “It didn’t seem right.” His hand still
rested on her shoulder, and he continued to stroke her with his
fingertips. “I was afraid word would get out and the woman might be
disgraced.”
    “You were young. It had been so long,” she
said.
    “I thought you’d understand how I felt at
being so alone. I didn’t mean to impose myself on you.”
    “You surprised me. I reacted badly. Then, I
kicked myself for months.” She placed her hand on his cheek,
“Friedrich, there still hasn’t been anyone else?”
    He shook his head. “Until you.”
    She couldn’t speak. Could hardly breathe.
He’d been a vibrant man when his wife had died…scarcely even in
middle age. And he’d had no one all that time until he’d finally
made his feelings known to her. What a great responsibility he’d
given her. What a great treasure. She’d make herself worthy of
both.
    “I hardly know what to say.” Her words came
out as a whisper.
    “I told you I’m a fool.”
    “You’re nothing of the sort.” She could gush
on and on about what a treasure he was. The sort of man one only
expected to meet in novels of bygone days full of knights and even
unicorns. He would be her fairy tale. She’d only found her fantasy
in her later years, but found it she had.
    “Well,” he said, squeezing her shoulder.
“When shall we…”
    “…consummate our new relationship?” she
said. Somehow, the bold, new Marta could make such outrageous
statements as if discussing a bridge game.
    “When we return home, I think,” he
answered.
    “And when will that be?”
    “I had planned an extensive tour of
Danislova.” A wicked gleam entered his eyes. “I suppose it could be
cut short.”
    “You do have guests waiting for you at the
palace,” she said.
    “Miss Beaumont’s family,” he said. “If what
she told Ulrich is true, they may need my help.”
    “There you are, then. You’re duty calls you
home.”
    He rose, pulling her up with him. “Come.
Let’s give Casey and her family the news.”
    *
    Marta sat in the bay window of her morning
room. The spot always allowed the sun to warm her shoulders, and
the fresh air from outside brought the scent of roses from the
garden outside. This afternoon, this perch gave her a view of the
circular drive in front of the house. She wouldn’t know what car
Friedrich would use as this was no official visit. Even his sons
wouldn’t know of their assignation. For now, the secrecy made the
whole affair all the more exhilarating. For the future…who knew
where this relationship was headed?
    She checked her watch again. He wasn’t due
for another full ten minutes, and the Prince Royal was never late.
If he felt as eager as she did, he might appear early. She’d
prepared everything as best she could, and the fluttering in her
stomach would have to take care of itself somehow.
    Down at the street, a dark sedan made the
turn onto her drive and slowly approached the house. Not
particularly large or regal, it would have blended into the traffic
across the city from the palace. If indeed, it held Friedrich
VonRamsberg in it. If someone else had taken it into his or her
head to make an unannounced visit, her maid Hilde would send the
person away with a lie that Marta had left the house. She couldn’t
bear any interruptions this afternoon.
    Dear Hilde, the one person in the world she
could share her secret with. They’d been together so long, they
could trust each other completely. Hilde would recognize Friedrich
immediately and