The Serenade: The Prince and the Siren [Daughters of the Empire 2] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Esteban?”
    Perplexed, Esteban studied the young prince’s hopeful face. Alejandro could read passably well in three languages.
    In an instant he understood. The letter was Alejandro’s treasure, and he wanted to share it with someone.
    “Certainly I will read it to you, Alejandro. I am here to serve you.”
    Esteban detected a slight frown at the corner of Alejandro’s lips. “Thank you, Señor Esteban.”
    “Let us read the letter in your room where the lighting is better. After that, you need your sleep, Your High— Alejandro .”
    As the boy moved to rise, Esteban was reminded of how large and muscular Prince Alejandro was for his age. He never looked at the prince without feeling pride in being a Spaniard.
    Alejandro was, of course, related to all European royalty, including the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, Louis XIV, and Prince Albert. Esteban studied Prince Alejandro’s tanned skin, dark-brown hair, and chocolate-brown eyes. There was no doubt about it . Despite the young prince’s French and Austrian lines, he was a Spaniard through and through.
    There was some talk that King Don Bartolomé XII had actually been sired by the captain of the Royal Guard, and there was evidence in Alejandro’s appearance to support the claim. There should have actually been very little Spanish blood in the ruling king of Spain—and it was conspicuously obvious that the bloodlines were there.
    It was rarely spoken of, but the crown prince’s ancestry was actually a source of pride among Spaniards. Because all royalty intermarried, the child would still have been related to all the same royal personages even if one side of his lineage had shown a particular fondness for the working classes.
    Sitting on a stylized, elegant chaise rather than a large, cushy couch a child might enjoy, Esteban glanced at the furnishings in the room. Prince Alejandro’s room was appointed at great expense in heavily carved, oppressive walnut furniture. There were very few clues to indicate that a child lived here. Everything was neatly put away in drawers and closets. The only personal effects were his books, his school supplies, and pictures of his family. His pencils were lined on his desk, evenly spaced apart. There were no games or puzzles or adventure books scattered about, no pets or reptiles. No socks or balls left on the floor.
    The Spanish flag was on one wall, and a crucifix was hung on the other.
    Nothing appeared to be cherished in the room, and it did not appear to be much lived in.
    The only object of warmth in the entire room was a stained-glass Moroccan lamp overhead, which threw various shades of light everywhere—gold, blue, red, and a rich purple.
    The room smelled of furniture polish and cleanser, and Esteban rose to the window and opened it. He breathed deeply and listened to the frogs croaking in the nearby pond before returning to sit beside the prince on the uncomfortable couch. Alejandro gingerly broke the seal and smoothed open the page, running his hand across the ivory paper before he handed it to Esteban. He moved closer, whether to see the letter as he read or for the human contact, Esteban did not know. Though the child made no sound to interrupt his thoughts, Esteban sensed Prince Alejandro’s anticipation and returned his eyes to the letter in his hand.
    “Your mother is well, as am I. Your brother excels in his studies. I hope that you may learn to follow his example. Your sister’s French improves,” the letter began, opening abruptly with a brief and impersonal account of each member of the family. Noticeably missing was any inquiry into Alejandro’s well-being. King Don Bartolomé ended his letter to his son with, “The future of España rests on your shoulders, Alejandro. Do not disappoint us.”
    As Esteban forced the words through his lips—there was no point in trying to change the letter, as Alejandro would only read it later—he observed tears welling up in Alejandro’s eyes. The initial joyous