Heiress's Royal Baby Bombshell by Jennifer Faye

Author:Jennifer Faye
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-08-08T21:46:34+00:00

* * *

He should tell them.

He wanted to. Max couldn’t wait to shout it from the towers that he was going to be a father. But he knew Noemi wasn’t ready for the pressure or expectations that would bring to her life. For now, he had to protect her.

His country was steeped in archaic traditions, as were his parents. Max didn’t agree with most of those traditions, but he wasn’t in a position to change them—not yet. For now, he had to go along with what was expected of him, producing an heir and providing a paternity test. When he became king—when his authority could not be disputed—then he could implement changes.

Max stepped into the library and stopped, finding that it wasn’t just his parents that wanted to speak to him. There were the two highest members of the royal cabinet as well as Enzo and their public representative. This felt more like the beginning of an inquisition than a homecoming.

From the doorway, he took a moment to really look at his parents. His mother looked much the same. She still had a trim figure, and she had no gray hairs but he had a feeling she had them discreetly covered up. His father, on the other hand, looked older and frailer. His face looked weathered and his eyes were dull. He was sicker than he was willing to admit.

The king stepped forward. “This is the woman, isn’t it?”

Max sent him a confused look. It was like he’d stepped into the middle of a conversation and everyone expected him to know what had been said. He refused to be put on the defensive. He’d been in that awkward position too many times in recent years.

“The woman?” he asked.

“Don’t do this.” His mother stepped up next to his father. “I know we’ve given you a lot of freedom after your...your illness. Perhaps in hindsight it was too much freedom. It wasn’t like we turned a blind eye to your activities. But honestly, the headlines have been getting worse and worse. And now you bring home this girl—”

“She’s not a girl. She’s a woman. And her name is Noemi.”

The queen crossed her arms over her proper navy-and-white linen dress. “I suppose she’s the one who claims to be pregnant?”

“Since when did you start believing the headlines? You know what the doctor said. I can’t father any children.”

The angry look on his mother’s face deflated. “So it’s not true? There’s no baby?”

“Whatever they printed in the paper is nothing but make-believe. There’s nothing serious between Noemi and me. We’re...friends. She’s really nice. I wish you would give her a chance.”

The queen eyed him carefully. “She’s important to you?”

He had to be careful here. “She’s a good friend. And she’s been through a lot lately. I want this visit to go well for her.”

His statement only increased his mother’s curiosity. “Been through what?”

“Darling, leave Max alone.” The king spoke in a congenial tone. “He is home just like you wanted. Let’s not rush him back out the door.

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