The King's Bought Bride (Royal House of Leone Book 1) by Jennifer Lewis

Author:Jennifer Lewis [Lewis, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: contemporary romance, royal marriage of convenience
Publisher: Mangrove
Published: 2016-11-19T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Emma excused herself as if going to the ladies’ room and headed upstairs to the bedroom she shared with Darias. There at least she could call him in peace. She dialed as she headed up the stairs, and he picked up on the first ring. She glanced around—the hall downstairs was filled with glittering guests and there were three different staffers on the staircase alone.

“Where are you?” she asked.

“I’ve been at the armory, where the boy is being held. I’m heading back in a security car right now. He’s not who he says he is at all. He claimed to be a radical student, but I recognize him. He’s the son of a prominent Piedmont family. I know his older brother.”

Emma hurried along the hallway, out of sight of the guests downstairs. “Why did he do it?”

“To get my attention. That’s all he would say. Now his expensive lawyers are here and he’s clammed right up.”

She was so frustrated to be talking into a phone, especially after the drama of earlier. She wanted to see him. “Darias, I’m still nervous about this mock battle and Aldobrando. If everyone’s face is covered, how do you know who is who?”

“Good point. I’ll make sure to eyeball them all. I’ve asked Gibran to sic Beatriz on Aldobrando. You know what she’s like. He won’t have a spare moment to get up to no good.”

Emma laughed. “She’s really taken care of me.”

“I know she means well.”

“I miss you,” she said softly. She felt odd confessing it, but of course it played right into the loving-husband-and-wife charade, if anyone was listening in.

“I’ll be back soon. Meet me at the main door.”

She hung up, with a tiny ache that he didn’t say anything about missing her. Then she chastised herself. He was busy being made king today, not to mention trying not to be assassinated. She needed to get over herself, and fast!

Emma tucked her phone into her pocket and descended the stairs again, eyes on the door. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Beatriz, severe and elegant in navy, greeting a tall, rather handsome man with a suspicious expression. That must be him. He didn’t look like a murderer, but they never did, did they?

Aldobrando wore a slim, dark suit, a stark contrast with the gaudy braid and uniforms of so many men at the palace. She couldn’t hear what he was saying, but she saw Beatriz crack a reluctant smile. No doubt he was a charmer.

Lucky thing Beatriz was the last woman on earth to fall for some hustler’s charms.

The front door flew open and Darias strode in, flanked by guards. She couldn’t stop the grin that spread across her face and she rushed to him, too fast for royal dignity.

He kissed her on the cheek, and she let herself luxuriate in the warmth that radiated from his lips. Relief swept through her that he was back. “Can I help you with anything? I’d love to watch you get ready for the mock battle.

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