By Order of the Crown (The Royals of Donnesque Book 1) by Marianne Evans

Author:Marianne Evans [Evans, Marianne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

“HOW WAS THE DATE?”

“It wasn’t a date.” The next day, Audrey found herself scowling at Jacqueline-the-inquisitor across a small Formica-topped table. At present they shared late morning tea and snacks in the breakroom at AudioLogic HQ. Audrey’s energy-boosting trail mix wasn’t going down so well right now.

“C’mon. Spill. I’ve been dying all morning!”

The probe caused Audrey’s skin to prickle with wistfulness, with a longing that left her distinctly on edge. “We enjoyed each other’s company, that’s all.”

“That’s all?”

No, that wasn’t all. We shared a romantic picnic in a field of lavender, complete with a slow dance we executed to the tempo of a mountain breeze…

She kept silent on those salient facts—but swooned, and panicked, just the same.

Jacqueline picked up on the evasion. As usual, she played the who-will-blink-first card and won in a typical cake walk.

“It’s nothing!” Audrey realized her tone was over the top. She inhaled and calmed while the ramifications of her shared time with Prince Isaac repeatedly struck home. He was so perfectly…wonderful.

Tempting images swirled—the confident grace of his stride, his strong, chiseled features, broad shoulders, set to carry a kingdom no less, along with deep blue eyes that at once enticed and intoxicated. The lush waves of his sandy blonde hair were matched with a smile destined to light the sky. Best of all? Most importantly? He possessed a heart driven by care, and an authentic call to serve. He was authentic.

But he was also a prince. A crown prince. A king-in-waiting. What on Earth was she even thinking?

“Jacquie, there’s nothing there, and there never can be.” Lord, how Audrey hated admitting defeat. “He’s royal. I’m…you know…not. He’s a prince, sure, but he’s also just…warm. He’s impressive, and he has a predetermined life to live, but he also has dreams. We have that in common, so we’ve simply—”

“Connected.” Jacqueline cut smooth as silk into Audrey’s nervous diatribe. That was totally rude, right?

Onset hearing loss had sharpened Audrey’s remaining senses both internal and external. In a way, her disability enabled her to discern Isaac’s empathy, though the trait remained carefully sheathed by a public face of handsome polish and an intriguing rather than off-putting aura of public reserve and neutrality.

Theirs was a lovely friendship, but that was all. Fortified, she steadied herself all over again. Refreshed perspective helped salve rattled nerves.

All the same, Isaac had become much more than a prince. He was magnetic. Relatable.

And dangerous to her heart.

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