Read Online A Prince For Sophie by Morgan Ashbury - Free Book Online Page A

again.”
    Hannah couldn’t contain her smile. She’d told no one of her news because Alex wanted to announce it at dinner tonight. Under the circumstances, telling Alex’s oldest daughter felt like the right thing to do. Trading such personal confidences was a bridge built.
    “You could say that. Your father wants to make the announcement at dinner, so look surprised. We’re going to be married.”
    “Oh, Hannah, that’s fabulous! I am so happy—for both of you.”
    “And if your interlude with Stephan was a good one, then I’m happy for you, too.”
    “Interlude. That is a very good word for what we shared.”
    “You never know. It doesn’t have to be just an interlude. It could turn out to be something much more.”
    “Oh, it won’t. I won’t let it. No, I decided long ago that I was never going to marry.”
    Hannah recalled that Sophie had said that once, when they were getting ready for a formal event. She’d assumed that the princess’ reticence was connected to ordinary virginal apprehension. Some women did suffer from that. Now, she dared to pry, just a little.
    “You don’t want children someday? A family?”
    “No.” There was a wistful tone to her response. Hannah was on the verge of probing further when Sophie’s look became distant. “I’m too much my mother’s daughter. Women like us just aren’t meant to be wives. Or mothers. I won’t make the same mistake she did.”
     
    * * * *
     
    “My God, Hannah. What did we do to that precious child, Liana and I?”
    Alex had wondered, often, why Sophie had never seemed interested in dating. Like many, he’d presumed her formal bearing, her strict observance of protocol were indications that she resembled her mother in temperament, as well as looks. Though he had also always known that, unlike her mother, Sophie was capable of warmth, love, and compassion. She didn’t let those qualities show often. They were most evident when she was with family or the young orphans in her charge.
    He felt Hannah’s arms come around him from behind and thanked God for her. Within her embrace, he felt stronger than he ever had. For the first time in more than a decade—no, he amended, for the first time ever he was not alone as a parent facing a crisis with a child.
    “Don’t blame yourself, darling.”
    “I notice you didn’t admonish me not to blame Liana, too.”
    “I’m biting my tongue, here.”
    Alex chuckled, then folded his arms over hers. “That was an unfair thing for me to say to you, love. Forgive me.”
    “Someday, when you’re holding Sophie’s firstborn in your arms, I’ll tell you what I thought this afternoon as she was telling me her feelings on the subject of marriage.”
    “That is a deal. So, how are we going to help our eldest daughter, my love?” He turned then, and caught the look in her eyes. He’d only expressed what was in his heart, but her expression said he’d given her a precious gift.
    The flavor of her, when she stretched up and laid her mouth on his, went straight to his head and other places. He smiled because that had been such a silly and happy thought.
    “Well, Your Majesty, if this were a couple hundred years ago, you could put out a call throughout your kingdom for brave knights in shining armor on dashing steeds to come and save the day.”
    “And announce a tournament, the winner of which would be given my daughter’s hand in marriage?” How much easier this was with Hannah there to share the burden! He knew he could laugh at her suggestion, and the laughter made everything lighter.
    “You know, that’s not a bad idea.”
    “Hannah. As my youngest is fond of saying, it is no longer the dark ages. I cannot simply command my daughter to wed.”
    “No, no, of course not. But what if…”
    When she was silent for a few moments, he tilted her chin up with a finger and as her eyes met his asked, “My darling, are you planning to play matchmaker?”
    “Well, someone has to. Where’s a Fairy