Read Online Hand-Me-Down Princess by Carol Moncado - Free Book Online Page A

marriage contract? Did you tell Jessabelle’s father I wouldn’t be faithful?”
    “He was my best friend for several years. He knows the royal family often has mistresses.”
    “Will you tell Yvette she can cheat on her husband? Or he can fool around on her? What if there’s a baby? Do you claim the child?” Something flashed across the king’s face, but Malachi didn’t have time to figure out what it was before it was gone. “It’s insane. I’m not cheating on my wife.”
    He turned to walk away but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t get too close to her, Mal. Keep your distance. Do not get physically involved with the girl.”
    Malachi searched his father’s dark blue eyes. Something deeper was going on, but he knew from experience his father wouldn’t give up anything until he was ready. Shrugging off his hand, Malachi left the conference room to find his mother and his wife sitting in chairs at right angles to each other. Jessabelle was perched on the edge, fiddling with the rings on her left hand. Even though he didn’t know her well, he knew extreme discomfort when he saw it, and he knew it was time for him to be her knight in shining armor.
    “ Mia Belle ?” Where did that come from? Fortunately, she looked up, and he held out his hand. “My parents wanted to join us for breakfast, but I have a surprise for you, so we’re not going to be able to.” Such a surprise he didn’t even know what it was just yet.
    Jessabelle turned to his mother. “It was lovely chatting with you, and I hope to have a chance to get to know you better soon.” She slid her hand into his and stood. “Have a safe trip back to the palace.”
    Malachi let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist, proud of her poise. His mother stood as well. He brushed a kiss against her cheek. “Thank you for coming, Mother. Safe journey.” Light pressure urged Jessabelle toward the bedroom, but she didn’t need much urging. As soon as they were through the door, he closed it behind them and dropped his arm. “Are you all right?”
    She nodded but didn’t say anything.
    “My mother wasn’t rude?”
    “Not particularly. We didn’t say much of anything to each other.” Jessabelle moved away from him. “Your father?”
    Malachi shook his head. “Nothing for you to worry about.” Though he sure would. “Just my father being...” He gave a shrug. “...the king. He has very specific ideas and isn’t real crazy when someone doesn’t ask how high when he says to jump.”
    “Are you defying him on something?”
    “No.” Not really. “He’s got a strong opinion about something. I happen to have the opposite opinion. I also happen to know my opinion is biblically sound. He knows his isn’t, but that doesn’t always stop him.”
    “Is there anything I can do?” She turned to face him.
    Malachi shook his head, grateful for the offer.
    “Can I ask you something?” Her head twisted slightly to the side.
    “Sure.”
    “What did you call me?” She conveyed genuine curiosity.
    “ Mia Belle. ”
    “Why?”
    He to stand in front of the fire, motioning for her to have a seat if she wanted. “No real reason, except Jessabelle is a mouthful. You said one grandmother was Jessica and another was Isabelle. I didn’t think Jessa or Belle fit you. Elle was better, but still not right.” With one hand, he reached out to move the hair off her face. “But Mia Belle ? It means ‘my beautiful.’ It fit.”
    Her head ducked, and she turned that pretty shade of pink. He kind of liked being able to make her blush.
    “Do you have a nickname?”
    “My family calls me Mal sometimes.”
    “Do you like it?”
    “Not particularly.”
    “Why not?”
    “In Spanish, it means something is bad.”
    “Oh. Yeah. That’s not a good nickname.” Suddenly bold, she looked him in the eye. “I think I’ll call you Kai then. Like your great-grandmother, if you think it’ll be okay with her.”
    He ran his fingers down