Read Online Royal Affair by Alice Gaines - Free Book Online

who see me nekkid, the happier I am.”
    “I hope it wasn’t too difficult for you, my
dear,” Friedrich said. “My son should never have done that.”
    “Ah, the things you do for love,” Dixie
said.
    Ulrich nestled her against his side. “I have
a feeling I’ll make up for it the rest of my life.”
    “Darn straight, darlin’,” Dixie said.
    “Stop it, you two, before all this sweetness
gives me cavities,” Casey said.
    “All right, everyone. Let’s sit down.”
Friedrich pulled out a chair for Marta next to the head of the
table, where he’d sit. Once they’d all sat, a pair of waiters
brought wine and poured.
    “It should be champagne,” Dev said. “In
honor of Ulrich’s completing his degree and…”
    Kurt whispered something to Casey, who then
nudged Ulrich.
    Ulrich lifted his glass in a toast. “Dixie
has agreed to become my wife.”
    General cheers went up, and glasses
clinked.
    “I can’t have him painting nude paintings of
me and showing them all over Europe without getting my revenge,”
Dixie said.
    “It wasn’t all over Europe, and you’ve
already had plenty of revenge,” Ulrich said.
    Dixie stared into his eyes. “I haven’t even
gotten started, sugar.”
    Friedrich responded with a full-throated
laugh. Because he was normally a very reserved person, one seldom
heard that from him. Marta would have to figure out a way to
inspire more of it.
    “My congratulations to you both,” she
said.
    “You’ll help with the wedding plans, won’t
you, Lady Marta?” Felice said.
    They all looked to see what she’d say. First
Friedrich involving her in family matters and now Felice. She
smiled and raised her glass again. “Of course.”
    “It’ll be a regular girl-fest. Just wait
’til my mother and sister return.” Dixie turned to Ulrich. “Honey,
maybe we should elope to the monastery and have the abbot marry
us.”
    “Not a chance, darlin’,” Ulrich drawled
back. “You get your revenge, and I’ll get mine.”
    “Don’t forget Vaclav,” Friedrich said.
    Casey groaned. “Really?”
    “My cousin’s a lecher and a fool, but I’m
sure Miss Beaumont can handle him.” Friedrich winked at Dixie. “In
fact, I’m looking forward to it.”
    The first course arrived, and conversation
became more subdued as eating replaced talking. Marta glanced
around her at all the love in the room. Granted, she’d dined with
them before, and the simple act of sharing a meal held no
surprises. But today, they’d included her in their plans for the
future, and the reason sat beside her. She’d have to give him extra
thanks for that tonight, and the thought warmed more than her
heart.

Chapter
Four
     
    Friedrich was creeping along a hallway
again. This time in an Italian hotel. At least, he had a key that
Marta had slipped to him after they’d checked in. So far, his luck
had held, and no one had spotted him. He arrived at the right
number, let himself in, and found himself in a small sitting room.
Through the open door to the bedroom, the sounds of the shower
running came through clear. He smiled. If he stripped quickly
enough, he could surprise her, climb in with her, and kiss her
senseless while the water coursed over them.
    By the time he arrived at the threshold to
the bedroom, he’d rid himself of his footwear, his jacket, and his
tie, and had progressed to unbuttoning his shirt. Clothes had flown
everywhere. He was on a mission, after all, and neatness could come
later. Just as he neared the door to the bathroom, the water turned
off. Drat—the end of that idea. But he could still catch her while
she was still slick and hot from her shower.
    He found her bent over, wrapping a towel
around her hair. Stark naked and absolutely beautiful—all sleek
lines and curves where women should have them.
    When she straightened and saw him, a look of
horror crossed her face, and she grabbed a second towel and wrapped
it around her. “What are you doing here?”
    “You invited me,