Read Online The Making of a Princess by Teresa Carpenter - Free Book Online

comfortable clothes with layers and shoes with a good grip for their trip to the island.
    She’d chosen to pair her black jeans with a cream mock cowl sweater over a lavender turtleneck.
    “Good morning.” Xavier greeted her with a kiss. “You look beautiful this morning.”
    “You look pretty good yourself.”
    He ushered her toward the restaurant. “Are you sure we have time for a meal?”
    “Yes. It’s just eight and our tour isn’t until eleven. As long as we’re at Pier 33 by ten, we’re good.”
    “Excellent, because I am famished.”
    “Then let’s eat.” She stepped up to the Maître d’ and they were soon seated in comfortable cream tufted chairs at a table overlooking the lobby. Xavier asked for her preferences and then ordered for the both of them.
    “How are you this morning?” he asked. “Did you hear from your grandmother?”
    “No, but I didn’t expect to. Apologies don’t come easily to her.” She ducked her head, forced herself to face the truth. “Who am I kidding?” She swallowed hard to dislodge the lump forming in her throat. “She’s the one expecting an apology.”
    His hand covered hers on the table.
    “Are you sorry for standing up for yourself?” he asked quietly.
    It took two seconds for her to answer. “No.” Her self-respect demanded no other response. “I love my grandparents, but I must admit I’m enjoying my freedom from them.”
    The waiter arrived with their food. He set a full breakfast of steak and eggs before Xavier and a yogurt parfait and bowl of fruit in front of her.
    “Freedom.” Xavier returned to their conversation. “An interesting choice of words. Tell me about your childhood.”
    She picked up her spoon, poked at her parfait. “My friends say it was the strictest childhood in the history of California. And that’s saying a lot because Michelle—you met her that first night at the museum—her dad was a sheriff and very protective.”
    “Hmm. I would not take her for a policeman’s daughter.”
    “Right.” His assessment confirmed her faith in his ability to read people. “She was a bit of a rebel. Anyway, my grandparents are both professors at Hunt College, a small, prestigious university, steeped in tradition. We practically lived on campus.”
    “A contained environment.” He reached for the marmalade for his toast, and she took a bite of her yogurt, enjoying the tang and crunchiness of the creamy concoction.
    “Yes. But strict was what I knew and I wasn’t a rebel, so, I didn’t buck the system much. The tough part was they made it clear my behavior reflected on their reputations. It was more effective than a leash. Gossip in a small college community is second to none. I felt I couldn’t do anything for fear of it getting back to them.”
    “And to the Dean, and college council.”
    “Exactly. So I had limited independence, and when I did get to go out, I felt as if I were living in a fishbowl. And unfortunately my grandparents weren’t very sympathetic.”
    “In other words you paid for your mother’s sins.”
    “They miss her so much. And it’s not that I want to replace her—but it’s been clear to me for a long time that they’ll never feel for me what they did for her.”
    “Amanda, you cannot blame yourself for their short-sightedness. You are a beautiful, intelligent, loving woman. I have always been taught that love is limitless. Mine is a large family, and each new member just expands the love we have for one another.”
    “That sounds wonderful,” she said wistfully.
    He bowed his head in acknowledgement. “Yes, but my point is your grandparents suffered a loss they cannot get past. It appears to me they were not particularly demonstrative people to begin with and losing their daughter stole their ability to expand their affections beyond that loss.”
    Amanda pushed her half-finished meal aside as tears threatened. He was so understanding, she found herself getting deeper into her psyche than she ever