HOW TO MARRY A PRINCESS by Christine Rimmer Read Free Book Online Page B

of it went to important causes. Her mother praised her contribution to the lives of all Montedorans.
    Alice basked in the approval. She knew what it meant. Her mother was getting past her disappointment over her antics in Glasgow.
    At the table, she ended up next to Damien. He threw an arm across her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Allie. You’re looking splendid, as always.”
    “Flatterer.”
    Dami shrugged and got to work on his eggs Benedict. He looked a little tired, she thought. But then, he often did. He was quite the globe-trotter. Most people thought he was all about beautiful women and the good life—and he was. But he also held a degree in mechanical engineering and design. He was a talented artist, too. And beyond all that, he loved putting together a profitable business deal almost as much as their second-born brother, Rule. And then there were the charities he worked hard to support.
    No wonder he looked as though he needed a long nap.
    She was tempted to ply him with questions about Noah. But what was the point? She’d already decided that she and Noah weren’t going to be happening, so it didn’t matter what Dami might have to tell her about him.
    Dami sipped espresso. When he set down the demitasse, he turned to her again and said softly, “I heard you danced more than one dance with Noah Cordell last Friday. After which you went walking in the garden with him....”
    Well, all right, then. Apparently, she was going to hear about Noah after all, whether she wanted to or not. “I met him in the stables. He was there Wednesday and Thursday mornings, early. He said you had introduced him to Gilbert.”
    “That’s right.”
    “We...chatted.”
    “And danced,” he repeated, annoyingly patient. “And walked in the garden.”
    “Yes, Dami. We did.”
    “You like him.” It wasn’t a question. His expression was unreadable.
    She answered truthfully. “I do. He’s intelligent, fun and a good dancer, as well.”
    “He’s worse with women than I am.”
    “But you’re not so bad—lately. I mean, what about Vesuvia?”
    “What about her?” He gave her one of those looks. “We’ve been on-again, off-again. Now we’re permanently off.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that.”
    “Don’t be. It’s for the best.”
    “But you’ve settled down a lot. We’ve all noticed.”
    He dismissed her argument with a wave. “I’m not a good bet when it comes to relationships. Neither is Noah. It’s always a new woman with him. Take my advice. Stay away from him.”
    That got her back up. “You ought to know better than to tell me what to do, Dami.”
    “It’s for your own good, I promise you.”
    She laughed. “You’re just making it worse. And you know that. You know how I am. Tell me not to do a thing and I just have to do it. Or are you trying to get me interested in Noah?”
    “I’m not that clever.”
    “Oh, please. We both know you’re brilliant.”
    “Sometimes, my darling, I actually do mean exactly what I say. Please stay away from Noah Cordell.”
    She really wanted to remind him that he had no right to tell her whom she could or couldn’t see. But she let it go. “He wants to buy Orion.”
    “Do you want to sell him Orion?”
    “I told him I wouldn’t, but actually, I’m still thinking it over.”
    “I’ll be honest.”
    “Why, thank you.”
    “I’ve been to his California estate. It’s a horse farm and a fine one. And he’s as good with horses as you are.”
    Alice had seen how good Noah was with horses. Still, her pride couldn’t let that stand. “No one’s as good with horses as I am.”
    “Plus, you’re so enchantingly shy and modest.”
    “Shyness and modesty are overrated.”
    He turned back to his meal. They ate in silence for a minute or two. Then he said, “Noah’s got more money than we do. He would pay whatever price you set for one of your Tekes. And he treats his animals handsomely.”
    “Then you do think I should sell him the