Stolen Kiss From a Prince by Teresa Carpenter Read Free Book Online Page B

with twin beds.
    “These two rooms share a bath with a full shower. With your permission, I’ll sleep with Sammy in here.” He nodded. Good. She had the nursery monitor with her, but she preferred to stay close to the child. Unfortunately, it also put her closer to Julian. Not a problem, she vowed. It wasn’t as if there was the least likelihood he’d make a move on her.
    His appalled reaction to her kiss this morning proved she was safe from him.
    “The master suite is the next door down. You have a private attached bath. The entire train car is bulletproof, including all the windows, plus the master bedroom acts as a panic room should the car be breached. I am sure Neil will go over all the specifics with you.”
    She waved him ahead, and he stepped into an elegant oasis decorated in cream, tan and bronze. This room included a small seating area and a bar with a mini refrigerator. Next came the lounge with plenty of comfortable seating in dark leather followed by a half bath and the crew’s quarters.
    Upstairs, she showed him the domed observation lounge with big-screen TV, the formal dining room, kitchen, tiny computer room and crew’s lounge. As with the guest rooms and lounge below, the furnishings here were tasteful and soothing. Plush silver-gray carpet cushioned every step, soft hunter green velvet covered the couch and chairs, while dark woods, fine crystal and a stunning black marble table added to the richness of the rooms.
    “Quite the setup.” Julian let Sammy down in the observation lounge and settled into an armchair. “Much more comfortable than the deluxe sleeper car I traveled in to Pasadonia.”
    “Indeed,” Katrina agreed. “Princess Bernadette especially prefers traveling by train when they have the twins with them. There are gates attached to the top and bottom of the staircases.”
    Sammy ran to the large curved sofa fitted into the rear point of the train. He clamored up, plopped right in the middle and gave them a wide grin.
    She caught her breath and exchanged a hopeful glance with Julian. The smile was the first she’d seen Sammy give.
    “You like it, too, little one.” Responding to his joy, she sat next to him, lightly threaded her fingers through his hair. “Or is it the freedom you like? You have been very good today.”
    The train began to move, slowly pulling away from the palace yard. At the motion Sammy’s eyes grew large, and he looked up at Katrina for reassurance.
    “It is okay.” She smiled. “This is a train. It is like a house on wheels. We are moving—turn around and you can see.”
    The boy climbed to his knees then stood and looked out the back. She lifted up a hand to protect him from a fall. He pointed at the palace staff seeing the train off. Several waved. Sammy waved back. “Bye-bye.”
    “That is correct...we are going bye-bye. We have started our journey.” She thought of adding their final destination of home, but didn’t want to remind him of his parents when he was in such a good mood.
    Suddenly Julian settled onto the green velvet on the other side of Sammy and turned to face her. After he had ignored her for most of the morning, his scrutiny unnerved her. Protocol prevented her from questioning him. Instead she kept her focus on Sammy, playing point and name until the boy got bored of the game and slid off the couch to run around the open space of the lounge.
    “I understand I owe you another apology,” Julian stated gruffly.
    “Oh?” Katrina wondered for what.
    Several items sprang to mind, rudeness certainly, and rushing her—he’d given her a whole hour to pack and say her goodbyes. This, after Princess Bernadette practically forced him to take Katrina with him. That had been an awkward scene. She had been no happier about the idea than he was, but Bernadette wouldn’t be dissuaded and Katrina felt obligated to support her Princess.
    “Yes. Bernadette explained it was Tessa who told Sam—” He stopped and eyed Sammy before