The Lord's Passionate Lover (The Royals of Monaco, #3) (2 page)

“We were in the middle of a conversation,” Francesca said to him, as he wrapped his arm around her waist and started dancing with her.

“He was in the middle of a conversation,” he replied.

Francesca laughed. “He did seem to enjoy the sound of his own voice, but what does that have to do with you?” she asked.

“I was rescuing you from boredom.”

“I could have handled it,” she lied.

“I doubt that.” He spun her around and pulled her back to him, as they moved around the dance floor. Macee was in the middle of a conversation when she saw her sister dancing with Lord Jacques. She tapped Liane and pointed them out as they stood there watching their sister.

“They look good together,” Liane commented.

“I agree.”

F
rancesca felt so safe in the embrace of Lord Jacques. She could feel his green eyes staring at her, as if he were memorizing every inch of her. He was definitely handsome, and she could feel the strong muscles beneath his clothing. But why was he looking at her like that? No man had ever looked at her like that before. She shouldn’t be attracted to him and she certainly shouldn’t be dancing with him. He was older than her and divorced too! Francesca avoided making eye contact with him and as soon as the song ended, she excused herself and walked quickly away.

As Lord Jacques watched her walk away, he had to admit that he was taken with her. While she was quite young for him, he appreciated the way she carried herself and seemed far more suited for palace life than her sister, the Crown Princess was. Tall and stately, he found her lovely in a refreshing way.

As the band began to play another jazz tune, Macee rolled her eyes. She was not fond of jazz and was surprised to learn that Princess Katherine did not like it either. Especially since, it was her birthday. As the girls discussed their taste in music, Francesca approached them.

“How did you and Lord Jacques end up dancing together?” Liane asked Francesca as she narrowed her gaze and took Liane's champagne from her.

“He whisked me away from a boring conversation,” Francesca replied before taking a sip from the glass. Macee looked amused.

“You must have enjoyed the dance,” Macee said as Francesca shrugged her shoulders.

“It was okay,” she replied.

“I know I would have enjoyed it,” Liane said.

“You are a married woman.”

Katherine and Macee laughed. “You cannot deny that he is an attractive man,” Katherine added. They all looked at her in shock as that was the first time they had ever heard her say anything like that before. The princess shrugged her shoulders. “I am a woman too,” she added.

“I like this side of you,” Macee said, as she spontaneously hugged her. She had spoken to the princess on many occasions but she had not gotten a sense of what she was really like. Katherine smiled at Macee, as she hugged her back. The queen approached them and whisked Katherine away to introduce her to some potential suitors.

Finally, the night came to an end. It was the first birthday party Macee and her sisters had attended at the palace and it felt far more like a formal event than a celebration.

*                                                                 *                                                                  *

A
few days later, Prince Louis surprised Macee by bringing Francesca into the palace. He had arranged for her to stay until the baby was born. “How did you get your mother to agree, or doesn't she know yet?” Macee asked him. Prince Louis laughed.

“She knows and she agreed,” he replied.

Macee was not convinced. “Whatever it was that you did, thank you. I am so happy to have Francesca in the palace,” she said and hugged her sister tightly.

“When we lived together, you did not embrace me this much,” Francesca said.

“That was because I saw you every day.”

“I shall leave the two of you alone,” Prince Louis stated.

“Where are you going?” Macee asked him.

“I have a meeting with Lord Jacques.”

Macee looked at Francesca with a cheeky smile on her face as Francesca rolled her eyes. “See you later then,” Macee said to her husband. He kissed her on the cheek and rubbed her belly before he left.

Francesca and Macee sat down on the balcony. One of Macee's maids brought out a tray of refreshments. Francesca looked at the snacks on the tray. There were some peculiar choices.

“What kind of food are they feeding you?” Francesca asked.

“It's because of the cravings,” Macee replied with a frown. The symptoms were driving her crazy. She picked up a doughnut and dipped it in yoghurt. “So how do you feel about living in the palace?” she asked.

“I used to want to live here so badly,” Francesca said with a sigh.

“So what changed?”

“The palace is not this beautiful big house with handsome princes and beautiful dresses. It's a political playground where you have to watch your back all the time.”

Macee nodded as she knew that to be true. From the moment she moved into the palace, she felt the need to watch her back at all times. Ultimately, she was stabbed in the back anyway by Bridgette, the queen’s sister, who had manufactured rumours to break up Macee’s marriage. It only proved to Macee that no matter how careful you were, there were always going to be people that wanted to see your downfall.

“It's very sad isn't it?” Macee asked her sister.

“It is but I think you will be fine.”

“Why is that?”

“Your husband loves you so much and will do anything to protect you. The most powerful weapon you can have in the palace is the king's love.”

Macee frowned. “It's a double-edged sword,” she said. Of course, Prince Louis would protect her at all costs but because of that love, she could become an even bigger target.

“I agree,” Francesca said. She looked at Macee and smiled, “Well you have me now,” she added.

“Thank heavens for that,” Macee said and returned the smile.

*                                                                          *                                                                               *

“S
tay for lunch,” Prince Louis said to Lord Jacques after their meeting. They had been discussing Jacques's duties as he was had officially started working for the prince as one of his advisors.

“Thank you, your highness, I would like that,” replied Jacques, as they adjourned to the dining room.

“So you are divorced?” the Prince asked.

“Yes, ten years ago,” he replied. He and his wife had divorced after he discovered her infidelities. He was glad that they had yet to have children, thereby avoiding that nightmare of having to maintain relations for the sake of the children and appearances. Since then he had stayed single. He was in no rush to get back into a relationship.

“Do you think you will marry again?”

“I do not think so.”

Lord Jacques had divorced at a young age. They had only been married for four years when his wife’s infidelity had surfaced. As a lord with a large estate just north of Monte Carlo, he had chosen a wife that he thought would be appropriate to the role of lady of the manor, but she had only married him for his money and status. Since then, he had lost trust in the idea of marriage.

“You have not met anyone that has changed your mind?” Prince Louis asked.

“I have not.”

“That's a shame. You are still young. There are many desirable women out there. Perhaps you will find someone who will change your mind.”

After lunch, the men returned to their respective offices to get some work done.

F
rancesca took a walk in the palace garden. She had always dreamed about living in the palace as she fantasized about all the activities, the Balls and the elegantly dressed people. She had no idea how boring palace life really was. There were so many restrictions placed on activities and security was tight. While she was glad to spend time with Macee every day, there was nothing for her to do. She was close to completing her degree in finance, but it was not as if she could get a job. In their family, degrees were for show. Their mother did not want them to work; it was merely one more thing to add to their resume to make them suitable for marriage.

Francesca needed to find something to do. She sighed as she walked around the garden. “What is the matter?” a deep voice sounded from behind her.

“Nothing is the matter,” Francesca replied without turning to face the questioning voice. Lord Jacques approached and stood next to her.

“That sigh implied that there is something more.” 

“You are mistaken,” she replied. She was not about to speak to Jacques about her jumbled thoughts.

“As you say,” Lord Jacques replied as he looked at her. There was something about her that intrigued him and while he had yet to put a finger on it, he wanted to find out more about her. Francesca stared into the distance, as he admired her. She was tall, slender and carried herself with grace. She had long eyelashes that cascaded over warm hazel eyes, great bone structure, which was accentuated by her light brown hair, which was tied up in a ponytail.

Francesca finally turned her head to see Lord Jacques staring at her. His green gaze was so intense that it made her uncomfortable. “What is it?” she asked him. She could not figure out why he was still standing next to her, as she had chosen not to engage with him in conversation. 

“Francesca, right?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied and looked away. She wondered if she should ask his name as she had only ever heard him referred to as Lord Jacques.

“Are you here to visit your sister?”

“No, I will be staying for a while.”

Lord Jacques raised his eyebrows. “Interesting,” he said.

“Why is that interesting?”

“Perfect opportunity for you to find a suitor.”

“That’s not why I’m here,” she replied defensively. She may not be looking but she wanted one. Both her sisters were happily married and here she was still single.

“Why is that?” he found it hard to believe that a woman at her age was not seeking a suitor.

“What if I already have one?” she asked. He had stated that it was the perfect opportunity for her to find one; it was as if he assumed that she was single.

“But you do not,” he replied confidently. Francesca raised her eyebrows. He knew nothing about her and here he was assuming she was single.

“You know that because?”

“I am sure he would not appreciate you living at the court.”

Francesca frowned. Surely, a boyfriend would not mind her living at the court. Besides it would be her decision not his. Lord Jacques seemed to be the type that would mind.

“And yet you are not seeing someone.” He still sounded so confident about it. It was as if someone told him.

“Why are so sure about my private life?” Francesca sounded annoyed as she turned to face him. He stood there so calmly with his hands in his pockets.

“I hit a nerve,” he said. He did not even sound bothered. Francesca squared her shoulders.

“No, you did not. Excuse me,” she said as she turned on her heel and walked off. Lord Jacques watched her storm off. He was definitely interested in knowing more about her. Since this was the second time they had spoken, he could already see that she was not going to be easy to deal with and while he had sworn off women, he found himself wondering if she might be worth it.

Francesca headed back inside the palace to see Macee. When she arrived, Macee was just about to have lunch with Princess Katherine. They invited her to join them. “I would love to, I am famished,” Francesca said as she sat down.

“What have you been up to today?” Macee asked her sister.

“Nothing in particular. I need something to do.”

“You do not enjoy palace life?” Princess Katherine asked. Francesca sighed before she spoke.

“There is not much to do. It is not that different from home either. It's not like I was working, but at least at home, I could go out without requiring an entourage.”

“Can we swap roles?” Macee asked. As Crown Princess, she had so many people pulling her in different directions that she rarely had time for herself. 

“Yes, we can,” Francesca smiled as she picked up her fork.

“I met Lord Jacques yesterday. He seems like a nice man,” Princess Katherine said.

“I have not really gotten to speak with him. Louis recently introduced us and that was the last time we spoke. When he came over for dinner, we only said hello to one another,” Macee said and looked at Francesca.

“Okay, Macee, so I danced with him,” Francesca said and narrowed her gaze. She knew that Macee was going to bring it up. Macee shrugged her shoulders.

“I did not say anything.”

“Oh, but you were going to.”

Katherine smiled as she chewed. Swallowing, “Was he a terrible dance partner?”

“No, he was not,” Francesca replied. “Actually, he was quite good.”

“Conversation was bad, then?”

“It was fine.”

“Then, can I assume you enjoyed yourself?”

“There is nothing special about that man.”

“Oh, I disagree,” Katherine said as she sipped some of her drink. “He is a handsome, well-educated man with both power and prestige. There is nothing lacking.”

“I concur,” Macee said.

“Oh great, there are two Macees,” Francesca said sarcastically. Macee and Katherine both laughed. “Don’t you think he’s too old?” she asked.

“Well that is not stopping him from being attractive,” Katherine replied.

“All right, I admit it, he is handsome. Now, can we please change the subject? I’m thinking of going to see Simone tomorrow. That baby is so cute!” She was done speaking about the man that had just annoyed her less than twenty minutes ago.

“I will come with you, I miss little Simone,” Macee said. It would also allow her to escape her duties for a while.

“Pass on my regards to Liane and Jean Pierre. I am leaving for Paris tomorrow morning but I will be back in two days,” Katherine said.

“Paris! The city of looove,” Macee said sarcastically and laughed. Katherine laughed with her.