The Bodyguard's Prince (The Royal Wedding Book 1) Read online

  Copyright © 2018, Caroline Lee

  [email protected]

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.

  First edition: 2018

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  It’s her job to protect him…too bad someone wants him out of the picture!

  Crown Prince Alek of Aegiria is known for two things: his sense of duty and tradition, and being as drop-dead gorgeous as his brothers. His five younger brothers, whom he leads with a firm hand. They have a tendency to get into trouble, and without him, the whole palace would probably descend into chaos. So when their Queen mother surprises the princes with an announcement which will shake the entire nation, he knows he's got his work cut out for him.

  And then he's kidnapped.

  Lt. Toni Dryden, the Crown Prince's bodyguard and not-quite-willing closest confidante, knows it's up to her to save the stuck-up prince's cute butt. After all, surely allowing her employer to be kidnapped is a black mark on her resume! But that's the only reason she's willing to move heaven and earth to save him...not because he's gorgeous, or makes her laugh with his dry sense of humor, or because of the way he kisses...

  But it's going to take teamwork to get out of this mess, and Toni and Alek make a better team than expected. Too bad ex-cowgirl bodyguards are not princess material!

  Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  EPILOGUE

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  The Bodyguard’s Prince

  The Royal Wedding

  Book One

  Dedication:

  For Moms, who want the best for their kids, but also want to be treated like a human sometimes, dangit.

  CHAPTER ONE

  “You must be wondering why I called you all here today.”

  Alek managed not to roll his eyes, but just barely. Could his mother have chosen a more clichéd way to start the “emergency family meeting” she’d called this morning? And what could she have possibly forgotten to go over during Monday’s weekly meeting?

  “Not me!” #5 called out from his spot on the other side of the boardroom table. He had one leg thrown over the arm of the chair, and—as usual—looked like he wasn’t taking anything seriously. “I had no other plans today whatsoever, and I so enjoy spending hours sitting in a board room with my beloved family.”

  This time, Alek did roll his eyes, but he hoped the movement was small enough no one noticed. #5 was an atrocious excuse for a prince of Aegiria, and didn’t understand the first thing about duty or tradition.

  Luckily, his twin brother did. “Oh, and what were you going to do instead?” Johann snorted. “Climb up the east wall again and scare the maids?”

  “I was washing the windows, and you must be going deaf,” #5 shot back. “I said I didn’t have any plans today.”

  “But you said it sarcastically.” Alek’s fourth brother, soft-spoken Mack, leaned in and propped his elbows on the table. “So it was pretty clear—”

  “I can’t believe you’re arguing over this,” Kristoff cut in. “Just let Mother explain why we’re here—again—so we can get back to whatever plans we may or may not have for the day.”

  Arne didn’t look up from his phone when he snorted. “Like your boat is going to begrudge you an extra hour?”

  “Sloops require more upkeep than all your books.”

  Kristoff nudged his older brother with his foot, causing Arne to lower his phone and scowl. Alek’s ankle had been resting on his opposite knee, but he slowly lowered it to the floor, and braced his feet, just in case he needed to lunge across the table and wrangle any unruly siblings.

  He knew his brothers loved one another, but with six of them born within seven years, it was a miracle they hadn’t beaten each other black and blue by the time they were adults.

  Actually… Glancing at the twins again, Alek reconsidered. It was quite possible there had been some lasting scars from all the fights the others had engaged in.

  It was probably time he stepped in before they all got another demonstration.

  He cleared his throat. “Actually, I was wondering what you needed to tell us, Mother.” Alek met each of his younger brother’s eyes—various shades of stormy grey—as he spoke, hoping to convey his shut up and let’s get this over with message without having to say it out loud. “Especially since we were just here on Monday.”

  Their mother had handled the series of interruptions well, in the way only a queen could. Still, Alek could see the faint lines of irritation at the corners of her mouth as she pressed her lips together. She was still young, only fifty-seven, and she had an army of hairdressers and stylists to keep her dyed-silver hair permed and coifed, and her skin and make-up perfect. Still, they couldn’t help her when she had to deal with her outrageous sons.

  Since their father had lost his fight with cancer six years ago, she’d been trying to be more involved in their lives. But by then all six of them had been used to being raised by tutors and nursemaids, and had each developed a very distinctive personality…which had nothing to do with their mother.

  And in some cases, Alek thought, eyeing his fifth brother, nothing to do with propriety and decorum.

  “Monday’s meeting was relevant to state affairs,” Mother said stiffly, as if perfectly aware she wasn’t enthralling her offspring. “While today’s involves only the family.”

  Hmmm. Chancellors Rasmussen and Lindberg were missing from this meeting—their chairs empty—as was Ivan, the castle steward, who usually joined them so he could record the royal family’s upcoming schedule for logistical purposes. Today, it was only Aunt Marina, Mother, and the six of them.

  Alek raised a brow, urging her to continue.

  She met his eyes, and seemed to soften a bit. Interesting. He knew his approval mattered to her, but something about today’s announcement seemed even more serious. One of Mother’s hands rested on her hip, but the other played with the long strand of pearls that fell in front of her purple silk blouse, a bad habit she wasn’t even trying to hide. And he watched as she shifted her weight in her sensible low heels, wondering why she’d chosen to stand at the head of the table instead of sit.

  It hit him, and the other brow joined the first. Mother was nervous, and the only reason for it was her announcement.

  “Mother?” he prompted gently.

  She exhaled, and some of her stress seemed to leave her as well. A slight nod of her perfectly coifed head, and Alek knew she appreciated his willingness to stand beside her. There was no one in the wor
ld he admired more than his mother: the woman had taken on the running of a country when her father died, despite being pregnant with her fourth child, when Alek was only five. Her younger sister, Marina, had helped her, of course, and Father hadn’t been completely useless in an advisory role—despite their marriage being arranged because of his father’s military record and their family’s propensity for large shoulders and larger wallets.

  But Mother—Queen Viktoria of Aegiria—had amazed the international news organizations by managing the country better than even the last king, and her people adored her for it.

  As did her sons, even if they didn’t show it. Growing up with your mother ruling a country didn’t allow for much bonding time, and she was now trying to make up for it. Hardly an evening went by when she didn’t corner one of them somehow—in her smart business suit and less-severe colors, now that the mourning period had passed—and demand details about their latest adventures. It was becoming funny, almost, but Alek was sure his brothers found it endearing, her sudden attempts to be a part of their lives.

  “I plan on announcing soon to the Councilors, but I want my family to hear the news first, so I know I’ll have your support in case there’s any disagreement.” She took a deep breath.

  Uh-oh. Alek sat up straighter. This sounded serious.

  “I’m getting married.”

  There was a moment of stunned silence, then his brothers’ voices erupted around them.

  “You’re what?”

  “Who to?”

  “It’s ‘to whom,’ you idiot.”

  “What?”

  “Is that legal?”

  “That’s cool. That’s cool, right? We’re cool with that?”

  “Wait, married? To someone else?”

  Alek watched his mother’s grey gaze flick over her sons. She was gripping that strand of pearls now, and he realized how much their approval meant to her. Aunt Marina was grinning like a jack-o-lantern, so she must’ve heard the plan already; not only had the sisters become closer over the last few years, but since Father’s death she’d stepped into the role of Advisor to the Monarch, so it would make sense for her to have been privy to a decision of this magnitude. Alek’s brothers were now competing in their attempts to be the one to ask the obvious questions, but Alek…

  Alek just stared at his mother. Married? She was getting married again? She’d spent so long mourning Father, even though it hadn’t exactly been a love match. They’d tolerated one another, and they’d made a good team when it came to running the country. Alek had always admired the way Father hadn’t begrudged his wife her power, and was willing to play second fiddle to a powerful woman. Would she find another man like that? Had she found him already?

  “Mother!” Kristoff had apparently won the shouting contest, by the simple advantage of standing up and pushing Mack back down into his chair. “Mother, perhaps you could explain a bit more?”

  “It is quite the bombshell,” Johann deadpanned.

  She cleared her throat, and planted her feet firmly, shoulder-width apart. It was the “going to war” stance he’d learned from her, and which he employed whenever he had to face Parliament.

  “I’m getting married again,” she repeated. “I’ve mourned your father—God rest his soul—long enough, and this time I don’t need to worry about heirs, since I already have six.” Her coral-colored lips curved into that approving smile young Alek had craved. “And since the six of you are all capable and intelligent, and I’ve already begun to share some of the rigors of rule with you, I can allow myself some well-deserved happiness.”

  “Why?”

  Mother turned her attention to #5. “Did you seriously just ask why your mother might want to be happy?”

  The idiot actually grinned. “No, I’m asking why you have to be married to do it.”

  Arne rolled his eyes so hard, the rest of them could practically hear it. “Have you decided who you’re marrying, Mother, or is this just a sudden whim?”

  She clucked. “You think I would risk this ridicule over a whim?”

  “We’re not ridiculing you,” Mack was quick to point out in his quiet voice. “We’re just surprised.”

  Mother’s expression softened. “I’m sorry for springing this on you, boys.” She took a deep breath. “I’ve decided to remarry because I’ve fallen in love. I know that might be hard for you six to understand, but it’s not disloyal to your father. I’m in love, and I’d like very much to be able to publicly acknowledge that love.”

  Love? Alek’s hands clenched into fists on his knees. Love? Mother thought she was in love, but he wasn’t so sure. Who could she possibly consider herself in love with?

  “Who is he, Mother?” Mack asked.

  “William.”

  Judging from the way Alek’s fourth brother’s eyes widened, he knew whom she meant, but no one else seemed to.

  “Who?”

  “Count Madsen? I thought he was married already.”

  “That’s Wilhelm, you idiot.”

  “Pretty sure it’s just ‘Wilhelm.’ The ‘you idiot’ is implied.”

  “For all that’s holy, you two, shut up and let her explain!”

  Alek’s eyes were narrowed as he wracked his brain to remember who in the Royal Court was named “William.” Who was it that had convinced the Queen of Aegiria that he was worthy of marriage? Who had suckered Viktoria into thinking she was so in love she should compromise her power? Who had made her believe love was worth more than duty and tradition? God knows he hadn’t thought about love when he’d suggested marriage to the Lady Marcia.

  Mother was staring at her fourth son. “Mikael?” she asked softly. “Do you support me in this?”

  Mack pushed away from the board table and stood up. He crossed around behind Arne and Johann, reaching their mother and wrapping her in a hug. Alek frowned.

  “I do, Mother,” came Mack’s quiet assurance. “He’s a good man, and I respect him. I’ll stand beside you in this.”

  It was so bad Mother needed Mack’s support? Who was this man she’d chosen to marry? Who was so unsuitable she was worried—

  Oh dear God, no.

  Arne must’ve reached the same conclusion at the same moment, because he sucked in a startled breath. “Please tell me this ‘William’ isn’t the…?”

  Alek’s next-youngest brother had always been smarter than the rest of them, but even he couldn’t utter the epithet.

  “Will someone please explain what’s going on?” #5 burst out.

  Arne turned stricken eyes to his younger brother. “Mother’s marrying her Science Advisor.”

  “Bill Nye?” #5 asked, aghast.

  “Dr. William Hayes,” Mother snapped, correcting the princes’ nickname for the nerdy man.

  “Dr. Hayes, the one who spilled red wine on the Russian Ambassador last month?” Johann raised his brows.

  “Dr. Hayes, who called the delectable Baroness Harrlon ‘Vanessa’ when he met her at the Easter dinner in the spring,” his twin corrected with a smirk.

  Kristoff’s fists were planted on the table. “Dr. Hayes, the nerd who is completely unsuitable for court life.”

  Slowly, Alek stood, his anger building to the point he could no longer contain it. He felt his brothers’ stares as he fought to control his expression, his reaction, but knew from the way Mack tightened his hold on Mother that he hadn’t been successful.

  “Dr. Hayes…” he growled while glaring at the queen. “The American.”

  In the silence that followed his accusation, Alek knew he wouldn’t be able to sit there and face his mother any longer. She was the one who’d taught him about duty and tradition, and now she was throwing it all away to marry that sniveling geek?

  Alek turned on his heel and stalked out of the room before he said something he’d regret. But as the door slammed behind him, he caught a glimpse of his mother’s stricken face, and knew his lack of support hurt her.

  Hurt her? Hell, he was her protégé, the Crown Prince.
Without him standing by her side, her new scheme didn’t have a chance.

  Toni came to attention when her boss stormed out the door from his private meeting with his family. He didn’t acknowledge her, but she wasn’t too surprised. The man had a tendency to get too wrapped up in his own mind, and anyone could tell he was royally irritated by whatever had happened in there.

  Without speaking, he took off down the hall towards his private chambers. Toni stepped away from the wall where she’d been lounging, nodded to Maarten—the Queen’s on-duty bodyguard, stuck waiting out here with her—and hurried after Prince Alek.

  His long legs made it hard to keep up with him when he was in a snit, because he walked even faster than usual. Toni was practically jogging behind, but knew she wouldn’t say anything. It wasn’t like she couldn’t handle the exercise, and the expression on Alek’s face told her he wasn’t in the mood to be teased. He glared at each of the portraits of his royal ancestors lining the walls as if they’d personally offended him.

  Although, Toni had to admit, that one of Alek’s great-grandmother was pretty offensive to anyone who didn’t think chartreuse and magenta belonged in the same gown…

  When Alek reached his chambers, he threw the door open with a crash, startling the maid who’d been dusting the top of the bookshelf. She squeaked in surprise, but he ignored her, stalking across the sitting room to his office. Toni made a point of waving to the maid—wasn’t that Elsie?—before hurrying after Alek and easing the office door shut behind both of them.

  Not that he noticed. Crown Prince Alek was too busy pacing in front of his desk like an overwrought child.

  “What the hell was she thinking? How could she possibly think this is a good idea?”

  Toni eased into a modified parade-rest, her usual position for Alek’s ranting-and-raving periods, and kept her lips closed tightly.