a flick of his tongue. “My Princess of Brabant.”
She gasped and shivered against him, her hands pressed to his chest. “Um, King Patek, can we lock the door?”
“I think that’s an excellent idea.” He cupped her face, kissed her deeply, parting her lips to take her mouth completely. “Can’t wait to do that to your body,” he growled. “I’ve missed you. Missed everything about you.”
She kissed him back, legs wrapping around his hips, so turned on she was trembling. “Zale, I love you.”
“Not as much as I love you.”
The corner of her mouth tilted in a wicked little smile as she lightly scratched her nails down his chest. “Prove it.” “Don’t you worry, Princess. I will.”
EPILOGUE
IT WAS late. It had been a long day, and Zale was only now heading for Tinny’s rooms to say good-night to his brother.
But reaching Tinny’s living room, Zale’s tension and exhaustion eased, his shoulders relaxing as he spotted Hannah already there, sitting on the couch with Tinny reading him his favorite bedtime story.
Zale stood in the doorway a moment, content to just look at them and listen.
Hannah, his beloved princess, pregnant with his first child. And sweet, innocent Tinny who absolutely adored Hannah with all his heart.
What could be better? What more could a man want?
What more could a king need?
And for a moment his chest squeezed so tight Zale couldn’t breathe.
To think that the randomness of life could take Stephen and his parents, but save Tinny, and then give him Hannah?
To think that an impostor princess could turn out to be the real thing?
Impossible that Hannah was Princess Jacqueline’s other daughter, Emmeline’s missing twin and the keeper of his heart.
Zale felt hot emotion sweep through him, constricting his chest.
If Hannah and Emmeline hadn’t met in Palm Beach … If Emmeline hadn’t asked Hannah to switch places …
If Hannah hadn’t come to Raguva …
If Mrs. Sivka hadn’t broken her vow …
He gave his head a faint shake, overwhelmed all over again by fate. So many things could have gone wrong. So many things could have kept him from Hannah.
But they hadn’t.
Suddenly Hannah looked up, brow furrowed and then seeing him, she smiled. “You’re just in time for the last chapter.”
Her smile made him ache and it was almost too much, almost too strong, this fierce love he felt for her.
“Good,” he said, moving into the room and sitting down on the couch next to Hannah and Tinny. “This is my favorite part.”
“Because you love happy endings,” she said, smiling at him, her love for him so transparent, warming her beautiful blue eyes and curving her generous mouth.
“I do,” he answered, taking her hand and carrying it to his mouth. “Are you tired? Is the baby kicking too much?”
She touched her round belly. “He was, but now I think he’s listening. He knows his daddy is here.”
“Shall I read the last chapter then? Would you like that, Tinny?” Zale offered.
“Yes, Zale,” Tinny said, taking the book from Hannah’s hands and pressing it into his brother’s. “Yes, read it. Read it right now.”
Hannah laughed softly as the baby inside her kicked hard just then, a vigorous one-two. “I think your future footballer agrees,” she said, running her fingers across her ribs where the kick had been.
Zale’s eyes gleamed. “He does have a good kick, doesn’t he?”
“Most definitely.” She leaned back, resting her head on his shoulder. “Now read, please. I’m anxious to get to the part where the prince marries the princess and they all live happily ever after.”
“And they did, didn’t they?” he said, opening to the first page of the last chapter.
Her voice grew husky. “Yes. Yes, Your Majesty, they did. Very happily.”
All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.
All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II BV/S.à.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of the publisher in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
® and TM are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with ® are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries.
First published in Great Britain 2011
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited.
Harlequin (UK) Limited, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road,
Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
© Jane Porter 2011
ISBN: 9781408926345
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
About the Author
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
Copyright
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
About the Author
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
Copyright