Royally Claimed - By Marie Donovan Page 0,53

was a marvelous woman, personally and professionally. He was a goner for her—always had been.

An impatient horn tooted behind him, and he realized he was blocking the driveway. He got out of the way, parking the motorcycle. He cut the engine but sat on the bike for a couple minutes, worrying about what to do. The woman he loved had given no signals about what she wanted to do after their little island interlude ended, as all good things did.

Leaving her adrenaline-packed life in Boston for a sleepy Portuguese burg in the middle of nowhere would be a huge sacrifice. He wasn’t sure what her answer might be to that dilemma once he got up the nerve to ask her.

11

Fashionista Magazine: The Royal Review:

WHAT WEDDING DRESS HAS Princess Stefania chosen? That’s the burning question for our readers (and the designers poised to create instant knock-offs). We at The Royal Review have heard some hints, but everyone, even our own beloved Countess Lily de Brissard, is exasperatingly mum.

Princess Stefania has confirmed that she’s wearing a dress designed by her brother’s lady-love, New Yorker Renata Pavoni. Renata, who just may be Stefania’s sister-in-law someday, is known for hip dresses with a retro flair. A trip to her website at Peacock Designs shows white, pink, ivory and even black-and-white dresses, full skirts and heaps of crinolines. Perhaps our modern princess is going for a vintage vibe?

Whatever the princess chooses is sure to be a trendsetter for upcoming brides. Renata, a stunning redhead who has kept infuriatingly quiet about her reportedly steamy relationship with Prince Giorgio, told us, “It’s always been my goal to offer fun, beautiful dresses for brides. Every woman is a princess on her wedding day. Stefania is so beautiful—she’s a dream to dress. But you won’t see her wedding gown until her groom does!”

THE NEXT MORNING, JULIA heard a car horn toot outside her parents’ apartment and hastily zipped her duffel bag. Frank had arrived to take her back to Belas Aguas after their unplanned overnight on São Miguel.

Despite his claim that she could go naked on his island and he would be perfectly happy, Julia wanted more clothing for variety’s sake. They still hadn’t discussed how long she might stay, but once her parents came home, her libertine carousing was done.

A knock sounded at the door. “Julia, meu bem, it’s me,” Frank called.

She opened the door and pulled him into her arms, her hands roaming over the soft dark blue cotton of his T-shirt.

“Hey, hey.” His startled laugh was cut off by her passionate kiss. His lips moved sweetly over hers and he backed her into the apartment, kicking the door closed behind her. She finally let go of him and he lifted his head. “Not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?”

She ducked her head, suddenly shy. “I’m just glad to see you.”

“And I’m glad to see you, too.” He caressed her cheek with his strong thumb. “Did you miss me?”

“Well, yes.” She gave him a mock grumpy stare. “You could have stayed here last night.”

“No.” His tone was uncompromising. “It would embarrass your parents to have the single Duke of Santas Aguas stay overnight unchaperoned in their apartment with their single daughter. I wouldn’t dishonor them that way.”

“Oh, Frank,” she scoffed. “Who thinks about that nowadays?”

“We Portuguese do. Do you want the neighbors gossiping about your parents?”

“No, but they know I’m staying at Belas Aguas with you.”

“Out of sight, out of mind. Even if the neighbors comment on that, and I’m sure they do,” he added dryly, “your parents will know that we had enough respect for them and their home to behave properly there.”

It was sweet to consider her parents’ feelings and reputation, even if she had tossed and turned all night without him. “How was the hotel?”

“Lonely.” His mouth pulled down. “And since we were at the hospital until after midnight, they had to put me in a broom closet of a room next to what sounded like the main water pipe for the whole building. It roared any time a guest brushed their teeth or flushed the toilet.”

“Oh, poor Franco.” But she couldn’t stifle a giggle.

“Yeah, I can tell you’re all broken up about it.” He picked up her duffle bag. “Maybe we should just head for the island instead of to the surprise I have planned for you.”

“Another surprise? You don’t have to do that if we need to return to the villa.”

“As much as I enjoyed our trip to Furnas yesterday,