Scandal With a Prince Read Online Free Page A

princess.”
    Megan’s heart squeezed as she replied, “Thank you, sweetie.”  
    Behind Anna, Joan put a hand over her mouth.   Megan couldn’t tell whether her mother was hiding an expression of dismay or of humor at Anna’s compliment, so Megan focused on her daughter, reaching past her to locate the napkins.
    She’d told Anna about Stefano last year, when Anna started asking pointed questions about her parentage.   Thankfully, Anna hadn’t latched onto any princess fantasies; she threw the term around as readily as any other girl her age and without thinking about the fact that had her biological parents married, she would be a princess.   Anna had also been surprisingly understanding of the need to keep the information to herself.   She’d asked occasional questions about Stefano over the weeks following that discussion, but they’d been asked in the same manner as other topics that piqued her curiosity on a daily basis, such as why her school colors were maroon and gold, or why Megan chose to buy fresh fruit at one stand rather than another.   Eventually, she’d dropped the topic altogether.   She was far more interested in her friends, her classes, and the impending visit from her grandparents.
    Megan handed the napkins to Anna, who was still eyeing the dress.   “My goal is to look like the type of person who can be trusted to handle organizing a big event, one like tonight’s party, that might cost a company a lot of money.   Think I accomplished that?”
    “I guess,” Anna replied, making a face.   “I mean, you could wear jeans and I’d trust you.   But maybe rich people trust someone who’s dressed like they are?”
    “I hadn’t thought of it that way.   I was thinking more along the lines of looking professional.   But you may be right.”
    And perhaps that’s why Stefano looked at her tonight with such interest.   He’d been alone, far from his social circle, during their time in Venezuela.   If he’d wanted companionship, he didn’t have much choice but to grab any old girl, no matter what she wore or what the balance in her bank account.   But once Stefano returned to Sarcaccia, he’d been surrounded by others like him.   Wealthy businessmen like Mahmoud.   Women dripping in jewels like that cat-eyed brunette in the red gown or his aristocratic ex-fiancée.   The A-list actresses, catwalk models, and other females who’d entered and left his life in the years since his brief engagement ended.
    Megan likely stood out in his memory because their encounter had been his one escapade at the lower end of the social scale.   Well, that was fine.   He’d made his choices in life and they hadn’t included her.   Or Anna.   By keeping that thought firmly in mind, Megan figured she could coast through the rest of the evening.
    “When you finish your cake— and your homework—Grandma and Grandpa have a surprise for you.   So get to it.”  
    Anna’s eyes sparkled in delight before she returned to the sitting area with the napkins.
    Megan did a quick check of her makeup in the bathroom, then returned to the kitchen to thank her mother once again for watching Anna for the evening.
    “She’s a piece of cake…so to speak.   Your father and I don’t get to see her often enough.”   Joan’s voice dropped to a whisper as she walked Megan to the door of the suite. “You sure you’ll be all right?”    
    Megan flashed her most confident smile.   “Piece of cake.”
     
    * * *
     
    If Stefano wanted to savor a romantic evening with Megan Hallberg, one that could fuel a thousand future erotic dreams, the setting couldn’t be any better—or worse—than this.
    Full moon low on the horizon?   Check.
    Warm Mediterranean breeze?   Check.
    Flowing cava and scattered trays of decadent dark chocolate-covered strawberries?   Check.
    Fireworks illuminating the sky with cascades of gold, green, blue and red?   Check.
    Local musicians playing in perfect time to the