The Princess's Scandalous Affair (Royal House of Leone Book 4) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Royal House of Leone

  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

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  EPILOGUE

  PRINCESS AND THE PLAYER EXCERPT

  CHAPTER TWO

  Copyright © 2017 by Jennifer Lewis

  Royal House of Leone

  THE PRINCESS’S SCANDALOUS AFFAIR

  By Jennifer Lewis

  Royal House of Leone

  The Leone family has ruled the remote and picturesque nation of Altaleone since the days of Charlemagne. When the elderly queen and her son are found dead in mysterious circumstances, the royal family is thrown into crisis.

  The Princess’s Scandalous Affair

  Beatriz Leone has always been the quiet one, waiting in the shadows while her brothers and sisters pursue their ambitious goals. Suddenly her twin brother is king and she’s still on the sidelines. Always suspicious of men—do they want her for the title or for the money?—she has even more reason to be wary of the handsome and charming son of the family’s bitterest rivals.

  Lorenzo Aldobrando enjoys a challenge. His ancestor lost a prime piece of property to the Leone family, and he’s determined to get it back. When his efforts to buy it are rebuffed, he decides he’ll try another tactic—seducing the bookish princess who inherited it from her grandmother.

  Their initial flirtation raises eyebrows. Beatriz is wary but soon finds herself confiding her hopes and dreams to the dashing family enemy…and meeting him in secret. When Lorenzo helps Beatriz take practical steps toward a life goal that no one else has ever supported, she starts to fall in love—hard. Will she find herself betrayed and alone? Or can the most outrageous dreams really come true?

  The Royal House of Leone series:

  The King’s Bought Bride (Darias and Emma)

  A Prince for Christmas (Free short story with Sandro and Serena’s first encounter)

  The Prince’s Secret Baby (Sandro and Serena)

  The Princess’s Scandalous Affair (Beatriz and Lorenzo)

  The Princess and the Player (Lina and Amadou)

  Taming the Royal Beast (Rigo and Bella)

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  CHAPTER ONE

  “Now that your brother has vanquished me, will you join me for a drink?”

  Beatriz Leone turned to see the son of an ancient family with an equally ancient grudge against hers. Lorenzo Aldobrando had been pointed out to her earlier at this festival of conspicuous consumption that was her twin brother’s coronation.

  She looked at her mom, part of the conversation circle she’d been stuck in for twenty minutes, in a silent plea for help. “Of course, darling, go on.”

  Not at all the kind of help she’d wanted. Could she really make a fuss here in front of everyone? Her assailant had been sporting enough to joust her brother on horseback in a traditional rite. Everyone could see he’d allowed himself to be beaten. Which was lucky since her brother wasn’t much of a rider, let alone jouster.

  “Sure,” she said bravely. He extended his arm. She hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly slipped hers inside it. “Lead the way.”

  Well, this was awkward. She could feel the thick muscles of his arm through his suit. He was far too handsome for his own good and knew it. She hated him already.

  Even in her sleek black gown Beatriz felt like the frumpiest person in existence. Why would he want to spend time with her?

  “Do you remember beating me at tennis when we were both twelve?” he asked after they were away from the group.

  “No.” She didn’t even remember meeting him before, though she certainly knew of him. “Do you still have hard feelings?”

  “I think I’m over it, but I’m always up for a rematch.” His eyes twinkled with amusement. They were a cool shade of gray, and other girls probably lost control of themselves staring into them. Maybe Lorenzo thought she’d be the same. He was wrong.

  “I don’t really play tennis anymore.” She tried to sound bored. Which wasn’t hard.

  “What do you do?” He retrieved two full glasses from one of the champagne tables and handed her one.

  What do I do? The eternal question. “I’m the quiet one. Hadn’t you heard?”

  “Rigo did tell me you still live at home with your mother.”

  “That makes it sound like I live in her basement. It’s a palace with forty-two bedrooms.” What else had her brother told him? And why?

  He chuckled. “You never moved out?”

  “No.” She’d always thought she would…one day. But she wasn’t academic enough to go to a top university like all her genius brothers and sisters. And her father had almost ruptured a gut laughing when she said she wanted to study fashion. “I like it here. And my mother needs me.”

  “I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your father and grandmother.” His eyes filled with what looked charmingly like genuine sorrow. So he was a good actor. Did he know that he’d been on their list of suspects? If she discovered that he was the man who’d murdered her beloved father, she’d kill him herself.

  “It was a horrible shock. Mom is still really cut up by it. If I was thinking of moving away, I couldn’t do it now. I’m the only one left.”

  “I think it’s very kind of you to stay here and support her.”

  She peered at him sideways over her champagne glass. Was he poking fun at her?

  “Someone’s got to. What do you do?” Anything to get the conversation off herself. After a couple more minutes of this, she could make an excuse and slip away.

  “I suppose I’m like you. I got suckered into the family business.” His eyes sparkled again. Was she supposed to be charmed by this? “My father inherited a lot of properties from his father, and I’ve been managing them.”

  “I heard you tried to obtain a lease to the property on Sarn lake.” She watched closely for his reaction. Did he think she’d have no clue about family business?

  He lifted a brow. “Yes, I asked Darias twice with no success.”

  She raised herself up to her full height. Which was still several inches shorter than him even in these uncomfortable heels. “That’s because the house is mine now. My grandmother left it to me.”

  His eyes showed a hint of surprise. Which was probably fake. The lake house must be the reason he’d approached her. It still sat empty, except of cobwebs, and—as the recent scene of two grisly murders—no doubt looked like a potential bargain. “Really?”

  “Really.” She wished she could just put down her glass and leave. Property transfers were a matter of public record, which he’d know since he was in the business. “If you’re still hoping to lease it, I’m afraid it won’t be available. I have plans for it.”

  “That’s great news. It’s such a fine old house in a magical setting. It’s a shame for it to be sitting neglected.”

  She hadn’t given any serious thought to the property, but she wasn’t going to let this character think it might be available. “My plans aren�
�t final yet. I might turn it into a hotel.”

  The last part was a bold-faced lie. She just wanted to see his reaction.

  “Isn’t it rather remote for that?”

  “That would be part of the appeal.” His family owned the land on the other side of the lake—in Italy. “What were you planning to do with it?”

  “I hadn’t formed any concrete plans.” He smiled and sipped his champagne. “Which is lucky since they would have come to nothing.”

  She didn’t believe him. Her family speculated that he had plans to turn the remote lake into a tourist destination to rival Lake Como, which would be more profitable if he owned all the land around it. And she didn’t think he’d give up so easily, either. “Oh, look, there’s Vittorio! I haven’t seen him in ages! Do excuse me.” She took off across the room, heading into a knot of people. When she reached one of her dad’s old hunting buddies, she accosted him like a long-lost lover.

  It was a huge relief to get away from Lorenzo. His flashy good looks annoyed her and his boundless confidence unsettled her. Probably due to her own low self-esteem.

  She babbled on about her dad with Vittorio, who seemed as devastated as her by his loss, though their conversation focused on the growing population of deer in the hills this winter. Possibly due to her dad not being out hunting them every day.

  “May I have this dance?” A low voice in her ear made her spin around. Lorenzo again! He had nerve to butt in when she’d just managed to escape him.

  “Oh, do go on, my dear. Your papa wouldn’t want you standing around jawing with an old codger like me when a handsome young swain wants to take you on the floor.” Vittorio obviously didn’t recognize Lorenzo as one of their ancient enemies, the Aldobrandos. Which wasn’t surprising as Lorenzo didn’t live in Altaleone and rarely came here.

  Once again she found herself being swept away by him. This time he held her hand firmly—which she hated as it heated her palm and sent an odd sensation up her arm. He guided her—or dragged her—to the dance floor, while the band played a boppy dance number. She shot him a look of mild exasperation to let him know she wasn’t fooled even for a second into thinking that he might be interested in her.

  There were far more beautiful women here tonight. Some were even princesses like her. “Nice try, running away from me.” He leaned in and his warm breath rushed against her skin. “When we’d barely even exchanged hellos.”

  “What do you want with me?” He’d been bold, so she could be, too.

  He laughed. “What a question! I’m intrigued by you, Beatriz.” The way he said her name, slow and soft, should have sounded like an insult but instead it felt like a caress.

  Disturbing.

  “Why?” It was a fair question. Of course he didn’t have personal experience with how dull she was, but surely her reputation preceded her.

  “You’re an enigma. A beautiful woman with great assets and opportunities at her disposal, living a life of quiet retreat.”

  “What’s wrong with that? You make me sound like a medieval nun, but I’m quite busy. Royals don’t sit around all day doing needlepoint, as I’m sure you’re aware. My mother and I opened a new supermarket on the road to Laverno last week, and this week there’s the primary school awards ceremony.”

  He had the gall to look amused, as if these weren’t real work. Which they weren’t. Doing one thing a week hardly constituted a job. “And I have a horse who needs to be ridden.”

  “I didn’t accuse you of being lazy.” He had the decency to look contrite. “Just that you don’t seem to have the grand ambition of other members of your family.”

  “Of my siblings, you mean. My parents both enjoy a quiet home life.” Ouch. She’d just spoken of her dad as if he were still alive. “My dad and I used to ride together every day. I miss him so much I can barely stand it.” She let her pain show in her voice. She wasn’t under any obligation to make Lorenzo Aldobrando feel comfortable.

  They were barely dancing, just swaying slightly in time to the music. A slow song started, and to her alarm he pulled her into his arms. “I can’t imagine your pain. He was so young and full of life.”

  “Why would anyone want to kill him?” She asked herself the question several times a day, and it came out on a sob. “He wasn’t even king. He never hurt anyone.”

  Lorenzo stroked her back. “Your family still has no idea why?”

  “No.” She looked up at him, suddenly suspicious. Was he probing to see what they suspected? If he was guilty he could, then relax in the knowledge that they were still clueless. “Do you have any insight?”

  He drew in a breath and frowned. “I wish I did. I’ve spent very little time in Altaleone.”

  “But you’re friends with Rigo?”

  “We met at a sailing course near Rome when we were teens. We’ve stayed in touch. I meet him for dinner when I’m in New York.”

  Interesting. Her brother Rigo was a hard man to like and an excellent—if harsh—judge of character. As a lawyer he was used to picking people’s arguments apart and could see right through even the most carefully constructed facade.

  “We wish Rigo would spend more time here. Perhaps he’d have the insight we need to figure out who’s behind this.”

  “I’d like that, too. I plan to spend more time in the area.” He flashed those dangerous slate-gray eyes again. To her horror a responding flare happened somewhere deep inside her. Damn him! How could he have this effect on her? He was just another self-assured asshat who expected the world to bow to his will. “And I’d very much like to spend more time with you.”

  Here’s where she should tell him how terribly busy she was. Except they’d already established that wasn’t the case. “Oh.” She tried to be noncommittal—or was it rude?

  His arms held her close and her body started to react in a disturbing way. Heat gathered low in her belly, and her traitorous nipples tightened beneath the demure dark silk of her dress.

  The sooner she could get away, the better. “I have to go.”

  She pulled from his grasp and started to walk toward the nearest door. It led into a hallway and—unfortunately—he followed her out.

  “What day is good for you to go out to lunch this week?”

  “We have a lot of guests right now because of my brother’s coronation. I really can’t get away.” She glanced to the left and right. The left was empty and led back toward the kitchens. Surely he wouldn’t follow her there?

  Unfortunately, he did. He kept close enough to speak at an almost whisper.

  “Does it bother you that your brother is now king, even though you’re twins?”

  She shivered slightly. Of course it bothered her. She shrugged and tried to keep her breathing steady. “That’s just the way it is. I’ve known since I was tiny that the male heir inherits, regardless of who was born first.”

  He took hold of her wrist, stopping her forward motion. “You were born first?”

  “By fifteen minutes, yes. But who cares about that?” She tried to get her hand back but not hard enough to create a scene.

  He held firm. “If it were me, I might be a little bitter.” Those penetrating eyes seemed to see right into her soul.

  Which was impossible, thank goodness. Sometimes she wasn’t sure she even had a soul. “Well, I’m not. We’re a family, and I don’t think Darias was all that excited about being king anyway.”

  “I heard he’s a well-known artist.”

  “And he had a great life in New York City so maybe he’d have preferred for me to take the crown. But we don’t get to pick and choose. Being born royal you learn to accept that you have responsibilities to your family and to your country.”

  He looked at her steadily, still holding her hand, which grew hot inside his. Her words hung in the air between them, suddenly sounding pompous and overblown.

  “You’re a credit to your family.” He spoke softly, with every appearance of being sincere. “And I find you strikingly beautiful.”

 
Strikingly beautiful? What was that supposed to mean? She’d been told she was horse-faced and also that she had the family nose. She was pretty sure neither was meant as a compliment.

  Beatriz wondered how many times he’d used that line. And why was he still staring at her like this? His gaze roamed over her face, heating the skin over her cheekbones, her chin, making her mouth twitch.

  She attempted to gather the strength to pull her hand back but something about the way he stared at her held her frozen, like a rabbit in the sights of a predator who hopes that by not moving it will be rendered invisible.

  Lorenzo raised her hand to his mouth and pressed his lips to it. Not to the back or to her fingers, like they did in the movies, but he gently turned it over and touched his mouth to her palm. The sensations that rushed through her made her blink.

  It took a moment before she could summon the wherewithal to tug her hand back, and to her surprise he let it go. A look of regret lingered in his gaze. “You are a very unique woman, Princess Beatriz.”

  “Not really,” she protested, cursing herself for being lame. Should she start running toward the kitchens from here? Or should she dash back to the party? “I really have to go.”

  “I understand.” His arms hung at his sides. He wore elegant black tie as easily as if it were athletic wear. “And I look forward to speaking with you again under less formal circumstances.”

  The kitchen it was. She pivoted and headed down the darkening corridor, toward the servants’ quarters. She didn’t dare risk a glance back because she had a horrible feeling that he’d be standing there staring after her.

  She resolved, then and there, to make sure she was never in the same room with Lorenzo Aldobrando again in this lifetime.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Lorenzo sat down in the ski lift next to his friend and sometime business partner, Rafi Santos. They’d just skied down a double black diamond run and were headed to the top of one called the Widowmaker. “It’s hard to find a challenge these days. We’ve skied every run on both sides of the Alps, and we both know we have the best skiing in the world right here.”