Scandal With a Prince Read Online Free

dismissive hand in her husband’s direction.   “Anna, since your mother’s here, you may have a slice.   But take it to the table.”
    “The coffee table?”   In other words, where she could see the television while she ate.
    “I suppose.   But you’ll need to take a slice for your grandfather, too.   If you don’t, he’ll steal most of yours.”
    Beaming, Anna leapt from the stool, grabbed two forks, then dashed to the sitting area with a plate in each hand.  
    “You notice that she took the two biggest pieces, didn’t you?”   Megan said to her mother.
    “She takes after her grandfather that way.   It’ll keep them happy.”   Joan frowned as she studied her daughter.   Lowering her voice, she asked, “What’s going on?   I didn’t expect you back here for hours.   Well after we were in bed, at any rate.”
    Megan sucked in a lungful of air.   After ensuring that Anna couldn’t hear her, she said, “He’s here.”
    “Who’s—?”   Joan’s eyes widened as she realized only one man could elicit such a response from Megan.   “You’re kidding me.   Him?   Of all the nights and all the places in the world.”
    “That was my reaction.”  
    “Oh, Megan.”   Hurt and worry creased her mother’s brow.   She reached out to rub Megan’s shoulder.   “You didn’t see his name on the guest list?”
    “Mahmoud Said brought him.   Apparently Mahmoud works with King Carlo on charity projects and he wanted a member of the Barrali family to see the hotel’s facilities.”
    “Have you spoken?”
    “Only briefly and in public.   But Mom?   He remembered me.”  
    The older woman dropped onto the barstool Anna just vacated, her eyes reflecting the same shock Megan felt at Stefano’s familiar greeting.
    “I know.   I can’t believe it, either,” Megan continued.   “He flirted with me.   Asked me how I’ve been since Venezuela.   Very lighthearted.”
    “Then he hasn’t learned about Anna.”   Joan sighed.   “Now is not the time, either.”
    “Definitely not.”   Megan bit her lip.   “I know I promised Anna you’d take her to the roof for the fireworks, but I think it’s too risky.   If Anna sees me and the prince hears her refer to me as Mom—”
    Joan reached across the counter to place her hand over Megan’s.   “Your dad and I will take her to the pool level to watch.   We’ll tell her the outdoor patio there will give us a better view than the roof.   She won’t have to try to see over the heads of all the adults and she can wear her pajamas if she wants.”
    “You don’t think she’ll argue?”  
    Joan shrugged.   “If she balks, your father and I will say that since we’re leaving tomorrow afternoon, we wanted to turn the fireworks display into a private goodbye party for the three of us.   We’ll make it sound like it’s a big surprise for her.   You know how kids are at this age.   How you explain something is as important as what you explain.”
    “That’s brilliant.”   Megan squeezed her mother’s hand.   “Devious, but brilliant.   Thank you.”
    “I’m more worried about you than Anna.   Be careful tonight, all right?”
    Megan nodded, then let go of her mother’s hand.   She was about to call out a goodbye to Anna and her father when Anna came bounding back into the kitchen.  
    “Forgot the napkins!”   Anna held out the front of her shirt, which bore a dollop of frosting.   “Grandpa wouldn’t let me lick it off.”
    “Good for Grandpa.”   Megan ruffled Anna’s hair while Joan used a damp paper towel to clean up the spot.   After all traces were gone, Megan told her daughter, “I have to go back to the party.   It’ll be very late when it ends, but I promise to look in on you, all right?”
    “Okay.”   Anna foraged through a nearby cabinet for the napkins, but paused to smile at Megan.   “Hey Mom?”
    “Yes?”
    “Your dress is really pretty.   You look like a