The Park's Empire: Handsome Strangers...: The Prince's Bride. GINA WILKINS

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СКАЧАТЬ immediately saw the family resemblance. “I wasn’t aware that Jenna Eban was a princess.”

      The grin that curved his mouth was wickedly charming. “My sister likes to shed the ‘princess’ title on occasion and pretend she’s not royal. I’m not surprised that she didn’t tell you, but I’m a little surprised that you didn’t suspect.”

      “Why is that?” Emily absorbed the impact of the effect the smile had on his already handsome face.

      “Because Jenna tends to be a magnet for the tabloids. It’s good to know that they didn’t spoil her fun.”

      “Ah. I see.” Emily forced her attention back to the wedding. “Well.” She picked up her pen and flipped the pages on her calendar, swiftly scanning appointments and calculating. “Depending on the expertise of your palace staff—and I assume they’re accustomed to planning grand functions—?” She glanced up. Lazhar’s nod of agreement reassured her. “Good. Then it may be possible to have the ceremony in six months.” She frowned, shaking her head slightly. “But that’s a very tight timetable. And I’ll need to do an on-site inspection…” she murmured. Once again, she consulted her calendar before glancing up at Lazhar. “I’m afraid I’m fully booked for the next two weeks but I can carve out a four-day-weekend after that to fly to Daniz and meet with your people.”

      “That won’t work.”

      Emily blinked. “What won’t work?”

      “I don’t want to wait two weeks. I want you to start immediately. Preferably, this afternoon.”

      “I’m afraid that’s impossible,” she said coolly. “I have prior commitments that I can’t reschedule.”

      For a moment he was silent, his enigmatic gaze meeting hers with an oddly assessing light. “So it’s a question of your workload and timing, not of your willingness to begin the wedding preparations immediately?”

      “Yes.”

      Emily’s agreement seemed to satisfy him, for he nodded abruptly. “Very well. Then we’re agreed that you will come to Daniz as soon as your calendar is cleared?”

      “I believe that’s mutually agreeable. I won’t be able to give you a projected cost for our services until I’ve been to Daniz, however.”

      “That won’t be a problem.” He shot back the cuff of his shirt, frowned at his watch and stood. “I’m afraid I don’t have time to discuss further details as I have another appointment this afternoon. Perhaps we can resolve the issue over dinner tonight.”

      “Oh, but I—” Emily broke off. Despite her instinct to distance herself from him, she couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity. It’s just business, she reminded herself. “Very well, dinner would be good. Where would you like to meet?”

      “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

      “I can meet you at the restaurant—I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you.”

      “It’s not a problem.” He smiled at her, a slow, wicked grin that curled her toes and shortened her ability to draw a breath. “I look forward to it.”

      He turned and left the room. Emily wilted in her chair and stared at the doorway where his elegantly clad, broad-shouldered body had just disappeared.

      “Well?” Natalie and Jane interrupted her, their faces alive with curiosity. “What did he say?”

      “He wants us to handle the arrangements for his wedding.”

      They shrieked; Natalie did a quick dance while Jane clapped her hands with delight.

      “This is excellent, Emily. What a coup! When do we start?”

      “Not for at least two weeks—that’s the earliest I can fly to Daniz.”

      “What date is the wedding?” Jane asked.

      “There isn’t a date, not yet. The prince wants it scheduled as soon as possible but I told him I doubted it could be done in less than six months.”

      “Six months? That’s all?” Jane’s eyes rounded behind her wire-frame glasses. “For a royal wedding? You’re joking, right?”

      “No. He insisted that he wants the ceremony scheduled as soon as possible and that the palace staff will assist.”

      Jane looked doubtful. Natalie fairly bounced with excitement.

      “I want to apply for a promotion to Jane’s assistant—even if it only lasts through the wedding. I’ll never have another chance to attend a royal wedding.”

      Emily smiled at the younger woman’s enthusiasm. “If we really do plan this wedding, Natalie, I promise you can go with us.”

      Natalie beamed with delight.

      “So,” Jane said, “who’s the lucky woman? Who is he marrying? She’ll be a princess, and someday, the queen, right?”

      “I don’t know who he’s marrying.” Emily suddenly realized that Lazhar hadn’t offered the information and she’d failed to ask. It wasn’t like her to miss such a vital piece of data. “I’m having dinner with him tonight…I’ll ask him the name of his fiancée, among other things.”

      “You’re having dinner with him?” Natalie’s eyes widened.

      “It’s strictly business, Natalie,” Emily said firmly. “He had an appointment and had to cut our discussion short so I…”

      “Hello? Hello, is anyone here?”

      The rich, throaty tones floated into the office.

      “Yikes.” Natalie hurried for the doorway. “That must be Katherine Powell!”

      Jane and Emily exchanged a wry glance.

      “She does love celebrities, doesn’t she?” Jane said.

      “Yes, she does,” Emily chuckled with affection. “I think that’s ninety percent of the reason that she works here.”

      “I can’t wait to hear all the details—call me after you talk to the prince tonight, okay?”

      “I will,” Emily promised, then stood as Natalie ushered a stunningly beautiful woman into the room. “Good afternoon, Katherine.”

      Lazhar didn’t have another appointment. But he wanted Emily to join him that evening and finishing their discussion seemed the easiest way to convince her. After meeting her, he was even more determined to marry her. He needed a wife; she wanted a husband and children. They’d both get what they wanted.

      After talking with Emily in person, however, he was even more sure that she wouldn’t marry him to further her father’s business plans. Emily Parks was beautiful, with golden-brown hair, bright green eyes, smooth tanned skin that his fingers itched to touch, and dimples that flashed when she smiled. The fitted scarlet suit and high heels made the most of her slim figure and long legs and conveyed the image of an upwardly mobile businesswoman. But Lazhar saw a well-concealed vulnerability and wariness СКАЧАТЬ