Free Scandal With a Prince by Nicole Burnham Page B

come to terms with this and think of how best to move forward.   That means getting to know Anna.   You said no last night, but I think it’s important that I meet her as soon as possible.”
    “I don’t know if this is the best time for her.”   Everything was happening too fast.   After years on their own, suddenly there would be another voice—a strong, male, and royal voice—in their lives.   Perhaps for a weekend, perhaps on a regular basis, but either way, it would be a drastic change.
    “If not now, then when?   It won’t get easier for any of us.”   He paused.   “Does she know about me?”
    Megan gave a slight nod.
    His lower lip flinched in surprise.   “Does she know I’m here in Barcelona?”
    When Megan shook her head, Stefano exhaled.   “What have you told her?”
    Between sips of her coffee and bites of omelet, Megan explained briefly how Anna learned of her parentage.   “It’s not that I don’t want you to meet her.   I do.   But knowing on a cerebral level that you’re her father and having you physically show up in her life are entirely different things.   Before I introduce you, I need to prepare her.”
    She couldn’t believe she’d agreed so easily, and before talking to Anna, but how could Megan object when Stefano’s request seemed so reasonable?  
    “All right,” he said.   “Talk to her tonight.   We can have lunch tomorrow and keep it relaxed and informal.   I don’t want Anna to be frightened or uncomfortable.”
    “Tomorrow?”   Megan swallowed hard.   When he said as soon as possible, he meant it.
    “I assume her wonderful school doesn’t hold class on Sundays?”   He flashed a wry grin, then popped the last bite of toast in his mouth.   “I’m already in town.   Staying a day or two longer won’t raise any questions.   My family and staff will assume I decided to extend the business trip through the weekend to visit with Ilsa.   It wouldn’t be unusual for me to arrange to see her or some of my other friends while I’m here.   However, if I return to Sarcaccia and then make an unscheduled trip back to Barcelona, my family and staff will ask why.   For the time being, I prefer we keep this to ourselves.”
    “Ilsa?”   Was she supposed to know an Ilsa?
    “I’m sorry.   I assumed you were introduced at some point last night.   Ilsa Jakobsen was the woman with me on the roof.   You may have seen her in the bar when Mahmoud brought you over.   Tall woman, red dress, hard to miss.”
    “Oh, yes.   I remember her.”   Hard to miss was a colossal understatement.   Six-foot beacon of sexuality would be a more apt description.
    “Ilsa is my sister’s best friend.   Her date for last night’s party was, shall we say, overly focused on the cocktail portion of the evening.   I stayed close to her to ensure he wouldn’t behave in a manner he’d later regret.   Ilsa’s like a younger sister to me.   Family.”   He picked up his coffee cup.   Seeing that it was empty, he set it back on its saucer.   “In any event, I believe discretion is paramount and having friends like Ilsa in Barcelona provides a convenient excuse for me to stay.”
    The knot of tension that had twisted Megan’s gut eased slightly.   She wanted to attribute her relief entirely to Stefano’s willingness to keep a meeting low-key and his desire to shield Anna from the public eye.   However, a not-so-small part of her thrilled to learn he had zero romantic interest in the stunning brunette from the previous night.   Knowing Stefano had watched over Ilsa because he worried for her safety reinforced Megan’s opinion that the Stefano seated across the table from her now wasn’t so different from the Stefano she’d met in Venezuela.   Protective, sensitive, caring.  
    Truly, a prince.
    “It feels odd talking about Anna when I don’t even know what she looks like.”   Stefano’s voice was quiet enough she had a hard time hearing him now that