Free A Prince For Sophie by Morgan Ashbury Page B

first I’m hearing of it. I’m sure father has everything arranged, and I’m just going to be on hand to receive the proceeds on behalf of the children. You didn’t come to my room last night.” She was pretty certain another woman, a more sophisticated woman, would never have said such a thing. His gentle brush of her arm eased her concerns.
    “My afternoon exhausted me more than I’d anticipated. I apologize. I’d like, very much, to make up for that lapse now.”
    “ Now ?”
    “Well, as soon as possible.”
    Nerves had Sophie looking toward her father. For the first time in her life, his enormous smile, meant just for her, wasn’t reassuring.
    Turning back to Stephan she said, “I need to speak with my father. Then, I think I’ll retire to my suite for a bit of a respite.”
    Stephan’s wink wasn’t subtle at all, and Sophie hoped no one else had seen it.
    “Then I’ll bid you good afternoon, Your Highness.”
    “Thank you, Your Highness. I’m certain that it will be.”
     
    * * * *
     
    “Are you very annoyed with us?” Hannah asked. “I wanted to talk to you about this first. But your father assured me that with Rachel planning her own wedding and Helene and Michael working on that International Healthcare Conference, that you’d be delighted to give us a hand.”
    They were walking together toward the main staircase. The reception had ended just minutes before, and Hannah was quite proud that she’d been able to hold off this conversation with her soon-to-be-stepdaughter for this long. Alex had avoided his eldest daughter, as agreed. Sophie had worn a very determined expression when she finally sought her out, so Hannah had launched right into the meat of the matter, even if she was being just a little less than completely honest.
    She reminded herself that this very slight prevarication was for a good cause. When she understood, finally, the extent to which Sophie had held herself back since becoming an adult, the fears and misconceptions that had been haunting this beautiful young woman for years, Hannah knew that desperate measures were needed.
    It was all well and good that Sophie seemed to be developing a relationship of some sort with Stephan. But she had the uncanny feeling that the young princess considered that man’s attentions to be temporary. After all, here she was, nearly thirty, and she’d never even dated.
    Nothing, Hannah was certain, would be more eye-opening for Sophie than to suddenly be surrounded by scads of eligible men, all vying for her attention. When she found herself sought after she would have no choice but to accept that she was indeed a warm and loving and desirable human being.
    Hannah saw the degree to which Sophie reined in her annoyance in the face of her own apparent anxiety. A truly cold woman, Hannah could have told her, would not give a damn if she, Hannah, were anxious or not. Too bad Sophie wasn’t ready to simply listen to reason.
    “Of course I’m pleased to do whatever I can to help.”
    “Oh, thank you, sweetheart. The notices have been sent out. The orchestra has been contracted for the ball, and Robert has been given carte blanche to arrange tasty treats to serve Friday evening. Mostly what we need you to do, as the hostess, is simply collect the pledges from the participants, and preside at the tournament. The winner will be declared your champion, but all that prize awards the donor is the right to carry your flag in the parade.”
    “Is that what Father meant?”
    Her question was wrapped in such a sigh of relief that Hannah chuckled. “You didn’t think your father was going to auction you off to the highest bidder, did you?”
    “No! No,” Sophie repeated, ruefully shaking her head. “I think I didn’t get enough sleep last night. Of course Father would never even consider such a thing. This really is a unique and wonderful way to celebrate your marriage. And he was absolutely right. Everyone else does have a full plate. I’m the