The Prince's Texas Bride. Victoria Chancellor
go to the Bishop’s Palace.” The huge mansion looked like a castle. “I’ve never toured that house and it’s supposed to be spectacular.”
Galveston wasn’t that large, and within a few minutes they arrived at the huge red stone mansion. A new tour wasn’t starting for ten minutes, but after Alexi offered a substantial contribution to the historical society that operated Bishop’s Palace, a private tour was offered.
He looked perfectly comfortable in his “Hank clothes,” walking beside the middle-aged tour guide, making the woman blush and stammer with his compliments and charm. Kerry watched it and smiled, thinking she’d created a monster by encouraging him to use a Texas accent and swagger like a cowboy. While Alexi appeared every inch a prince, Alexi as Hank could charm the spines off a cactus.
After the tour they drove to the Strand, which had a unique Victorian waterfront charm. There was one really nice hotel with a restaurant, but Alexi opted for soft drinks, burgers and fries they could eat outside, to take advantage of the warm weather. Since the tourist season hadn’t started yet, they had the small patio to themselves.
The Strand was only a block from the piers. The smell of saltwater mingled with city odors such as exhaust and food, but the mix wasn’t unpleasant.
“This trip was just what I needed,” he announced as he polished off his burger—very neatly, Kerry noticed as she struggled with her second paper napkin. He’d lapsed into his “prince” mode, but she didn’t remind him since they were alone.
“What were you expecting when you hopped into my car?” she asked. After spending all day with him yesterday, kissed him on the beach, then spent most of the night fantasizing about him, she felt comfortable asking the question. Although she never forgot he was a prince, he seemed much more of an ordinary person.
An ordinary person with excellent manners and lots of money, charm, good looks, etc.
“The wonderful thing about my impulsive action is that I didn’t have any expectations. Oh, I wanted very much to get to know you. And, I must admit, I wanted to tweak Gwendolyn’s nose just a bit to make up for her scheduling of the public appearances in San Antonio. But as for what we’d see and do, I had no idea.” He spread his arms and smiled. “I was perfectly willing to leave myself in your hands.”
Kerry smiled. “I could have been a crazy woman. Or someone who’d go to the tabloids with the story. Or any number of other unpleasant possibilities.”
He shook his head. “I knew you weren’t. I’m an excellent judge of character and I trust my instincts.”
“So you’re not…disappointed?”
“Not at all! Why would you think such a thing?”
“I don’t know. I thought maybe you were expecting a woman who was a little more…demonstrative.”
He appeared confused, so she forged ahead. “You know, affectionate.”
“I find you very affectionate. You are especially loving with your aunt and uncle, which is a charming quality.”
“No, I meant with you. Someone who would jump in the sack with you because you’re a prince.”
He appeared genuinely surprised. “Don’t be silly. That wasn’t what I expected at all.” His expression softened, and he leaned closer. “Although if you get the urge, by all means, I’ll cooperate fully.”
Kerry laughed, knowing he was joking…sort of. “I’m not a prude, but I don’t…I mean, I’m not into one-night stands.”
“I never thought you were, Kerry Lynn Jacks,” he said, covering her hand with his. “You are delightfully honest and refreshing. I’m having a wonderful time, although I do rather miss the king-size beds in those nice hotels.”
“I’m sorry about that. If you’d rather, I can tell Aunt Marcy and Uncle Bob that you have an old rodeo injury and need a firmer mattress. They’d understand if you want to go to a hotel.”
“No, I wouldn’t think of it. The couch bed is fine for tonight.”
“What else would you like to do while you’re in Texas? I have one more free day and a fairly new car to chauffeur you around.”
“Tell me, if I weren’t along, what would you want to do?” he asked, squeezing her hand slightly.
“Me? Well, I’m not sure. Probably just hang out at the beach, then head back home.”
“But if you could do anything, what would you like?”
She had to think about it for a minute. Sipping her soft drink, she stared out at the brick street lined with Victorian buildings. She’d always been drawn to old architecture, and one thing she’d wanted to do was stay in one of those beautiful, gingerbread houses built around or before the turn of the century.
“I suppose if this were my vacation and I had the time and money, I’d like to go to a bed-and-breakfast. One of those really nice ones with two or three stories and wide porches and lots of bric-a-brac, as my mother would say. With big trees and lacy curtains. There are a lot of them in East Texas.”
“Then that’s what we shall do,” he announced.
“Oh, but—”
“No, I insist. My treat. We’ll find a lovely bed-and-breakfast wherever you’d prefer. It will be my graduation present to you.”
“That sounds…wonderful.” But would they be staying in separate rooms, or would he want to find a place with a king-size bed that two could share?
LATER THAT NIGHT, after sightseeing, a dip in the Gulf—when Alexi learned that Kerry wore a modest one-piece instead of a bikini—and dinner at the family’s favorite restaurant, Gaido’s, they settled into the living room to watch the evening news. Kerry had stated earlier that she needed to check on the weather since they’d be driving tomorrow.
The idea to go to a bed-and-breakfast had been an impromptu one, but something Alexi felt was a great opportunity. While he enjoyed getting to know Kerry’s family, he longed for more time alone with her, where he could be himself. Where they could talk without fear of anyone discovering his deception. Where he could fantasize about coming back to Texas, or having her fly to Europe, so they could continue their relationship. He didn’t know where this attraction was going, but he wanted to find out.
He hoped they had enough time before he had to choose a bride. Once he was engaged, he wouldn’t dishonor his future wife or Kerry by having an affair.
“Would anyone like popcorn?” Bob asked.
Everyone groaned. “I couldn’t eat another bite,” Alexi stated, making sure he rubbed his stomach and put a little extra twang on the word bite.
Kerry grinned at him. “Me, either.”
Alexi felt perfectly relaxed in his role as “Mack,” although he still had to be careful when he spoke. Kerry usually found a way to remind him gently when he began to speak, which helped tremendously. Sometimes he forgot to be so “over the top” as Hank McCauley, but no one seemed to notice. As he’d heard somewhere, people saw what they expected to see; a man dressed in boots, jeans and a Western shirt was a cowboy.
Not that he was a real cowboy, but he did feel differently than he had yesterday morning, before running away with Kerry. Perhaps the relaxed pace of life in Texas, perhaps the intimate homey atmosphere of the Jackses’ home. For whatever reason, he felt more attuned with his “softer side.” He’d never really known what that silly phrase meant until now. The tender feelings he rarely had time to acknowledge seemed to swell with each hour spent around Kerry and her relatives.
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