Royal Holiday Bride. Brenda Harlen

      Marissa’s attention shifted back to him, revealing both surprise and suspicion. But when she spoke, her voice was carefully neutral. “That sounds like fun—if you’re sure you wouldn’t mind spending the afternoon with a five-year-old.”

      “I’m sure it will be my pleasure,” he countered.

      Apparently satisfied with the progress that had been made, the Princess Royal monopolized the rest of the conversation as they finished brunch. Marissa managed to eat a few bites of crepe and a couple of pieces of fruit, but her stomach was too tied up in knots to attempt any more than that. She didn’t doubt for a minute that her mother had been the one to set up this meeting with the sole purpose of putting Marissa on display in front of the king, but the fact that he was here, having brunch in Elena’s dining room, proved that he was at least considering the potential benefits of a union between their families.