your service.”
“You must forgive my friend, monsieur. She has a warped sense of humor but means no harm.”
The Commandant nodded to the portrait behind her. “Your resemblance to Princess Vivienne is what drew me over. Do you, perhaps, have family in Pasadonia?”
“Oh my gosh,” Michelle exclaimed. “Amanda, you totally look like the princess in the picture.”
“What?” Amanda automatically turned to view the painting.
The woman in the picture appeared to be in her forties. She wore her bright red hair up, the weight of it, and the crown making her long neck look fragile. A creamy complexion and somber blue eyes gave her an elegant air. She possessed a delicate beauty beyond anything Amanda aspired to. Yes, their coloring was similar, but that was all, and even then Amanda’s strawberry blond hair and silver gray eyes resembled the woman’s but were a toned down version of the princess.
“Oh no.” Amanda automatically made the denial. Because really, the closest she got to royalty was playing princess at Princess Camp all those years ago. But then she had to qualify, because she didn’t really know her full ancestral makeup. “Not that I’m aware of.”
“The likeness is quite remarkable.”
“Oh please,” she gave a dismissive wave, “she’s beautiful.”
“Yes.” He nodded, a shallow, regal gesture, his amber gaze never leaving her face. “Very beautiful.”
“Oh.” She blushed. Those compelling light brown eyes held her captive, seemed to delve into her soul, seeking all her secrets. And she was keen to share. Michelle’s elbow dug into her ribs, reminding her to speak. “Um. Thank you.”
“What she meant to say,” Michelle corrected, “is would you like to join her for a cup of coffee?”
“Oh I cou—” Again the denial came without thought, but she stopped. Why couldn’t she? She wouldn’t find her prince charming by being timid. “Yes, I meant what she said.”
He smiled, not with his mouth but with those incredible eyes. “This would be my wish, however, duty requires I remain here.”
“Of course.” Heat rushed to Amanda’s cheeks as his rejection registered. “You’re working.”
“May I have a rain coat? Perhaps tomorrow morning?”
“Rain check,” she gently corrected him. “I’d be delighted to meet you in the morning. There’s a decent coffee house two blocks from here.”
He inclined his head and they agreed on a time.
“Ladies, may I take your picture with Vivienne’s portrait? A memento of our meeting.”
“Of course.” Michelle gave Amanda no chance to answer. Hooking her arm through Amanda’s, she smiled as Xavier held up his phone and took the shot. After which he bowed and excused himself to return to work.
“You have a date with a foreign hottie,” Michelle chortled as soon as he stepped out of ear shot. “I’m so proud of you.”
“It’s only coffee.” Amanda down played the date, because she didn’t want to get too excited, even though her heartbeat drummed wildly and her palms were sweaty.
“It’s a date with a sexy, sophisticated man. And you don’t fool me. Inside you’re dancing on tiptoes.”
Amanda shook her head. But this was Michelle, so she finally came clean. “I totally am. Which is probably a huge mistake.” She gestured to the displays around them. “The exhibit is only here for six weeks.”
“Exactly. No time to get emotionally attached, but plenty of time to have fun. And if you’re lucky, you might get to celebrate your freedom with a foreign hottie in your new apartment.”
“That’s your inner strumpet talking.”
Michelle laughed. “You’re right.” Her gaze went to the painting of Vivienne. She looked from the picture to Amanda and back again. “Are you sure you’re not related to anyone in Pasadonia?”
“Not on my mother’s side. They’re Norwegian.”
“What about your father? You don’t know what your dad was. He could be Pasadonian.”
“Michelle, we’re not talking just anyone in Pasadonia.” Amanda pointed at the painting. “She’s the Prince’s great grandmother. We’re talking the royal family.”
“I know. Cool, huh?”
It was her turn to laugh. “Yeah right. I’m the long lost daughter to the Prince of Pasadonia.”
She had to scoff because they’d just tapped into one of her biggest childhood fantasies. She’d loved playing princess and often pretended to be rescued from her lonely existence by a prince who took her away to his beautiful castle.
Her mother had died from complications in childbirth, so Amanda was raised by her grandparents, who were in their late forties when she was born. They always maintained they didn’t know who her father was, that her mother never revealed his identity.
“Hey, your mom may have met him when he was on a trip to America. Or she could have had a European trip after college.”
“If she did, I’ve never heard of it.” Amanda sighed. “They rarely talk about her. Grandmother gets so withdrawn when I ask questions. I stopped asking long ago.”
Michelle muttered an unflattering word about grandmother and then wrapped Amanda in a hug. “Sorry, but I’ve never liked her since she refused to let you come back to Princess Camp. Plus, I know what it’s like to be in a stifling home situation. You do know Elle and I love you.”
“Yes, I do know.” Amanda squeezed her friend before stepping back. She’d been taught from birth to avoid public displays of affection. “I love you guys, too. But enough of this silliness. I have a date with a foreign hottie.”
“Yes, you do.” Michelle went with the change of subject. “What are you going to wear?”
“Oh no, you’re not going to do that to me. I’m not going to go mental over what I wear tomorrow. That’s your thing, not mine.”
“I don’t know how you can be so calm about such a big decision. Impressions matter.”
“I’ll be fine. I don’t own anything that won’t make a good impression.”
“Yeah. Now that you’re out on your own, we have to do something about that.”
“Sir?” Officer Bonnet appeared at Xavier’s side in answer to his summons.
“See the redhead leaving with the blond?” he indicated Amanda and her companion. “I want you to follow her. Discreetly. I want to know where she goes, what she does, and where she lives.”
“Yes, sir.” Bonnet turned to leave.
“Bonnet.” Xavier stopped
