more than that,’’ Serena said, giving Laura a quick hug. ‘‘You’re practically one of the family.’’ She grinned at Alex. ‘‘I say we find him ourselves and present him as a gift to Mother and Father. Their lost son returns home after twenty-nine years. Everyone will be so thrilled that there’s finally an heir.’’
Alex stiffened slightly at the words, then tried not to notice as everyone’s attention shifted to her. She knew what her sisters were thinking. That as the oldest, she’d taken on most of the responsibilities of heir. She worked hard and frequently traveled abroad to represent her country. But Wynborough law stated that the heir must be a son. While there had been some discussion about parliament changing the law, to date nothing had been done. After all, King Phillip was still in the prime of his life. There was no concern about the monarchy. But it left Alex in the awkward position of being a potential heir-in-waiting without knowing if that was going to happen.
That’s not important, she told herself, and firmly pushed those thoughts away. Right now she and her sisters had to concentrate on their brother. If James was still alive, how were they to find him?
‘‘Obviously we have to go to America,’’ Alex said. ‘‘That’s where the kidnapping occurred.’’
‘‘I could arrange a publicity tour,’’ Laura said. ‘‘There has been talk of bringing worldwide attention to King Phillip’s years as a successful monarch. If all four of you were willing to travel to the States, you could quietly inquire about your brother while promoting Wynborough and the king.’’
‘‘Of course we’ll go,’’ Serena said. ‘‘At least I will.’’
‘‘No one’s in doubt about that,’’ Alex said dryly. She glanced at Katherine and Elizabeth. ‘‘Is this all right with you two?’’
They both nodded. ‘‘I could use a change of scenery,’’ Elizabeth said.
Again Alex wondered what had happened to make her sister so quiet these days. But if Elizabeth didn’t want to talk, nothing was going to make her.
Alex opened the file next to her plate. ‘‘I think the best plan would be to start the investigation at the scene of the crime. James was kidnapped from the family home in Aspen, Colorado. While the place hasn’t been used in years, I checked and it has been maintained by caretakers. They could have it ready for us in two days—so that will be our base of operation. Laura will put together a publicity schedule that leaves us plenty of time to search. In fact, I intend to go to Arizona to talk with ‘Grandma Beulah’ as soon as we arrive in the States.’’
Katherine leaned forward. Like all the sisters, her hair was a variation on the theme of red. She had thick chestnut hair and wide gray eyes. Sensible as always, she asked, ‘‘How on earth are we going to get our parents to agree to this? They’ve never wanted us to visit America before. Do you really think they’ll let all four of us go there?’’
‘‘Let me handle that,’’ Alex said. ‘‘Laura and I will come up with something. You just get ready to leave.’’
Serena bounced to her feet. ‘‘I’m going to Disneyland.’’
‘‘Not if any of us can help it,’’ Elizabeth murmured under her breath as she stood up.
‘‘Okay, then New York or California or Las Vegas.’’
Alex drew in a deep breath and told herself to remain calm. Serena was a handful and she was going to require around-the-clock watching. ‘‘Make a note,’’ she told Laura as they left the small dining room. ‘‘Put extra security on Serena.’’
‘‘Gabriel Morgan’s our man,’’ Laura said. ‘‘Plus, he’s American, so he’ll be most at home.’’
‘‘Good. The last thing we need is a wild princess on the loose.’’
‘‘What about Elizabeth and Katherine? Or for that matter, you?’’
Alex laughed. ‘‘As if anything would ever happen to us. I promise you that except for possibly finding our long-lost brother, nothing exciting is going to happen while we’re in America.’’
Mitch Colton could smell trouble a mile away…or right in his own driveway. Especially when it came packaged in a sleek, midnight-blue Jaguar. He’d been on his way into the house after spending the morning in the barn with a sick cow when the sound of a car engine had caught his attention. And not just any car engine, but one belonging to an elegantly beautiful sports car.
He stared as the vehicle came to a stop in front of the wide porch that encircled the low, one-story ranch house. While he could admire the sleek lines of the car, he didn’t get the point. Sure, he could buy one, or even a dozen if he was so inclined, but he lived on a working ranch, and a car like that wasn’t practical.
Neither was the leggy redhead stepping out from behind the wheel.
Mitch blinked. Redhead? As in a woman? He looked closer. Yup, and to quote his father, she was a looker. Well dressed in a toast-colored sweater dress, the hem of which flirted with her calves. She was slender, with plenty on top to capture any man’s interest. Sunglasses hid her eyes, but enough of her face showed to convince him that she was somewhere between very pretty and knock-out gorgeous. Long, auburn curls fell down her back. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon, he thought.
‘‘Good afternoon,’’ the woman said as she approached the porch. ‘‘Are you Mitch Colton?’’
He frowned. She sounded funny. Almost English, but not quite. She sure as hell wasn’t from around here. He pushed his hat farther back on his head, propped one foot on the porch railing, leaned forward and rested his forearms on his raised thigh.
‘‘That depends on who’s doing the asking.’’
He’d half expected her to get annoyed, but she surprised him by smiling. ‘‘Don’t you sound like the local sheriff in a Western movie. All right, cowboy, we’ll do this your way.’’ She pulled off her sunglasses, extended her hand and approached the porch. ‘‘I’m Alex Wyndham. If you are Mitch Colton, I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance.’’
He’d been holding his own, right up until she smiled and removed her sunglasses. The one-two punch of full lips curving in delight and baby-blue eyes hit him like whisky on an empty stomach. He straightened, swore silently, then leaned down to take her fingers in his. Even though he braced for the impact, the not-so-unexpected jolt of awareness crackled down to his toes. On the return trip, it settled somewhere a tad more interesting. Geez. All this over one little smile. Imagine what would happen to his body if she laughed, or God forbid, made that throaty purring sound women were so good at when they wanted a man.
He straightened and cleared his throat. ‘‘Ma’am.’’
Her smile broadened. ‘‘Ma’am. I’m sure you’re using that mode of address for different reasons than is normally the case. But I like it.’’
Okay, now he was officially lost. ‘‘What are you talking about?’’
‘‘Nothing. I’m just savoring
