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A Diamond in the Rough
Always-proper princess Aurélie Marchand never flouts the wishes of her father. But when she’s set to marry a man she doesn’t love, Aurélie finally escapes—to glittering New York City. And she’s got a surprise for her hosts at Drake Diamonds: a magnificent secret treasure that can guide their fortunes forever. But it’s the dour but dashing Dalton Drake who is the true surprise...
Despite a store built on finding true love, after one tragic try at marriage Dalton’s wed only to his family’s business. When the feisty princess appears on his doorstep, though, she immediately tries his patience...and charms her way into his fiercely padlocked heart. But can the secret-filled runaway royal become his forever bride?
“Where have you been?”
“Getting this for you.” He handed her the tissue-wrapped bundle. It warmed her hands.
Aurélie’s defenses dropped, and she stared at him in disbelief. “You bought me a gift.”
He frowned, which in no way diminished the potency of his chiseled good looks. “No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did.”
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t get too excited. Trust me. It’s nothing.”
With great care, she peeled back the tissue. When she realized what he’d done, she couldn’t seem to utter a word. She blinked to make sure what she was seeing was real—a hot dog. He’d gotten her a hot dog.
“It’s a metaphor.” He shrugged as though he were right, as if this silly little gesture meant nothing at all, when to Aurélie, it meant everything. “With mustard.”
She didn’t fully understand what happened next. Maybe she wasn’t thinking straight after getting the call from the palace. Maybe the thought of going back home had broken something inside her. Maybe she no longer cared what happened to her at all.
Because even though she knew it was undoubtedly the gravest mistake of her life, Her Royal Highness Aurélie Marchand grabbed Dalton Drake by the lapels and kissed him as though she wasn’t already engaged to another man.
* * *
Drake Diamonds: Looking for love that shines as bright as the gems in their window!
The Princess Problem
Teri Wilson
TERI WILSON is a novelist for Mills & Boon. She is the author of Unleashing Mr. Darcy, now a Hallmark Channel Original Movie. Teri is also a contributing writer at HelloGiggles.com, a lifestyle and entertainment website founded by Zooey Deschanel that is now part of the People magazine, TIME magazine and Entertainment Weekly family. Teri loves books, travel, animals and dancing every day. Visit Teri at www.teriwilson.net or on Twitter, @teriwilsonauthr.
For my English writer friend and fellow royal enthusiast,
Rachel Brimble.
Contents
“The pearl is the queen of gems
