All the King's Horses Read online

  His grandson was the apple of his sister’s eye. RJ smirked. He should have known. They fought like a cat and a dog whenever Geo McGovern was around.

  Still, the da Silva girls were late and he was starting to worry. They could have totally backed out and thought the donation was enough. And it was, but...

  RJ sighed. He couldn’t get that gorgeous Lucy off his mind. She was just perfect, every curve and line in the right spot. Pert ass, perfect breasts, silken dark hair he could see fanned out on his pillow—

  Damn. He adjusted his pants.

  “Problem?” Jaxson teased him.

  “Yeah. You could say.” RJ cleared his throat. “I’m also worrying that our guests aren’t here.”

  “Jersey girls. Never on time.” Heath shook his head

  Addie shuffled closer. “I wonder if they have cards?”

  “Well, we’ll find out if they show up.”

  The calling cards were something McGovern had picked up on in Europe when he’d been over as a guest lecturer in England. It was fashionable at the high-end parties to hand the MC a card with the guest’s name and have them announced. He’d put a Texas twist on it—since his was the only white tie affair that ever used them, he made it showy. All the cards were tucked into French boards near the entrance and the most interesting, artistic or over the top won a gift basket that usually included a weekend package at the resort. Addie had spent two days making hers, and he knew that most of the wives and girlfriends did the same. He just wrote his name on an index card and used a few of Tennessee’s daughter’s stickers. Maybe a Pickachu and some Hello Kitty. Whatever Rori could spare.

  Waiting just another minute or two, RJ headed off to get himself a drink at the bar. Technically, an open bar, everyone was encouraged to ‘pay’ for the drinks by dropping a donation in the jar. RJ tucked a bill inside and covered himself for the night, and several nights beyond. He leaned against the bar and sipped the martini slowly. Normally a beer guy, the martini was splurge.

  The mic came on again and the MC announced the arrivals.

  “Their Highnesses, the Princess Lucia Augusta Amalie Victoria Gothe Bragança da Silva and her sister the Princess Fatima Maria Josef Louisa Gothe Bragança da Silva.”

  A pin could have dropped in the silence that followed. RJ slowly turned and looked at the two women now standing at the top of the stairs and was utterly floored.

  Fatima stood in a dark blue gown that flowed to the floor and wore a delicate blue sash with a broach that held in it in place. Her hair was up and she was wearing a small diamond tiara.

  And Lucy...Lucy was breathtaking. Her pale-yellow gown flared and split at the waist, revealing a sky-blue panel in the front. Cinching neatly below her bust, it accentuated her breasts—which was a stunning effect—and had a sweetheart neckline with an off the shoulder sleeve. She was wearing a two-toned blue sash with a much larger diamond broach and a crown.

  An actual fucking crown was perched on her head. It shimmered and sparkled and tossed the light around like she commanded it. Which, given this new information about her being a princess, RJ could totally believe.

  He realized that Addie had turned around and was motioning at him. He turned his attention to her and saw she was trying to get him to move and head over to the door where Lucy was waiting. She motioned enough that he got the ‘go over there and offer to escort her, you stupid moron.’

  Moving quickly, he put the glass on the bar and nearly ran through the crowd to where the girls were waiting. Theodosius was the other one at the stairs, clearly being someone who understood it was important that they have escorts.

  “Your highness.” RJ offered his arm to Lucy.

  She smiled and laid a gloved hand on his coat sleeve, grabbing the skirts with the other. She walked down the four stairs, and Theodosius offered Fatima his arm.

  The room began to move again and pick up the noise level. RJ walked with Lucy on his arm through the room. He maneuvered them over to Doc McGovern, his son Donald, and grandson George. “Doctor McGovern, may I present my guest, her highness the Princess Lucia da Silva.”

  “Well, I’ll be...” McGovern said. “When I sent McCoy over with those tickets, I didn’t expect him to come up with a princess. Your highness.”

  Lucy held her hand out, and McGovern gently grasped it. “It’s an honor to be here, Doctor. Thank you for the invitation. I would love to take some time later this week to speak about the charity.”

  “I’d be honored, your highness. Do...do we bow?”

  “No, no.” Lucy laughed. “Our country has been a democracy for over a hundred years. The titles are merely honorary inheritances. We’re no longer titled or official.”

  “Imitation royalty? Like that crown?”

  The voice was not welcome, at all. Slowly, RJ looked to the right and found Harry Pollard standing there with his horrid wife, Kelly. Harry was the owner of Sundowner Ranch, and it was his wife who had made the comment.

  With grace and civility, Lucy turned to the woman. “Genuine, a gift from Franz Josef I of Austria to our family upon the occasion of the coronation of my great-great-great-great grandfather, Dom Manuel the Second of Portugal. I see you’re wearing Vera Wang from Macy’s. A lovely choice on a budget.”

  Theodosius clearly bit his lip to keep from laughing at Kelly. RJ wasn’t far behind him. He managed to keep his head about him and nodded to everyone there. “If you’ll excuse us, there are more people the princesses need to meet. I’ll be sure to bring her back around.”

  With a gracious nod, Lucy indicated she was ready to start walking around, and he and Theo started making their way through the room. Fatima leaned over to her sister, and RJ heard her. “That was the Vera you were going to buy. That’s why you knew what it was.”

  “It was.” Lucy smiled. “And I’m so glad we didn’t.”

  “You two are really princesses?” RJ asked quietly.

  “Our titles, inherited, yes. We’re part of an expat community that keeps track of things like that,” Fatima said.

  “I’m actually in line for the thrones of England, Austria, and Russia, as well as Portugal.” She smiled and shook another hand. “But I’ll never see any of that. It’s just fun to freak people out with the titles and jewels. I don’t get to use the sash and broach very often, so when you said white tie, I knew we had to ham it up.”

  “That’s the package that arrived this afternoon by courier.” It made sense. There was no way they were going to send jewels by USPS. “The crown?”

  “Borrowed, actually. It’s really close to the one we do have,” Fatima answered. “But we borrowed them from Harry Winston. They have to go back tomorrow. We bought the dresses yesterday.”

  “That is amazing.” Theodosius was laughing. “I’m so glad you put Kelly in her place.”

  “Seemed like she needed some reminders.”

  “RJ, I’m serious about finding out more about the charity,” Lucy said.

  “I never doubted that.”

  * * *

  Lucy gave her sister a secret little smile, and Fatima returned it.

  She loved surprising people with their titles, especially when they weren’t expected and didn’t have to follow all the social morés of the ex-royal community. It was a blast to see people drop their jaws at the sashes and broaches and really long names. She and Fatima had run to San Antonio to get the dresses and find somewhere to borrow the tiaras from, to blow people out of the water.

  But tonight, better than all of that, RJ Miller had come through and realized she needed to be on his arm. When he walked up in the coattails and tie, she almost lost her composure. He looked amazing sporting the penguin suit and seemed to forget he was uncomfortable in it.

  He played along all night. So did the older, handsome gentleman name Theodosius. Fatima was just having fun being escorted around. Lucy took more pleasure from it.

  About an hour after they arrived, RJ excused himself from the table and scurried off to the bar to get drink
s. Lucy really wanted to just relax for a moment and maybe sneak off and talk to RJ.

  Okay, sneak off and make out like teenagers. Once her walls against dating and men started to drop, they were crumbling like ruins.

  “Your highness?” An accented voice came from behind her and she turned to look. A gentleman who looked to be in his forties was standing there and was wearing a barony cross from Bavaria. “May I introduce myself? I am the Baron Constantine Maurice Jopard from Alsace Lorraine. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Each word was measured and clearly English wasn’t his first language.

  “Tu parle Français?” Lucy asked.

  “Oui.” The Baron was confused.

  Lucy smiled and switched to French. “I thought that it might be more comfortable for you to speak in a language that you’re comfortable in.”

  “Delightful!” he declared. “It’s even more delightful to make your acquaintance!”

  “May I introduce my sister, Fatima?”

  “Of course, of course, enchanté!” He took Fatima’s hand and dropped a kiss on it. He smiled at the sister as Fatima answered him in French as well. “Ladies, I would like to ask you some questions I feel need honest answers. I currently run a horse farm in Alsace, and I’m looking to increase my genetic pool, as I am sure you are as well. I was originally drawn here by Sundowner Ranch with their huge genetic pool. Thousands of horses, and certainly some lovely stock.”

  Lucy held up a finger. “But there is something there, despite the clean barns, the well-fed horses, the well-staffed house, that bothers you.”

  “Yes.” The Baron nodded. “You’ve nailed it. There is something there that just doesn’t sit well with me.”

  “We were there the other day when we arrived, and it didn’t take us long to have the same feeling. I don’t know what it is, but I suspect that it is that they are not kept for the joy of horses, but the joy of money. They do not raise them to appreciate what a horse is, but what money is. Does that make sense?” Lucy cocked her head and considered the Baron.

  “It makes wonderful sense. Wonderful. I do not wish to associate with people who do not want to know the joys of horses.” He sighed. “I fear my trip out here was wasted.”

  “Not so, Baron,” Fatima said.

  Lucy nodded. “My sister and I are staying with the Millers at their Double Down Ranch. They are very different from Sundowner. There is joy there, and the horses are happy. Perhaps I could ask the owners if you can visit for a day. I had a wonderful ride this morning on a Mustang that has a personality as big as its rump.”

  Laughing, the Baron tossed his head back. “That is a wonderful description, your highness. Do you think you can get me a visit in the next few days? I’m due back home on Sunday.”

  “Absolutely.” Lucy nodded. “I will speak with him as soon as possible and let you know. Do you have a card that I can call on you?”

  He pulled out his wallet and handed her the card. “Thank you so much, your highness. It’s a relief to know that I might not have wasted this trip.”

  “A pleasure, your grace.”

  He took her hand and dropped a kiss there just as RJ appeared with drinks in his hands. Standing, he faced RJ and gave him a clicked healed bow, and walked away. RJ stared after him, then looked at Lucy, sitting down.

  “Er...”

  “The Baron would like to request a tour of your farm this week, if that’s all right with you.” Lucy smiled at him and took one of the glasses from him. “Martini?”

  “Uh, yes... was that Baron Jopard?”

  “Quite.”

  RJ’s eyebrows slid up again. “Pollard was bragging about his visit.”

  Lucy sipped the martini and made no comment. She just raised an eyebrow and smirked, sliding the card to him. He studied it for a moment, then slipped it in the pocket inside his jacket. Considering her a moment, he stood again.

  “This is a party, your highness. May I have a dance?”

  Lucy grinned. “Of course, sir.”

  The dance floor was only half full, and it turned out RJ was excellent at dancing with someone who was in giant skirts. About halfway through the first slow dance, Lucy wished she wasn’t wearing skirts—she wanted to be closer to him, feel his muscles through the jacket. Feel some of his warmth against her. It was amazing to her that just one hot guy who treated her well, despite his brag about a dick the size of a horse’s, could break down the walls she’d held up for so long.

  “Milady, may we adjourn to the lobby for a while?”

  His breath was warm against her ear, and there was no hiding his intentions.

  She leaned back in and whispered, “Are you sure the lobby is far enough?”

  Before they could move from the dance floor, a voice burst the bubble they were in together.

  “May I have this dance, your highness?”

  It was Harry Pollard, Jr. And it was rude to refuse him.

  Damn.

  Tossing an apologetic look at RJ, Lucy nodded and stepped away. Junior stepped in between them, giving Lucy one of the slimiest, smuggest, most devious smiles she had ever been on the receiving end of. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her entirely too close for anyone’s comfort. She looked for RJ, but he had stepped back and walked off the dance floor.

  “You know, your highness, we had no idea you were royalty when you stopped by. Not that it would have changed much, but we would have offered a little more hospitality and certainly have been more willing to negotiate.”

  “Because I have a title and fancy broach?”

  “Of course not, Lucy. We didn’t know you were so serious about the horses.”

  “So serious?” Lucy snorted. “I told you when I walked in my family was looking for between five and ten mares, and two studs, as well as the potential for straws and trades. And you didn’t consider that serious? That’s close to a million dollars in animals.”

  “There are people who aren’t serious about their horses. They talk a big game.”

  “Mister Pollard, I did not come in flashing cash. I came in to talk horses. If you think my title makes me more serious about my business here, then you need to reconsider your business.” He was too close. She was starting to feel a little threatened by him.

  “Come back to Sundowner. My father and I would like to speak with you again.”

  “No, Junior. I’m done with Sundowner. My parents have my report. They will let you know. Not me.”

  “Come on, Lucy. We can talk—”

  She slapped him, so hard it echoed in the room. His hand had slipped under the fabric on the back of her dress and was creeping along her skin to the front. Lucy stepped back and saw the handprint bloom on his face. “You overstep your boundaries, sir!”

  “Lucy—”

  “No. You keep your hands to yourself, Mister Pollard. Our business is done.”

  RJ was there between them. “Junior, step back.” He opened his mouth to protest but RJ stepped forward again. “I said step back. The princess is a guest in my house and you’ll keep your hands to yourself.”

  Lucy could swear that she heard Junior growl before he backed off and walked away.

  Turning around, RJ offered her a hand. “I apologize for him, Lucy.”

  “You don’t have to apologize for that.” She took his hand and stepped in close. “But I do need a minute. Lobby, please.”

  “Of course.”

  * * *

  RJ held her hand tucked in his arm, and he could feel her trembling. He found a bench in a corner and led her over to help her sit.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Please tell me that Junior is that disgusting to everyone around here.”

  “There’s a reason he’s not married. He’s a creep and all the ladies know to stay away from him. He’s never done anything illegal, per se, but we always suspect he’s on the edge of abuse or worse. I thought he would at least have some respect for you. Apparently, we have to make sure that none of the women go near him ever again.”
r />   Lucy took a shaky breath. “Well, that was nerve-wracking. Thank you for being my knight in shining armor.”

  “I was watching. I wouldn’t have let him do anything.”

  Lucy smiled at him. “Thank you.”

  RJ sat down next to her. “Would you like to go? This dress has got to be exhausting.”

  “I’m fine. I can stay. As long as Junior stays away from me.”

  He nodded, disappointed.

  Lucy squeezed his hand. “RJ. I’m sorry I went full bitch on you yesterday. That wasn’t nice. I had just come from Sundowner and I was on edge. I really have some serious baggage when it comes to guys.”

  “I’m not a guy, I’m a man, and I’m not about to push anything you don’t want.” He considered a moment. “What happened? I know it wasn’t just what Junior did in there.”

  There was a pause, then she shrugged. “I had a fiancé. Greg. It didn’t end well. He cheated on me up and down Fifth Ave, and got one of them pregnant. He was more interested in tagging ass all over the Upper East Side than being married—to anyone. So I kicked him to the curb. My mother still thought I should marry him because things like that happened. My father was appalled by that.” She twisted the end of the sash. “They don’t sleep in the same room anymore.”

  “That’s not your fault.”

  “I can’t help feeling guilty, RJ. I just keep thinking I should have forgiven Greg and married him.”

  RJ turned up his lip at that statement. “No. That’s ridiculous. You don’t need something like that in your life. No one does. Believe me. You can be happy without that. My mother kicked Addie’s father to the curb when he wouldn’t stop drinking. That’s that. She’s happier and healthier without him. Just like you are without Greg.”

  He lifted her chin with his fingers to look directly into her eyes. “I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet and immediately embarrass myself in front of you.”

  Lucy giggled, and it was a sweet sound.