HOW TO MARRY A PRINCESS by Christine Rimmer

tacky tabloid stories. The articles in Dressage Today and Practical Horseman. It really worked for me that you loved horses. I wanted to meet you, to find out if the chemistry might be right—because in the end, I would have to want you. And you would have to want me. So I found a way to approach you by using my connections to meet your brother first. As it turned out, I liked Damien. We got along. I invited him to visit me in California. And after we’d known each other awhile, he suggested I come to Montedoro. Of course, I took him up on that.”
    “It was part of your plan.”
    “That’s right. Damien invited me and I came to Montedoro and I found a way to meet you—in the palace stables, where you’re most at home. I set out to get your attention. And I found out that my original instinct was solid. Every minute I’ve spent with you has only made me more certain that my choice is the right one.”
    “Wait a minute.”
    “What?”
    “Are you going to try to tell me that you’re in love with me?”
    “Would you believe me if I did?”
    She studied him for a moment, her head tipped to the side. “So, then. It’s just chemistry. Chemistry and your plan.”
    “That’s why I want you to come to Santa Barbara. We need more time together. I want you to give that to me—to us. ”
    “Be realistic, Noah. There isn’t any us. ”
    He scowled at her. “There will be. And you’re thinking too much.”
    “Right. Because I’m not a stupid princess, remember? You wanted one with a brain.”
    “Damn it, Alice.” He dropped to his knees on the blanket before her. She gasped, but at least she didn’t scuttle backward to get away from him. “I’m only telling you that you don’t have to worry. You’re not just some hookup. I will never dump you. I want you to marry me. I want children with you. And I won’t change my mind. You’re the one that I want, Alice. I want you for my wife.”
    * * *
    Alice wasn’t really sure what to say to him at that point.
    Strangely, she still liked him after his extraordinary confession. She liked him and wanted him even more than before. Which probably said something really awful about her character. She didn’t especially mind that he’d picked her out as a horse trader chooses a broodmare, for her good bloodlines, her sterling temperament, her fine health and conformation—and her excellent pedigree.
    What she did care about was the truth, that he’d told her honestly exactly what he was after—and that she believed him.
    Should she have been at least a little appalled?
    Probably. But she simply wasn’t.
    Surprised, yes. She’d known that he wanted her—pretty hard to miss that—but it had never occurred to her he might be seeing her as a wife. As a rule, she wasn’t the type of woman a man would set out to marry in advance of even knowing her. Her reputation preceded her and most men looked for someone a bit more sedate when it came time to choose a lifelong companion.
    “Alice. My God. Will you please say something? ”
    She hugged the blanket around her more tightly. “Well, I’m not sure what to say. Except that I do appreciate your telling me the truth.”
    “I didn’t know what else to do,” he grumbled. “There’s something way too straightforward about you. I get it, that you want honesty. And I’m willing to give you whatever you want.”
    “Well. Thanks. I think.”
    He braced his hands on his thighs and gritted his strong white teeth. “Please come to California with me.”
    “Oh, I don’t think so....”
    He swore low, then turned and sat down beside her. Drawing up his knees, he let them drop halfway open and wrapped his big arms around them. He stared at his lean bare feet. “Why the hell not?”
    “Because when I get married, it’s going to be to a man I love and trust and know I can count on.”
    “I didn’t ask you to marry me. Yet. I just told you what I’m after. Now we need the time for you to learn to trust and count on