Royal Secrets by Traci Hunter Abramson

she hadn’t really anticipated meeting anyone else from the royal family. She especially hadn’t expected Prince Stefano to look even better in person than he did in his photos.
    His dark hair was just long enough to curl over the collar of his shirt, and his broad-shouldered physique suggested he was active in more than just politics. His dark eyes had been almost mysterious with the way he somehow managed to keep his emotions from showing there, although she thought she had caught a glimpse of something troubling him when she had first spotted him.
    He was intimidating at first glance, his posture so rigid and his manners so polished. However, after witnessing his kindness to her boys, she could admit she was no longer intimidated but intrigued.
    As she walked through the wide halls behind Martino, she let her thoughts drift to her surroundings, and she couldn’t help but feel the history of the chateau. The hall looked more like a living room than a functioning hallway. It was three times the width of a typical hallway, and priceless artwork and tapestries hung from the walls, an eclectic collection from some of Europe’s most renowned artists.
    Royals from all over Europe had visited this tiny fairytale country, and now Alora would have the chance to see history unfold in the form of her friend’s wedding.
    She knew, of course, that despite her friendship with Janessa, she would be little more than a glorified servant during her time here. After all, she could hardly expect that she and Janessa would socialize in the same circles. Janessa’s life now included formal dinners and spending time with handsome princes. The best Alora could hope for was finding a few other moms through the boys’ new school to set up some play dates.
    She hoped she would last here long enough for that to happen. She thought again of how Prince Stefano hadn’t looked terribly happy when she’d first seen him. He had recovered quickly, showing warmth and humor as he greeted her and her children, but she doubted he would want to cross paths with them often.
    Martino pointed to a door as they passed. “Signorina Rogers’ rooms are in there.” He then led them farther down the hallway. “This is where you will be staying.”
    Martino opened the door and stepped aside as Dante and Giancarlo rushed through. Alora simply stared. Janessa had told her she would have a private living space, but she hadn’t expected anything so grand. The living area to her right was as big as her entire apartment in Italy. Light spilled in through the French doors leading to a balcony, and the Mediterranean was like a picture spread out before her. A kitchenette was situated to the right, a serving bar separating it from the rest of the living area.
    “Mama, look in here!” Dante called from a doorway on the far side of the room, where Alora presumed the bedrooms were located.
    “I’ll be right there, sweetheart,” Alora managed. Then she turned to face Martino. “All of this is really for us?”
    “Yes, signora.” Martino, who had been every bit the stuffy butler up to now, granted her a small smile. “I will have your belongings brought up to you momentarily.”
    “Oh, that’s not necessary.” Alora shook her head, acutely aware of her lack of belongings and the ragged condition of her luggage.
    Martino simply motioned inside. “Take a few minutes to get settled in. If you need anything, press zero on the house phone.”
    “Thank you,” she managed, too awestruck by her surroundings to argue. Then he bowed and left her alone with her children.
    “Mama! Come look!” Dante called to her again.
    “I’m coming.” She crossed the living room and followed her youngest son into the bedroom on the left. The room looked like it was straight out of a magazine. Three tall windows overlooked the front entrance, giving the boys a view of the lush hillside. Two captain-style twin beds sat on either side of the room, their bright blue bedspreads