“Yes!” There weren’t any shadows in the little girl’s eyes. Whatever conversation had taken place between father and daughter at bedtime, she looked happy. “Uncle Stasi told me I could stand on his feet while he danced with me. He made me laugh.”
“The crown prince is a real character.” Her gaze swerved to Alex. “He made me laugh, as well. I’ve decided you and your brother must have given certain people some nervous moments when you were younger.”
Alex’s grin turned her heart right over. “Our parents particularly. My brother was upset you left the party before he could dance with you.”
“Maybe that was for the best. My high heels might have hurt the tops of his feet.”
At that remark both he and Zoe laughed. Dottie was enjoying this too much and suggested they get started on the morning lesson.
They worked in harmony until Alex said it was time for lunch by the pool. After they’d finished eating, Zoe ran into the cabana to get into her swimsuit. Dottie took advantage of the time they were alone to talk to him.
“I’m glad we’re by ourselves for a minute. I want to discuss Zoe’s preschool situation and wondered how you’d feel if I went with her to class in the morning. You know, just to prop up her confidence. We’ll come back here for lunch and enjoy our afternoon session with her out here. What do you think?”
He sipped his coffee. “That’s an excellent suggestion. Otherwise she’ll keep putting off wanting to go back.”
“Exactly.”
Alex released a sigh. “Since our talk about her friends, I’ve worried about her being away from the other children this long.”
Dottie was glad they were on her same wavelength. “Is there any particular child she’s close to at school?”
Their gazes held. “Not that she has mentioned. As you know, school hasn’t been her best experience.”
“Then tell me this. Who goes to the school?”
“Besides those who live in Hellenica, there are a few children of some younger diplomats who attend at the various elementary grade levels.”
“From where?”
“The U.K., France, Italy, Bosnia, Germany, the States.”
The States? “That’s interesting.” Dottie started to get excited, but she kept her ideas to herself and finished her coffee.
Alex didn’t say anything more, yet she felt a strange new tension growing between them. Her awareness of him was so powerful, she couldn’t sit there any longer. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go change into my bathing suit.”
“Not yet,” he countered. “There’s something I need to tell you before Zoe comes out.”
Her pulse picked up speed. “If it’s about her running to my room last eve—”
“It is,” he cut in on her. “After what Zoe told me while I was putting her to bed, I realize this matter needs to be cleared up.”
“Your marriage to Princess Genevieve is none of my business. As long as—”
“Dottie,” he interrupted her again, this time with an underlying trace of impatience. “There will be no marriage. Believe me when I tell you there was never any question of my marrying her. I impressed that on Zoe before she went to sleep.”
Dottie had to fight to prevent Alex from seeing her great relief and joy.
“Since Teresa’s death, it has been my grandmother’s ambition to join the House of Helvetia to our own. Zoe had the great misfortune of overhearing her tell Sofia about her plans. In her innocence, Zoe has expressed her love for you and has told Yiayia she wants you to be her new mommy.”
“I was afraid of that,” she whispered.
“Last night I spoke to my grandmother. She admitted that she arranged last night’s party for me, not Stasi. She hoped that by inviting Princess Genevieve, it would put an end to Zoe’s foolishness.”
“Oh, dear.”
“The queen has taken great pains to remind me once again what a wonderful mother Teresa was and that it is time I took another wife. Naturally she’s grateful you’ve identified Zoe’s problem, but now she wants you to go back to New York. I learned she’s already found another speech therapist to replace you.”
Dottie’s head reared. “Who?”
“I have no idea, but it’s not important. My grandmother is running true to form,” he said before Dottie could comment further. “She tried to use all her logic with me by reminding me Zoe will have to be taken care of by a nanny until maturity; therefore it won’t be good to allow her to get any more attached to you.”
“In that regard, she’s right.”
Anger rose inside him. “Nevertheless, the queen stepped way out of bounds last night. I told her that I had no plans to marry again. She would have to find another way to strengthen the ties with Helvetia because Zoe’s welfare was my only concern and you were staying put.”
His dark eyes pierced hers. “I’m sure my words have shocked you, but it’s necessary you know the truth so there won’t be any more misunderstandings.”
“Daddy?” They both turned to see Zoe trying to drag out her five-foot inflated whale from the cabana, but it was stuck. “I need help!”
Before he moved in her direction he said, “My grandmother may still be the ruler of Hellenica, but I rule over my own life and Zoe’s. My daughter knows she doesn’t have to worry about Princess Genevieve ever again, no matter what her yiayia might say.”
With that declaration, he took a few steps, then paused. “Just so you know, after I’ve put Zoe to bed tonight, I’m taking you to the old part of the city, so don’t plan on an early night.”
Alex stayed with Zoe and read stories to her until she fell asleep. Since she realized he wasn’t going to marry Princess Genevieve, his daughter actually seemed at peace for a change. With a nod to Sofia in the next room to keep an eye on her, he left for his own suite.
He showered and shaved before dressing in a sport shirt and trousers. On his way out of the room, he called for an unmarked car with smoked glass to be brought around to his private entrance. With Stasio in the palace, Alex didn’t need to worry about anything else tonight. He called security and asked them to escort Dottie to the entrance.
After she climbed in the back with him, he explained that they were driving to the city’s ancient amphitheater to see the famous sound and light show. “We’re going to visit the site of many archaeological ruins. As we walk around, you’ll see evidence of the Cycladic civilization and the Byzantium empire.”
Alex had seen the show many times before with visiting dignitaries, but tonight he was with Dottie and he’d never felt so alive. The balmy air caused him to forget everything but the exciting woman who sat next to him.
Throughout the program he could tell by her questions and remarks that she loved it. After it was over he lounged against a temple column while she explored. The tourists had started leaving, yet all he could see was her beautiful silhouette against the night sky. She’d put her hair back so her distinctive profile was revealed. She was dressed in another skirt and blouse, and he was reminded of the first time he’d seen her in his office.
“Dottie?” he called softly in the fragrant night air as he moved behind her. She let out a slight gasp and swung around.
He caught her to him swiftly and kissed her mouth to stop any other sound from escaping. Her lips were warm and tempting, but he didn’t deepen the kiss. “Forgive me for doing that,” he whispered against them, “but I didn’t want you to say Your Highness and draw attention. Come and get in the car. It’s