Charming The Prince. Laura Wright

the man who had had the good fortune to fall in love with the woman who was to be his queen. How could such a man expect his child to have anything less?

      Five years ago, when his brother, Alex, had married, Maxim had thought that he would be free of honor and duty and marriage to a woman he cared nothing for. But when three years passed with no heir for Alex and his wife, Maxim knew what was in store for him. Llandaron was a small country, always in danger of getting sucked up by its larger and more powerful neighbors. Llandaron needed autonomy. Their citizens relied on a good and caring government. They relied on the stability of the royal family.

      But dammit, he would not marry a woman he didn’t love. And considering the fact that he’d never gotten close to such an emotion in all his thirty-five years, he didn’t expect to find it anytime soon.

      The king shook his head and sighed. “I don’t understand you. There are hundreds of exquisite women in the kingdom to choose from.”

      The words of a pretty American veterinarian rang loudly in his ears. We have one chance at this life. And giving others control over it is a waste. She’d insisted people had choices. Maxim raked a hand through his hair. Regular folk had choices, but did a prince? Did a man who loved his country? Or did he sacrifice his personal needs for the needs of his country?

      “Make no mistake about it, Maxim,” the king said firmly. “Three weeks from Saturday, on the night of the masquerade ball, you will announce your bride-to-be. Or I will.”

      Maxim’s jaw clenched tight. The man was relentless. Bride. And a suitable bride no less.

      Suitable.

      The word scratched at the door of his mind. Would his father back down if the woman was unsuitable?

      Maxim glanced up. “You will abide by my choice, Father?” he asked sharply.

      The king nodded. “Of course.”

      Maxim nodded his good-night and left the room. Dr. Francesca Charming had intrigued, amused and attracted the hell out of him from the moment he’d first laid eyes on her. And the thought of seducing her brought a smile to his lips and a throbbing tension to the lower half of him.

      It was the best of both worlds.

      Having Francesca in his bed while putting the subject of marriage to rest with his father once and for all.