‘‘You and me both.’’
A tall, pretty woman with a bit of gray in her short brown hair stepped forward. ‘‘You must be Princess Alexandra. I’m Cecilia, Mitch’s mother. You can call me Cissy. Everyone does.’’
Alex dug deep for courage and poise she wasn’t sure she had, then stepped free of Mitch’s sheltering arms. She shook hands with both Mitch’s parents. His father was a tall, handsome man who stood straight and had Mitch’s teasing smile.
‘‘So pleased to meet you,’’ Alex said. ‘‘Have you met my parents?’’
Her mother, Queen Gabriella, slipped her arm through Cissy’s as if they’d known each other for years. ‘‘We’ve already had the pleasure, my dear. While you and Mitch were busy…talking.’’
‘‘They’re obviously right for each other,’’ Cissy told Gabriella. ‘‘I knew it the minute I saw them together in that picture.’’
‘‘I agree,’’ the queen said. ‘‘I had about given up on her. I didn’t think she was ever going to fall in love. Your Mitch seems like a very good man. He’s done well with the ranch.’’
‘‘Of course he has,’’ Mitch’s father said. ‘‘Taught him everything he knows.’’
‘‘Robert, stop it,’’ Cissy said, lightly touching her husband’s arm.
King Phillip slapped Robert on the back. ‘‘I dare say you’ve hit the nail on the head. I’ve taken great pains to teach my children the right way and the wrong way. Any good father would, and I can see you’ve done well by your son. So, about the wedding.’’
Alex remembered watching a movie once in which the heroine was trapped behind a glass wall. She could talk or scream, but no one could hear her. That was how she felt this morning. Events were occurring around her, but she couldn’t seem to participate.
‘‘Yes,’’ Cissy said, eyeing her son. ‘‘They seem to have handled things in reverse order, which I can almost guarantee was Mitch’s fault.’’
Robert grinned. ‘‘That’s because he’s like his old man.’’
Cissy blushed. ‘‘Robert!’’
Mitch groaned. ‘‘I did not want to know that.’’
‘‘You think you two invented sex?’’ Robert asked testily. ‘‘I’ll have you know that after thirty-five years your mother and I—’’
‘‘Robert!’’ This time Cissy’s tone silenced her husband.
Gabriella gave the woman a knowing smile. ‘‘Phillip and I, as well. This is going to be a good match for our children. So let’s talk about the wedding. What about something extravagant? Lots of flowers and guests. A sit-down dinner. I’ve always wanted to plan something like that when Alexandra finally married.’’ She paused. ‘‘I would suggest Wynborough, except the staff is already taxed by the gala celebration next year.’’
‘‘Then let’s have it here,’’ Robert said. ‘‘Plenty of room on the ranch. We don’t have much time, though, with your Alex already being pregnant.’’
Alex flinched. This wasn’t happening.
It was as if Mitch read her mind. He put a protective arm around her and raised his free hand. ‘‘That’s it,’’ he said. ‘‘While we appreciate all the advice, not to mention the planning, this isn’t your decision to make.’’
King Phillip glared. ‘‘Are you sure you want to disagree with a king, young man? Not to mention your future father-in-law?’’
‘‘Not really, but I will anyway,’’ Mitch told him evenly. ‘‘No one makes decisions about our future except us. As for who plans the wedding, how big it is and where it will be, or if there’s going to be one, that’s Alex’s decision.’’
‘‘Of course there will be a wedding,’’ King Phillip told him.
‘‘What’s the problem?’’ Cissy asked. ‘‘You two love each other. You’re going to have a baby together.’’
‘‘What we’re going to have is some privacy,’’ Mitch said. He moved to the door. ‘‘I’m sure Betty has prepared coffee for the four of you. Please return to the living room and we’ll join you as soon as we’ve figured everything out.’’
Everyone started backing out except King Phillip.
‘‘Sir, this isn’t your business,’’ Mitch said respectfully, but firmly. ‘‘Alex and I will inform you of our decision when we’ve made it.’’
Her father glared, but Mitch didn’t back down. Finally the older man took a step into the hall. ‘‘Thanks,’’ Mitch said and closed the door.
Alex stared in disbelief as he shut out her father. ‘‘You just slammed the door in a king’s face,’’ she said.
