Princess for a Summer: An Amanda Clarke Novel Read online

  The foreman on the project nodded, reaching up to swipe his short cropped, damp hair back from his forehead, and my shutter clicked in rapid succession. His elation played on his face alongside nerves, and he cocked a slight smirk without showing any hint of realization that I was taking his photo.

  “Yeah. I’m still not sure how this happened. We just got a call one day, you know?” Humming again, I couldn’t help but admire how handsome this guy was with all his muscle and dimpled chin. He looked a little like Superman, with blond hair instead of black, but the details didn’t matter. “So, is there any… like… pose- or something?”

  Lowering my camera, I gazed out at the finished gazebo as scenarios raced against my forehead. Gladly taking this distraction and opportunity, I tapped my camera’s side absently.

  “Uh- if you have nothing else to do, would you and your team mind helping me out? Just so I can figure out the best angles inside the gazebo.” I hope I don’t get in trouble for this. The other vendors weren’t scheduled to arrive for another hour, at least, and the foreman arched both his thick brows before a slick smirk spread across his face.

  Chapter Three

  Amelia

  I’m dying… There was no other way to describe the feeling of apprehension and the dream-like daze that had enveloped me. Keeping my camera to my eye, my arms ached from holding the position for the past three hours, but I didn’t lower the device. I’m dying and going to Heaven.

  If I did, I didn’t know if I had the presence of mind to start taking pictures again with all of the stars twinkling around me- threatening to captivate me.

  The wedding ceremony itself had gone off without a hitch, so beautiful and unique but, at the same time, filling me with a sense of déjà vu. I’d tuned out the vows automatically and watched the first kiss with my only thought being on the best angle to capture it. At one point, I ended up laying on the grass between two rows of chairs with my head and my camera sticking out into the aisle as the newlyweds started their walk.

  But, now, I was only just being hit with how many famous people were within touching distance of me. The director of my favorite movie of all time stood ten feet away, chatting with someone I recognized as the head of a major movie studio. My mom’s favorite talk-show host sat across the area in a huge sun hat.

  That one girl that wrote Helen’s favorite books was idling around here somewhere.

  My camera shutter rarely paused going off, and I had to constantly remind myself to photograph the bride and groom more than the rest of the people milling around me. Being unknown and ignored definitely had its perks, and no one noticed me as I slipped through the throng of celebrities and powerful Hollywood names.

  “Amelia- Amelia!” The low hiss grabbed my attention, and I accidentally lowered my camera just as Helen came rushing up to my side. Her face tinged pink, excitement brightening her eyes, and I arched a brow in silent question even while she inhaled deeply. “You’ll never guess what I just overheard- there’s a real prince here! There’s an actual, princy-prince here- right here, at this wedding! He came all the way from Europe! An actual prince is at this wedding!”

  “Are you serious!” Shuffling closer to Helen, I only barely managed to keep my squeal from bursting from my chest, and she nodded furiously.

  “Yeah! I heard that he’s at the bar- that these two actresses were going to introduce themselves and scout him out. You need to go get a picture of him!” My eyes widened, flying to the designated bar that had been constructed at the back left corner of the area. Jumping into my throat, my heart raced as I instantly caught sight of who was easily the most regal, charming looking man I’d ever seen.

  He held himself tall, confident, and broad, and even from a few dozen yards away, I got the sense that he wasn’t just a brat with a title. The way he smiled engagingly was genuine, but he didn’t seem at all interested in what the two women before him were saying. Obviously, he’d perfected the ability to feign interest- like an adult did with a baby that babbled illegibly. The boredom in his dark, almost stormy blue eyes was unmistakable, though.

  “I don’t think he’d appreciate being asked for a photo, Helen… he doesn’t seem very happy to be here.” Nibbling on my bottom lip furiously, I narrowed my eyes to scan the supposed prince from top to bottom. “He almost looks like he wants to run away. Look at his feet-“

  “His feet? Ame- look at that face-“ Just as Helen whispered furiously at me, those roiling orbs captured mine, and I tensed like a deer in the headlights. The man’s gaze flooded with open curiosity, and my mouth dried as I held up my camera weakly. Hoping my nerves didn’t show on my face, I held my breath while he quickly excused himself to make his way towards the center aisle. “He’s coming this way! Act natural!”

  “This is your fault, Helen.” Plastering a smile on my face even as accusation dripped from my tongue like acid, I cleared my throat rough as the man came within hearing distance of us. His long, solid strides carried him smoothly, and he flashed bright, straight teeth as he captured my gaze. “I’m sorry for taking you away from your conversation- I was just wondering if I could get a photo or two for the wedding albums.”

  “It is not a problem…” His thick, German accent sent waves of thick welts rising on my exposed arms and legs, and he cocked a sexy, small smirk as his eyes glimmered with mischief. “They were not interesting. You are photographing the wedding?”

  “Yes. I’m Amelia Hepper. This is my videographer, Helen Sanchez.” For the first time, his eyes left mine, and I took the opportunity to breathe quickly. Shaking Helen’s hand, he turned back to me to stall my lungs, but if he noticed, he didn’t call me out as he held out his hand.

  “I am Erich. It is a pleasure to meet you both.” Rather than shake my hand as he must’ve done countless times today, Erich lifted my knuckles to brush his lips along my skin. Stiffening even while his gaze bored into mine, I nearly choked at the intense shocks that shot up my arm to squeeze my lungs. “I hope that I do not make a disappointing subject.”

  “Oh- n- no, of course not.” Fire licked my cheeks as I stuttered slightly, and Erich’s smirk broadened just a tiny, barely noticeable bit. Holding onto my camera firmly when he released my fingers, I tapped the lens absently while I struggled to recover. “Do you mind? I just need one or two by yourself.”

  I was positive I had other photos of Erich, but I couldn’t really picture them in my mind’s eye. All that appeared was rather large group photos, and he was usually at the ends. Furrowing my brows over narrowed eyes, I lifted my camera to my face as he stepped back, tugging on his tuxedo lapel gently to relieve invisible wrinkles. The actual clicking of the shutter only took a fraction of a second, and I couldn’t help but hum softly in appreciation.

  “Thank you.” Erich nodded at my gratitude, and I carefully released my camera to dangle on its straps around my neck. My film camera rested heavily against my chest, and his gaze wandered to it in the short silence that ensued. Arching a brow in silent question, his smile faltered slightly, and my heart thundered in its cage. “This one is film- some people prefer it, so I always make sure to have it with me.”

  “You can develop your own film?” Surprised elation heightened Erich’s tone, and my breath hitched in my throat when he took a rather large step towards me. “I would like you to photograph me with the film camera, please.”

  “S- sure…” The fire in my cheeks only intensified when Erich downright grinned even as he stepped away from me, and I palmed my film camera with stiff fingers. The device was much bulkier than a digital camera, but it felt more comfortable in my hands as I set the sight against my eye.

  Erich hadn’t smiled in the other picture, and I zoomed in slightly to capture the unbridled excitement stretching his lips. His eyes shimmered, as if they held lightning, and his mop of short curls was perfectly messy as they crowded his ears.

  “Ame- they’re going to start the speeches, soon.” Helen’s mumble in my ear came after an almost awkward few seconds
, and I glanced at my watch above thinning lips. “I’m gunna go check on Tyler since my job is pretty much done.”

  “Yeah- okay. Just leave one video camera.” Nodding firmly, Helen wandered off with much less enthusiasm than she’d appeared with, and I furrowed my brows deeply. Turning my attention back to Erich, I offered him a weak smile even as the bride and groom made their way to the tables at the back of the park. “So, do you like photography?”

  “Oh, no… I like old things- things people don’t make anymore.” Sidestepping smoothly, Erich didn’t seem at all annoyed or put out that I was about to ditch him to do my job. Surprise lifted my brows, and I cast him a side glance to find him nodding firmly. “Cars and old typewriters and things like that. I just think it’s amazing. My parents think I’m insanely old fashioned, though.”

  “You know they still make film, they just don’t process it anymore.” Waving me off nonchalantly as we walked towards the collection of tables set for the banquet, Erich rolled his eyes animatedly, and my steps nearly faltered. He’s way more human than one would expect a prince to be.

  “The details don’t matter. Film is being replaced with digital and has been for a long time. Are you not proud of yourself for doing something no one else can do? Doesn’t it take skill to process film properly?”

  “Well… yes, I suppose so.” Erich barely stopped talking as I responded, and I tapped my film camera while we walked.

  “That is what it’s all about, you see… being able to do something no one else can do anymore. Anyone with a digital camera can be a photographer, but a film camera… I see a lot of people thinking they’re talented, but they’re not. There is a difference between talent and utilization.” For a heart-stopping moment, I expected Erich to point out someone in the lavish crowd that he thought utilized over being naturally talented. My gaze flickered to find him staring at me intently, and my heart leaped into my throat. “You Americans are so backwards in what you value.”

  “I know.” Tightening my grip on my camera, I pursed my lips tightly as we came to a halt. Turning to face me, Erich only bowed slightly before walking off to his table close to the couple, and I slowly shook my head of our unexpected conversation.

  Chapter Four

  Erich

  “Amelia- do you have a moment to talk?” Catching Amelia in the parking lot near her van, I pushed past the apprehension that tainted each breath I took. Her body moved slowly, languidly, to spin, and I almost regretted stopping her. “Would it be appropriate to ask for your business card? I’m not getting married, of course- but, I was hoping you might document my vacation to America.”

  Liar. Amelia’s exhaustion was obvious as surprise flittered blatantly across her face, and she balanced precariously on high heels to face me fully. Her mahogany curls drooped over slender shoulders, framing a long face as it twisted in thoughtfulness, and my chest tightened with each beat of my heart.

  “Sure… I can’t promise anything, though. I usually need advanced notice.” Gesturing me to follow her, Amelia didn’t sound as tired as she looked, and relief surged through the gaps between my ribs. “Did you have any specific events planned or anything, or just, kind of, winging it?”

  “I won’t be doing anything of worth for a few weeks- I am meeting with American officials and such… I’m not looking forward to it.” Frowning lightly, I reached to run my hand through my hair as agitation and dismay raced through my veins. I hadn’t even met with anyone yet, but I couldn’t escape the anxiety of it. Rounding the back end of her van, Amelia barked out a laugh that was as much humor as it was sympathy, and she cast me a long look over her frail shoulder.

  “I’m American and I don’t even like my officials. A few weeks should be fine- I do three weddings a week in the Spring and Summer, but I don’t typically work Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. You’re staying for three months, you said, right?” Nodding at her probe, I glanced around absently as Amelia pulled open the passenger side door. Security kept masses of paparazzi at bay, all clamoring for information or even the blurriest of photo. They didn’t know that Jason and Kristen had snuck out right after the speeches to go to their favorite fast food place.

  That was hours ago, now, and I couldn’t help but smirk before Amelia caught my attention once again. Her long, thin fingers outstretched, balancing a thick, crisp card with her company logo across the front, and my smile widened as I took it.

  Of all the people here, she was the most interesting one. She didn’t regale me with stories of her success, but let her abilities speak for themselves. Much unlike those two women that cornered me at the bar.

  “Well, you’re free to call me once you’re done doing your obscenely boring, princely duties, da?” My brows shot up at that, and Amelia smiled slickly as I opened my mouth without thought.

  “Du sprichst Deutsch?” Pleased surprise laced my voice, and I leaned back as Amelia shrugged in a futile attempt to be coy. “Why did you not mention you can speak German? No one else here can.”

  “My step-dad is from Germany, and he taught me. I never use it around anyone but him, though.” Storing away this little tidbit of information, my smile widened at the pink that tinged Amelia’s cheeks. Glancing down at my watch, though, my smile turned sour as the late hour blared in analog. Flickering between the park around us and my watch, I almost found myself believing that the device was broken.

  “I’m sorry- I’m not used to it being so bright at 8 o’clock at night… so, ich rufe dich an, wenn ich fertig bin“. My chest tightened when Amelia nodded, and elation swamped my veins when I wasn’t met with a dumb, lost stare.

  “Yeah, when you’re done. Talk to you then, Erich.” Determination raged through my chest even as I walked away towards my waiting car in the guest section of the lot. Amelia’s gaze bored holes into the back of my tuxedo, but I ignored her intense stare to focus on the events that had brought me to America in the first place.

  Jason’s face flashed in my mind’s eye, and my smile dropped completely while I strode in the general direction I wanted to go. He was my half, second cousin three times removed or something, but that wasn’t so much the problem as he was illegitimate. His mother, my father’s great aunt’s third daughter’s daughter- or something- had fled to America to be with a reporter that had visited our country.

  Somehow, Jason was related to me, but most people only knew us as friends. He’d lived in Kastav for three years, in the capitol- not the castle- and we had a good relationship.

  Even so, guilt clawed at my throat as I came up on my car. The door swung open under trained hands, and I climbed into the back seat without bothering to acknowledge the driver. Leaning back, I spread my legs wide to rid myself of the discomfort of my tuxedo, and my eyelids closed without any direction from my distracted mind.

  I’d only agreed to come to this wedding to escape Kastav, even though it wasn’t for too long. Kristen wasn’t a very becoming woman, and I didn’t care much for her or her attitude. My opinion was firm in that Jason was making a mistake, but I’d never done much to act on it. After all, I refused to get married; I wouldn’t become one of those men that only discovered their woman’s true, wretched intentions after the fact.

  Kastav was tiny- smaller even than Denmark- and the only thing we were good for was alcohol. Wedged between Germany and France, I was part of a brewing tradition that had almost been lost during the World Wars and forgotten by the modern age. Consisting of only 3 million people, my country was on the verge of not even being able to be just that- a country.

  Just once in my life, I wanted to visit a country where one city’s population dwarfed my entire claim. As a member of the Royal house, leaving Kastav was so difficult that my father had never tried, and his father before that had never tried. I’d spent months convincing my uncle that I’d probably never take the throne anyway, so there wasn’t a problem.

  And it was all worth it the moment I saw Amelia staring at me. Every cell in my body told me she was the one, and I’d ju
mped at the chance to forsake my current company. No- this wasn’t love at first sight despite how beautiful she was, but I recognized her as freedom. She would be my Freddie Mercury.

  “How was the wedding?” The question from the front seat, spoken in German, pulled me violently from my thoughts, and I frowned deeply as I caught the driver’s gaze in the rearview mirror.

  “It was fine.” Short, curt, my words bounced around the cabin of the car, and I turned to look out the tinted windows. At some point in my reverie, we’d emerged from the suburbs to speed down the highway, and I leaned in close to take in the cityscape. Kastav didn’t have skyscrapers or highways; our biggest buildings were barrel warehouses and the castle.

  I only have three months to explore it all. My abdomen clenched at that thought, and I frowned at my reflection. Technically, I only had two months to explore American culture; my uncle’s stipulation to this trip was to reaffirm our ties with America. We imported millions of euros worth of beer and whiskey to and through these ports, after all.

  Two months wasn’t a lot of time.

  Flipping Amelia’s business card between my fingers, I couldn’t help but wonder what she was like when she wasn’t working. Did she photograph as a hobby? Was her step-father supportive of her business venture? Behind the abyss stretching across my vision, my little cousin’s image blossomed sharply. She’d wanted to open a little, pretend lemonade stand in the castle, but her father, the current King, had told her she’d never be worth anything if she did little.

  Granted, such a way of thinking might not have been all that great, but at least he wasn’t telling her she’d never be worth anything no matter what she did. Inhaling deeply through flared nostrils, I held my breath and hoped the pressure would redirect my thoughts. My family was suffocating, controlling, and I wouldn’t go back if I had a choice.