Marcello & Grace (Royals of Valleria 2) EBOOK

A widow with a tragic past, who never thought she’d love again.
Widowed one year after a disastrous marriage, English Lady Grace still carries the visible and hidden scars of her past, yet she’s finally ready for a visit from one of her oldest friends, Valleria’s Princess Catharine. What she didn’t expect was a visit from her brother, Prince Marcello. When she begins to feel the first stirrings of love within her, can she overcome the horrors of her past to make a future with him?

A prince protecting his country, torn from the woman he loves for a dangerous mission.
Prince Marcello, head of Valleria’s national security and defense, is still dealing with the fallout from security breaches under his watch. After long days and nights of political maneuvering in London to reclaim Valleria’s and his reputation, he takes a needed break by joining his sister on a visit to her friend, Lady Grace. What he thought would be a relaxing week becomes anything but when he begins to fall in love with her.

In the midst of blooming love, Marcello is asked to lead a secret, dangerous mission to thwart an international threat. Marcello knows he must go, both for his country’s honor and for his own. Will he survive? And, if he does, will Grace be waiting for him upon his return?

This novel features a widow and the badass prince who loves her, a royal family that loves one another (even while they annoy each other), and a look behind fictional palace walls.

While the driver went to get the luggage—only one small bag as Marcello always traveled light—Marcello ran to the door and
started knocking. When no answer came, and with no awning to protect him from the deluge, Marcello simply tried the door handle. To his astonishment, it worked.

Who would leave their front
doors unlocked in this day and age? he wondered, as the door creaked open. When he saw a figure on the dark staircase in front of him, he halted in the doorway and his body tensed as it always did when presented with the unknown. When the figure stepped into the dim light of the foyer, his breath caught as thunder and lightning crashed behind him.

She was beautiful, absolutely
beautiful, and terribly fragile as she clutched her full-length robe at the base of her long, slim throat. Marcello had a desperate urge to kiss her there.

Her long, golden hair was wound in a braid that hung over one shoulder, and a pair of reading glasses were pinned to her like a headband. Her crisp, blue eyes were wide and her full, pink lips were parted in a gasp.

A photograph had not done her justice.

“Lady Grace Raynott-Nithercott?” Marcello asked, his voice husky and unused.

“Ye-Yes,” she stuttered after a few moments. “Prince Marcello?”

“Please,” he said as he ambled inside and stretched out a hand in greeting. “Just call me ‘Marcello’.” When her soft, warm hand was placed in his, he lifted it and brushed his lips against it. When she shuddered, he cursed inwardly.

“I do apologize,” he said as he let go of her hand. “I’ve just arrived dripping wet and now I’m passing the chill of the night along to you as well. Is there another entrance we should use?”

“No,” she said with furrowed brows. “No, don’t be silly. Please come inside. There’s a fire lit in the parlor. Or would you rather just go to your room?”

Her hand let go of its fierce grip on her robe, revealing a patch of pale, creamy skin. He could just make out the gentle curve of her collarbone. “Is Catharine still awake?”

“I’m not sure. She went to her room, but I don’t know if she managed to stay awake.”

Marcello smiled. “Knowing my sister as I do, she’s probably asleep.”

Grace smiled softly and Marcello felt his stomach give a little flip. “I’d have to agree with you there, but I can ask a maid to confirm,” she said.

He didn’t want to call it a night quite yet, not when there was a chance to spend some time alone with her. “Then why don’t I wait in the parlor while you do?”

“Of course. May I get you anything? Something warm to drink, perhaps?”

“That would be great, if you’ll join me.

“Join you?”

He bit back a smile at the flummoxed look on her face. “Yes, if you don’t mind giving me a little company before I turn in.”

“Oh, I, well, of course not. What would you like to drink?”

“Surprise me.”

“Surprise you?”

“Yes, with anything you like.”

As a butler strode up, she said, “All right. I’ll just be a few minutes.” She began to give instructions to the butler and Marcello’s driver before she started walking away, and he had a very enjoyable view of slim hips shifting slightly under her robe. Yes, photographs did not do that woman justice.

• Discussion of past physical, sexual, mental, and emotional abuse
• Threat of physical assault in the 'present'
• All of Marianne Knightly's books feature sexy scenes and swearing

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