Princess from the Shadows Maisey Yates Read online

  “And you gave me freedom. I’m not afraid of myself. Of passion. You accept me as who I am. And you’ve helped me do the same.”

  “That’s love, Carlotta,” he said, as though he was suddenly the expert. “Love has no conditions. No bounds. I didn’t realize that until I met you. Thank you,” he said, his voice rough. “Thank you for finding me. I was buried underneath a facade I hated. You found me.”

  Tears slid down her face, matching his. “I have loved every piece of you, Rodriguez. The man you showed the world, the father you are to our son, the man you are just for me. And I always will.”

  Rodriguez didn’t bother to fight the emotion that was rushing through him, emotion he had kept shut off for so long. Emotion unlocked by Carlotta. By her love.

  “I believe you.”

  “Good, because I’ll always tell you the truth,” she said.

  “I know.”

  “I love you. And I want to marry you. Not to atone for anything, but because with you I’m free. With you I finally know who I am.”

  “That’s good, Carlotta,” he said, taking her face in his hands, wiping her tears away. “Because you are exactly who I needed.”

  EPILOGUE

  “WE’RE outnumbered.” Rodriguez surveyed the lawn, crowded with toys and climbing structures, and children. Four of them, running everywhere.

  Luca was chasing the three smaller children and they were shrieking with glee.

  “Yes, we are,” Carlotta said, a smile lighting up her beautiful face. Seven years on and Rodriguez didn’t think he would ever get used to her beauty. He was struck by it every time he looked at her.

  Elizabetta, their youngest daughter, ran over to the slide and took two stuffed owls from the end.

  “Those owls have seen better days,” he said wryly.

  “It’s true, but they’ve been well loved by all.”

  Rodriguez turned to his wife, his heart, his soul. “Have I told you today that I love you?”

  Her lips curved up into a smile. “You told me pretty emphatically this morning right after you …”

  “I mean, have I told you since we got out of bed?”

  “Once at breakfast. Then again during lunch. I think again when you passed me in the hall.”

  “Then I should tell you again. I love you, Carlotta Anguiano.”

  “And I love you too, more today than yesterday.”

  Rodriguez pulled her close, holding her against his chest as they watched their children play. For a man who had worked so hard, for so long, chasing happiness, it was a wonderful thing to simply rest in it.

  All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.

  All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II B.V./S.à.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

  This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of the publisher in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  and are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries.

  First published in Great Britain 2012

  by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited,

  Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR

  PRINCESS FROM THE SHADOWS © Harlequin Books S.A. 2012

  Special thanks and acknowledgement are given to Maisey Yates for her contribution to The Santina Crown series.

  ISBN: 978-1-408-98197-9

  53-0712

  Harlequin (UK) policy is to use papers that are natural, renewable and recyclable products and made from wood grown in sustainable forests. The logging and manufacturing processes conform to the legal environmental regulations of the country of origin.

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN