We imagine the Mills & Boon version of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal romance — plus you can win a copy
Renowned Mills and Boon author Sharon Kendrick has written a special story just for Sun on Sunday readers about a British prince who meets and falls in love with an American actress
RENOWNED Mills & Boon writer Sharon Kendrick is a bestselling author famed for her sexy and romantic stories that have enthralled fans around the world.
And now Sharon has written a special story just for you about a British prince who meets and falls in love with an American actress.
She says: “I had such fun writing this romance for Sun on Sunday readers.
"Whose heart doesn’t beat faster at the thought of a handsome prince being swept away by the love of his life?”
“I’m surprised you came.” Brittany glanced up at the vaulted golden ceiling of the castle and tried to imagine growing up in a fancy place such as this. Or rather, a fancy palace such as this.
“I’m pretty surprised myself,” she admitted, her low voice sounding so different from the posh accent of the tall, handsome man standing in front of her.
“So why did you?” he demanded, and she could tell he was rattled.
She shrugged. “Curiosity, I guess.” “And that’s all?”
Tilting her head to one side, Brittany met the prince’s quizzical grey stare. She knew people sometimes said actresses were shallow but, at times like this, she thought they were lucky.
Because wasn’t it great to be able to hide your hurt and confusion behind a look of mocking enquiry? To pretend he’d asked her nothing more searching than whether she’d like some of the tea which the English seemed so obsessed with?
“What else would it be, Luke?” she queried. “You’ve never invited me to any of your family gatherings before.”
“Because the time was never right,” he spat out.
“It just seemed too good a chance to miss,” she continued. “The small-town American girl being invited to a royal christening by her ex-lover. What happened?
"Must be pretty big if you’re prepared to set people’s tongues wagging by having me here with you today. Did your latest blonde aristocratic girlfriend let you down at the last minute?”
“I don’t have a girlfriend,” he growled.
“But you did have,” Brittany said, her voice wobbling as 18 months of pain couldn’t be held back any longer. And she didn’t care whether or not it was the done thing to express it.
Her therapist had agreed it was a good thing for her to come here today. To tie up all the loose ends. To allow herself one final conversation with Prince Luke of Lewisham so she could move on with her life.
Or rather so that she could reclaim her life. To be known as the person she was rather than just as That American Actress Who Once Dated A British Prince.
“You know you did,” she persisted. “One of the newspapers even ran a feature on which of us would make the most suitable bride. As I recall she scored a perfect ten and I came in with just two — and one of those was because I was judged to have the best legs.”
Luke clenched his fists, his little gold signet ring pressing uncomfortably into his flesh. He wanted to be straight with her but he didn’t want to hurt her — and maybe those two things were incompatible.
Win this book
MILLS & Boon has produced a commemorative book to mark the Royal Wedding next month between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – and we are giving YOU the chance to win a copy.
A Bride for the Playboy Prince – written by Sharon Kendrick, Sandra Marton and Maisey Yates – contains three glamorous, passionate royal stories and the £5.99 limited-edition book goes on sale on May 3, exclusively at Asda.
For your chance to win a steamy slice of romance, email [email protected] with MILLS&BOON in the subject line, along with your name, address and contact number.
T&Cs: Promotion closes May 3, 2018, 6am. Open to residents of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland aged 18 or over only, except staff of the Promoter, its affiliated companies or promotional partners or their families. One entry per person. Winners will be selected at random from all correct entries. No cash alternative and prize is non-transferable. Your information will only be used to administer this promotion in accordance with our privacy policy. Promoter is News Group Newspapers Limited. Full T&Cs apply – see mcb777.site/Mills&Boon
Mostly though, he wanted her. He always had. His throat tightened as he let his gaze drift over her, wondering why he’d been so dumb as to let her get away.
Her hair was flame-bright and even wearing that cashmere coat, you could see how sinuous and slender her body was. He swallowed. And yes, she certainly had the best legs of any woman he’d ever known.
“I thought the pressure was getting to us. Undermining what we had,” he said stiltedly. “Especially after the publication of those photos.”
“Luke, I’m an actress,” she came back at him frustratedly. “You knew that from the get-go. I told you I’d done a lingerie shoot a while back — but I had no idea that someone was taking unauthorised photos while I was in the changing-room.
"Besides, that was a long time ago. I was just a kid. What’s the difference between that and some skimpy bikini on the beach? I mean, really?
Or was it the fact that I’ve had some sort of past, just like you? Was that what you really found so difficult to cope with?”
Luke, I’m an actress. You knew that from the get-go
Luke expelled a ragged sigh. He’d found the scrutiny which had accompanied his famous girlfriend intolerable. The hard-won peace he’d fought for following his own reckless youth had suddenly dissolved.
He’d felt confused. Like he didn’t know his place in the world any more.
He’d wanted them to share some kind of future, but had wondered if she could cope with the only life he could offer. He’d thought he was protecting her but maybe he’d just been protecting himself.
Because when you fell in love with a woman, you made yourself vulnerable, and he’d never been as vulnerable as he was around Brittany.
She’d demanded stuff of him. The kind of emotional stuff which had been ironed out of him for as long as he could remember.
For the first time in his life he’d been challenged by someone who had refused to back down in the face of his privileged position, and it had seemed easier to turn his back on it.
On her. But it hadn’t been easier. “Being without you has been the toughest thing I’ve ever done,” he said slowly. “Tougher than doing a whole day of walkabouts.”
Her gaze was very steady. “I’m sorry to hear that, Luke — but you’ll get over it.”
“I won’t get over it,” he said through gritted teeth. “And what’s more, I don’t intend to. I want you back, Brittany. I want you back for good.”
Briefly, Brittany closed her eyes, willing her composure not to desert her. Because hadn’t she dreamed of a scenario like this, no matter how hard she’d tried to fight it?
Those nights when she’d lain sleepless in her Hollywood condo, longing for her strong British prince to come sweep her off her feet and carry her away into a fairytale future.
But life wasn’t a fairytale.
“It won’t work, Luke,” she said huskily. “We fell at the first hurdle. The race is over. You know that.”
Luke could see determination tilting her chin with a defiance which had always turned him on. He thought about what he could say to convince her, but suddenly realised that no words could do his feelings justice. The language of the heart was much more powerful.
So was body language — and Brittany’s body was sending out a message which seemed to contradict everything she’d just said.
Why, I do believe you’re propositioning me, your Royal Highness
Her green eyes had grown smoky and her lips had softened with an expression he recognised all too well. And he would bet that if he pulled open her coat, then she . . .
He took a step towards her and she didn’t move. “I have something for you, Brittany,” he said softly.
He saw a moment of doubt darken her features before she fixed him with a teasing look. “Why, I do believe you’re propositioning me, your Royal Highness,” she drawled. “And now is not really the time or the place.”
“You got the first half of the sentence right,” he growled, pulling her into his arms and gazing at her for a long moment before starting to kiss her.
Brittany tried to tell herself there were probably servants listening at the door and meanwhile the cream of the Royal Family were gearing up for the baptism of its latest member — and that it really wasn’t appropriate for Luke to be kissing her with a hunger which made it feel like a re-run of their very first embrace.
But for how long could she resist, when she was only human? When she loved him like she’d never loved anybody before, not because he was a prince but because he was Luke and he got her. Just like she got him.
So she kissed him back and her neat little pillbox hat was skewed by the time they pulled away, breathing heavily and laughing all at the same time.
“Was that what you had for me?” she giggled, as she re-knotted the belt of her coat.
He shook his head. “Not exactly,” he murmured, as he dug his hand deep into his pocket. “Here, let me show you.”
It was several minutes before they were composed enough to enter the grand chapel, with Brittany’s high heels clicking over tiles splashed scarlet and blue from the stained glass windows.
She loved him like she’d never loved anybody before, not because he was a prince but because he was Luke and he got her
Everyone turned as they walked in and, to her surprise, she was greeted with nothing but smiles from the other royals.
The service passed in a dream, with Luke holding her hand and the new baby princess squalling as water was poured over her head.
And after the entire family emerged to face the press, Luke and Brittany hung out of sight until all the photos of the newborn had been taken for posterity.
Only then did he step forward, Brittany’s fingers still held tightly in his own as he saw the assembled photographers looking momentarily stunned.
He smiled with undeniable satisfaction. “Take off your glove, darling.”
And Luke watched (in what must surely have been the most erotic removal of a glove, in the history of the world) as Brittany slowly peeled the soft brown leather from her fingers, his heart swelling with love and pride as the diamond ring sparkled like raindrops in the bright sunshine.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, to a growing roar of approval from the press. “I’d like to introduce Brittany Temple — my beautiful bride-to-be.”
Win this book
MILLS & Boon has produced a commemorative book to mark the Royal Wedding next month between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – and we are giving YOU the chance to win a copy.
A Bride for the Playboy Prince – written by Sharon Kendrick, Sandra Marton and Maisey Yates – contains three glamorous, passionate royal stories and the £5.99 limited-edition book goes on sale on May 3, exclusively at Asda.
For your chance to win a steamy slice of romance, email [email protected] with MILLS&BOON in the subject line, along with your name, address and contact number.
T&Cs: Promotion closes May 3, 2018, 6am. Open to residents of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland aged 18 or over only, except staff of the Promoter, its affiliated companies or promotional partners or their families. One entry per person. Winners will be selected at random from all correct entries. No cash alternative and prize is non-transferable. Your information will only be used to administer this promotion in accordance with our privacy policy. Promoter is News Group Newspapers Limited. Full T&Cs apply – see mcb777.site/Mills&Boon.