Read Captured and Crowned for Free Online

The cypress floors soon gave way to the thickest Kirman carpet. Chandeliers of glittering crystal hung suspended from twenty-foot-high domes.
    Gold ornaments, embellishments and wall escutcheons gleamed a rich rosy hue. But for all its grandeur there was no warmth here.
    She remembered that about the palace right away, and wondered if the young princes had ever played here. Had their laughter echoed through the vast chambers? Had they even laughed as children?
    Looking at the tall, solemn man walking beside her, she couldn’t imagine it. The only time that she recalled any levity here was on the one occasion when she’d met the youngest son, Prince Mikhael.
    There certainly hadn’t been any humor on her last journey here, when she’d met Kristo. No, only raging passion followed by towering anger when she came to dinner that night and realized the stranger’s identity.
    At that pregnant moment she’d been sure that he would tell Gregor and her father what they’d done on that beach. She’d almost hoped that he would, for that would surely have broken the betrothal agreement.
    She would have been free of this obligation she’d never wanted. But Kristo had never said a word. Neither had she, for she had feared what her father would do to her and her sister if she messed up the opportunity that would surely enrich his life.
    Then too she didn’t want to follow in her mother’s footsteps and be the daughter of scandal. That had only made her last trip more fraught with anxiety.
    She’d expected Kristo would tell his brother in private. So why hadn’t he? Why had he held their tryst in secret?
    Those questions needled her now as he escorted her for what seemed like miles through the palace. Finally Kristo threw open double doors and motioned her inside a room. She stepped into a large suite that was thankfully modern—with the exception of its high ceilings and grand size.
    The moment he closed the door and secured their privacy she was very much aware of him as a man. If only he’d smile. If only he’d show more than a glimpse of the man she’d met that day.
    Her gaze flicked from his tense expression to the room. The sumptuous sofa and overstuffed chairs lost her interest as she focused on the wedding gown that had clearly been commissioned for her. It was glaringly white, and traditional in the extreme, laden with flounces and heavy beading.
    She hated it on first sight. “You can’t expect me to wear that hideous gown.”
    He said nothing for the longest time, but his brow furrowed the longer he stared at it. “It doesn’t look that bad to me.”
    â€œThen perhaps you should wear it.”
    His lips twitched in the barest of smiles. “I’ll stick with a tuxedo.”
    â€œI’d prefer that over this,” she said.
    â€œDon’t think you can sway me with this petulant display.”
    She heaved a sigh, fists bunched at her sides. “Please, let me sketch the gown I have in mind. You can judge for yourself which one I should wear.”
    He tipped his head back and stared at her. “You’re that sure of your ability to convince me?”
    â€œI’m positive that what I design will be far superior to this stark white monstrosity.”
    Kristo strode to the gown and fingered the stiff overskirt. “Very well. Make a list of what you need and I will see it is delivered today. But understand that the final decision on what you wear rests with me.”
    Arrogantly put, and surely not a surprise. The Stanrakis men were noted for their draconian ways.
    She walked straight away to the desk, and found paper and a pen. In moments she’d listed the equipment needed: sewing machine, serger, various dressmaker supplies and a dress form.
    â€œI’ll need to choose the fabric myself,” she said, handing him the list and being careful not to touch him this time.
    He eyed her as he might a rare bug on the