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necessary.”
    How he wished that were true.
    “As I mentioned before, Samson has become attached to Katrina. My suggestion is she accompany you back to Kardana and stay until Tessa is ready to resume her duties or you find a replacement.”
    “Oh no.” Horrified at the idea, he summoned a polite smile. “I could not steal off with a member of the royal family. Katrina told me of her mother’s relationship to the Prince.”
    “Really?” Bernadette’s fine brown eyebrows lifted in astonishment. “How interesting. Katrina rarely reveals her connection to Jean Claude.” She tapped a finger on the table as she eyed him thoughtfully. “You must have asked her.”
    “I did. Why does she keep it to herself? Is it a secret?”
    “Heavens no.” Diamonds flashed as the Princess waved a careless hand. “Jean Claude is very fond of his goddaughter. Katrina, dear child, does not care to take advantage of the relationship.”
    “Goddaughter.” Just shoot him and put him out of his misery. Katrina conveniently left that little tidbit out when she garnered his promise to forget his slip in protocol last night.
    “Yes. Jean Claude went to school with Dom Vicente. They are the best of friends. Katrina has been tripping around the palace since she was tiny.”
    “Vicente.” Of course he recognized the name. He should have caught it last night, but the royal name distracted him. “We’ve met several times. I’m surprised I haven’t heard of the relationship.”
    “That is at Katrina’s request.” Concern darkened her features. “She prefers not to draw the attention of the press.”
    A confession trembled on the tip of his tongue. Only the fact he’d given his word kept him from disclosing his actions.
    Well, that and the fact the moment seemed too intimate to share. The few hours holding her were the only solid sleep he’d had in two days. Waking to her mouth on his, her taste and scent surrounding him, drew him into the passionate interlude. Yet her reference to comfort resonated with him.
    He’d agreed to forget the incident because she’d been correct. Comfort had led to the embrace. He wouldn’t regret the rest, so how could he condemn them for the kisses?
    “She is wonderful with the children,” Bernadette continued. “We would have been happy to have her without a degree in child development, but she insisted on meeting all the qualifications and more. We often have her assigned to the twins. Of course it does not hurt that she is family and has a black belt in karate.”
    The more she extolled Katrina’s virtues, the more the muscles tightened across Julian’s shoulders.
    “You have made my case, dear Lady. I cannot take away such an important member of your household.”
    “Julian—” her eyes shadowed with sadness “—we insist. We want to help. This is one small thing we can do. How is your father?”
    He released a deep sigh. Giving his father news of the crash might be the hardest thing Julian had ever done. It was a well-kept secret the King had suffered a stroke a year ago. Mild as the stroke was, it had been a slow road to recovery, with both Donal and Julian taking on more and more of the royal duties as their father tired easily.
    His father shrank before his eyes when he learned Donal and Helene were missing and presumed dead. His first thought had been of Samson. He had urged Julian to journey immediately to Pasadonia and return his heir to Kardana.
    “I will not lie.” Though he must be ever cognizant of keeping up appearances, “It was a blow. As you can imagine, he is anxious to see Samson.”
    “Yes, of course. How is Samson? I have not heard of any complications from his bump on the head.”
    He imagined not much happened in the palace she didn’t know about.
    “Both he and Mademoiselle Vicente were fine when I checked on them around three. Grumpy but fine.”
    Another tinkle of laughter sounded. “For certain it is no fun to be awoken in the middle of the night. Poor