Author Note: The country of Glendova is fictional.

Teenage Dream

"Riley, come on say yes. You would be the perfect nanny for my niece this summer." Duke Glen smiled at her as they walked around the college campus. He was tall, at least six foot two, muscular, always dressed well; his hair the color of honey and his eyes a crisp gray. His accent European, it wasn't exactly English or French, and it wasn't Italian or Spanish either, it was somewhere in between them all.

She sighed, "Okay, so say I took this job. I would have to spend three months where?"

"In Glendova, it's a very small country, ruled by a devilishly handsome prince." Duke nudged her, "The way would be enough that you wouldn't have to worry about the cost for grad school, ever."

Riley stopped in her tracks, "That much, for only three months of watching one child?"

He nodded as they stopped in front of the library, "My brother loves Carmella, unfortunately his job eats up the majority of his time and her mother is no longer with us. She spends the school year in a boarding school getting the best education, but during the summer Larry likes to have her around, it's really the only time he gets to see her."

Riley sat on the steps, mulling over the offer, Duke had become one of her dearest friends during college and if she even got paid half of what he was say the offer was it would be a game changer. It would be better than more student loans and working at the bakery and a possible second job while juggling school. "Why are you trying to find a nanny, why doesn't he already have one lined up?"

Duke flashed his sparkling smile, "My dear Riley, everyone that Larry picks are nothing but a bunch of old biddies, Carmella needs someone young, lively, someone who will help her find adventure. I think my niece needs someone like you."

"Really?" she knew that he'd said all the right things, "What about work visas and stuff like that? Would that be difficult to obtain?"

"Not at all my dear, I will take care of it all." He sat next to her, "So are you saying you'll do it?"

"You can really get me paid enough that I can afford grad school free and clear?"

"Yes, I promise you Riley. You will be more than well compensated for your time."

She felt an ache in her heart, Lucas would be home soon. That was the plan anyways, he would be back from Texas and they were going to be together again. She twisted the promise ring she wore on her right hand, it was simple gold band with a love knot, but it meant oh so much. If she took this job, it would just be another three months they were apart, another twelve weeks, and then she'd be back, and she would be his. "I'll do it."

"Wonderful, you are going to love spending the summer in Glendova, we're known for our cherries." He hugged her, "I'll call Larry right away and tell him the good news. Make sure you've got your passport, we'll leave the day after graduation."

"You're doing what for the summer?" a chorus of voices hit her all at once as she looked around the dinner table; her father, mother, Uncle Josh, Auggie; even Maya had all been in unions. It was pretty creepy.

She took a deep breath, she'd been preparing for this moment all afternoon, "I'm going to be a nanny for Duke's niece Carmella. He's offered me a substantial salary that I can't turn down. It'll come in handy for when I start grad school, or as a nest egg for when Lucas and I eventually get married."

"But Lucas is going to be home soon." Maya reminded her, why on earth was she going to some country none of them were even sure existed.

Riley placed her hands on the table her eyes landing on Lucas' ring, "I know he'll be home soon, but this is for us, for him and for me, for our future."

"Honey, we're just worried this is out of the blue." Topanga tried to calm the situation down, but she wasn't sure she'd had that power with her daughter in years.

"I know, but the offer is too good to pass up." She was shaking a bit as she looked at her family, "Thank about it, grad school without student loans, I'm trying to do what's best for Lucas and my future."

"Have you told him yet?" Auggie looked to his big sister, he knew she hadn't.

"I'm telling him tonight when we skype." She looked at her family, "Lucas has put aside every penny he's won on the rodeo circuit for our future, I want to be able to add to that. Besides, he said he might try a few more bull rides before coming back now he can do it without worrying that I'm sitting at my window worried and waiting. I'll still worry, I always do, but I trust his decisions and I know he'll trust mine."

Her family was quiet as she rose from the table and retreated to her room. She looked at her laptop, he wasn't online yet, and probably wouldn't be for another hour at least. All she could do now was sit and wait, pray he didn't get upset, that he would understand why she accepted this random job. It was for them, for their future, the one they'd been holding onto for the past four years apart, they could hold on for another twelve weeks."

Her heart leapt when she saw his name popup and she immediately called him. "Hi"

"Hi."

"Hey." She smiled at his image on the screen, "I um, I miss you."

He hated video chats, he always knew when Riley was near tears, "I miss you to, but a few more weeks and I'll be back in New York."

Riley looked down at her keyboard, "Um, Lucas, today I got offered a job for the summer. It's going to take me out of the country, but the pay is good, it's great, it's amazing actually. I would be a fool to turn it down."

Lucas stiffened, "How long will you be gone for?"

"Twelve weeks, it means you can do more bull rides before coming home if you want." She was trying to find a silver lining, but she wasn't sure if that really was one.

"That would be nice, but I already found a job in the city for the summer."

"Oh, I'm sorry Lucas" she sighed, running her hand through her hair, "We could use this money Lucas, it would do us a world of good. It's going to be enough that one of us could continue our education without worrying about money."

She watched him rub his scruffy beard as he thought about what she said, "How did you get this job offer?"

"Duke Glen, you remember you met him. He's from Europe, and his brother needs a nanny for his daughter. Duke thinks I could do something special for this girl, he offered me a lot of money Lucas. I mean worse thing that happens I screw it up and I'm back in New York after a week and working at the bakery. But if I don't screw up, we'll have a nest egg to build our future on."

Lucas was quiet, letting her words sink in. He had met Duke, he seemed nice enough. Maya never complained about him, neither did Zay, Farkle or Josh. "You'll still call me every day?"

"Of course I will." She smiled to him, reaching out to the screen, wishing she could touch him. "The twelve weeks will fly by they'll be over before you know it."

He didn't want her to go, but he understood why she felt the need, the desire, "You're right, it just means you get twelve more letters."

"I can't wait to finally read these letters." She blew him a kiss, "I love you Lucas."

"I love you Riley." He studied her, a knot forming in his stomach and he wasn't sure why, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

The video call ended and Riley felt much better, she knew Lucas would understand she knew he didn't like it but he understood he was supporting her, the way she had supported him all this time.

Maya had never had a problem with Duke Glen, hell she'd made out with him a few times early on in college before she got into a relationship, and she might have made out with him a few times since Dave left her. He was always good for a nice dark corner of the bar. She always suspected he had a crush on Riley, but then again most guys did and Riley of course never noticed. Her heart had only ever belonged to Lucas Friar, and it always would. The ring she wore on her right hand was that symbol.

When Riley had announced she would be spending the summer as a nanny for Duke's niece Maya immediately began to worry. Everyone knew what was planned to happen when Lucas got back. Hell everyone expected that the minute he saw Riley again he would drop down on one knee and propose if he had a ring or not.

The only real problem was that while Lucas and Riley were planning a future together, she was expecting a proposal they weren't actually boyfriend and girlfriend right now. They had agreed to some stupid deal that until they were both back in New York, they weren't officially together. They were allowed to see other people, but as far as Maya knew, neither did.

"Hey Riles?" Maya was sitting in the bay window, they had graduated from college earlier in the evening and right now Riley was packing for her time abroad. Was it abroad if it was a country almost no one had even heard about?

"Yeah Maya" Riley looked up from her packing, she was trying to make sure she had her bases covered, the only thing Duke had really told her was that his brother had a strict dress code that the nanny must wear skirts or dresses unless doing activities outside. Riley had plenty of dresses and skirts, but she hoped they were appropriate, she held one up, it was simple purple number that when just below her knee. Yes this would work.

"Are you nervous to see Lucas again when you get back?" She'd been thinking about this for a while. While she understood that Riley loved Lucas with all her heat, wanted a future with him, that future actually happening had to be terrifying.

Riley stopped folding the shirt in her hands, "Not really, every time Lucas and I have gotten to spend together since high school, we just fall right back into place. I take one look into his eyes and I feel like I'm home again, even if he's the one who's come back, why?"

"I was just wondering, because when he comes back, the two of you will be back together, right?"

"That's the plan." Riley gave her best friend a smile, "Lucas and I talk every day we've been very clear about what we want, what we expect."

Maya felt better hearing the tone in her friends voice, "God, so you'll still talk every day from what is this place; Glendova?"

"Yeah, Glendova, it's small, Duke said it's a principality." Riley shrugged as she continued packing.

"You know Duke has a crush on you, right?"

"And I told him years ago he would only ever be my friend, because my heart was stolen on the subway in the seventh grade."

"Good very good" Maya felt a lot better now, "So what do you even know about the niece?"

"Her name is Carmella, she's I think about ten, already gets sent to boarding school during the year because the father is so busy, and the mother is gone." Riley sighed, "Duke said she usually has old lady nannies, and he thought maybe this year she could use someone a bit younger, more adventurous he thinks that's me."

Maya moved to her best friend, "Just remember at the end of the summer you're coming home to your very own bull riding rodeo star, and the two of you are going to get your happily ever after."

Riley could feel herself light up at the thought, "Riley Matthews-Friar, Riley Friar, Riley Friar-Matthews, I kind of like Riley Friar the best, don't you?"

"I mean I'm partial to Riley Matthews, but I think I could let her go in for a tune up and come out a Friar, if that's what she really wants."

"It is Maya and it's what will happen." Riley looked at the ring on her right hand, smiling before bringing it over her heart with a relaxed sigh.

"Why do you wear that on your right hand and not your left?" Maya had been curious about it for years but never really thought to ask until now.

Riley let herself get lost in a daydream for a moment, "When Lucas and I lay next to each other he always takes my right hand and places it over his heart."

"God you two are disgusting." Maya rolled her eyes before going back to sit at the bay window.

"What you, how's the love life of Maya Hart?"

She shrugged, "Let's see Farkle gets Monday and Wednesday nights, Zay gets Tuesday and Thursday nights, while Josh gets Friday and Saturday, I of course spend Sunday alone because of God."

"Maya Hart" Riley threw a pillow at her, "No really what's going on?"

"Nothing at all, I haven't dated anyone since Dave broke up with me. The closest is a couple of make out sessions with Duke out at the club."

Riley nodded, knowing the break up with Dave had hit Maya hard, especially since she thought they were moving forward maybe not to a diamond ring, but to living together after graduation. "You know Uncle Josh is single, but so is Zay, and last I checked our ex-husband Farkle was unattached since Smackle decided that love would only interfere with her research."

"Okay, first of all your Uncle has had plenty of chances to make a move and hasn't. Maybe three years is still an issue for him."

"Or maybe he doesn't know you're interested since you we were Dave for so long."

"And Zay, I think that ship sailed a long time ago, remember I picked Dave over him."

Riley cringed, "Yeah I had forgotten all about that, well then Farkle?"

"He's Farkle, he loves us both the same and we could never ask him to pick one of us over the other."

Riley sat next to Maya taking her hand in hers, "If you find yourself wanting him to love you more, you have my blessing."

Maya nodded, she hadn't really thought of Farkle as an option romantically, she hadn't really thought of anyone. Not when she could still see Dave walking away from her, leaving her standing in the rain on the steps of her building.

"Duke," Riley stared at the private jet on the tarmac as Duke walked beside her, "we're taking a private plane?"

"Yes of course we are" he shrugged as though it were the most normal thing in the world.

She looked at the logo on the back of the plane, "What company is that?"

"Riley, it's not a company, that's the flag of Glendova."

"The flag?" suddenly Riley thought maybe there was more to Duke's past than she realizes. "Duke, what does your family do?"

He took her hand, leading her up the plane steps, "Riley, you might wish to sit for this."

Her eyes were as wide as saucers as she entered the plane, she'd never seen anything so elegant, elaborate, she'd only been on a few flights in her life, mostly to Texas, never on a private jet. She sat in the seat, plush leather cushions around her as Duke sat across from her.

"Riley, you're a bit stunned right now." He watched as she nodded, "Well I guess I kind of maybe, might have left something out all these years of friendship."

"Like what?"

"Your Highness, could we get you anything to drink?" The flight attendant came towards the duo.

Duke smiled to the woman, "Two mimosas please."

She gave him a nod before leaving.

"Your Highness?" Riley was going to be sick.

"I'm a Prince, my brother is the Crowned Prince of Glendova you will be the nanny for his daughter the Princess."

"Prince Duke?" She stared at him confused.

He smiled "Actually Prince Edward Joseph Francis of Glendova."

"Prince. Edward. Josef. Francis. Of Glendova?" Riley nodded with each name her jaw dropped. "Why did you want us to call you Duke?"

"When I marry, I will no longer have the title of Prince, I will then be Duke Edward Josef Francis of Glendova."

The flight attendance returned with the two drinks. Duke took one for himself and handed the other to Riley.

"Thank you." She gave him a smile before she downed the drink.

"We'll need two more Agnes, thank you."

"I'm a little overwhelmed." Riley confessed as she held the empty champagne flute.

"I should've told you sooner." Duke confessed, "When I started at NYU, I wanted to be as under the radar as possible. I knew if people found out my title, my family, it would be a media circus. I wasn't even sure I would make many friends, and then I met you, and Maya, Zay, Farkle. It was easier that you never knew because the media would focus on all of you as well."

Riley nodded as she listened, "You could've told us."

"It wasn't really that important."

"So wait, what are you going to do now?"

Duke leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, "I'll start to take on my royal duties when we arrive. Another reason I wanted you around this summer if I'm honest. Laurence might be a bit hard on me I want to know that Carmella has someone like you in her life."

Riley leaned back, "I'm just shocked. I never would've guessed, I mean I've watched you play beer pong, streak, I've seen you make out with my best friend."

"Did you like what you saw?" He wiggled his eyebrows and she swatted at him, "I know, I know you're heart belongs to the bull rider."

"He's going to be a Veterinarian." Riley reminded him, "So um, is there a protocol I have to follow. I mean you're the only royal I've ever been around and I'm guessing the way we've interacted isn't exactly the way the palace is run?"

Agnes returned with two more Mimosa's and Duke took Riley's empty glass and replaced it with a new drink and then did the same with his. "I've prepared a packet for you to read during our flight. I'm going to be here for any questions. Riley you will do fine, I promise."

She sighed, "I'm really glad that you have faith in me Duke, wait should I still call you Duke?"

"You should always call me Duke, besides I hate being called Prince Edward." He rolled his eyes, "My brother has always embraced this better, which is good since he was next in line."

Prince Laurence Phillipe Charles of Glendova looked out at the grounds of his palace. His younger brother would arrive soon with the nanny he insisted would be best for his daughter Carmella this summer. Not willing to fight with the younger man he gave in, besides if she didn't work out he could always ship her back to that God awful New York City and pretend that she never set foot on the grounds.

Laurence was just over six feet tall, with broad shoulders, perfect posture, dark chocolate hair, and crisp blue eyes the color of a clear sky. He was dressed as he usually was in a navy blue suit, no tie since he wasn't stuffy, just aware of his position. He looked around, seeing his daughter Carmella, with her chocolate hair in a tight French braid; she wore a pale yellow blouse and a pair of blue jeans he had long ago realized that if she didn't have to wear a dress or skirt she wasn't going to. She was a tomboy, which while it made it easier for him to connect with, made it far more difficult for him to get her to understand her place as a Princess.

"Your Highness, Prince Edward and Miss Matthews will be here in a few minutes." His head butler informed him from the door.

"Thank you Jasper," He looked back out to his daughter, "Carmella, it's time to greet your Uncle and meet your new nanny."

Carmella started to run towards the stone steps, her Uncle Duke had promised he would get her a fun nanny this summer, and she really hoped he came through. She wasn't sure she could spend another summer studying boring subjects with old ladies that if she were honest smelled like dusty mints all the time.

He took his daughters hand as they walked through the palace, arriving outside just as the car was pulling up. He saw Carmella stand as straight as possible, trying to keep her composure. He watched as his younger brother got out of the car first, and then he got lost as he watched the long legs slip out, attached to an attractive slim brunette.

This was not what Laurence had been expecting.

No he thought his brother would bring home a bubbly blonde who would overwhelm him with her cheerfulness. Instead he'd returned with a beauty that took his breath away. Her nervous smile made him feel human, like the young school boy he never really got to be, her eyes had a kindness as she thanked his brother, and then they grew darker like the finest Swiss chocolate.

"Riley Matthews, I would like to introduce you to my much older brother; Prince Laurence and his adorable daughter, Princess Carmella." Duke took her hand as they walked up the steps.

"It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness." She curtsied the way Duke had showed her during the flight, her stomach in knots as she looked up at the older man finding his blue eyes mesmerizing in a way she'd only believed green ones could be.

Laurence looked to his younger brother, "You've gotten her all nervous, haven't you?"

"Please, you do not have to curtsy, Miss. Matthews."

"Riley, please if you will Sir." She could feel herself on the brink of babbling and she tried to hold back, still unable to believe this was real.

Laurence smiled, "Riley, you may call me Laurence, and this is Carmella."

Riley looked to the young girl, "Hello Carmella, I hope that we can have a lot of fun this summer getting to know each other."

Carmella studied this woman, it was obvious her Uncle fancied her, and perhaps even her father. "We're not going to spend it all inside reading old books are we?"

Riley smile, "Well, we will do some reading I think, but I was thinking we could explore outside, I bet you know all the best secret places here at the palace. Maybe you'd be willing to show me some."

"Maybe, we'll see." Carmella looked to her father who hadn't taken his eyes off her new nanny.

"Riley, could you please tell me what you majored in at NYU." Laurence watched as she looked back to him, giving him a soft smile.

"Well Laurence, I majored in Elementary Education with a minor in Chemistry." She looked to Duke who gave her an approving nod.

Laurence smiled, "Wonderful, Jasper will show you to your room and provide you with a schedule and I'm sure that Edward will have no problem showing you around once you get settled."

"Thank you that would be delightful." Riley was thankful she hadn't fallen over, sure that her klutzy ways would come back to her now that she was surrounded by royalty.

Duke smiled, "I'll be by in a little while." He leaned in closer to whisper in her ear, "You're doing wonderfully, I promise."

Riley felt a little bit better as she picked up her carry-on bag and followed the butler who had her larger suitcase. She tried to pay attention to which direction she was going but she was already lost in the long hallways filled with oil portraits. She still couldn't believe this was really happening.

"You'll be in here Miss. Matthews," Jasper led her into a room, the walls a dusty pink, the bedding matched. He placed the suitcase on a stand and went to open an armoire, "Clothing may go in here. Over here you'll find a television, Blu-ray player and a collection of movies. Internet access is over here; all passwords you'll need are here." He held up a good sized binder, "It also has the daily schedules."

"Thank you very much."

"Will you take your meals in your room, or down in the kitchen with the rest of the staff?"

"I would very much like to eat with the rest of the staff if that's okay." She looked around trying to take it all in.

"Dinner will be at eight. His Highness usually eats around six-thirty with Princess Carmella that should give you enough time to get her settled for the evening."

"Wonderful." Riley nodded, "Thank you again."

Jasper gave her a nod before leaving.

Riley collapsed on the bed, realizing just now how high the ceiling was. Her heart was racing and her mind was trying to keep up. Here she was in a palace, in charge of a young girl for the summer. She wasn't sure she could do this, maybe she should thank Duke for the offer and catch the next flight she could back to the US, was it even possible to catch a flight here?

"Knock-knock" Duke stuck his head in the door, "Carmella decided to join us for the tour, if you're up for it right now."

Riley breathed a sigh of relief at least Duke was here to keep her grounded, well at least for now. "That would be wonderful."

He smiled, "Riley, you really don't have to try and be so formal."

"Am I doing that?"

"You are." Carmella stuck her head out from behind her Uncle, "You really went to school with Uncle Duke?"

"I did, all four years of college." Riley studied the young girl, "So, what are you into, what do you want to learn about this summer?"

Carmella looked up to her Uncle, none of the past nannies had asked what she was interested in. "All kinds of things, I've never actually been asked this before."

"Well, think of a few things and in the morning we can get started on some. I want us to have fun, I would hate to be stuck inside when you have all these beautiful spaces outside to explore." Riley gave the young girl a comforting smile, "So shall we start this tour, I'm sure I'll still get lost a few times."

"Come on ladies," Duke took each of their hands as he started to guide Riley through the palace. He showed her where the kitchen was, Carmella's suite, his suite, they showed her the ballroom, the grand dining room, the cherry orchard, and out to the grounds towards the stable.

"Do you ride Riley?" Carmella really hoped so.

"I've done a little bit of riding, out in Texas on a ranch."

Duke sighed, of course, Texas.

"Are you from Texas?" Carmella only knew what she did of the US from the few movies she'd seen and television shows.

Riley shook her head, "No, I'm from New York City, I do however have a very good friend who grew up in Texas and then went back for college. His Grandfather has a ranch, which I've been lucky enough to visit several times and learned to ride."

"That is amazing, is your friend a cowboy?"

"Actually, kind of yeah" Riley's smile grew as she thought of Lucas he was a cowboy and a rodeo star.

"Uncle Duke, do you know Riley's cowboy friend?"

Duke nodded, "I had the pleasure of meeting Lucas several times."

"So we can go riding then? None of my other nannies every wanted to go riding." Carmella was getting excited; maybe this new nanny would be fun.

"I think we could try it at the very least."

"Did you hear that Gwendolyn, I'm going to actually get to ride you more than just a few times?"

Riley leaned into Duke, "She knows how to ride, right?"

"Yes, I've taught her, and if you're nervous I can always go with the two of you."

Riley placed her hand on his shoulder, "That would be wonderful Duke."

"Anything for my two favorite girls" He flashed a smile.

Riley knew exactly what the smile meant, she'd always known that Duke had a crush on her, she just hoped he understood that if he was going to steal her heart from Lucas it would've happened by now, before she knew who he really was, back when he was just Duke, the silly European who was terrible at beer pong, loved to streak, and always seemed to end up making out with Maya if they'd both had too many tequila shots before she started dating Dave.

Riley checked the time on her phone and then confirmed what time it would be in New York before placing her first video call home.

"Hey Honey, so you arrived safely?" Her mother's familiar face greeted her on screen.

"Yeah, I did," She tried to decide if she should tell her family she was working for the royal family, but Duke hadn't confided this in their friends, just her. "The house is amazing, huge, has a stable so Carmella and I will do some riding with Duke in the morning."

"Wonderful, I wish your Dad was here, he and Auggie went to the airport to pick up Lucas."

"Lucas is coming in tonight?" Riley felt the pang of guilt for leaving.

Topanga nodded, "Yeah, I thought you knew."

"I think I just forgot with all of this going on." She looked around the room, "Will you give them all a hug from me when you see them?"

"Of course sweetheart," Topanga was silent for a moment, "Are you sure that everything is okay there?"

"Yeah, just a little overwhelmed, a lot of new information, new people, I have to take it all in new country, for the next few months."

"You're still sure about this?" Topanga was still surprised the Riley ran off to Europe right when Lucas was coming home for good.

"Yeah, Lucas and I need this money for our future. Mom, I'll be fine, I'm just adjusting it hasn't even been a day yet."

"Just remember if this doesn't work out you can always come home knowing that you tried."

"I know Mom I'll call tomorrow same time."

"Goodnight sweetheart, get some sleep, love you."

"Love you to." Riley disconnected and changed into her pajama's a pair of cotton shorts and a tank top. She could do this she just had to treat them like a normal family, even though they were a family that ruled an entire country.

She started to brush her hair out for the night when she heard a knock on the door. "Just a moment" She checked to make sure nothing embarrassing was left out before she opened the door, face to face with the Prince, "Good evening."

Laurence wasn't sure what he'd expected from the young American woman, but the tight tank top hugging her womanly curves, the short-shorts were not it. He blinked trying to break the spell she was casting over him, "I just wanted to make sure that you're settling in alright Riley."

"I am thank you." She hugged the door, feeling far more exposed than she would around anyone else. "Sir, is there anything particular you would like for me to work on with Carmella?"

He smiled as he thought of his daughter, "She's a bit of a tomboy, she was never interested in tea parties, or any of that. Unfortunately, she will need those skills, I want her to grow, explore new things Edward assures me that you are the right woman to help with this. I know she'll want to be outside as much as possible, but if you could help encourage some of the more traditional female interests that would be wonderful."

Riley nodded, "I think I know what you're saying I'll see what I can do. The worst thing we could do is push it on her it will only make her rebel against it more." She twisted her promise ring around her finger, "Is there any activity that is strictly forbidden?"

"She's too young for archery, she'll try to get you to take her out for it, but I want her to wait a few more years."

"Well then Sir, I will see what I can do."

"Good night Riley." He lingered for a moment, the image of her burning in his mind before turning to leave.

"Good night Laurence." She called out before closing the door in time for him to turn around.

Laurence watched the door shut, already hypnotized by the woman on the other side of it.

"Laurence" Duke came up to him, waving his hand in front of his older brother's face, "Larry?"

"What is it Edward?"

"She's taken."

"I don't know what you're talking about." He started walking down the hallway towards his suite.

Duke chuckled, "Oh big brother dear, I know that look, I've lived with that look that last four years. If her heart was available don't you think I would've swept in and stolen it for myself by now? She's been in love with the same man for about a decade."

"I didn't see an engagement ring." He reminded his brother, curious about the new nanny.

"They're not engaged, yet. If she were in New York right now, he's probably be asking her about now."

"But she's here, with us for the next three months." Laurence wasn't trying to say he planned to marry the young woman, but if the attraction continued, if it grew, if she reciprocated, he would seriously consider it, especially if she and Carmella got along.

Duke understood what his brother was saying, "If anyone could make Riley forget all about Lucas, if it's not me, it would have to be you. But everything I've heard, everything I've seen, it's an impossible task."

"Well I am known for doing the impossible, am I not?" Laurence stopped in front of his bedroom door, "Good night Edward."

"I hate when you call me Edward!" Duke called to him as he walked away.

"Which is exactly why I do it little brother, I'll see you in the morning." Laurence went into his room; he hated how lonely it always felt. It had been ten years since his wife Angelic died in a car accident weeks after giving birth to Carmella. Was he really meant to live his life alone? Didn't Carmella deserve a mother?

As he changed into his silk pajamas he looked out his balcony, wondering how he could even begin to date again. Did he put the word out that the Prince of Glendova was looking for a suitable second wife? Or did he allow fate to guide him, lead him to the woman he was meant to spend his life with, even if she was say just down the long hall her image already burned in his mind as the sexiest thing he'd seen in over a decade.