The Prince's Secret Baby (A Baby for the Prince Book 1)(5)

“I love Mardi Gras. It’s my favorite holiday.”

“What do you normally do to celebrate?”

Maggie laughed. “Lately? I prepare elaborate meals for other people.”

She recognized that she sounded a bit defensive, so she looked up at him to explain.

“I love being a chef, but it does mean that I’m in the kitchen for most holidays. I make it possible for everyone else to have a celebration out.”

Raffaele nodded, and she could see the understanding in his eyes.

“When you’re in charge, you have the responsibility to make sure that others’ needs are met first.”

“Exactly.”

Maggie thought for a moment. She could see that he understood what she was trying to say.

“What it’s like, being royalty?” She realized how the question might sound to him, and she tried to explain. “You have a lot of responsibility, right? That must be a lot of pressure.”

Raffaele nodded. “It is, but I won’t deny that it is also a lot of fun.”

Maggie studied him for a moment and then asked a tentative question.

“Do you have to attend court?”

Raffaele laughed. “Yes. And it’s my least favorite thing.”

“Are you kidding? Why?”

“All the formality and bowing and standing around…”

Maggie shook her head. “You bowed to me.”

“Ah, but you are deserving of that honor.”

Maggie could see him thinking about that statement, as he shrugged and tilted his head.

“As is my uncle, to be honest. He’s a good king. But I enjoy that other countries have more…democratic forms of expression.”

Maggie bit her lower lip. “Can I ask—”

Raffaele raised one eyebrow. “Have I met the twin princes?”

She threw up a hand. “Every time I go to the grocery store, they’re in the tabloids! Really, I don’t believe most of that garbage. But you have to have some great royal club stories.”

Raffaele looked haughty and said, “The first rule of royal club is that you don’t talk about royal club.”

Maggie leaned back against the seat and laughed. “That sounds like chef club.”

Raffaele leaned toward her and grinned. “I’ll trade you story for story. You must have some good ones.”

“Oh, I do. After culinary school, I spent time in a few different restaurants before I came home. Chef club is a real thing, my friend.”

Raffaele huffed in agreement.

“So is royal club. Weddings, funerals, official events—any time we get together, it can get interesting.” He tilted his head. “Though it’s hard to keep anything a secret when cameras follow you everywhere.”

Maggie grimaced in sympathy. “That doesn’t sound like any fun at all.”

“I’ve learned to deal with it. Sometimes, if you give them what they expect, they leave you alone the rest of the time.”

Maggie gave him a questioning look, so he tried to explain.

“For example, I attended an elaborate house party in Monaco before I flew here. There are pictures of me arriving there and—” he hesitated a bit, “pictures of me dancing rather enthusiastically to a live band on the beach.”

Maggie thought he might be a little embarrassed by that last detail, so she teased him to show it didn’t bother her.

“Were you dancing with the band?”

The Prince gave her a raised eyebrow and she held out one hand.

“I mean, there’s a big difference between dancing as part of the audience while a live band plays—” she flipped her hand over, “and climbing up on stage and dancing with the band members.”

She wrinkled her nose in thought.

“Though, maybe that’s a royal thing—getting to dance with the band without them throwing you off stage.”

Raffaele laughed and Maggie was pleased that she’d prompted that warm sound.

“I may have been tempted to climb on stage, but no, I stayed safely in the crowd. And because the paparazzi got those pictures, I don’t think they bothered to get any when I left the party.”

Maggie had a thought. “Were there photographers outside BienVille tonight?”

Raffaele nodded. “Two. I’m guessing locals, since they were actually respectful.” He studied her. “I hope that doesn’t bother you.”

Maggie thought it was sweet that he sounded worried about what she thought.

“I don’t mind. As long as they weren’t bothering you.”

Raffaele shook his head. “I’m used to it.”

“Can I ask why you ate alone tonight? I’m sure any number of people would have given their right arm for a chance to dine with you.”

He thought about his answer and Maggie could see that he took her question seriously.

“It’s not that I don’t want company. But I do sometimes like to try new restaurants out while I’m alone. I can focus on the food that way, instead of having to keep up my end of the conversation.”

“You really love food, don’t you?”

Raffaele nodded at her.

“It’s the one escape I have from being Prince Raffaele Caldini. As a prince, I’m encouraged to patronize the arts, and I’ve chosen the food world because it doesn’t matter who I am. Chefs cook for me like they would cook for anyone else.”