"Taming Phillip"

by Yvonne E. Jenkins

Copyright ©2002
ISBN: 0-87714-817-1 eBook edition
ISBN: 0-87714-301-3 PB edition

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

DEDICATION

Thanks to God for giving me talent and imagination; to my mother Mrs. Rice, my cousin Grace, my son Terry, and other friends for their support and encouragement over the years. Special thanks to Rosemary, who read the first draft and liked it and to Gina, my editor, who taught me about POV.

THE AUTHOR

A new writer, the author works for the Erie County Industrial Development Agency as a secretary. In her free time, she is either writing or editing one of her manuscripts. As a member of the Bookmeisters, she critiques and brainstorms story ideas with other writers.

THE BOOK

Prince Phillip has come to Buffalo to find a wife. Corinne Verland is assigned to show him the sights and to help him find his bride. Can she tame and mold the arrogant prince into a proper husband? What happens when he decides she is to be his bride?

Excerpt

Corinne continued to stare at the Finn of Portmeau. Despite what Fedro said, it was inconceivable to her that he should travel thousands of miles just to find a bride.

"Why are you so shocked, Corinne? I do not wish to marry someone from Portmeau. The women are beautiful but I know their real intentions are not in me as a man. Even the women who are not natives do not interest me. They offer no challenge. I want a woman who is not carried away by my wealth and position," Phillip explained.

His eyes never veered from her face and Corinne found the fixed intensity of his gaze unsettling. She turned aside to break it, still at a loss for a response. When he next spoke, she felt his voice clear to her bones.

"It need not be a love match. If she is strong and healthy enough to give me a son I will be satisfied. She does not even have to be beautiful. I am not a man who is influenced by looks."

Corinne remembered Phillip's earlier remark about the attempts on his life. "Are you forced to take a wife, Your Worthiness?"

He hesitated. "It is time that I did so. Portmeau needs an heir. I am not impervious to unforeseen occurrences."

It was a plausible explanation. "Why didn't you go to another country? I'm honored you chose Buffalo to look for a bride, but you have the rest of the world at your disposal."

The Finn stared out over the water and Corinne studied his profile. The waning light of day made his regal features more sensual. She appreciated the effect and wished she had a camera to capture it.

"This is not a random decision. I have done extensive traveling and each summer I visit a different country. Once I decided not to take a wife from Portmeau, I studied other countries and their cultures. Yours intrigued me because of the history, especially the Civil War time period. Anyway, I have been to Europe and found English women too cold, French women too hot blooded and vulgar." Phillip grimaced. "They wear too much perfume and they don't shave their armpits."

Corinne stifled a smile. That particular custom would offend the Finn's dignity.

"I do not care for Oriental or Asian women. The ones I have met seemed too subservient for my tastes. As for other countries, I am not interested. My friend here told me that American women were very bold, frank and independent."

She laughed, recalling his earlier judgment of her. "That depends on the woman, Phillip. There are some who are as cold as the English and as hot-blooded as the French, and many women do not shave their armpits. You mentioned vulgar. Well, you should take a walk down Main Street. You'd hear language that will curl your hair," she said with dry irony.

He raised an eyebrow. "I will find all of that out, will I not?"

Something in his tone made Corinne suspicious. A fine thread of uneasiness wormed through her body. "What do you mean?"

"Finding the right woman for me is part of your assignment."

She sputtered for a moment before she found her voice. "Me? But, how? I'm not a marriage broker!"

"You will find a way," was his succinct reply. Phillip headed for the car.

"Now wait a minute, Phillip."

He turned and gave Corinne a stern look. "I understood that you were adept at arranging affairs. If the assignment is too difficult for you, I will find someone else who has more competence in their abilities." He spoke with the weight of princely authority behind his words.

Corinne ignored the innuendo about her abilities. She ran to the Finn and grasped his arm, ignoring his scowl. "Phillip, you do not understand. If you make such an announcement, every woman in America might be at your hotel suite. You do not know how many desperate women there are in this country. It doesn't have anything to do with whether I'm competent enough to handle the job."

Surprising, deep laughter exploded from Phillip. He turned and his hands settled on her shoulders. "I have no intention of making an announcement, Corinne. Do you not agree how dangerous that would be? When we go places and I see someone who might interest me, I will let you know. Then you can arrange a proper introduction. After all, it will take time for us to become acquainted, do you not agree?"

She stared into his glowing eyes with dismay. Did he realize what he was asking? Did he think it was going to be that easy?

"What if you don't find a bride, Your Worthiness?"

Phillip's mouth curved in an odd smile. "But I will find one. That is why I am here. Now, how is your nightlife? Are there any discos, or do you call them something else?"

Corinne gnawed her lip and watched Phillip continue to the car. Of all the reasons to visit Buffalo this was one she hadn't expected. She was annoyed at Sol for not telling her. He must have known the Finn's real intentions. It was the most preposterous thing she'd ever heard of.

She got into the car troubled by this new turn of events.

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