Sheikha's Determined Police Officer (Botros Brothers Series Book 4) by Leslie North Page B

was usually messy, this was much worse. Her normally unkempt hair had been pulled back in a ponytail as stray strands curled around her face. The bottom of her t-shirt was ripped and underneath the paint, her pants were covered in dirt and grass stains. Since she had only managed to remove one boot, Mrs LeBlanc noticed her big toe poking out from her torn sock.
    “MACEE!” Mrs LeBlanc growled. She cleared her throat when she realised how unladylike her tone sounded. “Darling, what happened to you?”
    Francesca blinked a few times in disbelief as she stared at the mess that was her sister. It was the Crown Prince for goodness sake.
    “I am so sorry,” Macee said, as she looked at the prince. “I thought that you would be gone by now.” She smiled as she picked up her bag and boot and  awkwardly dismissed herself as she limped out of the room. The whole time, Prince Louis hid his smile. Never in his life had he met a woman like her. He studied her from head to toe in all her mess. Every woman around him was always so nicely dressed and poised; he found her utterly refreshing. He couldn’t help but wonder what she looked like under all that paint.
    “Your highness, I am so sorry about that,” Mrs LeBlanc quickly apologised.
    “Please, do not apologise. She is allowed to be free in her own home.” Prince Louis bowed his head slightly and left the house.
    Mrs LeBlanc marched up to Macee's room and flung the door open. What on earth was she thinking coming in looking like that when the prince was at their house. She had promised to be out of the house for the entire day, she should have stayed out.
    “Mother, I apologise. The prince was supposed to be gone already. I did not do it on purpose,” Macee said.
    “What were you doing to get this dirty?”
    “Paintball.”
    “What on earth is that?”
    “Mother, you are overreacting. The prince didn’t come to see me, so let it be.”
    Macee threw herself on the bed. “At least take a shower before you lay on your bed,” Mrs LeBlanc said and pushed Macee off the bed. She groaned in complaint as she headed to the bathroom. Her mother was always overreacting about things.
    Francesca let herself into the bathroom whilst Macee was in the shower. She was excited about meeting the prince and wanted to tell her little sister about it. Macee popped her head out of the shower. “Was there chemistry at least?” she asked.
    “Who cares about that? I get to live in the palace,” Francesca replied.
    “Frannie, you are so materialistic.”
    “When I am queen, you will have to stop calling me that! It sounds so ugly.”
    “Frannie, fanny,” Macee sang and started laughing. Francesca opened the tap water. Macee screamed when the water went hotter.
    “Serves you right!” Francesca shouted and left the bathroom.
     
    *                                       *                                                 *                                                            *
     
    Toward the end of the week, the Colonel and Mrs LeBlanc were summoned to the palace. They were surprised to be called so soon. Mrs LeBlanc felt positive that their earlier meeting with the prince had gone well and he was probably calling them to agree to the marriage to Francesca.  
    Prince Louis sat in the courtyard with his mother and aunt when the LeBlancs arrived. They greeted the royal family with bows. Prince Louis gestured for them to sit down as the maid brought out a tray of deliciously-baked pastries and drinks. They immediately started discussing Francesca, as it was a matter of urgency that deserved full attention.
    “Did you like her, son?” the queen asked Prince Louis.
    “She is a well-mannered and poised young lady,” the prince replied.
    “Thank you, your highness,” Mrs LeBlanc said. Her husband smiled and bowed his head. He was always