Page 27 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
Alejandro reached out to pet the kitten. His fingers brushed against the bare skin on Julianna’s arm. Tingles shot outward from the point of contact. He jerked his hand away.
She didn’t seem to notice.
Good. He didn’t want her to know she had an effect on him. “You like cats.”
“I do, but I’ve never had one.” She rubbed the top of the kitten’s head. “My father didn’t want any animals in the palace. He claimed they were too dirty and too much trouble.”
Alejandro hadn’t expected to have anything else in common with her except sailing. “We had a dog growing up, but after she died my father didn’t want another one. He said dogs were too much trouble.”
Julianna eyed him with curiosity. “Yet you have Boots.”
But Alejandro didn’t live in the palace. He doubted his family would want Julianna to know he was here for appearance sake and would be departing after the wedding. “Black sheep, remember?”
“I haven’t forgotten. I hope your reputation means you’re an expert at subterfuge and not getting caught.”
He winked. “You’re in experienced hands, Princess.”
“Excellent.” The sparkle returned to her eyes. She glanced behind her as if to make sure they were still alone. “Have all the arrangements been made?”
The princess’s hushed voice made it sound as if they were going to undertake an important, secretive mission. Alejandro realized in her mind they were. The least he could do was play along.
“Almost,” he whispered back. “Check your closet this afternoon. Everything you need for tonight will be in there.”
Her mouth formed a perfect O. “My closet? You’re going to go into my room. Isn’t that risky?”
“No one will see me.”
“You can’t be certain. My maid might be—”
“There are secret tunnels and passageways throughout the palace.” He didn’t want her to worry. “You access them through hidden latches in the closets.”
“Oh.”
The one word spoke volumes of her doubt.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
She handed the kitten to him. “I don’t have a choice if I want to go sailing.”
“No, you don’t.”
Alejandro felt like a jerk. He was the last person she should be putting her faith in. He had the most to gain by her marrying Enrique. She had the most to lose by saying “I do.” Okay, his brother wasn’t that bad. But she was still sacrificing for the marriage.
“Not many people would understand how important tonight is to me,” she said. “I trust you won’t let me down.”
He appreciated her earnest expression and words. He was used to those in the palace being unable to see past his rebellions as a teen and his wanting to change the monarchy from the archaic monolith it had become.
But Julianna was far too trusting. She must have lived a sheltered life in Aliestle. Things would be better for her on the island. “You’re the perfect fairy-tale princess.”
Defiance flashed in her eyes, but disappeared quickly. “A princess, yes. Perfect, not so much. Though I try my best.”
“Trying is an admirable trait, but not if it makes you unhappy.”
“Doing what is expected of me is all I know.”
Julianna was nothing like he imagined she would be. She wasn’t jaded in spite of being a royal prisoner her entire life. She was the closest thing to perfection he’d ever met. Alejandro would make sure Enrique treated her fairly. “You do a good job.”
She rewarded him with a closemouthed smile. He would have preferred to see one with her straight, white teeth visible. “I plan to continue to do so.”
Except tonight.
Crossing the line had become second nature to him growing up. Alejandro didn’t do it as often now. Still he didn’t care what anyone thought about him. The lovely princess did care. The way she dressed, spoke and acted made it clear. She might feel the need to rebel in this one-time act of defiance. A brief escape from an impending arranged marriage and a curtailed freedom. But he didn’t want Julianna to have any regrets over what they were going to do.
“Are you certain you want to go against your father and sail tonight?” Alejandro whispered.
