Page 31 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
“You look like a teenager,” he added.
“A teenage boy,” she clarified. “You picked an excellent disguise for me.”
She sounded appreciative, not upset. That surprised him a little. Most women wouldn’t want to look like a boy. But then again, she hadn’t wanted to get caught. A good disguise had been necessary.
“I had no problems, except Ortiz might want to reconsider his claim about no rats in the palace. I saw mice, and something…larger in the tunnel.”
“Ortiz doesn’t know about the tunnels. Only the royal family knows of their existence and an architect long dead,” Alejandro explained. “The tunnels were built by pirates to hide treasure. When the king had them attached to the palace, a hand-selected crew was used. They were blindfolded and had no idea where they were working.”
“How did the royal family find out about the tunnels?”
He grinned. “Supposedly my great-great-great grandfather was a king and pirate.”
She laughed. The intoxicating sound floated on the air and made him want to inhale.
“You think that’s funny.”
“A little,” she admitted. “But I’m not surprised you come from a line of pirates.”
“Not a line,” he clarified. “One pirate.”
Amusement gleamed in her eyes. “If you say so.”
“I do.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” she teased.
It was his turn to laugh. Alejandro liked knowing he wasn’t the only black sheep in his illustrious family line. He’d embraced the fact he had a pirate ancestor and thought others might, too. The island could capitalize on the colorful past except his father and brother didn’t want the knowledge made public. “Ahoy, matey.”
With an eager smile, she inspected La Rueca from bow to stern. “Lovely boat.”
“I’m pleased with how she turned out.” Alejandro touched the deck. He’d put everything he knew about boats and a fair share of money into her design. “Though she is untested in an actual race. The Med Cup will be interesting.”
“You don’t sound concerned.”
“I’m not.” If he were, he wouldn’t have entered La Rueca in the race. “I’m confident she can perform and be competitive with the right wind and crew.”
Julianna looked at the boat’s name written in script on the stern. “La Rueca.”
“The Spinning Wheel.”
“Interesting name.”
He stared at her slightly annoyed. “I already caved on the kitten. Are you going to challenge me on my boat’s name, too?”
“No, but I’m curious if it has a special meaning.”
“Most boat names do.”
“What’s the meaning behind yours?”
Alejandro remembered how persistent she’d been about the kitten’s name. He had to tell her something. “La Rueca is a reminder that I haven’t been spinning my wheels when it comes to boatbuilding.”
“Spinning your wheels?” she asked.
Wanting to put an end to this topic of conversation, he lowered his one foot to the floor of the cockpit, reached back and started the outboard motor. He left it running in neutral. “Now is not the time.”
“Later?”
“Do you always pester so much?”
“I’m sorry.” Julianna raised her voice to talk over the idling motor. “Occupational hazard.”
“Of being a princess?”
“Of having four younger brothers who never tell me anything unless I pester and pry. They are the only males, men, I’m allowed to be alone with for any extended period so they get the brunt of my curiosity.” She looked around, not meeting his eyes. “Being out here with you like this…”
His annoyance disappeared. He appreciated her honesty. He also acknowledged the risk she was taking.
“It’s okay. I’m not used to having a sister around.” Though he didn’t feel brotherly toward Julianna at all. “This is new for both of us.”
She smiled softly. “I hope La Rueca turns out to be everything you wish for.”
“Thanks. It’s looking pretty good.” And it was. A new sailboat design, a full moon and a beautiful woman to share a sail with tonight. She was so easy to talk to. He liked how she laughed.
