Page 42 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
Alejandro rolled his eyes. “Don’t pretend any of this is for Julianna. It’s about how you want her to look when she’s with you.”
“This is important. The royal wedding will change the island’s fortune and future. Everything must go perfectly.” Enrique sounded more like a spoiled child than a crown prince. “Today’s trial run of our wedding day preparations will work out any kinks and problems. The dress designer will also take care of alterations needed on the wedding gown.”
Practical, perhaps, but so not romantic. Julianna was practical. Her words last night about her embracing her marriage told Alejandro that. But the woman who had sailed with stars in her eyes also seemed like the kind who liked the hearts, flowers and violin type of romance. Arranged marriage or not.
“Alterations?” he asked. “I didn’t think Julianna had a wedding dress yet.”
Enrique smirked. “She has one now.”
The look on his brother’s face worried Alejandro. “What have you—?”
“Good morning, gentlemen.” Julianna walked toward them with Brandt at her side and her maid following.
Julianna looked regal wearing a bathrobe and slippers. Every strand of her hair, worn loose this morning, was perfectly placed. She’d applied makeup, too. Not as much as she usually wore, but enough for him to notice the difference from her clean face last night. No one would guess the perfectly groomed princess had another side, one that had taken her out onto the sea with him until early this morning.
She stopped in front of them. “I was told you wanted to see me, Enrique.”
Her formal tone contradicted the casual way she’d spoken on the boat and during the walk back to the palace.
“I do.” Enrique beamed. “I have a surprise for you, my lovely bride.”
The corners of her mouth tipped up, but her eyes didn’t sparkle the way they had last night. Of course, no one would notice that except Alejandro. He found it strange she showed no hint of the woman he’d spent hours sailing with. Her mask was firmly in place, a disguise like the sailing clothes she’d worn.
Julianna rubbed her hands together. Excited or cold, he couldn’t tell. “I love surprises,” she said.
Alejandro didn’t think she would like this one. She wanted freedom, not be told what to wear and how to act on her wedding day. He needed to warn her so she would be prepared. “Why don’t you grab Father, Enrique? I’m sure he’ll be interested in seeing this.”
“Father is attending his weekly breakfast meeting with the head of the Courts. Something you would know if you had a clue about what went on around here.” Enrique extended his arm, and Julianna laced her arm around his. “Ready for your surprise?”
She nodded with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.
The woman always hoped for the best. Alejandro respected that about her, but he knew she would only be hurt that much more.
The doors to the music room opened.
Alejandro stared at the floor. He didn’t want to see her disappointed.
Julianna gasped.
His gaze jerked up. White satin, tulle and miniature white lights covered the walls of the music room. A thick, white rug lay on the hardwood floor. A white silk curtain separated a third of the room from the rest of it. No expense had been spared in transforming the space into a spa complete with a private beauty salon and a massage table.
Impressive. Enrique had managed to get it right this time. If only his motivation had been for his bride and not himself. Alejandro glanced over at Julianna.
She surveyed the entire room with wide-eyed wonder. “What is all this?”
“Everything you’ll need to prepare for our wedding day,” Enrique said proudly. “This will be your bride room.”
“Oh, Enrique.” Her smile widened. “I can’t believe you would go to all this trouble.”
Don’t believe it, Alejandro wanted to shout. This was nothing but smoke and mirrors on the part of his brother. Ambition and pride run amuck à la Lady Macbeth. But Alejandro saw how moved Julianna was. He wanted her to be happy, even if that meant she was happy with his brother. Enrique might get Julianna the princess, but Alejandro took fierce delight in getting Julianna the sailor.
