Page 49 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
“If you change your mind—”
“The kid’s a natural. We need to mentor J.V., not introduce him to a life of debauchery.”
“You’ve never had a problem with debauchery before.” Sam grinned knowingly. “Let me guess. The kid has a hot sister.”
Julianna was hot. Alejandro smiled.
“You dog.” Sam laughed. “I didn’t know you liked young pups.”
Alejandro didn’t. “She’s a bit older than J.V., but I’ll take what I can get.”
That was the case with Julianna until she married. Then he’d be free and she’d be with… He didn’t want to think about that.
“Okay. I’ll put my plans to corrupt the youngster on hold.” Sam winked. “Until you’ve had your fill of his sister.”
A good thing Julianna couldn’t hear them. She was huddled with Phillipe going over race strategy in German. No one knew the Frenchman was fluent. Fortunately Julianna was, too. Otherwise her cover would have been blown.
Day one had been a success. Only time would tell what the rest of the days would bring.
But Alejandro was…hopeful.
Jules walked back to the palace through the dark tunnel. The four-footed creatures running alongside her beam of light didn’t bother her. Meeting the crew and being accepted by them exhilarated her. The image of Alejandro with his eyes full of pride, a wide smile on his handsome face and the dawning sun gleaming in his hair gave her a boost of energy.
The darkness beyond her headlamp seemed to go on forever, but she didn’t care. Jules felt as if she’d already been crowned queen. The only thing she needed was a hot shower. Okay, a nap wouldn’t hurt.
She reached the staircase to her closet and climbed the steep, narrow steps to the landing.
Alejandro’s plan had worked. Relief flowed through her veins. Sailing on his crew was going to work out fine. She could race and then marry Enrique. No one would know the truth.
Jules pressed on the latch. The secret door opened. She stepped out of the dark passageway and into the closet.
She’d told Yvette not to disturb her this morning and allow her to wake up on her own. But Jules stood at the closet door and listened. No sounds. Yes! Her escape and return had gone off without a hitch.
She closed the secret door.
All she had to do was undress, hide the sailing clothes and—
The closet door opened. Yvette dropped the towel in her hand and gasped.
Stunned, Jules jumped back.
No, no, no, no, no.
Heart pounding, she lurched forward and placed her hand over Yvette’s mouth. “Shhhh. Don’t scream.”
Fear filled Yvette’s brown eyes. “Waah wuh wah ma puhsa.”
Jules struggled to comprehend the words. She hoped being in the closet would mute their voices. “I’m going to lower my hand. Do not scream. Understand?”
Yvette nodded.
Jules lowered her hand from the maid’s mouth. “What did you say?”
“Please don’t hurt my princess.”
Hurt. Princess. Yvette hadn’t recognized her. Jules could still escape.
Her relief lasted no longer than a breath. Escaping into the tunnels wasn’t an option. An investigation into the mysterious closet intruder might reveal the tunnels’ existence. Worse, she couldn’t allow Yvette to be traumatized by this.
Jules’s best choice, her only choice, was to come clean and hope for the best. A miracle.
“It’s me, Yvette,” Jules whispered. “Julianna.”
The young woman’s brows knotted, but fear remained in her eyes. “Princess Julianna?”
“Yes.” Jules pulled off the baseball hat, wig and the nylon cap holding all her hair.
Yvette gasped. “I just saw you asleep in your bed, ma’am.”
“You saw pillows and a blond wig,” Jules admitted. “Not me.”
Yvette stared at her as if she was an extraterrestrial with three eyes, two mouths and purple skin. “What are you doing in your closet dressed like a boy, ma’am?”
The knowledge of the secret tunnels remained safe. For now. “I’ve been sailing.”
Another gasp. “That is forbidden, ma’am.”
“Which is the reason for my disguise.” Jules needed Yvette to understand what was at stake. “Please, I beg you. Keep my secret in your heart. Never repeat a word of this to anyone.”
