Page 40 of Not-So-Perfect Princess
Last night had been real. The sail. Alejandro.
A shiver ran down her spine.
She’d agreed to race, to be on his crew.
Somehow, she would have to be Enrique’s conventional princess-fiancée and Alejandro’s helmsman. And not let the two roles collide. Her temples throbbed thinking about trying to negotiate between the two different worlds without anyone figuring out what she was doing.
“The princess is sleeping, sir.” Yvette’s voice became more forceful. “I don’t want to wake her unless it’s necessary.”
“This is important,” a male voice Jules recognized as Brandt’s said.
She opened her eyes and raised herself up on her elbows.
Yvette wore the traditional castle housekeeper uniform—a black dress with white collar and apron. Her brown hair was braided and rolled into a tight bun. She had the door cracked and held onto it with white knuckles, as if to keep an intruder out. Jules pictured Brandt standing on the other side, trying to sway the young maid with a flirtatious smile.
“I’m awake, Yvette,” Jules said. “Send Brandt in.”
“The princess is no longer sleeping, sir.” Yvette opened the door all the way. “You may come in.”
Brandt strode in, looking every inch the crown prince in his navy suit, striped dress shirt and colorful tie. He laughed. “I was out clubbing most of the night yet you’re the one in bed. Must have been an exciting night watching TV?”
Jules shrugged. The night had been more exciting than she imagined. She hadn’t been able to fall asleep when she’d returned to the palace. Too many thoughts about Alejandro had been running through her brain. Each time she closed her eyes, she’d seen his handsome face, as if the features had been etched in her memory.
She watched her maid head into the bathroom. “What is so important?”
“Prince Enrique wants you downstairs now.”
Jules glanced at the clock. A quarter past ten. “Nothing is listed on my schedule.”
If so, Yvette would have never allowed her to sleep in. The maid always made sure Jules was ready on time for her scheduled events.
Brandt raised a brow. “It’s a surprise.”
Her brother sounded amused. That set off warning bells in her head. “Care to enlighten me about this surprise?”
“No.”
She tossed one of her pillows at him.
He batted it away. “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. I’m only doing as requested. I assumed you’d rather have me wake you than Enrique.”
Alejandro would have been better. Especially if he woke her with long, slow kisses… She pushed the thought away as she fought a blush. Steering the boat was her responsibility, not kissing him. “I’ll get dressed.”
Brandt held up his hand as if to stop her. “That won’t be necessary.”
She drew back. “Excuse me?”
Mischief filled his eyes. “Enrique said a robe and slippers are fine.”
She made a face. “I don’t like the sound of this.”
“No worries,” Brandt said. “Bring Yvette. She and I will ensure your reputation isn’t sullied.”
If Jules had been caught last night, her reputation would have been more than sullied. “You’ve been spending too much time with Father. It’s influencing your vocabulary.”
“I happen to like sullying young maidens.”
She rolled her eyes. “Give me five minutes. I’ll meet you in the hallway.”
“Don’t take any longer,” he cautioned. “Enrique said this is important.”
Worry shivered down her spine. Had Enrique found out about last night? But if that were the case, why wouldn’t he want her to dress before coming downstairs?
Brandt strode out of the room and closed the door behind him.
Jules slid out from under the covers and stood on the rug. Her simple white nightgown looked nothing like what a stylish princess would wear to bed. Her father forbade her to wear any sort of pajamas that were too pretty or feminine because she wasn’t married. Forget sexy lingerie. She felt lucky wearing underwire bras decorated with lace. The castle’s head housekeeper confiscated purchases she deemed inappropriate by King Alaric’s standards.
