Not-So-Perfect Princess: Not-So-Perfect Princess

Alejandro fought the urge to squirm under her scrutiny. He hadn’t done anything wrong or irresponsible. At least not yet. “I haven’t thought that far ahead. But cats take off when they get tired of you.”

She peered around him and motioned to the sock tied in a knot, piece of rope and empty boxes strewn across the floor. “You’re going to need to buy a suitcase when he goes so he can take his toys with him.”

“I just had that stuff lying around.” Alejandro shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’ll probably keep him. At the boatyard when he gets older,” he clarified.

“Then you might as well come up with a more original name for him.”

“He’s a cat. The name fits.”

“True, but look at his green eyes. His handsome face. The white boots on his paws.” She held the kitten up as if he were a rare treasure. “He is so much more than a generic cat.”

Alejandro laughed, enchanted by her tenacity. “If you ever get tired of being a princess, you should become a trial lawyer.”

She scrunched her nose. “I’ve never considered such a career, but I would be happy to provide more evidence for changing the kitten’s name.”

“For someone who wants me to take them sailing,” he lowered his voice, “you’re not very agreeable.”

Her eyes widened. Her complexion paled. “Oh, I’m—”

“Kidding.” Alejandro didn’t think she would take him seriously. But he could make it up to her. He thought about her description of the kitten. One word popped out at him. “Boots.”

A line creased above her nose. “Excuse me?”

“Cat’s name is now Boots. Satisfied?”

“Very.” She smiled, visibly relieved. “Thank you.”

Pleasing her felt better than it should. Just trying to make her happy so she’d want to marry Enrique.

Yeah, right. Alejandro leaned against the doorjamb. “It’s the least I could do after the way you argued for his rights. Perhaps you should do the same for your own. And your countrywomen.”

Her smile disappeared. So did the light from her eyes. He didn’t like the change in her.

“I would if I could, but that’s not the kind of princess Aliestle or your brother wants.” She touched one of the kitten’s small paws. Her expression softened. “The least I could do was support a fellow underdog.”

“I don’t think Boots would like to be associated with anything having to do with a dog.”

The corners of her mouth slanted upward. “You’re probably right about that.”

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.”