worry.” She raised her chin. “I’m not about to risk my match with Enrique for a fling with a self-avowed black sheep.”
Even one who was gorgeous and sailed and sent tingles shooting through her. More reasons to keep her distance.
After tonight.
Tonight would be her first chance to experience freedom. The initial step in figuring out how to be an influential princess and her own person.
“That is smart.” The tight lines around Yvette’s mouth relaxed a little. “Being matched to a man outside Aliestle would be a dream come true for most of our countrywomen, ma’am.”
Be careful what you wish, or in this case, ask for.
Jules recognized the maid’s wistful tone. She’d sounded the same way on more than one occasion. The weight on her shoulders felt heavier. She wanted life to be different for her countrywomen. “Has a match been secured for you?”
“Yes, ma’am. A very good match.” Yvette gave a half smile. “One that will be advantageous to my family.”
“That’s excellent.”
“Yes, ma’am. We marry in two years, after I complete my obligations on the palace staff.” The look in Yvette’s eyes didn’t seem to agree with her words. “I am … most fortunate.”
Most likely as fortunate as Jules. Her heart ached. She wanted men to treat the women of Aliestle with respect, consideration and love. Not like commodities.
When Brandt became king …
Yvette adjusted her starched, white apron. “I transferred the contents of your handbag into the purse, ma’am.”
“Thank you, I’ll …”
A high-pitched noise sounded outside the bedroom door. Not quite a squeal, but not a squeak, either.
Yvette’s forehead creased. “It sounds like a baby, ma’am.”
Jules hurried to the door and opened it. The noise sounded again. She glanced around the empty hallway. A black ball of fur scratched at the door across the hall.
“You’re correct, Yvette. It is a baby. A baby cat.” Jules picked up the kitten who pawed at her. A long, white hair above his right eye bounced like an antenna in the wind. “I can’t imagine someone let you out into this big hallway on purpose. Did you escape again?”
The kitten stared up at her with clear, green eyes.
Her heart bumped. She’d always wanted a pet. This one was adorable.
“I can see where he belongs, ma’am,” Yvette offered.
“I’ll return him.” The kitten wiggled in Jules’s hands. She cuddled him closer in hopes of settling him down. He rested his head against her arm and purred. “I know where he belongs.”
With Alejandro.
Anticipation spurted through her. She wanted to see him. Because of the sailing, she rationalized. That was the only reason. Anything else would be too … dangerous.
“Cat?” Alejandro checked the closet, the bathroom, under the bed and beneath the other furniture. No sight of the furball anywhere.
The kitten didn’t come running as he usually did.
Maybe he was locked in the bathroom? Alejandro checked. No kitty.
The last time he’d seen the kitten was before his shower. He glanced around the apartment again. A vase with colorful fresh-cut flowers caught his eye. Those were new.
Only Ortiz knew about the kitten. If whoever delivered the flowers had left the door to the apartment open, the kitten could have gotten out.
Alejandro ran to the door and jerked it open.
Julianna stood in the doorway.
He froze, stunned to see her.
A smile graced her glossed lips. Clear, bright eyes stared back at him. Her pastel-pink suit made her look like the definition of the word princess in the dictionary.
She was the image of everything he didn’t like in a woman—royal, wealthy, concerned with appearances. He shouldn’t feel any attraction toward Julianna whatsoever. But he couldn’t stop staring at her beautiful face.
Awareness buzzed through him. Strange. Alejandro didn’t usually go for the prim and proper type. But this wasn’t the time to examine his attraction to her. He needed to find a kitten.
“I—”
“I was about to knock,” she said at the same time. “Look who I found.”
Alejandro followed her line of sight. The kitten was sound asleep in her arms.
Relief washed over him. “I was on my way out to look for him. Where did you find him?”
“In the hallway trying to squeeze under the door across from mine. A futile effort given his size, but he made a valiant attempt.” She smiled at the kitten. “I figured he must have escaped and you’d want him back.”
“Yes.” Alejandro tried focusing on the cat, but his gaze kept returning to her. He wanted to chalk his reaction to her up to gratitude but knew better. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Alejandro waited for Julianna to hand over the cat. She didn’t. He needed to go to the boatyard, but he wasn’t in that much of a hurry. He motioned into the apartment. “Please come in.”
Julianna looked to her left and then to the right. “Thanks, but I’d better not.”
He gave her a puzzled look. “You have plans.”
“No,” she admitted. “I don’t want to upset Enrique.”
Alejandro ignored the twinge of disappointment. He understood her concern. “You’re right. We don’t want to add fuel to the fire.”
“Especially with tonight,” she whispered. Excitement danced in her eyes.
He was looking forward to the sail. He wanted Julianna to like it here. For his sake as much as hers. She’d realize she wouldn’t be a prisoner on the island. Enrique didn’t know how to treat women properly; a combination of selfishness and lack of experience. His brother would settle down eventually.
“Rest up today or you’ll be exhausted,” Alejandro said.
“Like the kitten. He fell asleep on the walk over here. He must have tired himself out during his adventure.”
Alejandro wouldn’t mind tiring himself out with Julianna. He imagined her beautiful long hair loose and spread across his pillow, her silky skin against his, the taste of those lips …
His blood heated and roared through his veins.
He pushed
