but she is a car mechanic. She works hard not to look like a woman. No makeup. Baggy coveralls. Very casual clothing. No dresses or high heels.”
“You sound exasperated.”
“She is exasperating.”
“First impressions can be deceiving,” Julianna counseled, making Niko wonder if this was how she spoke to her younger brothers. “Isabel must be in shock.”
“The news has shocked her, but I don’t believe my impression of her is far off.” Niko thought about her parting words to him. “Isabel is young. She speaks without thinking. She has no sense of what it is to be royalty.”
“She sounds refreshing.”
“I thought so yesterday, but today we keep … clashing,” he admitted. “She slept so peacefully last night, but when she awoke this morning she was more beast than beauty.”
Julianna’s mouth quirked. “Isabel is a beauty?”
“Not exactly,” he backtracked. “Some men might find her attractive.”
“Do you?”
“She’s my wife. I don’t think of her in that way.”
Amusement gleamed in Julianna’s eyes. “I see.”
“There’s nothing to see,” he countered. “Fortunately Isabel agrees an annulment is the only option. She was excited to hear about our getting married.”
Julianna sighed. No doubt relieved the upcoming royal engagement and nuptials faced no more obstacles. “We can add her to the wedding party. A royal wedding can never have too many attendants.”
“That is thoughtful of you.” Her thoughtfulness was another reason why Julianna was perfect for his country. “I doubt Isabel will want to remain in Vernonia that long.”
“You must convince her to stay,” Julianna insisted.
“You haven’t met her.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Julianna countered. “Isabel has a duty to fulfill here in Vernonia.”
“I understand what you are saying, but Isabel is very—” he searched for a somewhat complimentary adjective “—independent. I don’t think she is the type to fulfill her duty.”
“She needs training,” Julianna said. “I can help her.”
“You don’t know what you’re offering to take on.”
“Come now, you make her sound like an ogre.”
“Not an ogre,” he admitted. “Ornery.”
“I have four younger brothers. I can handle ornery.”
“See how shopping goes, then you can decide if you want to continue helping her or not.”
“I can’t wait to see what you think of her with a brand-new wardrobe complete with coordinating accessories, shoes and makeup.”
Niko’s shoulders tensed. No way would Isabel agree to a total makeover. “Just get her into a dress by dinnertime, and I’ll be much obliged.”
“Obliged enough for another sail tomorrow?” Julianna challenged.
The jaunt to America had wreaked havoc with his schedule. Niko had little to no free time right now. He appreciated Julianna’s help because that meant he didn’t have to deal with Isabel himself. The woman didn’t need only a fashion makeover, she needed a complete personality transplant. Niko doubted even the capable Aliestle princess could do much with Isabel by dinnertime. But if Julianna was willing to try.
“If you can make her presentable to my parents, I’ll gladly find the time to go sailing with you tomorrow.”
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