Not-So-Perfect Princess (11 page)

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.”

Especially the tabloids or her father. Fear of discovery made Jules’s stomach roll with nausea.

“I don’t understand why you would disobey the king, ma’am.” The maid sounded dumbfounded. “You’ve never…”

“I felt as if I had no other choice.” In for a penny, in for a pound. Jules needed Yvette’s help. That required honesty. Perhaps the truth would bring compassion. “Once I marry Enrique, my life will be the same as it is back home, with similar restrictions. Enrique has forbidden me from sailing again. I know I’m disobeying my father, but I need a taste of freedom. When Alejandro asked me to be on his racing crew—”

“You’re sailing with Prince Alejandro?” Yvette’s eyes widened, as if scandalized.

Jules nodded.

“But his reputation—”

“May be bad, but I assure you, Prince Alejandro has been a total gentleman.” Unfortunately.

“If King Alaric finds out or Prince Enrique—”

“Neither has to find out. Only Alejandro and you know what I’m doing. The crew thinks I’m a college kid from Germany.”

Yvette said nothing. Her eyes looked contemplative. Maybe she was too stunned for words. Or maybe she was totaling how much she could make selling this story to the media.

Jules knew her freedom, at least what little she’d found sailing with Alejandro, would vanish with one wrong word. She took the maid’s hands in hers. “I know what I’m asking is wrong, but please don’t tell anyone.”

The seconds ticked by.

“I’ll keep your secret, ma’am,” Yvette said. “I pledge my loyalty and promise to help you.”

Her words nearly knocked Jules over. “Oh, thank you. I’ll find some way to make it up to you. I promise.”

“That isn’t necessary, ma’am.” Compassion shone in Yvette’s eyes. “I understand.”

“You do?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’d love to escape my job as a palace maid, move to Milan or Paris and work in the fashion industry.” Wistfulness echoed in the maid’s words.

A kindred spirit. “You have the talent.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“I’m sure we aren’t the only ones who wish for something different.”

Yvette nodded.

“I can’t do much about Paris or Milan, but I can see about getting you a job here on the island.”

“Thank you, ma’am, but my family needs me in Aliestle. I don’t want to hurt my sisters’ marriage prospects.”

“I understand, but if you change your mind let me know.” Jules had more in common with her maid than she realized. She smiled. “Having your help, Yvette, is going to make sailing in the Med Cup so much easier. Here’s what we’ll need to do…”

CHAPTER NINE

A
S THE DAYS FLEW BY,
Jules juggled between playing the role of J.V. and being Princess Julianna. Whenever anyone wanted to see her in the morning, Yvette said the princess was sleeping. No one was the wiser, at the palace or on the crew, in spite of a close call when a strong gust of wind nearly blew her cap and wig off her head.

Jules had found a way to do her duty, as was required by her father and country, and experience freedom, as her heart and soul longed for. But guilt niggled at her.

Being on Alejandro’s crew was a crazy, fun adventure, but a temporary one. Her wedding day, however, was right after the Med Cup, yet she’d barely thought about it. Or her groom.

Prince Enrique wasn’t the man of her dreams, but he was to be her husband and the father of her children. Their marriage would last for the rest of her life. She couldn’t ignore her fiancé, even if he’d been ignoring her.

If love was to blossom, someone had to make the first move. That someone was going to have to be her.

With her resolve in place, Jules walked to Enrique’s office. The sound of her heels against the marble floor echoed through the hall.

Enrique’s assistant wasn’t behind his desk, but the door to the inner office was ajar.

She tapped lightly. “Enrique?”

“Julianna.” He rose from a large walnut desk. His gray suit, white dress shirt and red tie were a far cry from Alejandro’s casual boating clothes and sexy, carefree style, but Enrique looked regal and handsome. “What brings you here?”

Jules entered the office. “I’ve hardly seen you this week.”

She preferred sailing with Alejandro or her own company to being with Enrique. But she needed to make sure their marriage started out on a solid footing even if he saw her as nothing more than his royal broodmare and arm candy.

“True, but I’ve been thinking about you.” Enrique smiled, but the gesture seemed to be more of an effort to placate her. “You must understand, my princess. There is much work to attend to.”

“Yes, you have been busy.” She wanted him to show her she hadn’t misjudged him. She wanted him to do something to make her want to be with him the way she wanted to be with Alejandro. “Will you be joining us for dinner tonight?”

Enrique hadn’t eaten with them the past four nights. Not even her father worked that much, and he was king. Aliestle was a small country, but wealthier and more influential than this island.

“I regret missing dinners.” Enrique motioned to the papers on his desk. “But I am working more now so I can take a few days off after the wedding.”

I, not we. Disappointment weighed her down. For their marriage to work, she needed Enrique to meet her halfway. “Just a few days for our honeymoon?”

He nodded. “I can’t afford to be away any longer.”

“I understand.” Look at the bright side, Jules thought. They hadn’t spent any time alone. Whenever they attended an official event, a security detail and the press accompanied them. And each time they were together, Enrique managed to irritate her more. A short honeymoon might be best. “Duty first.”

He sat. “Your sense of duty appeals to me, Julianna.”

Her obedience was second only to her dowry.

Stay positive.
Enrique might want to lead her around like a champion show dog on a leash, but their daughters could be doctors and lawyers if they were raised on La Isla de la Aurora. Jules forced a smile. “Thank you.”

“How is the wedding planning coming along?” he asked.

The question struck her as odd. Enrique made most of the decisions about the royal wedding. Either he was trying to be polite or he thought her that clueless. Neither boded well. But she kept her pride in check. “The wedding coordinators seem to have everything in hand. But I manage to keep myself…occupied.”

Her day started at 3:00 a.m. in preparation for the morning sails. Jules returned to the palace for more sleep before heading to town to make appearances and attend functions.

“I love going into the capital,” she admitted.

The coastal town looked like something from a postcard with its pastel buildings with tiled roofs, the coffee shops with umbrella covered tables and the open-air markets where people could buy everything from fresh fish to vegetables. Businesses closed in the afternoon for siesta. The relaxed pace reminded her of Alejandro.

Don’t think about him now.

“The people are charming,” she added.

The citizens of La Isla de la Aurora embraced their Spanish heritage. They spoke English and Spanish with ease often mixing the two languages. Wherever she went, smiles greeted her. The genuine warmth of the people touched her heart. Jules felt accepted here in a way she’d never felt back home. That gave her another reason for wanting this marriage to work. She liked living on the island.

“You’ve been tired lately,” he said with what sounded like a hint of concern. She was surprised he’d noticed.

“A little.” Jules made do with what sleep she could squeeze in. “I’m working hard to learn my new role.”

Here at the palace and on the boat.

“You’re doing well.” He sounded pleased. “I saw your picture in the paper this morning. You were at the hospital.”

She nodded. “I enjoy visiting the patients, especially the children. There’s this little boy. His name is—”

“Stop visiting the hospital until after the wedding,” he interrupted. “You could catch a nasty germ there.”

“I’m sure you wouldn’t want to get sick.” The words slipped out.

“That’s for certain.”

She swallowed a sigh. Once again he was only concerned about himself. “I’m just tired, Enrique. Don’t be concerned about catching germs, I’m healthy.”

“I know.”

Jules drew back. “You do?”

“Our palace doctor spoke with yours.”

She didn’t know what to say. Had all her fiancés been told about her medical record? Not that she had anything to hide, but still… She hated the lack of privacy. That would never happen to one of her brothers.

Enrique glanced at his computer monitor, distracted by whatever had popped up on his screen. “Is there anything else?”

No, you egotistical tyrant-wannabe, Jules would have said if she had a choice, but she didn’t say a word. Like it or not, Enrique was going to be her husband. She couldn’t spend the rest of her life fantasizing about his younger brother. She had to make this relationship with Enrique work. Somehow.

“Perhaps we could go out,” she suggested. “Just the two of us. On a date,” she clarified, so he got the point.

“A date. What a sweet thought. But that’s not possible with our upcoming nuptials.” He placed his fingers on his keyboard. “Don’t fret, my princess. We’ll have plenty of time for dates after we’re married.”

Their first kiss would be at the wedding ceremony. Their first date would be on their honeymoon. The thought of her wedding night made her nauseous.

She straightened. “I’ll leave you to your work.”

Enrique didn’t look up. He didn’t mutter a goodbye. The only sound was his fingers tapping on the keyboard.

So much for meeting her halfway. She walked to the doorway.

Time to face facts. If not for the PR opportunity at the wedding, he’d send a proxy to stand in for him as groom at the ceremony.

Enrique was going to have to have a complete change of heart about her and the marriage for things to work. Even then she wondered if love was possible.

But Jules knew one thing. No longer would she feel any guilt for sailing. She’d tried to make things better, but Enrique had shut her down.

Nothing was going to stop her from having the time of her life with Alejandro and the crew. Nothing at all.

Alejandro couldn’t focus. All he wanted to do was look at the picture of Julianna on the cover of this morning’s newspaper. He stared at the black and white photograph.

No one would call this vibrant, warm woman an ice princess. The smile on her face reached all the way to her eyes. Those same eyes looked brighter, more alive.

Alejandro wondered if he—make that the sailing—had brought about those changes. Or had it been Enrique?

He hadn’t seen the royal couple together in a few days. Enrique had skipped several dinners. Alejandro hadn’t minded one bit. He enjoyed spending time and talking with Julianna even with his father and Brandt there. The more Alejandro learned about her, the more he wanted to know. He couldn’t wait to see her tonight.

He glanced at the clock. Only two.

The thought of waiting until dinnertime to see Julianna didn’t sit well. If he returned to the palace early, he could see if she wanted to spend time with Boots. She enjoyed playing with the kitten.

Alejandro liked playing with her. Or would, if he could…

He’d settle for being alone with her.

She might be on his boat every morning, but so was the rest of the crew. They couldn’t talk openly or in a language he was comfortable speaking. She had to play a role, and so did he.

Leaving with her from the dock might raise suspicions, so she always headed back to the palace alone while he went off to the boatyard.

He looked at the clock again.

Why not take the afternoon off? He rarely did so.

After a quick talk with the boatyard foreman about what needed to be completed today, Alejandro returned to the palace. He found Boots sound asleep in the apartment. The kitten didn’t stir when Alejandro picked him up. He went to Julianna’s room and knocked on her door.

No answer.

Alejandro knocked again. Nothing.

Damn. He felt becalmed, as if all the wind had left his sails.

“Are you looking for Princess Julianna, sir?”

He turned to face one of the palace housekeepers with a feather duster in her hand. “Yes, Elena, I brought Boots by for a visit.”

“Every day the princess tells me how much the kitten is growing.” Elena’s smile deepened the lines on her face. She’d been working at the palace for as long as he could remember. She used to sneak him food when he’d been grounded for some infraction or other. “The princess is right, sir.”

Alejandro hadn’t noticed any changes in the kitten. He glanced down. Boots may have gained some weight. But they’d only been living at the palace a little over a week. That didn’t seem long enough for the kitten to grow.

Then again Alejandro felt as if he’d known Julianna for years not days. He felt so comfortable around her. “The princess has been sneaking Boots treats. That’s probably why.”

Elena nodded. “I saw the princess head down to the beach about a half an hour ago.”

“Thank you.”

Alejandro returned the kitten to the apartment and then headed to the beach.

Clear blue waves rolled to shore. Off in the distance, Julianna sat on the sand. She didn’t seem concerned about her white Capri pants getting dirty.

A seabird soared overhead. The white wings contrasted against the blue sky. Another bird swooped and dipped its feet into the water, but the talons came up empty.

Julianna wasn’t alone. Her bodyguard, Klaus, stood back. Far enough to give the princess privacy but close enough to react if needed. Alejandro acknowledged Klaus with a nod before approaching Julianna.

As he made his way toward Julianna, the wind caught in her hair. Strands went every which way. She pushed the hair off her face.

He would have liked to do that for her. He remembered how her hair felt, soft as silk, when strands had slipped out of her wig. But with Klaus behind them, Alejandro would have to keep his hands to himself. “Hello, Princess.”

Julianna glanced up at him. The combination of the sky and her short-sleeved shirt accentuated the blueness of her eyes. She smiled, looking pleased to see him. “Hi.”

“Enjoying the peace and quiet?”

“Yes. I was raised to fear being on my own, but I like it.” She raised a handful of sand into the air and let the granules sift from her fingers. A hill of sand formed. “Especially out here by the water.”

“I don’t want to disturb you.”

“You’re not.” She patted the spot next to her. “Sit.”

He did.

Julianna carved into the sand until a rustic castle took shape.

“You need a bucket and a shovel to build a proper castle,” he said.

She stuck out her tongue. “Who said anything about this being proper?”

He laughed. “My mistake.”

“This castle is different. Special.”

Her wistful tone intrigued him. “Tell me about it.”

“In this castle, you’re allowed to do whatever you choose. The only rule is to follow your heart.”

Alejandro shoved his hands into the warm sand to help her dig a moat. “A good rule for any castle, proper or not.”

She nodded. “Marriage is encouraged, but only if you’ve found your one true love.”

His hands worked right next to hers. If he moved his left hand, he could touch her. The bodyguard would be none the wiser. Klaus couldn’t see past their backs or hear what they were saying. Alejandro inched his hand closer. “Weddings must be rare.”

One side of the castle collapsed. She knocked the rest away and started over. “Divorces are rarer.”

A little farther… Anticipation built.

Alejandro wanted to touch her, to feel her soft skin against his once more, but doing so would be wrong. He moved his hand away from hers.

“That would be a different kind of castle.” While she occupied herself making another mound of sand, Alejandro pulled out his phone, typed in a text message for Ortiz and hit Send. “What about royal duty?”

“Royalty does not exist.”

That surprised him. Sailing aside, she seemed so keen on being a perfect princess and having little princes and princesses to keep the royal bloodline going.

“All people are created equal in my castle,” she continued. “Whether male or female, wealthy or poor.”

“Sounds like a nice place to live.”

“It would be nice.” Jules stared at the sand. “If I could build it.”

The longing in her voice touched his heart. “La Isla de la Aurora isn’t perfect, but it’s an enjoyable place to live. Though you won’t have the kind of freedom here as you’d have in your castle.”

She laughed. “It’s a fantasy. No place like that exists.”