Not-So-Perfect Princess. Barbara Wallace

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СКАЧАТЬ stared up at him. Even with puffy, red eyes she was still beautiful.

       But she was almost family. She would be his sister-in-law.

      Julianna scooted off his lap. “I’m better now.”

      He missed the warmth of her body, the feel of her curves against him. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

      She looked at the water. “It’s nothing.”

      “Let me be the judge of that.”

      A beat passed. And another. “Did you hang around after Enrique joined me on the terrace?”

      “No.” Maybe Alejandro should have.

      She took a slow breath. “I thought coming here and marrying Enrique would be so much better than staying in Aliestle. I believed things would be … different.”

      “I don’t understand.”

      “It’s difficult to explain. Do you recall at dinner when you asked if we sailed, and Brandt answered?”

      Alejandro nodded. He’d thought that odd.

      “Brandt spoke because he knows how much sailing means to me, and I would’ve gotten carried away. I love it. I’d rather sail than do anything. Being on a boat is the only time I can be myself. Not a proper princess or a dutiful daughter and sister.” She gazed at the water. “It’s heaven on earth for me.”

      The passion in her words heated the blood in his veins. The longing for independence, for a freedom from all the expectations of being a royal matched the desire in his heart. This perfect princess was as much a black sheep as him. She just kept the true color of her wool hidden. “I know exactly how you feel.”

      She studied him. “I thought you might. My father has never allowed me to sail on the ocean due to my mother dying during a race. That’s why Enrique turned down your invitation to go sailing. My father said once I married, Enrique could decide whether I could sail or not.”

      “You’ll be living on an island,” Alejandro said. “Why wouldn’t you sail?”

      “That’s what I thought. After you left the terrace, I asked Enrique about being able to sail.” Her lower lip quivered. “He has forbidden me to sail. Not only on the ocean, but ever again. He says sailing brings out a wildness in me that’s not appropriate for a future queen. I’m to be a conventional wife and princess.”

      Tears gleamed in her eyes.

      Damn Enrique. His brother was a complete moron. A total ass. As usual. “He has spoken without thinking.”

      “He was quite serious about his expectations of me.”

      “My brother might be a cad, but he isn’t a monster. He’ll come around.”

      Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes. “I don’t think he will.”

      Alejandro’s chest tightened. “I’ll talk to Enrique. Make him see how much sailing means to you.”

      “No,” she said. “He might change his mind about marrying me.”

      Not likely given her dowry. But Julianna was so much more than the money she brought to the marriage. She might act like a cold, dutiful princess, but underneath the perfect facade was a passionate woman looking to break free of the obligations that came with her tiara and scepter. La Isla de la Aurora deserved a queen like Julianna. Too bad Enrique didn’t deserve a woman like her.

      “Ask to be released from the marriage contract.” Alejandro couldn’t believe those words had come from his lips.

      “I can’t.”

      “You won’t.”

      “If I don’t marry Enrique, I’ll be sent home to marry one of the sons of our Council of Elders.” The way her voice cracked hurt Alejandro’s heart. “In Aliestle, it’s against the law to disobey your husband. I’d rather raise my children in a country that is more progressive. At least in principle. This is my fate. I must learn to accept it.”

      Alejandro hated seeing her so distressed. She deserved to be happy, to have the freedom to do what she wanted to do.

      “Not so fast,” he said. “In spite of a few traditional mindsets here, La Isla de la Aurora is a progressive country. That includes our laws. Enrique can’t throw you in prison or lock you away in a tower if you disobey him and go sailing.”

      “This isn’t only about my sailing.”

      “I’m not only talking about sailing. My mother left the island fifteen years ago.” Alejandro had learned an important lesson the day his mother left. Never rely on anyone but yourself. “Separation is an option here, even for royals.”

      “That’s very modern compared to where I come from.” She wiped her eyes. “You see, I’d hoped to use my position as future queen to effect change back home without embarrassing my country and family.”

      Alejandro remembered what she’d told him. “Working within the system.”

      She nodded. “Royals can’t be selfish and ignore the people who look up to them.”

      “That’s noble of you,” Alejandro said. Too bad most royals didn’t feel that way. “But you shouldn’t be too upset. My brother’s pulling one of his power plays with you. He’s done it to me many times and will change his mind. Your life will be better here than in Aliestle. You’ll have royal obligations, but you’ll also be able to do what you want to do, including help your country and sail.”

      Her shoulders remained slumped. “Enrique could annul the marriage if I defy him. I’d have to return to Aliestle.”

      “I don’t see a ring on your finger.”

      “Not yet anyway.” She glanced at her left hand. Straightened. “No ring.”

      “What?” Alejandro asked.

      Her gaze met his. “Maybe Enrique will change his mind about things or maybe he won’t. I can’t change anything that will happen once I marry. But if I go sailing now, I wouldn’t be disobeying my husband since Enrique is only my fiancé.”

      Her tone sounded different. Not as distraught. “You lost me.”

      Julianna’s gaze met Alejandro’s with an unspoken plea.

      Understanding dawned. He leaned away from her. “No. No way. I can’t get involved in this.”

      “You’re already involved.” She scooted closer. “All I need is a boat for one sail.”

      The flowery scent of her shampoo filled his nostrils and made him waver. He leaned backed to put some distance between them. “If you’re caught disobeying your father …”

      “I’ll make sure I’m not,” she said. “You believe Enrique will change his mind, but you didn’t see the look in his eyes. It’s worth the risk for one last hurrah before I get married.”

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