Chapter Thirteen
At the hotel, the staffhad been sworn to secrecy that she was in residence. And Brandese felt more herself than she had in a long while. The Princess Brandese hairpieces were in place, cascading over her shoulders. The ornamental cosmetics and lovely fluff of a dress were the way she’d typically been styled for events, so everyone in the private lobby stopped and turned to stare at her.
She smiled and inclined her head. The soldiers guarding her stayed close at hand, even when Lord Evston appeared. He wore a dark blue suit of clothes that showed off his coloring and physique to perfection.
When she reached him, she smiled. “Lord Calex, it’s nice to see you.”
His rank meant he was not required to present himself as lower than she, and he did not. He only gave a small nod and ushered her out onto the glider platform. He spoke briefly to the soldiers, giving them the location of the private social club that they’d travel to.
A number of people stopped and stared. She knew they made a very gorgeous couple. On the surface, they were perfect in every way.
Inside the glider compartment, he sat on the opposite deep-cushioned bench.
“Duckworth is very loyal to you,” Brandese said. “I suspect she knows a great deal, but not even a whiff of warning was given to a sweet and innocent young princess,” she teased.
“She’s been with us a long time,” he murmured, glancing out the window at the sloping sand dunes that glittered as they passed by.
It had only been days since she’d left the Calex castle but it felt longer. On one hand, she had been relieved to be liberated from the top tier of the castle. On the other, she couldn’t help but miss him and their wicked times together.
“How have you been?” she asked.
“Well enough,” he said.
After several moments, she said, “I’m sorry we argued.”
His blue-eyed gaze slid to her. “It was an emotionally charged situation.”
She stretched out a hand. “Friends still?”
He took it and brushed a thumb over the back of her hand as he held it in a light grip. He nodded and released her.
She switched to the other side so that she was sitting next to him. “I read the section you wrote in the book on historical and landmark legislative decisions. I enjoyed it. More engaging than any of the rest of the volume.”
“Thank you,” he said, still seeming so distant.
She put a hand on his arm. “Is there anything, short of my being imprisoned in a tower, that will restore good relations between us? I miss you.”
“Relations between us are fine. Choose any topic. I’ll be happy to talk with you about it,” he said.
