“Oh!” she gasped, startling the women around her.
“What’s wrong?” Gabrielle asked. “Did we leave a sewing needle in the fabric? If youdarebleed on this gown, I swear?—”
“No, I’m fine!” Evelyn promised. “I forgot how pretty this color is.”
“Silly little girl,” Gabrielle chided. She pinched and pulled at the dress in various spots while one of the assistants took notes.
Evelyn stared at the fabric. The color matched Leo’s left eye perfectly.
Is that why I chose it?
Before she knew it, the women were taking the dress off her.
“That’s all?” Evelyn asked. “I didn’t get to see it.”
There weren’t any mirrors where she was standing, and Evelyn had been too distracted by the color to notice anything else.
“There’s no time!” Gabrielle shouted. “You should have been here yesterday like your sister!”
I’m not sure if Gabrielle doesn’t know or doesn’t care that I was in the hospital yesterday, but I do know better than to argue with her.
The women helped Evelyn change back into her original dress, and she felt far less grand than she had with the corset and skirts. Then Gabrielle shoved her out the door again.
“Evelyn!” Leo strolled down the hallway toward her. “Do you have a minute? I… I need to talk to you about something. Really, we should have talked days ago, and that’s my fault, but so much has happened, and I wasn’t sure how to explain?—”
“You’re rambling again.” Evelyn forced a laugh to cover her anxiety.
Is that about last night? Does he regret what happened?
“Right. I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve been meaning to tell you…” he trailed off, looking unsure of how to continue.
“Is something wrong? DidIdo something wrong?”
“No, Princess, you didn’t do anything. You are so… so wonderful. I’ve been so happy this week, truly. But?—”
“What are you doing up here?” King Gerard’s voice boomed down the hallway, making them both jump.
“I was—” Leo started.
The king approached them. “General Savatier is downstairs. You are supposed to be meeting with him about the explosion. A meeting that, lest I remind you, was meant to occuryesterday.”
Leo flinched. “I need a moment to talk with Princess Evelyn.”
“No.You will not embarrass us by choosing a girl over the general again.”
Evelyn snapped, “I’m not some randomgirlhe found in the city! I am a princess of Carrowmore, remember? I’ve been a guest here for a week. Didn’t anyone tell you?”
Based on the king’s expression, I don’t think I would survive the next ten seconds if I weren’t a princess.
King Gerard’s low voice was menacing. “I have no need foryouin this kingdom. As soon as my son proposes to your sister, I expect you to return home.”
“What makes you so sure Hannah will agree to marry Alexander?” Evelyn argued stubbornly. “Maybe she knows better than to be part ofyourfamily!”
Anger flared in King Gerard’s eyes.
Leo stepped forward. “I will go to the general now. Evelyn, we can talk later.”
He disappeared down the main staircase. King Gerard glowered at Evelyn before walking in the opposite direction. She stuck her tongue out at him and then wondered if that counted as treason.
