Princess at Sea Read Free

tucking it in the box with the rest. “It’s the cold,” he said, knowing it wasn’t.
    I made a face to try to break him out of his mood. “Don’t think so,” I said saucily. “I’ve always been able to spot you cheating.” I playfully reached out and took one of his sweets, popping it into my mouth and arching my eyebrows.
    â€œHey!” he cried in mock distress. “I spent half a purse on those.”
    My tongue ran over the inside of my teeth to get every last bit of sticky amber. “Nuh uh. I caught you. I deserve at least three.”
    Lurching in time with the boat, he sat beside me on my side of the table. His brow smoothed when I didn’t shift away, and his hand went out to take mine. Unlike my sister’s, my skin was as dark as his, my fingers having faint calluses in places most people had smooth skin. A soft smile took me, seeing how small my hand looked within his. He was so close, I could smell the dye from his hat. I should have moved, but I didn’t.
    My pulse increased, and I watched his eyes. An eager feeling of daring lifted through me, and my breath caught. I let him turn my hand over, and he dropped a handful of caramels into my palm. “I bought them for you,” he said as he curled my fingers over them.
    I met his solemn expression with a smile that was probably besotted. “Thank you.” I dropped the sweets into a pocket and shifted closer under the excuse of a wave, reaching to check the topknot my long curls were in. It was a nervous habit that brought a knowing glint to Duncan’s eyes. He leaned closer, and my eyes widened. Oh heavens, he’s going to kiss me. It’s about chu-pits time!
    Another bang from the royal apartment brought my head around. “To get some air!” came a furious shout. It was Contessa, one hand on her gathered skirts, the other reaching like a blind man as she struggled to make her way up the narrow aisle to the common room. I reluctantly eased away; my sister had the timing of an aunt with nothing to do but play chaperone.
    Alex was behind her, managing the rocking boat well in his shiny boots, snug-fitting breeches, and long-tailed coat of a rich green lined in gold. In his grace, he even managed to keep his sword, at his side despite the security of the boat, from smacking anything.
    â€œLet me help you, Contessa,” he said gallantly, a devious smile about his thin lips as he nodded first to me, then Duncan. His light dusting of freckles, fine blond hair, and trim, small-waisted figure brought to mind his murderous, power-crazed brother—the one who took over my palace and murdered my adopted parents. The similarities of the two brothers had bothered me greatly until I realized that apart from their outward appearance, they were as different as salt and sand. Thank God.
    â€œI don’t want your help,” Contessa muttered, red spotting her pale cheeks as she tottered to the steps. “I’m trying to get away from you.”
    â€œContessa, love . . .” Green eyes sparkling, he reached to help her, and she jerked away, jewelry chiming. Giving him a potent glare she must have learned at the feet of the nuns who raised her, she struggled up the steps. The wind whipped her unbound hair into her eyes and made her skirt flare out. I’d have a wickedly hard time getting the yellow strands untangled tonight. Steadying herself, she stomped in her tiny boots to the railing and out of sight.
    Tempting fate, Alex ran a hand over his clean-shaven cheeks and followed the petite woman up. The quick-minded prince was bored, and teasing my sister was apparently the only thing he could find to do. Unfortunately, Contessa’s provincial temper made her an easy mark.
    The mood broken, Duncan slid down the bench a smidgen. He took three cards from his deck and practiced moving them in and out of hiding, the motion intentionally slow as he stretched and strengthened