Not-So-Perfect Princess. Barbara Wallace

and see you tomorrow.”

      Jules watched him exit the dining room. The atmosphere seemed less stuffy with Enrique gone. Her uncharitable thought brought a stab of guilt. He was her future husband. She’d best accept him as he was.

      Alejandro rose. “I’m going to say good-night, also.”

      “Will I see you later?” Brandt asked.

      “Not tonight,” Alejandro said. “I have a prior engagement.”

      Yes, he did. She bit back a smile. In two hours and twenty-two minutes she would meet him at a private dock. The map, a headlamp and everything else she needed were sitting inside a duffel bag she’d found in her closet this afternoon.

      “Blonde or brunette?” Brandt asked.

      Alejandro laughed at the innuendo. “I wish I could say differently, but unfortunately it’s not that kind of … engagement.”

      Jules tried to figure out what Alejandro meant. That he wished he were seeing a different woman or he wished he were meeting her under different circumstances? Not that he would or she could. But still …

      “You can meet me at a club later,” Brandt said.

      Alejandro glanced her way. “Maybe I will.”

      “No.” The two men looked at her with surprised expressions.

      Jules’s heart dropped to her feet. She hadn’t meant to say the word out loud. “I mean, do you know how long you’ll be, Alejandro? Brandt might not want to stick around one club waiting for you to show up.”

      Brandt shook his head. “Stop being such a big sister, Jules. He can text me when he arrives.”

      “Oh, right,” she said. “You know how often I go clubbing.”

      “You’ve never been to a club,” Brandt said.

      She’d never been allowed to go. She always wondered if her bodyguards were more concerned protecting her or ensuring she remained a virgin so her father could use that in marriage negotiations. “Exactly.”

      “Your sister’s correct, though,” Alejandro said. “I have no idea how long I’ll be. I may not make it.”

      Brandt shrugged. “More lovely ladies for me.”

      “Save some for us tomorrow night.”

      Her brother grinned. “You’re on.”

      Jules didn’t want to think about tomorrow and the life waiting for her as Enrique’s bride and future queen. She wanted tonight to last forever. She wanted it to start now.

      She rose from the table. “Good night, gentlemen. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.”

      “I hope you’re not too bored here alone,” Brandt said.

      “Don’t worry. I won’t be bored at all.” Her gaze met Alejandro’s for a moment. “Tonight is exactly what I need.”