Page 27 of A Heart Too Tender

He nodded and a lock of black hair fell over his eyes. A groan built in the back of my throat that I swallowed down.

“And was it pleasant?”

“Very.”

The way he said the word had my lashes fluttering.

“Tomorrow is the next trial. Are you nervous?”

I didn’t know how to tell him his words had made me more nervous than the looming trial, but a giggle slipped through my lips and his eyes twinkled. There was something familiar about their shape, or maybe their color?

Julian halted, my face half illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the window he stopped us beside.

“Your eyes,” he whispered, reaching to cup my cheek. “Are the most exquisite shade of green.”

My breath caught and ever so slowly, I moved my hand to cup his. There was something so enchanting about this moment. I found all my thoughts eddying away.

“My Lord,” Charles’ voice called across the room, shattering the moment completely. I took a step away immediately, turning to face the window. “I’ve been instructed to move the trial up to today.”

“Whatever for?” Julian bristled.

“The queen believes the impending storm will interfere tomorrow, and wishes to have it today, instead. I’ve informed the other princesses and they are all waiting downstairs.”

There was an edge to his voice and my shoulders raised on their own accord as I turned to face the music.

“I should be right there.”

Charles’ keen eyes swept from the top of my head to the slippers on my feet before he grumbled something unintelligible.

I looked to Julian for guidance and he pursed his lips and nodded.

“You might want to change your shoes,” Julian said, turning to face me. “Maude will know which ones are best. We’ll wait for you downstairs.”

I felt foolish and exposed in a way that made me want to cross my arms over my midsection, but instead, I raised my chin and strode calmly across the gallery and out the door.