Page 9 of A Heart Too Tender

I nodded. “I need time to think.”

Riding in the storm had been exactly what I needed, but it set me back time-wise. Most of the princesses were already gathered in the summer palace by the time I had arrived—all but one. I watched from the stables as the last one streaked across the courtyard in the downpour. Her simple gown clung to her curves while sodden curls waved like a flag behind her as she rushed to abandon the rain. She halted abruptly at the entrance and mud splattered the iron and wood door. It was amusing. She seemed so free, and … wild. Much the same as she had looked in my arms the night before, dancing across the ballroom.

Colette tugged at the soaked fabric of her gown and smoothed the wet hair out of her face before knocking on the door. I had made it halfway across the yard when she began pacing. The squelch of my boots alerted her to my presence, and she whirled, facing me.

“Oh, sir! Please tell me you can help me! I only just received my summons, and the storm made the journey treacherous, and I-I—” she was near tears as I approached. But not once did her eyes flare with disgust, nor did she withdraw from my presence.

Maybe I didn’t look as dreadful as I thought?

“I can help,” I replied, reaching for the door, but finding it locked.

“Thank you …” she trailed off, trying politely to pry a name out of me.

I shook the handle again before pounding a fist against the ornate iron.

“I tried that,” she muttered.

I arched a brow, and my eyes swept from the top of her head to her fingertips. “Probably not as loud as I just did. They have to hear you over the rain.”

The princess smirked at me and gestured with her head to the chained handle beside the door. “Which is why I rang the bell too.” She said it politely, but there was a teasing to her tone.

“I apologize,” I replied.

Colette heaved a sigh. “No—it is I who should apologize. You were only trying to help, and this weather, coupled with cold, wet clothes, only makes angry fools of us all.”

She was kind, unnaturally so, with a keen sort of wit that I enjoyed very much. I began reconciling with the fact that just last night I held her in my arms but now, we were just two people caught in the rain. Two strangers …

“What is your name?” I asked.

She dropped into an unnecessary curtsy. “I’m Princess Colette of Silver Hill.”

I feigned shock at having a princess bow to me and grasped her lightly on the elbow. “You don’t have to bow to me.”

Colette frowned and I found it so endearing, I wanted to capture her likeness on canvas to marvel at it forever. When my hand left the warmth of her arm my fingers flexed involuntarily as I tried to keep from reaching for her again. These brief touches were not enough.

“We’re all deserving of respect and kindness, no matter our station,” she quipped.

Before I could respond, the door swung open.

It was Charles, the longstanding page of the summer palace. “And you are?”

He scowled at the drenched Colette in a way that had anger surging through me. My hands balled into fists.

Colette lowered into another curtsy, announcing herself.

Charles was nice, if not a bit of a curmudgeon in the late evening, and the rain usually stiffened his joints. His eyes slid from Colette to mine, and I could see the moment he struggled not to bow to me. Mother must have alerted him to my change in appearance.

“The storm held her up,” I said at once. “Let’s get her inside and warmed up. We don’t want any of the guests catching colds.”

“Of course, Julian …” Charles agreed, still struggling through the lack of decorum he was used to bestowing.

“It was nice to meet you,” Colette said. “I hope to see you again during the trials.” She flashed me a brilliant smile and followed one of the attendants Charles had gestured for.

With Colette out of earshot, Charles sunk into a bow. “Your Highness, I do sincerely apologize.”

I waved him off. “It’s no bother. Pretend I truly am the trial overseer.”

Charles grumbled something about decency before clearing his throat. “Your official title is Governor.”

My shoulders rose and fell with my breath. That had mother written all over it.

“We have three weeks until Heart’s Night,” I began. “When’s the first trial?”

Charles kept pace alongside me to my royal chambers. “The peas have all been placed under their mattresses, and the first trial is set for two days time, with each trial taking place every three days.”

“And the first trial?”

“Duty, Your Highness. We’re testing their ability to walk gracefully as one would expect of royalty.”