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“If you don’t want to see him again, you won’t. It’s as simple as that. I’m so very sorry about your tiara. Shall I send Bardaline to search for your bracelet?”
The princess didn’t answer. She was staring at Lila, as if she were looking at a distorted painting she couldn’t make out.
“We will put Mr. Ashley firmly behind us, Your Royal Highness.”
“Thankyou.” She dipped down for her shears and turned back to the dahlia bush.
“But...”
The princess’s head snapped round.“But?”
“But...if there was anything about him that you liked or appreciated, it would be helpful to know.”
“What?Why?”
“So that I might continue to assess your likes and dislikes. For example, you liked the flowers Aggiani arrived with.”
“I like flowers. I don’t like wagons full of them. It’s a waste.”
“And you did seem to enjoy speaking of books and playing music with Mr. Ashley.”
The princess’s unusual eyes narrowed. “I like books and I like music. I would think you would know that. If nothing else, I am sure my mother gave you a list of things she wished I would like and those she wished I didn’t.”
This young woman was astute. Lila had discarded that list long ago. “Well. The good news is, we’ve a new caller arriving later today.”
The princess’s mouth dropped open. “Have you lost your senses? Whoever it is, send him away. I don’t want to meet him.”
“I think, given your feelings on the first two, that this gentleman just might be the one for you.”
“Lady Aleksander, you have not inspired my confidence.”
Oh, she was angry—she had reverted to addressing Lila formally.
“He is Prince Michel of Miraval, a lovely Mediterranean principality that I think you would enjoy in the summer.”
Princess Justine made a sound of alarm and anguish. She dipped down, picked up the dog and tucked her under her arm. With her free hand she picked up the basket, and with a sharp look at Lila, began marching toward the hall.
Lila hurried to keep up with her. The princess was taller, and her stride was longer and she was forced to jog alongside her. “He is a gentleman. He is kind, and he loves animals—he has quite a menagerie. Goats, chickens, dogs and cats. Do you love animals, or do you prefer only dogs?”
“Of course I love animals. What sort of monster would I be if I didn’t love animals? But I cannot be persuaded to affection by achicken.”
“He likes to read, too. The last I saw him, we discussed the writing of Voltaire.”
“Not another word!” the princess insisted.
Behind them, one of her ever-present guards shouted,“Cessez!”
“Sorry, I don’t speak Weslorian!” Lila called over her shoulder.
“Weslorian! He’s speaking to you in French and commanding you to stop.”
“Prince Michel has younger siblings and he is most considerate of them. He will make an excellent father. And while he is...agreeable in looks and stature, he is not so handsome that one must worry about ladies throwing themselves at his feet, as you might have worried with Mr. Ashley.”
The princess picked up her pace. So did Lila. “He is a year older than you and is heir to a vast fortune in the sea trade.”
Princess Justine paused only to put Dodi on her feet, then began to jog up the terrace steps, Dodi trotting beside her. Lila could not keep pace. She called after her, “He should arrive in time for tea!” And then dragged in a deep breath.
Princess Justine shrieked with agitation as she disappeared out of view. The dog paused at the top of the stairs and looked back at Lila, her tail wagging. When Lila didn’t call her, she scampered after the princess.
