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‘I’m not sure what you mean,’ Jasmine replied.
‘You’ll find out soon enough how difficult it is to keep a secret in this place. You are not the woman my brother’s press office was gearing up to announce as his bride two days ago. Which makes me wonder if whatever’s irking him has nothing to do with me and everything to do with you?’
Jasmine licked her lips, uncomfortable about having this conversation with Isabella when she was unsure what her role entailed in this marriage of convenience. She’d have to pick it up with Reyes. Once he could have a conversation with her again without that look of consternation.
‘Please, can we drop the subject?’
The other woman wrapped her hand around Jasmine’s arm. ‘Of course, I didn’t mean to upset you. Dios, I can’t seem to breathe for causing upset today.’
‘No, please. Think nothing of it.’ She flashed a smile.
Isabella’s shrewd gaze rested on her for a moment before she nodded. ‘Fine. Come, we’ll enjoy some cocktails before dinner. If Reyes gets over his tantrum, he can join us. Otherwise it’s his loss.’
Jasmine followed her down the hallway to a large, skylit room with wide doors that led onto a wide terrace. Soft lights glinted through the space dotted with large, potted ficus trees. In the centre an extensive bar had been built, manned by two servants.
One came forward with a tray holding an array of gaily coloured drinks. Isabella pointed to the iced green one.
‘Try that one. It’s made with guava and a local fruit called santosanda.’
‘It’s not alcoholic, is it?’ Seeing the instant speculation in Isabella’s eyes, she hurriedly added, ‘I’ll never get over the jet lag if I add alcohol to the mix.’
Isabella shook her head. ‘It doesn’t contain any alcohol.’
Jasmine picked up the drink and took a sip. Different textures exploded on her tongue, the dominant one a tangy sweetness that sent a delicious chill down her spine. ‘Wow.’
Isabella smiled and sipped her own peach-tinged drink. She drifted out onto the terrace, and she stood staring at the horizon.
Lights came on as darkness fell and her thoughtful gaze rested over the view of San Domenica. ‘In case you’re wondering, I’m really pleased about your wedding to my brother. The council is right. We need a boost of good news. We’ve lived with doom and gloom since Mamá died.’ She shook her head. ‘I know I followed my heart in not marrying Alessandro, but I had been wondering lately if I took the selfish route.’
Jasmine shook her head. ‘You would’ve caused each other too much pain in the end. Once the rose shades come off, relationships are an uphill struggle of hard work.’ Especially without love.
‘Are you speaking from experience?’
Despite her subtle probing, Jasmine warmed to Isabella. The princess had an open, honest face that went with her take-no-prisoners attitude.
‘I watched my mother turn herself inside out for men who didn’t deserve her love.’
Isabella’s mouth pursed. ‘My mother had all the love a man could give a woman, yet she went searching for more. Over and over, and in the wrong places. My father has never overcome the knowledge that he wasn’t enough for her.’
‘One-sided love is just as hard to keep up as no love at all.’ Her heart lurched as she said the words, but Jasmine refused to examine why too deeply. She was too scared to find out. She went to take another sip and realised she’d finished the cocktail. The servant stepped forward with another. She smiled her thanks, took it, and turned back to the view.
‘How is your father?’
Isabella looked towards the south wing of the palace, and sadness cloaked her face. ‘He’s hanging in there. I don’t mean to sound callous and it’ll break my heart when it happens, but I just wish he’d let go. I want him to find peace—’
‘Isabella!’
She jumped at the admonishing voice.
Reyes stood behind them, his face more thunderous than it had been before.
‘I’m...sorry, mi hermano, but you know I’m right.’
Reyes’s fists bunched. ‘If those are the sorts of views you choose to share with Jasmine, then perhaps you should consider eating dinner on your own.’
Eyes widening, Isabella gulped. Then her face closed with rebellion. ‘Fine. I think I will.’
Before Jasmine could draw breath, the princess had stormed off.
Her gaze collided with Reyes’s. ‘Upsetting women seems to be your speciality. Are you sure you don’t want to relocate to a faraway monastery and live the rest of your life as a monk?’
