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An unexpected intimacy unfolded between us as I repositioned her legs. There was also a language spoken that went beyond words, and a tension that hinted at something unexplored and completely unexpected.
“There,” I murmured, meeting her gaze.
Grace held still, not a muscle twitching.
Yet our connection was undeniable.
“Anything else?” she whispered, her gaze now on my lips.
“Yes . . .” My heart pounded in my chest as I swallowed hard, nodding. “Just your hair.” Leaning in, I gently tucked a few strands behind her ear, my thumb grazing her cheek.
There was something crackling in the air between us, and it wasn’t a campfire. Our eyes locked, as the feeling intensified. In that charged moment, my gaze drifted to her lips, and an unexpected desire surged within me. I couldn’t shake the thought of kissing her.
Was I out of my mind?
What was going on with me?
“Just beautiful.” The words escaped from my mouth before I could stop them, and I could not take my eyes off her.
The urge to kiss her only intensified.
This was madness, but she wasn’t moving away.
Not being able to control my body, I leaned closer and?—
“Ahem,” came a sudden cough from the doorway.
Grace and I both jumped apart.
Mother stood there, her eyes wide as she took in the scene before her.
“Oliver—what in the world is going on in here?” she asked, her tone carrying a hint of disapproval.
“I’m painting a portrait of Grace,” I explained, jumping to my feet.
Mother raised an eyebrow. “From over there?” She glanced back over at the easel. “Exactly how are you able to accomplish that without a paintbrush?”
I sighed. “I came over here to adjust her positioning. Is there something I can help you with?”
“I don’t understand why you waste so much time in here,” Mother said. “I’m sure Grace has plenty of work to do with the wedding. And where is Freddie?”
“Who’s Freddie?” I asked.
“The dog,” Mother said. “Miss Fullerton, you were in such a rush to take him off my hands, and you don’t even have him with you?”
“He’s with Princess Adriana, Your Majesty,” Grace said, pulling the bottom of her dress down to cover more skin. “She really wanted to spend some time with him, and how could I say no?”
“Who named the dog Freddie?” I asked.
“I did,” Grace said.
I nodded my approval. “Great name. What a wonderful way to honor Father.” I turned to my mother. “Don’t you think so?”
Her gaze popped back and forth between me and Grace, before finally answering, “I suppose so.” Then she huffed. “On to more important topics, where did you put the tiara, Miss Fullerton? I would like to put it in the royal vault until Princess Veronica’s return.”
“Oh . . .” Grace fidgeted nervously again, clearly at a loss for words. “Well then, I will get it for you as soon as we’ve finished here.”
Mother’s lips thinned into a line. “See that you do. You can bring it to dinner with you.” She turned to me. “Honestly, Oliver, between this and the wedding tasks, you both seem utterly distracted.”
