Not-So-Perfect Princess: Not-So-Perfect Princess. Melissa McClone
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since she wasn’t his type.
Beautiful, yes, if you liked the kind of woman who knew how to apply makeup perfectly and could give any supermodel a run for her money. But he wanted a woman who didn’t care about the trappings of wealth and royalty. A woman who was down-to-earth and didn’t mind the spray of salt water in her face.
‘Alejandro,” Julianna repeated as if he didn’t know his own name.
He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had mistaken him for Enrique. Polar opposites didn’t begin to describe their differences. But the fact Julianna didn’t know what her future husband looked like surprised Alejandro more. Arranged marriages were still a part of royal life in some countries, but agreeing to marry someone without seeing their photograph struck him as odd. “Yes.”
She stiffened. The warmth in her eyes disappeared. The expression on her face turned downright chilly.
Ice princess?
He saw now why she’d been called that. The change in her demeanor startled him, but he shouldn’t have been surprised. Alejandro had dated enough spoiled and pampered royals and wealthy girls to last a lifetime. This one, with a rich-as-Midas father, would most likely rank up there with the worst. He almost pitied Enrique. Emphasis on almost.
She drew her finely arched brows together, looking haughty not curious. “That makes you …?”
The kitten chirped, sounding more bird than cat. Alejandro used his thumb to rub under the cat’s chin.
Impatience flashed in Julianna’s eyes.
He took his time answering. “Enrique’s younger brother.”
Alejandro waited for her look of disdain. No one cared about the second in line for the throne, especially a woman meant to be queen.
“Oh.” Her face remained expressionless. But royals were trained to turn off emotion with the flick of a switch and not display their true feelings. “I didn’t realize Enrique had a younger brother.”
That Alejandro believed. “My family prefers not to talk about me.”
Ortiz cleared his throat.
“The princess will be family soon enough, Ortiz.” Alejandro would be counting the days as soon as the official wedding date was set. He couldn’t wait to live his own life without interference from his family. Of course, an heir or two would need to be born until he would be totally free. He shifted his gaze to the princess. “She’ll hear the stories. Whispers over tea. Innuendos over cocktails. Nudges during dessert. No sense hiding the truth.”
Tilting her chin, she gave him a cool look. “What truth might that be?”
“I’m the black sheep of the family.”
Julianna pursed her lips. “A black cat for the black sheep.”
“Not by choice,” he admitted. “The cat chose me.”
She stared at the kitten, but didn’t pet him. Definitely ice running through her veins. “Such a lucky kitty to be able to choose for itself.”
“It’s too bad royalty doesn’t get the same choices,” Alejandro said.
He waited for her to reply. She didn’t.
“Eat, sleep, play.” A man in his early twenties with dark, curly brown hair stepped forward. He had rugged features, but his refined demeanor matched his designer suit and Italian leather shoes. “The life of a cat seems perfect to me. Much better than that of a prince.”
“Well, the kitten is a stray,” Alejandro said. “Caviar isn’t part of his diet.”
The man grinned. “It’s only part of mine on occasion.”
Julianna sighed. “Prince Alejandro, this is—”
“Alejandro,” he corrected. “I don’t use my title.”
“Wish I could get away with that,” the other man said. “Though the title does come in handy when it comes to women.”
“That is the one benefit I have found,” Alejandro agreed.
Julianna rolled her eyes. “The two of you can compare dating notes later. Now it’s time for a formal introduction.”
The princess’s words told Alejandro she was cut from the same cloth as Enrique. Both seemed to hold an appreciation for royal protocol and etiquette. Something Alejandro saw as a complete waste of time. The two stuffy royals might live happily ever after.
“Alejandro,” she continued. “This is His Royal Highness Crown Prince Brandt. One of my four younger brothers.”
Brother? Alejandro studied the two. He couldn’t believe they were so closely related. Brandt was as dark as his sister was fair.
“Half brother,” Julianna clarified, as if reading Alejandro’s thoughts.
That explained it. But nothing explained why his gaze drifted to the curve of her hips. A nice body would never make up for an unpleasant personality that was the female version of his older brother. Maybe he’d been spending too much time working at the boatyard and not enough time out partying with the ladies. Perhaps later …
Right now he wanted to return to his room. Being surrounded by royalty was suffocating.
“It’s been nice meeting you.” His obligation to be here when the princess arrived had been met. He cradled the now napping kitten in the crook of his arm. “I’ll see …”
Julianna stroked the kitten. The move took him by surprise. The soft smile on her face reached all the way to her eyes and made him do a double-take. His pulse rate shot up a few notches.
He’d always been a sucker for a pair of big baby blues. “Would you like to hold him?”
She drew back her hand. Her French manicured nails had no cracks or chips. “No, thank you.”
Alejandro didn’t know whether to be intrigued or annoyed by the princess. Before he could decide which, a cloud of strong aftershave hit him. He recognized the toxic scent, otherwise known as the expensive designer brand of cologne his brother wore.
Enrique turned the corner. He strode across the floor with quick steps and his head held high. Whereas Brandt looked regal, Enrique came across as pompous.
He stared at Julianna as if she were a red diamond, a rare gem meant only for him. Dollar signs shone in his eyes. Enrique’s priority had always been La Isla de la Aurora. Women were secondary, which was why an arranged marriage had been necessary.
After an uncomfortable moment of silence, Enrique glared at Ortiz, who introduced everyone with lofty titles and more middle names than Alejandro could count.
Enrique struck a ridiculous pose, as if he were at a photo shoot not standing in the foyer. “I hope you had a pleasant journey from Aliestle.”
“Thank you. I did.” Julianna’s polite smile gave nothing away as to her first impression of her groom. “The palace is lovely.”
Leave it to Enrique to turn meeting his future wife into such a formal event. Alejandro couldn’t believe his brother. Didn’t he remember their charm lessons with Mrs. Delgado? If Enrique had a clue about women, about Julianna, he would kiss her hand and compliment her on her shoes. He would make her feel as if she’d arrived home, not treat her like a temporary houseguest. But Enrique only did what he wanted, no matter how that affected anyone else.
“Alejandro.” Irritation filled Enrique’s eyes. “What are you doing with that animal?”
“He’s a kitten. And I’m only following your instructions, brother,” Alejandro explained. “I’m here, as requested, to meet your lovely bride.”
Enrique’s face reddened. “You could at least have taken the time to dress.”
“He escaped while I was changing.”