The Controversial Princess (The Smoke & Mirrors Duology #1)(89)

“His Majesty seems to like him,” Matilda says. “Maybe you are worrying over nothing.”

“Oh, Matilda, you say some stupid things, but … really?”

“Okay. It was a silly suggestion.” She turns into me, crossing her legs and pulling her dress over her knees. “Now, I want to know everything.”

I laugh. She really doesn’t. “Like what?” Where would I start? The whipping? The commands? The romantic ride on horseback through the countryside? The tiara upon my head when he fucked me? Or drifting off to sleep in his arms? I sigh dreamily like a lovesick teenager, all of my woes forgotten.

“Like everything, Adeline.” She looks across the field toward Josh, where he is still conversing with the King and the senator. “He has gorgeous eyes.”

“He has gorgeous everything,” I admit, getting a flurry of mental images flicker through my mind, every picture a piece of Josh’s anatomy—his biceps, his insanely tight stomach, his thick thighs, his hard pecs, his …

“He doesn’t look like his father.”

I don’t divulge what I know. It’s not my place. “I think he must look like his mother. She passed away.”

“That’s sad.”

“It is.” Smiling fondly at Josh across the way, I can’t help but feel a little proud of him for everything he’s achieved. Yet his success still won’t be good enough for my father. “Oh, look.” I point to the left of us, where the Argentine is wandering over with his horse, his hat dangling by the thigh of his tight trousers. His appearance gives me the perfect opportunity to change the subject. “That’s a bulge and a half.”

“You are disgraceful.” Matilda sniffs, coming over all fidgety. “I wouldn’t know. I have not looked.”

“Then do so, because it is delightful.” I yelp through a chuckle when she elbows me in the side. “He’s heading this way,” I inform her around a grin. “And he has his eyes on you.”

“Oh my goodness, what do I say? What do I do?”

“Relax,” I laugh, helping her to her feet. “Ask him about his beast. And I mean his horse, not his bulge.”

“Adeline!”

My grin widens as Santiago makes it to us, nodding politely. “Ladies,” he purrs, his accent thick and rough and sexy. I can literally feel my cousin crumbling under the pleasure of it.

I quickly kick off the introductions before Matilda screws it up. “Mr. Garcia, what a pleasure to meet you.” I offer my hand.

“Your Highness, the pleasure is mine.”

I smile and claim my hand back. “This is Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent. But you may call her Matilda.”

“Matilda.” Santiago flashes my cousin a mouthful of perfectly pearly white teeth, and, I swear, a twinkle sparks in his eye. The man is gorgeous, no doubt, but he is a little too pretty for my taste.

When Matilda fails to offer her hand to him, he takes the liberty of collecting it himself, placing a lingering kiss on the back. She stares at the back of his head, frozen, until I jar her from her inertness with a poke to the arm. She darts a panicked look at me.

Ask about his beast, I mouth, backing away on a smirk. She rolls her eyes, her chest expanding.

“That’s a fine beast you have there,” she says, and I chuckle as I leave them to it, making a mental note to call her later. I want every juicy detail. Well, perhaps not about his beast.

I watch Josh with fascination as I wander toward the hub of things. He’s laughing along with my father, and Eddie has joined the group, too. Senator Jameson is congratulating him on a game well played. I’m curious of what the King could possibly be talking about with a Hollywood actor, but I know not to muscle in on man-talk, not without an invitation, so I head toward the tent. Besides, I can’t be certain I could hold it together with Josh so near in front of an audience.

“Adeline.” My father’s booming voice cuts my journey short.

I cringe at the entrance to the tent, contemplating, just for a second, pretending not to hear. That would be very unwise of me. So I paint on that smile and pivot, finding all four men looking at me. Eddie is the only one without a smile. I don’t like it. Be cool. Be cool. Be cool. “Father,” I sing, making my way to him, accepting his warm welcome. It’s quite a novelty after the last few times I’ve seen him, when he has ranted and raved at me.

“I don’t believe you have been formally introduced to the Senator and his son.”

Christ. My smile falters, but I quickly remedy it. “I don’t believe I have.”

Eddie clears his throat, and Josh flicks a curious look his way. I was right to avoid this cozy little group. How awful. “Oh, she has,” Senator Jameson pipes in. “At the garden party.”

Oh God. I’m as stiff as a board, frantically searching my mind for my next words. I have just blatantly lied to the King. Why would I do such a thing if I have nothing to hide? But he saw me talking to Josh. Is it possible he doesn’t remember? I don’t know, but I need to play it down. “Oh, of course.” I smile at Josh who is looking at his dad like he wants to rip his head off. “Forgive me.”

“You’re forgiven,” Josh says coolly, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Your Highness.”

Heat blazes my skin, damn him.