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Authors: Teresa Carpenter
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up in a chair and read for thirty minutes.
It looked like Sammy had enjoyed his time, too. To the extent that she really hesitated to interrupt his time with his uncle.
“Care to join us, Ms. Vicente?”
Julian’s question ended her dilemma. She moved into the lounge, closing the toy drawer as she took a seat. “It is good to see you two getting along.”
“Yes, it surprises me, as well.” He sent her an arch glance.
Sammy popped to his feet and ran to her. He jabbered excitedly about his uncle and playing ball. She understood every two words or so. “What a good lad you are. I brought you some juice.” She tucked him in the crook of the couch and handed him a drink pouch.
“That is your influence, not mine,” she advised Julian. Heart racing, she dared to address an issue of great concern to her. “Forgive me, my lord. It is obvious you are not at ease with children, yet you have worked to put Sammy at ease. I just wonder if there is any affection or if it is merely duty.”
Julian slowly climbed to his feet. “You overstep yourself, Ms. Vicente.”
The ice in his gaze nearly deterred her. But for Sammy she must persevere.
“Perhaps, but we spoke of Sammy having special needs in his care because he is a Prince, and this is true. But I feel it is also important to point out he is a child like any other and in need of love and affection.”
“And you doubt the Cold Prince’s ability to provide for him.”
Oh dear, she’d hit a nerve.
“I have observed in high-profile families that structure, discipline and decorum often take precedent over emotional support when it comes to educating the children.” She checked on Sammy, who sipped his juice. “I would not want that for Sammy.”
“Samson,” he corrected. “I survived such a childhood, Ms. Vicente,” the Prince stated with cool reserve, turning to stare out the window at the passing scenery. “I can assure you my lessons in decorum and protocol have served me well through my entire life.”
“Of course. I do understand the importance of such lessons.” Oh yeah, she’d offended him. But Sammy deserved to have someone fight for him. Her time with him might be short, but she’d do what she could while she was here. “I just believe hugs and laughter offer balance to all the demands of his station.”
“With any luck he won’t have to suffer my clumsy attempts at affection much longer.” The stiffness in his posture belied the levity of his words.
Her heart sank as his meaning struck her. She talked as if Sammy’s parents were already gone. Shame on her for the appalling lack of tact. She’d allowed her concern for the boy to get the better of her.
“I am the clumsy one.” She approached him slowly. “I have become fond of Sammy and I worry for him. But my timing is not so good. Have you heard any news of your brother and sister-in-law?”
“Nothing.” She imagined the emotionless word held a world of pain.
“Oh, Julian, I am sorry. I have not given up hope for your brother and Helene. Truly. This is a bit of a soapbox for me. How duty takes precedence over affection. It is just so sad when I know it does not have to be so.” Flustered over her faux pas, she let her mouth run ahead of her head. Yet as soon as she stopped, everything she’d just said reran in her head. “Now I am babbling when you are sad. What a puppy-head I am. And to make it worse I just called you Julian. I—”
He held up a hand. “Stop apologizing. A loss of hope is understandable. The crash, the cold, the distance—everything works against them.”
He ran a finger over one dark eyebrow, the weary gesture a minute glimpse into his worry and despair. In the reflection of the glass she saw the anguish he kept so ruthlessly hidden. “Do not equate lack of affection with lack of emotion. I pray for Donal’s safety while I prepare to take his place. Every directive, every word is the worst kind of betrayal.”
Yet he was not allowed to let anyone
It looked like Sammy had enjoyed his time, too. To the extent that she really hesitated to interrupt his time with his uncle.
“Care to join us, Ms. Vicente?”
Julian’s question ended her dilemma. She moved into the lounge, closing the toy drawer as she took a seat. “It is good to see you two getting along.”
“Yes, it surprises me, as well.” He sent her an arch glance.
Sammy popped to his feet and ran to her. He jabbered excitedly about his uncle and playing ball. She understood every two words or so. “What a good lad you are. I brought you some juice.” She tucked him in the crook of the couch and handed him a drink pouch.
“That is your influence, not mine,” she advised Julian. Heart racing, she dared to address an issue of great concern to her. “Forgive me, my lord. It is obvious you are not at ease with children, yet you have worked to put Sammy at ease. I just wonder if there is any affection or if it is merely duty.”
Julian slowly climbed to his feet. “You overstep yourself, Ms. Vicente.”
The ice in his gaze nearly deterred her. But for Sammy she must persevere.
“Perhaps, but we spoke of Sammy having special needs in his care because he is a Prince, and this is true. But I feel it is also important to point out he is a child like any other and in need of love and affection.”
“And you doubt the Cold Prince’s ability to provide for him.”
Oh dear, she’d hit a nerve.
“I have observed in high-profile families that structure, discipline and decorum often take precedent over emotional support when it comes to educating the children.” She checked on Sammy, who sipped his juice. “I would not want that for Sammy.”
“Samson,” he corrected. “I survived such a childhood, Ms. Vicente,” the Prince stated with cool reserve, turning to stare out the window at the passing scenery. “I can assure you my lessons in decorum and protocol have served me well through my entire life.”
“Of course. I do understand the importance of such lessons.” Oh yeah, she’d offended him. But Sammy deserved to have someone fight for him. Her time with him might be short, but she’d do what she could while she was here. “I just believe hugs and laughter offer balance to all the demands of his station.”
“With any luck he won’t have to suffer my clumsy attempts at affection much longer.” The stiffness in his posture belied the levity of his words.
Her heart sank as his meaning struck her. She talked as if Sammy’s parents were already gone. Shame on her for the appalling lack of tact. She’d allowed her concern for the boy to get the better of her.
“I am the clumsy one.” She approached him slowly. “I have become fond of Sammy and I worry for him. But my timing is not so good. Have you heard any news of your brother and sister-in-law?”
“Nothing.” She imagined the emotionless word held a world of pain.
“Oh, Julian, I am sorry. I have not given up hope for your brother and Helene. Truly. This is a bit of a soapbox for me. How duty takes precedence over affection. It is just so sad when I know it does not have to be so.” Flustered over her faux pas, she let her mouth run ahead of her head. Yet as soon as she stopped, everything she’d just said reran in her head. “Now I am babbling when you are sad. What a puppy-head I am. And to make it worse I just called you Julian. I—”
He held up a hand. “Stop apologizing. A loss of hope is understandable. The crash, the cold, the distance—everything works against them.”
He ran a finger over one dark eyebrow, the weary gesture a minute glimpse into his worry and despair. In the reflection of the glass she saw the anguish he kept so ruthlessly hidden. “Do not equate lack of affection with lack of emotion. I pray for Donal’s safety while I prepare to take his place. Every directive, every word is the worst kind of betrayal.”
Yet he was not allowed to let anyone
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