Page 47 of Royally Matched

“Leave me alone, please, Marco,” Sofia grinds out, not missing a step.

“I just want to check that you’re okay.”

“I’m fine,” she snaps.

“Are you sure? You don’t seem fine to me.”

“I assure you I am perfectly, perfectly fine,” she says, sounding anything but perfectly, perfectly fine.

“It would be understandable if you weren’t. I know I would be embarrassed if my dogs went on a rampage at my fancy garden party.”

She slides her gaze briefly to mine before she refocuses on striding up the path, the limestone crunching underfoot.

“You handled it well, and I’m sure some of the guests were thoroughly charmed by Lemon and Pepper. I know I was.”

She gives a derisive snort.

“I also wanted to apologize for my brother’s behavior.”

Finally, she slows her pace and looks up at me. “Why did he behave that way?” she asks, and the pain in her eyes makes me want to wipe away her sorrow, allowing her to return to her usual self, prickly though she can be.

I give it to her straight. “He doesn’t like dogs.”

She comes to a sudden stop, her brows instantly fly together. “He doesn’t like—” She catches herself, purposefully relaxing her features. “I can hardly blame him. Lemon and Pepper were very naughty girls.”

“They were.” My lips curve upward at the memory, and I bite back a smile. “It was rather funny, though. Don’t you think?”

She gives me the side-eye, the corners of her lips tilting upward for a brief moment, and I want to make her smile again, to get to see the way it lights up her gorgeous face. I find I like the idea that I can make this tightly controlledwoman so very different from me smile, even if it’s only for a while.

“Too soon?” I ask, my own face pulled into a grin.

She purses her lips. She sure is making me work for it.

“The way Lemon launched herself at the table was classic lab food-obsession mixed with overenthusiasm. Did you see the way Pepper snapped a canapé right out of one of your guest’s hands? It made your guest leap off the ground in fright.”

I can tell she’s fighting hard not to smile now.

“Did you know Pepper nearly knocked the arbor over?”

Her smile drops and she looks aghast. “No!”

“I managed to right it, although it’s a little worse for wear now, I’m afraid. Flower arrangement isn’t my strength.”

“Thank you for doing that, Marco. I… I appreciate you stepping in to help me.”

“I figured there had been enough bloodshed for one afternoon. Well, tea shed, if that’s a thing.”

This time she allows the smile to form fully, lighting up her entire face, and I feel that familiar rush of desire for her flood my veins.

“Tea, sandwiches, and scones with jam and cream-shed, you mean,” she replies lightly.

I chortle. “It really was quite the afternoon tea disaster. At least it’s one garden party that won’t be forgotten.”

As her eyes flash to mine, her shoulders begin to shake. Immediately, she lifts her hand to cover her mouth in a vain attempt not to allow her laugh out. It’s a losing battle—and infectious, both of us bursting into laughter at the scene.

Her eyes flash to mine, sparkling with mirth, and I havethe sudden urge to collect her in my arms and press an urgent kiss to her lips.

But I can’t do a thing like that. She’s a princess and might one day get engaged to my brother.

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