Page 22 of A Royal Obligation

Barrett kept his eyes over Charlotte’s head glaring at Lord Howard who smugly grinned at him, as his hand dropped an inch lower on Jules’s back. Barrett held down a new wave of nausea that hit his stomach.

“Your Highness?” Charlotte quietly whispered, pulling his awareness back to her.

“I’m sorry. What was it you said?”

“I have never seen you out on the dance floor this much. What’s changed?”

Barrett contemplated his response. “I’m trying to turn over a new leaf. I can’t let Liam have all the fun.” Barrett attempted to smile at her, but frown lines still covered his forehead, leaving him with a pained expression. Charlotte was polite enough to not dig any further.

“How are you enjoying the evening? I’m sorry your parents couldn’t make it,” he said, trying to keep his attention off of Jules dancing with Lord Howard.

“It’s been lovely getting to catch up with so many people from all around. It’s been too long since someone last threw a ball.” She brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face. “I know they’ve been busy with things since I left. I hope they are able to come visit sometime during my stay in Wistonia, though.”

“They are always welcome to.”

“Thank you.” She smiled at him, but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

The song ended, and Charlotte curtsied to him before she excused herself and walked over to the beverage station.

Barrett pressed his lips together as he witnessed Lord Howard kiss the back of Jules’s ungloved knuckles. Anger swelled in his stomach, threatening to erupt out of him. Barrett walked heavily across the floor, stopping in front of Lord Howard.

“Ah, Your Highness.” Lord Howard gave a minuscule bow with a smile on his evil lips.

“Lord Howard,” Barrett curtly replied.

“What’s gotten you in the dancing mood? It’s not often we see you enjoying the company of women.”

Barrett suppressed an eye roll. “I don’t think that’s really any of your concern. You would do well to remember your station, Stephen.”

Lord Howard’s evil grin widened. “Tell your father hello for me and that I will be seeing him soon. I have some more business matters to discuss with him.” He sneered.

At that, Barrett turned on his heels and walked toward the dessert table. He definitely needed an eclair if he was going to make it through the rest of the evening.

Barrett bit into a perfectly executed eclair, allowing the sweet taste of the dough and the warm vanilla flavor inside to satisfy his taste buds. He let out a deep breath as he saw Jules approaching. She grabbed a plate and added a scone and a cream puff to it.

“Lovely choices. Chef Lorenzo makes the best desserts.”

She bit into a scone, some crumbs falling onto her plate. “Wow, these really are delicious. Is this cinnamon?” she asked, taking another bite.

“That’s his chai spice scone. I enjoy his vanilla bean scones the most.”

She laughed, sending a few crumbs out of her mouth. “It sounds like you have a real sweet tooth.”

“I’ve never met a dessert I didn’t like.”

Barrett observed the dance floor as the tune of a Viennese waltz began to play. He saw Liam approach Charlotte for a dance. He winked at Barrett over Charlotte’s shoulder as they began to sway.

“Would you do me the honor of this dance, Miss Smith?” Barrett asked Jules as she was about to put the cream puff in her mouth. She gently set it back on her plate.

“I would love to. I’m not sure I know this dance though.” She averted her eyes as she placed her plate on a nearby table. She met him on the dance floor and he smiled down at her.

“You can follow my lead.”

Barrett felt a shiver run through his entire body as his hand met Jules’s. His other hand tingled as his fingertips grazed over the exposed skin of her back. He looked down and his eyes connected with Jules’s and he felt goosebumps form on her skin beneath his fingers.

“Our second meeting has been going a lot better than our first,” Barrett whispered.

Chapter Ten

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