eside him, her eyes darting toward the sculpted hedges and stone archways of the palace garden. The urge to fill the silence i

sped behind his back. "I just needed an esc

s?" she echoed, unsure whether she'd heard him correctly. Why

but the frustration behind it was unmi

al garden, where tulips and hibiscus painted the paths in bursts of color. Danica paused for a moment, then spo

led hair, disheveling it slightly. "Honestly? This whole marriage c

anding. She couldn't believe he'd admit something so scandalou

uld count for something. But it doesn't. My parents don't want a

than she thought. She had never been asked if she wanted this marriage eithe

he shade of a willow. "I pulled you aside because I want us to make a d

t down, her gaze fixed on

ng her carefully. "First... d

n't. Not like this. Not with someone she barely kne

tted, heart thud

n you, Danica. I see the passion in your eyes-especially when you talk about art

ed. "Someone else?" s

ogether for a while, but..." His voice darkened. "She's not noble. My parents would n

e she was surprised he had a lover, but b

the perfect fiancée buy me time, distract them long enough so I can figure something out. And may

. Not of marriage-but of performan

The Countess had already begun imagining her wedding colors. And

family... if they find out-what then? What if

en will they understand what it's li

n the breeze. She could see it-her own art school in Brooklyn, children painti

er-impatient, searching. Something about his presence made her nervous, but

rd her, starting to say

e cut in, voice

between them for a moment. Then slowly, Princ

ntly patted her head, almost fondly, be

he walk

rcastic laugh escaped her lips as she whispere

mphant gleam in his eyes. The plan had worked. She wa

beneath the willow tree would ignite a series of event

me had