A bolt of undeniable lust zings through my bloodstream. That look in his eyes…
Pure heat.
Pure hate.
It’s enough to make my thighs clench together. Enough to make me forget we have an audience.
Alden’s laugh jolts me back to reality. “Oh, listen to you two! Fighting like siblings already.”
At that, Carter’s face shutters of all emotion. Dropping my eyes, I shift in my saddle, feeling unbelievably uncomfortable. “Well, I guess I should be getting Ginger back to the stables. It’ll be dark soon and I still have to muck out her stall—”
“Nonsense! A groom can do that.” Alden’s voice is insistent. Snapping his fingers at one of the servants unpacking the car, he rattles off an order. I don’t hear what he says, but the boy takes off like a shot, running headlong tower the stables.
My nose wrinkles in distaste. “Really, that wasn’t necessary—”
Alden waves away my words of protest. The epitome of a gentleman, he strides forward and grabs Ginger’s bridle with one hand before offering the other up to me.
“Milady,” he says in a faux-formal tone, his grin teasing. “May I be of assistance?”
I hear what sounds like a snort from Carter’s general direction, but I don’t dare glance at him. Not seeing a way out of it, I place my gloved hand inside Alden’s and allow him to help me dismount. The gravel crunches beneath my boots as I hit the earth.
“Thanks,” I murmur, staring into Alden’s hazel eyes. He still hasn’t relinquished my hand. I try to pull it free, but he’s holding fast.
“My pleasure, Your Highness.”
“Just Emilia. Please.”
His mega-watt smile is so bright, I worry I’ll get a sunburn just being this close to him. “Very well.Princess Emilia, then. Better?”
“Marginally.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me you ride?” He passes off my horse’s reins to the groom who’s just materialized at his side. I try to catch the boy’s eyes, but the he disappears with Ginger before I even have a chance to thank him.
“Princess?”
“Hmm?” I glance back at Alden, belatedly remembering he’s asked me a question. “Oh! I don’t really ride.”
His brows lift. “Could’ve fooled me. Was that not you we just saw galloping across the field?”
“It’s a new hobby. I’m still mastering the basics.”
“Well, you’re a natural. We’ll have to go riding together sometime.” His eyes gleam. “You know, Westgate has some amazing trails.”
“I was there just this afternoon, actually. Your mother hosted a tea.”
“Ah, yes, of course. Ava mentioned that.” His eyes flash with something that looks like worry. “I do hope she made you feel welcome. I must admit, I was hoping I’d be the one to give you the tour of our estate. It’s…” He actually blushes. “It’s important to me that you feel comfortable at my home.”
I force a laugh, but it sounds thin even to my own ears. Thankfully, he doesn’t seem to notice. I dart a glance at Carter and find him glowering at the two of us. Specifically, at my hand, still clenched tightly inside Alden’s. He looks like he wants to break it.
Shit.
A shiver moves through me.
“I’m so sorry — listen to me, prattling on like an idiot when you must be freezing,” Alden murmurs, misinterpreting my chills. “Let’s get you inside. We’ll sit by the fire, warm you up. Maybe have some hot chocolate and talk for a while.”
“Oh, that sounds lovely, but—”
He cuts me off. “It’s been far too long since I’ve seen you, Princess Emilia. And you…” His gaze goes as soft as his tone. “You are certainly a sight for sore eyes.”