"I was not!" Thomas protested, as James excused himself from his conversation. "Gentlemen don't pester ladies," James said, bracing himself on Thomas' shoulder as he rose, "And I do believe I was under strict orders from your father to run you through your training in exchange for allowing you to join us," "Isn't it wonderful when you aren't of age yet?" Andrew teased with a grin as he leaned a little closer to me as he taunted his brother. Thomas scowled as he followed James back towards the horses, the two of them stripping off their riding jackets so they were in shirtsleeves and breeches. James tossed a practice saber to Thomas as they swung their arms out in a warm up. "Which reminds me, Princess," Miss Claridge said, taking advantage of the sudden silence, "We have to practice your French," "French," Anne said, making a face as Miss Claridge pulled a book from one of the saddlebags. Anne accepted it grudgingly, moving to sit next to her governess as she read aloud from a book of French poetry. "And then there were two," Andrew said, sighing as he leaned back onto the tree trunk and stretched out next to me, "I'm very glad Anne sneaked you away," "As am I, otherwise I'm fairly certain I'd have lost some hearing by now. And it's such a lovely day out for a ride," I said, resisting the temptation to stretch out as well. Instead, I kept my legs folded beneath me as demure young ladies were supposed to. "How come I haven't seen you at any grand gatherings?" Andrew asked, reaching over to grab a napkin full of shortbread biscuits and offering me one. I gratefully accepted, savoring the buttery sweetness as it melted on my tongue. "I fear I've fallen out of Ella's favor," I said once I'd chewed and swallowed, "That biscuit was marvellous!" "Yes, they're the cook's specialty," Andrew said, offering me another which I obviously didn't refuse, "And how have you managed to fall out of Ella's favour after all the attention I've given her?" "It seems she finds me more useful and less troublesome if I'm tasked with fetching her dresses and setting her hair rather than attending to her at balls and outings," I replied. "So she's demoted you to a ladies' maid. How fortunate that you already have the proper uniform," Andrew joked. I leaned over to elbow him without even realizing what I was doing. I jerked my arm back as if burned, horrified that I'd just elbowed a royal as if he was my brother. But Andrew was laughing, massaging the place I'd hit him. "I'm sorry, I-" I started, feeling the heat creep into my face. Of all the things to do to someone who'd snuck me out of the palace for a sunny picnic. And a prince no less! To hide my embarrassment, I turned my attention to where James and Thomas were sparring, parrying back and forth across the grassy meadow. "Don't be, I deserved it," Andrew laughed, "But as your punishment I'm confiscating these shortbreads," "Please, just one last one!" I said, reaching over to grab at them where he was holding them away from me. "Sorry, but it's by royal decree that biscuits are henceforth for princes only," he said, popping one into his mouth. I made a face at him, crossing my arms. He laughed through his mouthful. "I suppose I should stop your cousin's special treatment then," Andrew mused, once he'd relented and allowed me another biscuit. "Oh please don't, then she'll really and truly send me home," I said, "Besides, you've been favoring her for awhile now, surely it can't all be because of the favor I'd asked you?" "I was under the impression you were holding out on that dance you owed me just so I would keep favoring your cousin," Andrew said, grinning sidelong at me. I shook my head with an exasperated sigh. "It's not as if I enjoy spending my evenings in a library while everyone else is out dancing and enjoying themselves," I grumbled. "I was hoping you were the one poring through the little library's books," Andrew said, "You did see my note, yes?" "Of course," I replied, smiling inwardly that he'd intentionally left me a note, "How did you manage to sneak it in?" "I have a confession," he said, "I didn't. I've discovered that the second I set foot in the debutantes' wing, I'm liable to be accosted at every turn. I'd tried looking for you there on Monday, but Emmie cornered me in the entrance hall before I could make a proper escape. She was so quick about it, it was almost as if she was tracking me!" "You're the crown prince, of course they're tracking you!" I laughed, a foreign, dizzy little feeling spinning in the pit of my stomach when he'd admitted to looking for me. "Needless to say, I asked a butler to leave the note for me. It seems that ever since I pulled Mary aside, the other girls are all itching for a moment alone," he admitted. "Then I'll ask another favor of you," I said, finally succumbing to the urge and leaning back against the tree next to Andrew. He looked down at me, a smile tugging the corners of his lips. "Name it," he said. "Don't you dare entertain anyone else in my library," I said, tilting my chin up in mock haughtiness. "Your library, is it now?" he laughed. "Yes it is," I said, still mockingly aloof, "And I'll not have you barging in to interrupt my evenings," "When you put it that way, I wouldn't dream of it," he chucked, "Consider it done, except for one tiny little catch," "Oh?" I asked, looking up at him again. "Now you'll owe me two dances," he said, shooting me a sidelong grin. I fought to keep from elbowing him again, instead choosing to cross my arms. "If I must!" I sighed dramatically, rolling my eyes heavenward. He laughed, knitting his hands behind his head. "I know I'm repeating myself, but I'm very glad Anne brought you today," he said. "As am I," I replied. I couldn't tear my eyes from his green ones as we smiled at each other, that same fuzzy feeling swirling around my stomach again.