continuing. “That Tessa was responsible for Samson’s distress. I blamed you when I shouldn’t have. You have my apology.”
Her brows popped into her bangs before she quickly got her disbelief under control. “Um, well. She was in a state of distress herself,” Katrina explained. “I believe she and Helene were—are friends.”
“There is no excuse for her behavior.” There was no give in his response. “She is the nanny of a royal Prince. His welfare needs to come before any other consideration.”
“I agree. The child’s needs should always come first. Sammy, stop. Stay in this end of the room.” She scooted to the edge of the couch, ready to hop up if Sammy went any farther. “But shock can make us do stupid stuff.”
He surprised her by sweeping a thumb over her cheek. “Very generous of you, considering you have taken the brunt of her thoughtlessness.”
His touch threw her more than his stare. Obviously he meant to denote the shadows under her eyes. She’d be mortified if she could think beyond the sensation of his caress. She blinked up at him, striving to recall the topic of conversation. Oh yes, his apology.
“Sammy is the one who has suffered. Though we do not truly know how much he understands. He is not yet three. He probably does not fully comprehend what missing means.”
“He’s a bright boy. I’ve never heard reports of him acting up in this manner.” Julian turned his attention to Sammy, who was climbing into a club chair and pounding on the table. “He knows something is wrong.”
“Yes,” Katrina agreed, relieved and yet curiously disappointed to lose Julian’s regard. “I think he is reacting to the tension in those around him. He has been different since you arrived. This is the first time he has played, the first time he has smiled. You are familiar, someone from home. He feels more secure.”
“He knew Tessa.”
“She was fairly new as his nanny, was she not?” At least that’s what Katrina had heard.
He nodded, his features etched in grim lines. “She assumed the role a couple of months ago. A farce if you ask me. The woman has no child care training.”
“But he is a Prince!” she blurted, shocked by the revelation. Tessa might be Helene’s friend, but Sammy was the son of a royal. He had many things to learn beyond the average child. More important, he must be protected at all costs. True, he had his own security detail, but beyond being proficient in protocol and decorum, his nanny should be able to defend him.
Yet even as she protested, she was not genuinely surprised. The other woman always struck Katrina as a tad uppity, as if handling potty duty was beneath her. But she tried not to judge. There were times when she wasn’t too happy about doing potty duty, either.
“I am glad you understand,” Julian stated. “I was wrong to blame you without knowing all the facts. That...is not like me.”
“You have much to occupy you.” With the apology, she found she could be gracious.
“Again you show your generous nature.” He looked like he’d like to say more, but decided against it. His words turned quite formal as he continued. “I do not deserve your goodwill, but I will accept it. Along with my apology, please know you have my gratitude. Samson is lucky you were there to help him.”
“It has been my honor.” This time she spoke the truth. She would assist any child in distress, and these circumstances went beyond the norm. In the midst of crisis she was happy to do her part. Plus Samson was special. He was a Royal Prince, a future leader of the world. Her actions reflected on her country and her Prince. It made her proud to have Prince Julian acknowledge she did well.
Suddenly lights started to flash through the room in a strobelike effect. Katrina jumped to her feet and looked out the window. The train had reached the Pasadonia Station. Unfortunately, the press had arrived before them.
Sammy came running and buried his face against
Her brows popped into her bangs before she quickly got her disbelief under control. “Um, well. She was in a state of distress herself,” Katrina explained. “I believe she and Helene were—are friends.”
“There is no excuse for her behavior.” There was no give in his response. “She is the nanny of a royal Prince. His welfare needs to come before any other consideration.”
“I agree. The child’s needs should always come first. Sammy, stop. Stay in this end of the room.” She scooted to the edge of the couch, ready to hop up if Sammy went any farther. “But shock can make us do stupid stuff.”
He surprised her by sweeping a thumb over her cheek. “Very generous of you, considering you have taken the brunt of her thoughtlessness.”
His touch threw her more than his stare. Obviously he meant to denote the shadows under her eyes. She’d be mortified if she could think beyond the sensation of his caress. She blinked up at him, striving to recall the topic of conversation. Oh yes, his apology.
“Sammy is the one who has suffered. Though we do not truly know how much he understands. He is not yet three. He probably does not fully comprehend what missing means.”
“He’s a bright boy. I’ve never heard reports of him acting up in this manner.” Julian turned his attention to Sammy, who was climbing into a club chair and pounding on the table. “He knows something is wrong.”
“Yes,” Katrina agreed, relieved and yet curiously disappointed to lose Julian’s regard. “I think he is reacting to the tension in those around him. He has been different since you arrived. This is the first time he has played, the first time he has smiled. You are familiar, someone from home. He feels more secure.”
“He knew Tessa.”
“She was fairly new as his nanny, was she not?” At least that’s what Katrina had heard.
He nodded, his features etched in grim lines. “She assumed the role a couple of months ago. A farce if you ask me. The woman has no child care training.”
“But he is a Prince!” she blurted, shocked by the revelation. Tessa might be Helene’s friend, but Sammy was the son of a royal. He had many things to learn beyond the average child. More important, he must be protected at all costs. True, he had his own security detail, but beyond being proficient in protocol and decorum, his nanny should be able to defend him.
Yet even as she protested, she was not genuinely surprised. The other woman always struck Katrina as a tad uppity, as if handling potty duty was beneath her. But she tried not to judge. There were times when she wasn’t too happy about doing potty duty, either.
“I am glad you understand,” Julian stated. “I was wrong to blame you without knowing all the facts. That...is not like me.”
“You have much to occupy you.” With the apology, she found she could be gracious.
“Again you show your generous nature.” He looked like he’d like to say more, but decided against it. His words turned quite formal as he continued. “I do not deserve your goodwill, but I will accept it. Along with my apology, please know you have my gratitude. Samson is lucky you were there to help him.”
“It has been my honor.” This time she spoke the truth. She would assist any child in distress, and these circumstances went beyond the norm. In the midst of crisis she was happy to do her part. Plus Samson was special. He was a Royal Prince, a future leader of the world. Her actions reflected on her country and her Prince. It made her proud to have Prince Julian acknowledge she did well.
Suddenly lights started to flash through the room in a strobelike effect. Katrina jumped to her feet and looked out the window. The train had reached the Pasadonia Station. Unfortunately, the press had arrived before them.
Sammy came running and buried his face against
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