"Your Highness," Sir Carlos untucked her arm from his and held her hand loosely, "May I expect the presence of our company at supper?"

"I should surly like to eat, Sir Carlos," her humour was dry, a stark contrast to the bored girl from the morning.

"In that case, your Highness, I shall see you in no more then an hour," he bowed over her hand, pressed a kiss to the back of it. The action caused Stephanie to blush, "I do hope you know, your Highness, where I would rather kiss you." His eyes held a glimmer of mischief.

"Why, my Lord, is that not too forward?"

"No, but this is," still holding her hand, Carlos drew her closer and brushed his lips against hers, just once. Stephanie blushed the pink of her dress, but it only enhanced her beauty.

It was this moment that Stephanie's Governess felt the need to come bustling down the grand entry stairs.

"Your Highness! I- are you- Of all things!"

Sir Carlos released Stephanie with a secret smile, "Your Highness"

She smiled back, not really wanting to face her Governess. "Sir Carlos," he left her with that, having business to attend elsewhere.

Stephanie turned to face the woman. "Yes, madam?"

"Upstairs, if you please, your Highness." It was well known at the Lodge that the Princess and her Governess did not get along.

"Actually, madam, I should like to retire to my rooms, alone, until supper. I should also like Lula to attend me"

With that Stephanie swept up the stairs and into her rooms. She called Lula to her and the two chatted most comfortably while Lula readied she for supper.

"So, a mare, oh ma lady, I do wish I could have seen eet"

"Why, Lula, tomorrow you must come with me to the stables, I will show you Bright"

The was a knock on the door then and Stephanie quickly checked her appearance in the mirror before calling, "Enter!"

The door opened to reveal Sir Carlos himself, dressed in all his handsomeness. "Your Highness, I had thought to offer you an escort to supper"

She chuckled and lifted herself from the seat, "Thank you, Lula. My Lord, how very gracious of you"

"Oh, I think not. It is not to greater a pain to be in your company"

"I should think not"

They both smiled, enjoying the bantering. Dinner was a quite affair, they talked of inconsequential matters, then withdrew to the adjoining room for some quite time.

"My Lord" Mr Washington interrupted them after a while, acknowledging the Princess with a bow to which she retuned an incline of her head, a gesture for him to proceed.

"Yes, Mr Washington?"

"There is an envoy to see you, sir, says he just arrives from the City"

"Very well, conduct him to my study, I will join you presently"

Mr Washington left Carlos to see Stephanie to her rooms.

"Shall I escort you to your rooms, your Highness?"

"If you would be so gracious?" She said this with a small smile, inviting Carlos to join in their private joke.

"Ah, Using mine own words against me. You shall be most clever on your return to the Court"

"Sir Carlos, I should like to talk to you regarding that matter, tomorrow, perhaps, when the envoy has been seen to?"

"Of course, but for now, I should very much like to be so very forward again," this time when he leaned towards her, Stephanie matched him, meet him halfway.

His kiss this time was gentle, but more insistent, pulling at her bottom lip with both of his, slowly getting her closer to him, until she was flush against him. Carlos' hands came up to frame her face, pushing stray hairs out of the way.

This time it was she who was forward, opening her mouth to his gentle ministrations, exploring his lips with hers. He ended the kiss, withdrawing from her mouth but he left his hands.

"Your Highness-"

"Stephanie"

"Your pardon?"

"Stephanie, you sound like my Governess when you call me 'Your Highness'"

"Stephanie, then. Riding, tomorrow?" He wanted her to say 'yes', the hours he spent in her company were infinitely more joyous then the rest of his day.

"Oh, I think I can manage, but, would you mind if perhaps I brought Lula. You see, I said-"

"It would be my pleasure"

Taking a step back, he bowed over her hand and kissed it, "Stephanie, I bid you a good night"

"And you, my Lord"

"Carlos"

"Your pardon?" She smiled slightly.

"Carlos, you sound like royalty when you call me 'My Lord'" They both shared a laugh at this. "Sweet dreams, Stephanie"

"And you, Carlos"