Excerpt of The Surprising Enchantress by Kae Elle Wheeler

Alessandro, in his fury, sought distance from his crazed sire. Drawn by the flame of a flickering candle, he perched in the arch of an open chamber to see the horrified expression of Lady Esmeralda. Her eyes glittered like the sharpest cut emeralds. Surely, 'twas the candle she held that had her eyes so green, sparking fire.

Had she overheard? He winced, realizing she could not have missed his over–zealous comments. His exact words reverberated so soundly through his head, 'twas a wonder they did not bound off the corridor walls. I will not marry a woman able to change the weather on a whim. Could this day get any worse?

The traces of tears were evidence enough. Aless swallowed a groan. Perfect. He was not in the habit of slandering young women, no matter how much he might fight marrying one. And slandering this one in particular left a sharp pain in his chest.

"Signorina? What are you doing down this deserted wing, pray tell?" Now that he thought on it, 'twas very odd. Had she followed him? Dio! 'Twould be just like the Conte to manipulate such a situation. 'Twas no contest the chit faced issues securing a troth with such an off–putting flaw. He narrowed his eyes on her, but she drew herself up, back as straight as a steel bar. A cloak of...fury...rippled over the darkened chamber.

"Pray, do not trouble yourself, signore," she said coolly, calmly. Her eyes remained unwavering, piercing him with daggers. Quite unnerving. She seemed almost...removed. Deafening silence filled the air. And then he heard it...a childish twitter.

Aless stepped forward. She stepped back, her message clear. But there it was again, definitely a child's muffled laugh. "What—or who, shall I say—are you hiding, signorina?"

Suddenly, he was thanking the heavens her eyes only fluttered uncontrollably, rather than fire musket balls. He would have fallen to his death on the spot, mortally wounded. Yet, oddly enough they were not fluttering now. They glinted like etched crystal.

The child's laugh sounded louder. Aless made his way toward the flame she held, toward the glittering green eyes he'd ne'er notice before. Only in his dreams. Lady Esmeralda held her ground, turbulent fire emanating from her. He rounded what he supposed was a draped settee. The flame of the taper she held never once wavering.

The giggles, though muffled, could not be contained. Aless stood inches from Lady Esmeralda now. Soft scented lavender wafted in a subtle wave across his senses. He leaned in. How had he not noticed how lovely she smelled? Her eyes were quite striking in their brilliance. 'Twas amazing when one found oneself plummeting in their depths.

Hypnotic.

"Sir!" she barked. He started and stepped back. He shook his head, deciding he was out of his mind. Madness obviously passed through his bloodlines by way of the Conte.

Aless forced his gaze down where he saw the unmistakable shape of a tiny black shoe. He leaned over and lifted the edge of the sheet. Laughter burst from the small prince who crouched beneath.

"Aunt Sessie could not find me, sir." Prince Edric covered his mouth with a small hand. "She is but a girl."

Aless slid a slow gaze up the statuesque figure that comprised the young prince's Aunt Sessie. Taut shoulders, creamy bosom, compressed lips and angry sparks that threatened nothing short of death.

"Sí," he agreed softly. "She is but a girl."