"Problems?" Madeleine repeated. "Problems like what?"
"Madeleine—"
"Problems like you not marrying me?"
"That's not what I'm saying." Henry snapped.
For all her training, for all her cunning, the surprise was very obvious.
He exhaled. "I didn't mean it like that."
Madeleine stepped back, folding her arms. "You are not sure, are you?"
"No one is ever sure about getting married!"
Madeleine's eyes widened. "Your Highness, I crossed oceans to get here!" Madeleine said.
"Calm down, Princess. Calm down." Henry lifted both hands. "We will be married. I am sure we will both do our countries proud."
"Good," she said at last. "I'd hate for this to be a waste of time and effort."
Henry sighed. "I still think we need to wait until we are married, Princess."
There that wall was again. That careful, maddening distance he placed between them whenever she came too close. He would smile with her, walk with her. But then, just when she reached for something real, he stepped back.
