Michelle Willingham - The Accidental Prince

Would the guards keep their word, searching the other estates first? Or would they follow Karl’s path, bringing her back immediately? Troubled thoughts of soldiers dragging her from the house, facing endless miles of travelling, plagued her mind. She questioned her decision, wondering if it was better to face her father’s punishments than to venture forth on her own. In the end, hunger drove her away from her worries and out of the privacy of her chamber.

Serena walked down the staircase, winding her way through the house toward the dining room. Before she reached it, her attention was caught by an open door. Inside, she found the library, filled with books.

She couldn’t resist going inside, and she ran her hands over the leather-bound volumes. There were books on philosophy, poetry and science, as well as a few tattered books on household management. In the corner of the room, she saw a large wingback chair facing the window. She imagined curling up within it, enjoying hours of quiet reading. A smile came over her face.

It faded a moment later when the fürst entered the room. His posture was as straight as Damascus steel, his face devoid of any emotion. If she hadn’t noticed the shadows under his eyes, she’d have believed he’d slept all night.

‘There are eggs, if you’re hungry,’ he said. ‘I’ve already given orders for Samuel to go and fetch more food from the village.’

He escorted her into the dining room, saying, ‘By tonight, you should have all the comforts you’re accustomed to. Including a maid.’

She nodded in thanks and then questioned, ‘Was there any sign of the king’s men following us?’

‘It’s doubtful that they’d find us here. Vertraumen is fairly isolated, with only a few ships that travel to the mainland.’ Serena recalled that his men had awakened a fisherman last night and paid him double his fare to take them across to the island.

‘At this time of day, most of the boats are out fishing,’ the prince continued. ‘And even if your father’s guards do come, I won’t let them take you against your will.’

She sent him a doubtful look. If her father’s men arrived to take her home again, there was nothing he could do to stop them.

As she seated herself at the table, the prince joined her on the opposite side. Serena lifted the covered plate and saw that the eggs were slightly better than last night. While she ate, she sensed the fürst watching her. Though she tried to ignore his gaze, it intimidated her. She saw the intensity within them, as if he wanted her instead of the food. She imagined his mouth seizing a kiss, and she recalled the heat of his hand upon her palm.

He was both dangerous and unpredictable. A man who wouldn’t hesitate to go after what he wanted. And he seemed to want her .

Tentatively, she met his stare, not knowing if she’d imagined it. The prince’s dark hair was short, his face bristled, from not shaving in the past day or so. He reminded her of an outlaw with his devil-may-care attitude. There came a flicker of a smile at his lips, as if he’d guessed what she was thinking.

Serena forced herself to look away, finishing her food though it tasted like sawdust.

‘I thought we’d go into the city today,’ the prince offered. ‘You could buy a new gown.’

Thank goodness . Nothing was more appealing than getting rid of the soiled navy blue travelling gown. Though at first she was grateful, the idea worried her. She’d never been allowed to leave the palace without a dozen escorts, much less venture among the citizens of Badenstein.

‘Won’t it be dangerous? Wouldn’t they recognise their crown prince?’

‘Even if I walked among them, most wouldn’t know me. Vertraumen is separate from the mainland, and they keep to themselves. My father’s face is on their currency, not mine.’ He folded his napkin and stood. ‘And, it’s easier to learn the needs of your country when you spend time amongst the people. You should try it.’

‘Do you disguise yourself?’

‘I wear plainer clothing, but most people aren’t that observant. So long as you don’t behave like a princess, I doubt anyone will notice.’

‘What if it isn’t safe?’ She was less worried about the citizens and more afraid of being recognised. Someone might send word to her father.

The prince’s mouth tilted in a silent challenge. ‘It will be fine. And we’ll find out what happened to the household staff while we’re there. We’ll learn more if we blend in among them.’

‘I don’t know,’ she hedged, uneasy about the prospect. ‘I’ve never gone out without my guards or my ladies. Who will protect us, if they discover who we are?’

‘You don’t look very much like a princess right now,’ he pointed out. ‘And I am quite capable of protecting us.’

‘How would you do that?’

The fürst departed for a moment and returned with his great coat. Inside, he showed her a revolver. ‘In the past five years, there have been at least ten assassination attempts on my life.’ His gaze centred upon her. ‘I’m certain you’ve experienced the same.’

She nodded. It was a part of being a princess, an unfortunate reality that terrified her. One of her ladies had become deeply ill when some food had turned out to be poisoned.

‘There were two attempts this year.’ A shudder gripped her at the memory. God willing, if she escaped the palace, there would be no more threats.

‘You’ll be safe enough,’ the prince said, discreetly hiding the revolver again.

Her stomach twisted with nervousness. She’d never ventured out in disguise before, and she frankly preferred to stay at the manor house where she could make her plans. ‘Perhaps you should go without me,’ she urged. ‘You could send the seamstress here with the patterns and material.’

The fürst rested his hands upon the table. Softly, he asked, ‘What are you afraid of?’

She studied the china plate, knowing that she sounded like the worst sort of coward. When she glanced into the other room, she saw the sunlight spilling onto a chaise longue . Outside was the freedom she’d wanted so desperately. And already she was allowing the shadow of her father to dictate her decisions.

‘I’ve hardly ever been outside the palace,’ she admitted to the prince. She didn’t know if she dared to try it. What would it be like to wander among the other people, like a commoner? To be viewed as a woman instead of a princess … she’d once dreamed of such a thing.

Serena lifted her gaze to his, expecting to see frustration upon his face. Instead, the prince was merely waiting for her answer. ‘It will be safe,’ he repeated.

She didn’t truly believe him, but what choice did she have? If she didn’t learn how ordinary people lived, how would she ever survive apart from her family? Assuming she avoided her father’s guards, that is.

‘All right,’ she conceded at last. ‘But promise me, if we’re discovered—’

‘We won’t be.’ He brought her cloak over and handed it to her. ‘Remove your jewels before you go.’

Serena took off her earrings and set them upon the table, reaching behind for the clasp of her pearl necklace. It had an intricate fastener, and she had no idea how to get it off.

‘Will you let me help you?’ the fürst asked.

She wanted to refuse, even though she knew it was foolish. Instead, she conceded, ‘You may.’

When his hands rested upon her shoulders, her skin prickled with an unfamiliar sensation. He reached for the pearls, and the strand rolled across her neck like a caress as he worked with the clasp.

His fingers moved over the pearls, and the heat of his hands permeated her throat while she breathed in the scent of his skin. Serena tensed as he freed the clasp, but all he did was set the necklace down upon the table. If he saw the bruises around her neck, he made no comment.