Michelle Willingham - The Accidental Prince

‘There are three buttons unfastened,’ he murmured against her ear. Heated tremors raced through her at the feeling of his warm breath upon her skin. ‘Would you like me to fix them or leave them alone?’

She kept her gaze staring straight ahead. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. ‘Please help me with them.’

Once again, his hands touched her nape, adjusting each button slowly. Before the prince pulled his hands away, he lifted a fallen lock of hair and twisted it, pinning it away from her face. The intimate gesture made her cheeks flood with colour.

‘Th-thank you,’ she stammered, rising up from the table. She reached for the earrings and necklace, searching for a place to hide them.

Karl nodded toward the sideboard, and she stored the jewels in a drawer. Then he handed her the cloak she’d worn yesterday. ‘Are you ready?’

Not at all.

But Serena donned the cloak and raised her hood. If she ever wanted a glimpse of the outside world, now was her chance.

Karl led the princess outside the manor house, though he made no move to touch her hand. She reminded him of a skittish bird, ready to take flight at the least provocation.

‘Are you certain we should walk?’ she asked. ‘Isn’t there a curricle or a carriage here?’

‘There is, but it would take time to ready the horses. Bernard has gone to hire staff from the village,’ he reminded her. ‘And if we are to remain unnoticed, it’s better this way.’

‘What about an escort, or someone to guard us?’ She looked around as if she weren’t at all certain he was capable of protecting them.

‘Samuel will follow in a few moments.’ Karl started to walk and after a sigh, the princess squared her shoulders and continued beside him. In her bearing, he could see her exhaustion. Her face was pale, her eyes weary from lack of sleep.

Although he told himself that it was only temporary, it made him aware that he’d done a poor job of taking care of her. She needed servants of her own and new clothing. Of the women he’d known in the past, most had been enamoured of baubles and beautiful gowns. Money and wealth were all that mattered to them, and his mistresses had given themselves freely, so long as he was generous.

Princess Serena was different. She seemed more eager to escape the palace than to surround herself with luxury. And if he wanted to wed her within days, he had to learn what she wanted most and fulfil that desire.

The path from the manor house led downhill to a small village. Out upon the sea, several fishing boats had gone out for the day’s catch.

‘When we reach the village, I’m going to hold your hand,’ Karl warned. He didn’t want her to overreact when he touched her. ‘We’ll pretend to be a married couple.’

She stopped walking and studied him. ‘Why would I need to hold your hand?’

‘Because it will let the others know that you’re under my protection.’

The closer they walked to the capital city, the more nervous Serena became. Her face was pale, her hands clenched together. He was beginning to wonder precisely how sheltered she’d been. Was she so afraid of visiting the city, or did he frighten her that much?

When he took her palm at last, she looked petrified. ‘Breathe, Princess.’

‘I am breathing!’ But her steps slowed when they reached the main cobbled street. There were rows of houses higher upon the hillside, while several shops lined the streets. The air held a stale, salty aroma, and he saw only a few people walking, most of them elderly.

‘It’s too quiet,’ she offered, keeping her voice in a low whisper. ‘I don’t like this.’

‘It’s practically abandoned.’ In the past, he remembered market stalls with fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, fish and bread. Even flowers in the springtime. When they passed a baker’s shop, there were only a few loaves of bread for sale.

Something wasn’t right about this place. It was as if most of the people had deserted the island. But why?

Karl led Serena deeper into the town, drawing her to one side as a cart rolled past. The princess gripped his hand, and when a few villagers walked past, eyeing them with curiosity, she leaned closer.

He caught the scent of her hair, and the unexpected warmth of her body as it brushed against his. A flare of interest caught him, and he resisted the urge to pull her closer, knowing it would frighten her. The princess was so cautious, it was like coaxing a butterfly to land on his palm.

‘Don’t be afraid,’ he murmured. ‘They don’t know who you are.’

She stopped walking and turned to him, her expression filled with worry. ‘It’s not easy for me. I keep thinking someone will come down the street and attack us.’

‘If any man tries, I’ll shoot him,’ Karl promised. He took her hand and brought it to his coat where the revolver rested. She studied him as if she didn’t quite believe he knew how to handle the weapon.

‘Shall I demonstrate?’

Her eyes widened a moment, before she realised he was teasing. Her shoulders lowered, though she didn’t quite relax. ‘That won’t be necessary.’

‘You’re under my protection, Princess. No man will harm you.’

She eyed him with suspicion. ‘You might.’ Her troubled gaze lacked any faith in him, as if she expected him to invade her bedchamber late at night.

‘If that were my intent, I could have done so last night.’ He studied her, not letting go of her hand. ‘And why would I want to harm the woman I’m going to marry?’

She sobered, her gaze lowering to the ground. Karl tilted her chin up to face him. Worry filled up her green eyes, but he held her steady gaze. ‘You’re safe with me.’

‘I hope so,’ she whispered. She stood with perfect posture, in spite of her tangled hair and the exhaustion lining her face. Though she’d tried to cover her throat with a fichu, the reddened skin had darkened into bruises. It reminded him that some men were worse bastards than himself.

With her hand in his, Karl led her farther down the street, where a small stone church stood with a single steeple. It looked a hundred years old, and in his mind, he could almost envision a bride with flowers in her hair, smiling up at her bridegroom on their wedding day.

He doubted if Serena would smile at him, not after the way he’d abducted her. And while he couldn’t give her the wedding day of her dreams, he hoped she could accept a marriage between them, despite his lost birthright. Though it was an inauspicious beginning, she would eventually have everything she wanted—he’d make sure of it.

When they reached the end of the cobbled street, Serena turned to him. ‘Why are we here?’

Karl started to answer, but the words caught in his mouth. Her demeanour was hesitant, and he suspected that bringing up the wedding again would only add to her fears. ‘No reason,’ he lied, bringing her back up the other side of the street.

He searched the row of shops until at last he saw a linen draper’s. When she frowned a moment, he ordered, ‘Go inside. I’ll buy you more clothes.’

The confusion on her face was replaced by gratitude. Serena’s lips nearly curved in a smile, and she took a tentative step forward, staring at the interior of the shop. It smelled pleasant, like freshly brewed tea. Upon a table lay rows of handkerchiefs and shawls, as well as a third row of aprons. She stared at the merchandise as if she’d never seen such articles before.

The female shopkeeper sent Serena a guarded smile. In Lohenisch, she greeted her, asking, ‘May I help you, madam?’

Before the princess could answer, Karl interrupted. ‘My wife’s belongings were lost overboard when we made the crossing to the island. She’ll need a new wardrobe. If you can find seamstresses who can work quickly and deliver the first gown tonight, I will double your price.’