by Peak, Renna
I shrug. The memory still burns brightly, and the pain of betrayal I still feel in my chest is still all too real.
“But you’re a prince…”
“Which apparently means little when it comes to matters of the heart.” I suppose I shouldn’t still be so bitter about things—if Sara hadn’t left me, I never would have come to know Clara.
Clara sits on the edge of the bed. Her expression has changed, the anger now gone, replaced with something I don’t quite recognize.
We’re silent for a moment before she speaks again, her voice much lower than before. “I know how much I must have hurt Adam. Even though I didn’t really leave him for you, it probably seemed that way to him.”
“Perhaps.” I’ve never really felt much sympathy for the chap, but if he thought I had somehow stolen his woman, I suppose he and I are not so different.
“I’m sorry.” Clara frowns at me, though there’s nothing angry about her expression. “I’ve been a little self-absorbed, I guess.”
I could say the same, though I don’t. I sit beside her on the bed, pulling her hand into mine. “I apologize for the proposal. It was untimely. I—”
“You don’t have to apologize, Nick.” She stares down at our clasped hands. “I’m sorry I had to say no. I mean, maybe someday…”
“I understand.” I lift her hand to my lips again, kissing the back of it. “Though, truly, it would seem I understand very little when it comes to matters of the heart.”
Clara
Things might not be one hundred percent back to normal between Nick and me, but we seem to have come to a peaceful understanding, at least for the time being. He’s extra affectionate toward me for the rest of the day, and I must say I’m enjoying it quite a bit.
Even his cousins notice. After dinner, we all retire to their game room again. When I walk over to the liquor cabinet to pour myself a drink, Caspar is right beside me.
“So,” he says. “It looks like the two of you have made up?”
“I don’t believe that’s any of your business,” Nick cuts in. “What happens between Clara and me is private.”
Caspar shrugs. “I was just trying to be polite, Cousin. I meant no offense.”
Nick doesn’t look completely convinced by that, but Caspar wisely drops the matter. I finish pouring my drink—and one for Nick, too—before turning and looking at our hosts.
Xavier and Caspar are chatting quietly by the windows, but Benedict appears to be waiting for me. When he catches my eye, he grins.
“You mentioned the last time you were in here that you didn’t know how to play snooker, Clara,” he says, his blue eyes shining.
“Did I?” I had so much to drink that I don’t remember.
Benedict nods, patting the table. “Why don’t I teach you the rules? It’s fairly simple.” His grin widens. “And judging by your previous performance in darts, I think you might be a natural at it.”
“Snooker and darts are nothing alike,” Nick points out.
“Au contraire, Cousin. They might not look alike, but they require many of the same basic skills.” Benedict walks over to me and hands me a cue, then puts a hand on my lower back, gently guiding me toward the table.
“Clara doesn’t need to learn snooker,” Nick says. “At least not from you.” He swats Benedict’s hand away from my back.
Amusement dances in Benedict’s face. “Are you offering to teach her, Cousin? I didn’t realize you enjoyed snooker.”
“I don’t,” Nick replies. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t teach her.”
Benedict cocks his head. “Because everyone loves to learn a game from someone who hates it…” He sighs. “I suppose I should defer to you, but I hope Clara’s experience of the game doesn’t suffer for it.”
“I have a better idea,” Caspar says, appearing at his brother’s shoulder. His gaze lands on Nick, and he smiles. “It’s been a long time since you and I played each other in anything, Nicholas. I won’t mock you by suggesting snooker, but how about a round of darts?”
Nick shakes his head. “Not interested.”
“Oh, be a good sport,” Caspar says, striding over and clapping Nick on the shoulder. “Just one round. I’m not even any good at darts—just ask Clara. She nearly beat us all when she was so tipsy she could hardly stand.”
Reminding Nick of that incident is probably not the best way to go. Nick’s hands clench into fists at his sides, but Caspar doesn’t appear to notice.
“Just one game,” he says. “For old times’ sake.
“I’m not playing any games with you,” Nick grumbles.
Caspar chuckles. “Scared, are we? I never took you for a coward, Cousin.”
“Your goading won’t work on me,” Nick replies, but the vein protruding from his forehead suggests otherwise.
Can’t he see that the more he resists, the more they tease him? His obvious anger just serves to amuse his cousins.
I lean over and squeeze his arm. “Maybe you’d enjoy one game,” I say softly. “You should allow yourself to have a little fun, Nick.”
Caspar is grinning at the both of us, and his mouth widens when Nick finally sighs.
“One game,” Nick says. “But if you try any of your tricks—”
“No tricks,” Caspar says. “Just some good old-fashioned competition, cousin versus cousin.”
They walk over to the dartboard, laying out the rules between them. I glance back at Benedict, and he raises his cue. “Still want that lesson?”
I accept his offer, but it turns out that I’m not the “natural” Benedict predicted. It doesn’t help that I’m constantly glancing over at Nick and Caspar. Nick hasn’t thrown any punches yet, and no one has any darts protruding from any soft body parts, so I hope that means everything is okay. But it’s hard to tell. Caspar appears to be enjoying himself, but Nick doesn’t look like he’s having the least bit of fun, which kind of defeats the purpose. The poor guy really needs to learn how to loosen up a little.
“Want to put our lesson on hold?” Benedict asks me finally. “We can go watch them, if you want.”
Considering how little attention I’ve been paying to what he’s been telling me, that’s probably for the best. “We can continue this later.”
Xavier has already wandered over to watch the darts competition, a crystal glass of dark liquor in his hand. Benedict and I slide in beside him, watching as Caspar takes his aim and lets his dart fly.
It hits the inner ring of the wedge beneath the 18, which seems to please him.
“That brings it back to a tie,” he says, his eyes flashing at Nick. “With one round to go.” He glances over at the three of us spectating. “What do you say we make this interesting?”
Nick’s frown deepens in suspicion. “None of your tricks, Caspar. I warned you.”
“This isn’t a trick. I’m merely suggesting we make a wager to spice things up a little.”
He throws another glance our way, and Nick’s gaze follows. His eyes find mine, and I give him an encouraging smile and nod.
Nick sighs. “What did you have in mind?”
Caspar looks positively devilish. “Nothing wild. Just a little prize for the winner.” He plucks his last dart from the board, still grinning. “And since we’re already tied, let’s keep it simple. One dart each, and whoever is closest to the bullseye wins.”
Nick’s eyes have narrowed. “What’s the prize?”
Caspar’s blue eyes flash in my direction. “Why, the chance to accompany Clara to the ball, of course.”
Nick doesn’t like that idea at all. “Why the hell would I agree to that?”
“For fun,” Caspar says. “Because a little sport is good for you, Cousin.”
But Nick isn’t buying it. “Keep Clara out of this! Did you even bother considering her feelings about being used as a prize?”
Four sets of eyes turn toward me, and I shift my weight on my feet. I could just refuse…but I still believe that playing along with Nick’s cou
sins, rather than struggling against them, is the best way through these family tensions.
So I simply give Nick my sweetest, most encouraging smile.
“I’m not worried about the wager at all,” I tell him. “Because I know you’ll win. I have complete confidence in you.”
My assertion actually seems to startle Nick for a moment, but it does the trick. When he recovers, he turns toward the board with determination.
“Closest to the bullseye wins,” he says.
Caspar looks gleeful. “You’re up first, Cousin.”
Nick takes his place at the line and raises his dart, his eyes narrowing at the board. I hold my breath as I wait for him to throw.
One, two, three seconds pass, and then his arm moves. The dart soars through the air, and then sinks deep into the green ring of the outer bullseye.
I give a cheer and throw myself at Nick. My arms go around his neck, pulling his relieved face down toward mine.
“I knew I had nothing to worry about,” I tell him.
“Don’t celebrate yet, Cousin,” Caspar says. “I still have my throw.”
Nick and I move out of the way as Caspar takes his place at the line. He takes his time readying his shot, but I’m not worried. I lean into Nick’s arms, already celebrating his victory in my head. I’ve seen Caspar play a couple of times now, at various kinds of darts games, and while he isn’t bad by any means, he’s certainly not a perfect shot. And it would take a perfect shot to beat Nick.
Caspar’s hand moves. The darts flies. Every eye in the room follows it through the air toward its goal.
And everyone—including Caspar—gasps when that dart lands right in the dead center of the inner bullseye.
Nicholas
Caspar gives me a decidedly evil grin as he claps me on the shoulder. “Sorry, old chap. But the better man won.”
He bows toward Clara, taking her hand in his before he kisses her knuckles. “It will be an honor to accompany you to the ball, my lady.”
Clara’s mouth drops open. “I…”
I suppose I should accuse my cousins of rigging the contest, of cheating somehow. But it would change nothing—Caspar won the contest. And won’t be accompanying Clara to the ball.
I say nothing, turning on my heel and leaving the room. I try to hold my head high as I return to my chambers alone—the last thing I would want is a member of the staff to see me upset in any way.
It’s only a moment before I hear someone at my heels, and I can tell from the sound of her steps that it’s Clara. “Nick!” She sounds out of breath.
I stop, turning to face her.
She doubles over for a moment, catching her breath before standing and looking up into my eyes. “Did I ever tell you that you walk way too fast?”
“Apologies…” My voice lowers. “My lady.”
“Oh, don’t be jealous.” She grins up at me. “Caspar won fair and square—”
“Yes, even though you had your—how did you put it? Fullest confidence in me?”
Her smile widens. “I don’t think I said it exactly like that, but something similar.” She pulls my hand into hers. “And he’s just accompanying me. Once we’re actually there, I’m all yours.”
“I don’t believe you understand how Montovian masquerade balls work, Clara.” I wrench my hand away from hers as I turn and start walking for my chambers again.
“Well, explain it to me then. I thought Caspar and I would just, you know, walk over there and be announced or whatever. It isn’t like it’s a big deal—”
“It’s a big deal.” I stop again, turning to her once more. “A very big deal.”
“I’ll talk to Caspar, then.” Her smile falls. “You really shouldn’t take things so seriously—”
“You have met me, have you not?” My gaze narrows. “I take everything seriously.”
“Yes, but why?” She shakes her head. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense, Nick. Especially this.” She motions over her shoulder in the general direction of the game room. “You have to admit, a game of darts is not a huge deal in the grand scheme of life—”
“Then why bother playing?” How can she not see that this is important on so many levels? First, I lost to my cousin. And second—and most important—I lost her to my cousin. Is she really so blind?
“I don’t know, Nick.” She shrugs. “To have fun? You have heard of the concept, right?”
A sort of growling sound comes from my throat, and I turn and begin walking toward my chambers. The last thing I need tonight is a lesson in how to have fun.
She catches up to me quickly. “Like this afternoon…” Her voice drops to an obviously suggestive tone. “That was fun. Pointless, amazing fun—”
“I would hardly call what we shared ‘pointless,’ Clara. And if it was truly ‘pointless’ for you, then perhaps we are truly on different pages in this relationship—”
“Wait, we have a relationship?”
I tilt my head. “I asked you to marry me today, did I not? Do you think that is a proposition I take lightly?”
“No.” Her smile falls, and her shoulders sag. “No, I don’t think that at all. I just…I just want you to be able to enjoy the moment. Any moment—”
“My moments are not for you to dictate how I should spend them.” I stare at her in silence for a moment. How is it that she cannot see things the way I do? “And I can assure you, I’ve enjoyed many more moments since I met you.”
Her eyes shine, and she pulls my hand into hers again. “Oh, Nick. Why do you have to go and say things like that?”
I make the same low growling sound again. “I have no idea what you mean.”
“I think you know exactly what I mean.” She shakes her head, her smile returning to her lips. “You’re a big softy.”
“I’m not a softy. Nor am I skilled at darts, apparently.” I glance over her shoulder, half expecting Caspar to be standing behind her. “And it won’t do to have my cousin accompanying you to the ball, either.”
She turns to look down the hallway as though she senses the same thing as I, but my cousin is nowhere in sight. She turns back to me. “I think there might be a way.”
“Nonsense. I lost the contest. And as a gentleman, I accept the consequences of my loss like a gentleman—”
“I say screw being a gentleman.” She squeezes my hand, her grin returning to her lips. “I have a plan.”
Clara
Nick is skeptical, I can tell. But I think—hope—that he’s learning to have a little faith in me. The man really needs to lighten up and realize that life can be fun when you let it.
He’s going to have to wait and see what I have planned for the masquerade. But in the meantime, I’m going to loosen him up a little. The next morning, after giving him a little time to cool down, I turn to him after breakfast.
“Tell me,” I say, putting my empty teacup aside, “what was your favorite prank you played as a child?”
Expectedly, he looks confused by my question. “As I told you before, it was usually Sophia or one of my brothers playing the pranks, not me.”
I shrug. “Even if that’s true—which I’m pretty sure it isn’t—then you can still pick a favorite.”
“Why does it even matter?” He’s looking more suspicious every second.
“Because.” I flick a couple of stray crumbs off my dress. “We’re going to play a prank on your cousins.”
He looks at me like I just told him we should strip off all our clothes and throw ourselves off a cliff into a pit full of lions. “Why would we do that?”
“Because you need to learn to have fun.”
“That doesn’t sound like fun. That sounds…ridiculous.”
“Ridiculous things are usually fun. That’s the point.”
I can tell I’m not getting through to him, but I’m not going to let this go. Nick needs some more good, harmless fun in his life. He needs to realize that the world won’t crumble just because he cracks a smile or laughs at a joke.
I cross my arms, staring him down. “You can shake your head all you want, Nick, but this is happening. And I think you’ll enjoy it a lot more if you show a little enthusiasm and play along.”
He sighs. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“Nope.” I grin and perch on the edge of the couch. “You’re going to have fun, Nick. I promise.”
“If you say so.” He sets his breakfast plate aside, looking resigned.
I laugh. “You might be the only person in the world who would find this a chore. Now, what sort of prank are we thinking? Snakes in their beds?”
“Where exactly are you planning on getting snakes?”
“We can figure out the details after we decide what we’re going to do. It can’t be that hard to catch a few snakes.” It takes a lot of effort not to shudder at the thought.
“I’ve seen you face a snake, Clara. I don’t think you’ll catch many by swinging sticks at them.”
“But—”
“No snakes.” He shakes his head.
“What about centipedes?”
“No centipedes.”
“Something sticky?” I lean back, thinking. “How hard would it be to get a beehive? I’m assuming a wasp nest is out of the question.”
“Are you mad?!”
“Well, I don’t hear you making any suggestions.”
He throws up his hands. “Preferably something that doesn’t require trapping a dangerous animal.”
“Coward,” I tease. “After all that time on the ranch in Montana I’m surprised you’re afraid of little things like centipedes and snakes.”
“Says the woman who screamed at the sight of a harmless Aesculapian snake.” He only looks a little amused at the memory. “Myself, I’m not afraid of them. I just have a healthy respect for nature. And I prefer it to stay outdoors.”
“That other snake startled me,” I insist. “Anyway, I’m willing to face my fear in order to pull off a good prank. But apparently you aren’t.”