Oh, the flirty marquess was good for Kat’s ego. She’d never felt more wanted. But she had a feeling he acted like this with many women. She wasn’t special to him. She just happened to be staying at the same place and was single.
Still, he was fun to have as a friend. And yesterday evening when he’d come to her door to ask about the best kind of puppy to adopt, she knew she’d made a friend.
Gill was different.
“Be careful.” He pointed to a doorway they approached. “You may need to duck to keep from hitting your head.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Captain?”
The humidity increased the lower they descended. The air smelled dank. “This part of the castle reminds me of a pirate movie.”
“If I’d known that, I would have brought rum.”
“Yo-ho-ho.”
He hunched down and went through the doorway. “Is Captain Annoying expected to make an appearance?”
Captain, not prince. She liked that. “I assumed the dungeon was his favorite place, and he’d be here.”
Ducking, she followed him into a small room. The same old-looking sconces hung on the stone walls. The floor was stone, too.
“Careful,” Gill teased. “Or you’re going to need to invoke the right of parley.”
He knew his pirate lore. “But is there honor among pirates when protection is requested?”
“In the original pirate code, there was no such thing as parley, so no. But if you happen to be in a Hollywood blockbuster, you may be in luck.”
The fact he knew trivia was a real turn-on. She loved stuff like that.
This place reminded her of a museum exhibit or theme park ride. Too clean to seem real. “You should bring the film crew down here tomorrow. Bet they’d have fun.”
Gill’s smiled disappeared. “I can’t believe Sophie invited them to the wedding and is letting them come to the castle to film ahead of time.”
“Too many commoners?”
“Reality TV. It’s beneath her.”
“Prince Annoying is making an appearance.”
“It’s the truth,” he said. “I know she says that’s why she met Bertrand, but I wish you’d never convinced her to go on the show.”
“I didn’t convince her of anything. I merely presented the pros and the cons of going on the show. Sophie made the choice, not me.”
Lines formed on Gill’s forehead. “But she said…”
Kat shook her head.
Sophie was getting married in a couple of days. The time had come for Gill to learn what his family had driven their youngest member to do all these years. “A long time ago, after I found out your sister was a princess, I told Sophie she could use me as the excuse to do something if that would make life easier for her.”
Gill opened his mouth and then closed it. He rubbed his chin. “All these years, you’ve been taking the blame? Been her scapegoat?”
He sounded like he didn’t believe her. Kat understood.
She nodded. “Sophie’s one of my best friends. It’s the least I could do.”
“But that made you look…”
“Bad?”
It was Gill’s turn to nod.
Kat had zero regrets. “I live thousands of miles away, so what your family thinks doesn’t affect me. But your family’s opinion matters a great deal to Sophie.”
He stared at Kat with an odd expression on his face. “We…I thought you had too much influence over her.”
“That’s what your sister wanted you to think. In case you hadn’t noticed, after she met Bertrand, she stopped using me as an excuse. Again, her choice.”
“I hadn’t noticed.” Gill continued to look at her. “Why are you telling me this now?”
“Sophie. She thought if your mother knew that it might change the queen’s opinion of me. You were next to be told.”
“Did it help with my mother?”
“No.” But Kat hoped it might help with him. “This little room isn’t the dungeon, is it?”
He glanced around, as if remembering where he was, and then pushed open a thick wooden door reinforced with iron bars. “The dungeon is in here.”
She stepped inside.
Lighting illuminated the space. The ceiling was higher than in the smaller room. The air wasn’t as musty, but the temperature had to be ten degrees cooler.
She shivered. Goose bumps covered her skin.
“What do you think?” he asked.
No skulls and bones or blood and guts. She sniffed. “Cleaner than I thought it would be. Smells better than the staircase.”
He rattled thick black chains that hung on the wall. “This is where people were kept before being tortured.”
“I don’t see any awful-looking devices.”
“My mother had them removed after Jacques got trapped in one.”
“Uh-oh.”
“We weren’t allowed down here, but Jacques thought it would be a fun place to play. It was, until we couldn’t remove him from the rack.”
“Ouch.”
“That’s what Jacques said.”
Engraved placards hung on the wall and described what had been there once upon a time. Nearby were photographs or sketches of the devices.
Kat read a placard. The “boot” was used to crush feet and legs. She took one look at the contraption and cringed. “I can’t believe people used these things on others.”
He was watching her, but the accusation and suspicion she’d grown used to seeing in his gaze had disappeared. That made her happy she’d mentioned what Sophie had been doing all these years.
“Barbaric,” he said. “But it’s a part of history.”
He walked around the area, pointing out scratches on the wall and discoloration in the stone where something had been attached before. “Public tours are given twice a year, and they always sell out. Mother has museum pieces brought in to show. Actors do skits. It’s quite entertaining.”
“Entertaining torture? You, sir, are a pirate in disguise.”
He laughed and then bowed. “Pirate prince, at your service.”
She giggled. Something she hadn’t done in forever. “Just my luck to be down here with a pirate prince and not a gallant knight.”
“Truth be told, I don’t own an eye patch or parrot, but I have a suit of armor.”
Her attraction quadrupled in an instant. That was what she got from watching all those princess movies. “Do you wear it?”
“I have, but it’s uncomfortable and heavy. Hard to move covered in all that metal.”
“But armor is sexy.”
“If you think so, I may have to don the suit.”
Tension crackled in the air. She experienced that same connection she’d felt at Christmas Market. A pulse between them that she couldn’t explain, let alone rationalize.
She walked the inside perimeter of the room. All she wanted to do was move closer, but he’d given her no sign he felt the same way. Call her old fashioned, but she didn’t want to make the first move without knowing how he felt.
Kat focused on the equipment that still remained. So many chains with thick links. She touched one. Impossible to lift.
“What’s this place used for when you’re not doing the tours?”
“Nothing except a hideaway.” Gill walked over to a lone chair she hadn’t noticed. His fingers curled around the top cross bar on the back. “This is the one place where Sophie and I can get away. No cell phone service. No intercom.”
“No queen.”
Smiling, he nodded. “It’s also a quiet place to read.”
“Read,” Kat repeated.
“I like books.”
“Books are good. I don’t do that as much as I used to.”
“You’re too tired.”
She nodded. “Are there ghost stories associated with the dungeon?”
“Lots, but nothing that’s been proven.” He scanned the dungeon. “If any exist down here, they haven’t bother
ed us.”
“Says the royal,” she joked. “That’s probably because they torment commoners.”
Gill walked toward her with long, purposeful strides. “I’ll protect you.”
Anticipation buzzed. She stepped closer to him. “You’re not wearing armor.”
“How strong can a ghost be?” He stood in front of her. “But I promise to keep you safe.”
If only…
A million thoughts ran through her mind, but only one mattered. Kat wanted to kiss him. She wanted that more than anything. And that made her wonder…
She swallowed. “What are we doing?”
“I’m hoping to kiss you.”
Good. He wanted one, too. “Like yesterday?”
Mischief glinted in his eyes. “I hope this one will be longer.”
Her, too. “And then?”
“One kiss at a time.”
One more kiss. She could handle that. “Okay.”
He slipped his hand beneath her hair and cradled her head. A shiver of need raced over her. As he lowered his lips to hers, she rose slightly on her toes to meet his mouth.
Oh! Oh, my. Maybe she couldn’t handle this.
Heat was the first thing she felt.
Peppermint was the first thing she tasted.
Hunger was the first thing she experienced.
And she wanted more. Lots more.
Her body quivered with longing. It had been so long since she’d been kissed like this—like the kiss meant something.
And she did, too.
Gill’s lips moved over hers. A giving, a taking. He increased the pressure and wrapped his arms around her.
Kat went willingly against him. She held onto his back and arched to be closer. Her body molded to his. Softness against muscles.
Sensations fluttered. Tingles exploded. She wasn’t sure her legs were holding her upright or if it was his embrace.
He was a pirate prince. A dangerous one. Because the booty was her heart.
That should have frightened her and made her want to stop.
But she didn’t need rescuing. She needed kissing.
Lots and lots of kissing.
Just. Like. This.
Chapter Eleven
‡
As they stood in the dungeon, Gill wanted to keep kissing Kat. He’d considered this place the anti-thesis of romance, but no longer. He dug his hands into her hair. The strands sifted through his fingers. Silky soft. His tongue tasted and explored and enjoyed her mouth.
Sweet. Hot. A delicious combination. Addictive.
Holding and kissing her felt so right, but his control was slipping. He didn’t want to stop. That told him he should.
This wasn’t the time or the place for…more.
More would lead to things he wasn’t ready for and places he couldn’t go.
He slowly pulled his mouth from Kat’s.
Her breathing was ragged. Her lips looked plump from kissing. Her face flushed.
So beautiful.
How could he have thought she was a bad influence? She was willing to bear the blame of his family for Sophie. Kat loved his sister as much as he did. And if Kat wanted to catch a royal, he was willing to be caught.
“Was that kiss long enough for you?” she asked.
No.
“Yes.” Gill liked the husky sound of her voice. He tucked a piece of hair behind Kat’s ear. “But I believe that counts as more than one kiss.”
Her lush lips curved. “You may be correct.”
“May?”
She grinned. “We can’t agree on everything. People might think something is going on.”
“Isn’t something going on?” he asked, his voice uncharacteristically low.
She looked up at him. Desire and…trust shone in her eyes. “You tell me.”
The electricity in the air evaporated as if someone had flicked a switch and turned off the power.
Unfamiliar nervousness grabbed hold of him. “I like being with you. Kissing you.”
“Same,” she admitted to his relief. “You’re so not who I thought you were.”
Her words made him smile. He fought the temptation to kiss her again. “I’ve been thinking the same thing about you.”
“Your mother hates me.”
That might be a problem. “She doesn’t have to know.”
Kat stepped back. “I don’t want to be your next rebellion.”
He frowned, not liking her words. “You’re not.”
Another step back created more distance between them. “Sneaking around doesn’t appeal to me.”
He closed the gap. “There’s something between us. I know you feel it.”
She didn’t move. She’d gone cold. “Whatever it is has nowhere to go. You have responsibilities. I have a life far away from here.”
His heart rate ticked up. “What are you suggesting?”
“Friends.”
“Friends.” He didn’t like the sound of that. “I’m not in the habit of kissing friends the way we kissed.”
She sighed. “That was great, but…”
Tension tightened his shoulder. “I should have known a ‘but’ was coming.”
“Being friends would be best.”
Logically, he knew that, but a knot formed in his chest. An ache he didn’t understand. “I wish—”
“You don’t make wishes.”
This time, he wanted to. “I wish we could forget about everyone else and enjoy the rest of the time you’re here.”
“We can do what we’ve been doing…”
That sounded promising. Maybe being friends wouldn’t be so bad.
“…except no more kissing.”
His lips wanted to protest, but he respected Kat. She was doing what she thought best for herself, him, and his family. She was correct. He’d miss kissing her, but they couldn’t be more than friends.
“When do you leave?” he asked.
“December twenty-sixth.”
“Plenty of time for BFFs to hang out.” Saying the words was simple. He hoped the execution was, too. “What do you say?”
She took a breath. Smiled. And stuck out her hand. “Sounds great. I could use another BFF now that mine’s getting married.”
*
Early the next day, Kat stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Her tired eyes showed her lack of sleep. “BFFs, really? What are you doing?”
No answer came because she didn’t know. Oh, she was trying to figure it out. She’d been analyzing every word, every touch, every kiss exchanged with Gill from the day she arrived at the castle over a week ago until last night’s dinner where the queen kept watching her with suspicion, but Kat hadn’t come to any conclusions.
Only frustrations.
She groaned. Being friends was not going to work.
Her feelings for Gill went so much deeper than the bonds of friendship. Her affection for him kept growing, doubling each of the past two days. Too bad nothing but friendship was possible between them.
“I hate this.”
But she never wanted to do anything to hurt Sophie and her family. Kat brushed her hair. The least she could do was look good for her friend.
“If only I felt this way about Jamie.”
Sure, the marquess was a giant flirt and big fun. He was also kind and considerate, but friendship was the only thing she felt toward him.
“Life isn’t fair.”
But she’d known that from a young age.
Her cell phone buzzed. The sign she’d received a text. She glanced at the name on the screen. SVS aka Sophie von Strausser.
SVS: Where are you? The film crew is setup in the ballroom.
Kat read Sophie’s text. She’d forgotten the reality TV crew would be here. That meant a possible interview. She typed a reply:
DocKat: Almost ready. Be right down.
SVS: Hurry!
Kat swiped blush across her cheekbones and added lip gloss. A little mascara and she was ready.
Presentab
le, maybe a touch pretty.
She didn’t expect to find herself on camera. The crew would be looking for royals to interview, not Americans, but she wanted to meet Sophie’s friends from the show.
Kat went to the ballroom. Cords and cables lay across the hardwood floor. Stands with lights mounted to them were arranged around two chairs and a small round table. Furniture she recognized from the library had been brought in.
“Hello.” A beautiful woman with long, brown hair pulled back in a ponytail smiled at her. Strands framed her face. Freckles across her nose and hazel eyes that looked more green than brown regarded her with curiosity. The eye color could be due to the green tunic that showed off her pregnant belly. “I’m Addie Cahill.”
“You were on the honeymoon show.”
“Yes, with my husband, Nick.”
Reality TV shows were one of Kat’s guilty pleasures, but she didn’t have much time for television these days. “I’m Kat Parsons.”
Addie’s lips parted. “You’re Princess Sophie’s American BFF from summer camp.”
“That’s me.”
“So nice to meet you.” Addie shook Kat’s hand. “I’ve been living in Alvernia while my husband does security for Prince Luc. It’s a lovely little country, but I miss San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. Where are you from?”
“Eastern Washington originally. Now I live in southern Idaho.”
“You traveled a long way for the wedding.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it.”
“Nick and I were surprised to receive an invitation, but Sophie’s so sweet to include us with the crew.”
“That’s Sophie. She doesn’t like to leave anyone out.”
A handsome man with blue eyes and brown hair waved a clipboard.
Kat recognized him. Nick Cahill. He was former military. Army, maybe. He and Addie had grown up with Emily White, the advertising executive who’d married Prince Luc von Rexburg. “I think your husband is trying to get your attention.”
“Thanks. I’m assisting the film crew, so I’m sure I’ll see you around.” Addie walked toward her husband.
“Hello.” A man in his twenties with bright red hair stopped at her side. He carried a video camera. “I’m Conrad.”
“Kat. I’m one of the bridesmaids.”
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