The Accidental Prince

by Michelle Willingham

  The bastard within him suddenly had a very interesting idea.

  ‘Leave me,’ he ordered his servants, dismissing them with a hand. ‘You may tell the cook that we’ll dine upon salmon for luncheon.’

  Once the men had left his chamber, Karl stepped over to the adjoining door and opened it.

  Serena stifled a scream as Karl strode through the doors into her bedchamber. Her ladies stared in shock, and fled like scattering birds when he raised a hand in dismissal.

  She sank deeper into the tub, trying to hide as much of herself as possible. ‘Why are you here?’

  ‘Why did you tell them we were married?’ he countered.

  Why didn’t you tell me you lost your throne?

  Her anger at his deception was brewing hotter, and she struggled to maintain her composure.

  ‘To preserve my reputation. Why did you think?’ She kept her voice frigid, not wanting him to draw incorrect conclusions. ‘Now, I would be grateful if you would leave and send back my ladies.’ She was proud of the way her voice held all the haughtiness of a royal court, revealing none of the nerves creeping beneath her skin.

  Karl closed the doors behind him and walked over to her bedchamber door, locking it.

  ‘What are you doing?’ she demanded, drawing her knees up in the bath.

  ‘Giving myself privacy with my wife.’

  ‘I am not your wife.’ She tightened her grip around her knees and sent him a furious look. ‘And you, I understand, are not a prince any more.’

  ‘I told you I was a bastard.’

  ‘In more ways than one.’

  She huddled within the cold water, trying to protect herself. Karl drew a chair over and sat beside her. Did he think to take advantage of her? She sent him a hard look. The expression in his eyes was unreadable.

  ‘If you think, for one moment, that I’ll allow you to take any liberties at all—’

  ‘Do you want to escape your father or not?’

  She did, but not at this cost. Once, she’d asked him to be her protector against her father. Now, that plan was irrevocably shattered. A bastard could never stand against a king.

  ‘What are you suggesting?’

  ‘That we continue the facade you created. Let him believe that we eloped. Then break the ties to your throne if that’s your wish, and I’ll keep my word to see you safely settled elsewhere.’

  ‘When he finds out you’ve lost your throne, he’ll have you killed.’ She dismissed the idea as impractical. ‘And if your servants already know, he must be aware of it by now.’ Her gaze flickered back to his. ‘If you’re not a prince, you can’t protect me from him.’

  ‘You didn’t believe that a few hours ago. And there are many Lohenberg guards here to help us.’

  ‘It won’t work,’ she admitted softly. ‘Not against my father.’ Covering herself, she added, ‘You should leave the island, for you have no reason to stay and help me.’

  His hand grazed the surface of the water. ‘Perhaps there’s something else I want from you.’

  She stiffened and crouched as far away from him as she dared to go. Blood rushed to her face and throughout her body. ‘Get out,’ she repeated. ‘You’re trying to intimidate me.’

  ‘No. I’m trying to seduce you.’

  He knelt beside the tub, resting both hands on either side of it. She didn’t like being cornered and averted her face from him. He dipped his hand into the bathwater, then trailed a few drops down the side of her neck. Goose bumps erupted over her skin, and beneath the surface of the water, her breasts tightened.

  ‘I don’t want you,’ she whispered.

  ‘No one ever has.’ An ironic smile played upon his mouth. ‘But bastards don’t follow the rules, do they?’

  His words sent a flood of heat through her, and he leaned in closer, his breath upon her skin. He was staring at her, his gaze drifting beneath the surface of the water as if he wanted to lift her out and touch every part of her. Her mind tangled up, unable to form the words that would force him away.

  ‘If I were a prince, I wouldn’t do this.’ He dipped his mouth to hers and kissed her hard. Warmth and melting desire shuddered through her. His hands captured her face, his mouth tantalising her.

  ‘You told them I was your husband,’ he whispered against her cheek. ‘Is it because you wanted permission to give in to your desires?’

  She said nothing, for a secret part of her wondered if it were true. Although the servants would have gossiped about them, she could have maintained her distance. Why did it matter if they had lived together for so many days?

  His mouth moved to the damp skin of her throat, and she uncurled her body, her hands moving up to grasp his head. ‘This is wrong,’ she whispered.

  ‘I don’t give a damn.’ And this time, he kissed her harder, his tongue mingling with hers. Her body was desperate with unknown feelings, but she wasn’t afraid of him hurting her. A part of her knew that he’d never hurt her—he’d only try to bring her to his bed.

  Though she wanted to remain the good girl, the princess who was ever obedient, she was weakening against this wickedness. Right now, the water was tormenting her bare skin, sliding over her nakedness. She wanted more, and it occurred to her that she could surrender her innocence to him and no one would think anything of it.

  But how could she give in to him when he’d lied to her? She couldn’t reconcile the man who had protected her with the man who had deceived her. And yet, she felt herself slipping under his spell, as his hands dipped beneath the surface of the water.

  Slowly, he moved his palms over her bare shoulders and down to her breasts. When she felt him cupping them, his thumbs stroking the erect tips of her nipples, her breath grew shaken. Last night, she’d come to him, not understanding why.

  ‘Don’t be afraid of me,’ he ordered against her throat. ‘I’m only going to touch you with my hands and mouth. I won’t consummate our … “marriage.”‘

  Serena felt the prim-and-proper princess slipping away as he caressed her nipples. Though she knew she should stop him, the darker side of herself was gaining strength. She’d wanted more from him last night, but he’d turned her away.

  Sitting up from the water, she revealed her breasts to him until he obeyed her unspoken command, sliding his heated mouth over the column of her throat. Lower still, his tongue circling her damp flesh.

  Did it matter that she was behaving like a wanton? All her life she’d been punished for no reason at all, beaten and broken like a woman who didn’t deserve to be loved by a man.

  Karl had never touched her with roughness. Nor had he taken anything she hadn’t offered. He’d touched her with hands meant to arouse, not to hurt.

  And when his mouth closed over her nipple, her hands fisted in his hair, her body quaking as needs coursed through her. She was wet, so deeply aroused, that when his hand moved to touch between her legs, the shocking sensation sent her over the edge. He caressed her folds, sinking two fingers within her. She let out a cry, her head falling back as she shattered against his hand. His mouth suckled against her breast, and though she didn’t understand the exhilarating sensations breaking through her, she made no move to stop him.

  When at last, he pulled back, his eyes were burning with need.

  He said not a word, but returned to his bedchamber, closing the door behind him. Feeling lost and alone, she couldn’t stop the tears from breaking free.

  Chapter Twelve

  Karl walked alongside Father Durin in the fields, stopping to examine the soil. Although it was too soon to plant, the earth was muddy and covered in puddles with poor drainage. He’d used the excursion as a means of clearing his head after the encounter with Serena earlier.

  Watching her come apart beneath his hands had affected him worse than he’d imagined it would. Even now, his groin ached, and the suffering was exactly what he deserved. The more his mind tormented him with images of Serena naked in her bath, the more he wanted to return to the manor house and seduce he
r thoroughly.

  He’d taken advantage of her lie to the servants, claiming that they were married. But now that she knew the truth about him, no doubt she hated him for the way he’d used her.

  It’s nothing less than you deserve, his conscience reminded him. He’d been so centred on regaining a kingdom, he’d ignored all the rules of respectability. He hadn’t thought about her needs—only his own.

  He still wanted her, even if he couldn’t be a prince. And though he’d forced her to kiss him, it hadn’t truly been against her will. Her hands had come up to touch his face, almost as if she wanted him, too.

  Being with Serena had shifted the ground under his feet. Although he wanted a kingdom, even if he were able to wed another princess, he wouldn’t do it any more. The only woman he wanted was Serena.

  It seemed he was destined to lose everything he ever cared about. He knew better than to think she would accept a man like him. All he could do was protect her from her father, take her away from the island, and give her the life she wanted.

  ‘The rainfall has been three times as bad this year,’ Father Durin was saying. ‘But if we start the men digging ditches, we may be able to salvage the crops.’

  ‘Has it always been this way?’ Karl bent down to examine the sodden earth while he tried to recall what he’d read of agricultural drainage.

  ‘No,’ the priest answered. ‘But so many islanders have left, there aren’t enough men for the farming.’

  Karl moved out of the fields, staring at the island. Long stretches of sand lined the shore, and the hills rose gradually, offering a breathtaking view of the sea. Although it wasn’t the intense blue of the Mediterranean, the rough waves had their own untamed beauty. ‘What else is here?’

  The priest shrugged. ‘Not a great deal. No coal or gold, if that’s what you’re meaning.’

  Karl walked alongside the older man for a time, letting his mind drift. Durin was speaking to him, but he didn’t hear a word the priest was saying. He could only stare out at the aggressive waves, wondering if Serena would want anything to do with him after the way he’d touched her. Bastard that he was, he didn’t regret it. He’d loved watching her come apart, the water sluicing over her naked skin. He’d wanted more, even knowing he deserved none of it.

  In the distance, he saw her surrounded by ladies. They were walking along the grass, and Serena carried a bright yellow parasol. Her gown was white, trimmed with yellow ribbons, and she reminded him of a slice of frosted cake. He knew the moment she spied him, for she stopped walking abruptly. Karl shielded his eyes against the sun and watched her draw closer, trailed by the maids. She hesitated, staring at him as if she were contemplating what to say to him now.

  ‘Someone has to,’ Durin repeated. Karl glanced back and waited for him to continue. ‘I was asking what you want to do with the men who attempted to kidnap the princess?’

  Karl didn’t care what happened, so long as they were punished for their crimes.

  The priest moved to his side. ‘I would suggest that, rather than a prison sentence, you allow them to exchange hard labour in return for a reduction in their punishment.’

  ‘Why? They hurt the princess and might have done worse.’

  Serena was holding on to her skirts as she trudged uphill toward him. He saw the determined look in her eyes and wondered what exactly she wanted.

  ‘A great deal of these men can’t feed their own children,’ the priest continued. ‘I know them, and I believe they regret their actions.’

  ‘Possibly.’ It was what Serena had said earlier, but he was less inclined to release her kidnappers.

  By now, Serena had nearly reached his side. She slowed her pace at the sight of the priest, but he paid little heed to what Durin was saying. Instead, he was staring at her flushed face and the white gown that covered her from collared throat to the floor-length hem. Her bonnet was tied beneath her chin, and her gloves were spotless. Though she spoke not a word about their bathing interlude, he caught the frown playing about her mouth. The prim-and-proper princess had returned, so it seemed.

  ‘Your Highness, someone has to re-establish the justice system here,’ Father Durin was insisting. ‘Perhaps your brother, the fürst—’

  ‘Are you enjoying your walk, Princess Serena?’ he interrupted, cutting off the priest’s words.

  Serena sent a sharp look toward the priest. ‘I was. The weather is much nicer today.’ With a nod to her ladies, she bid them stand a short distance away to grant them a private conversation. ‘You were saying something about the justice system?’

  As she walked alongside the priest, Karl could almost imagine her unspoken chastisement. Although she kept a pleasant tone in her responses to the priest, he could feel her discontent.

  ‘We need intervention from the king,’ Father Durin continued. ‘The supplies that arrived today will be a good start, but we still need more. For years, our petitions to the king went unanswered.’

  ‘I never saw a single petition,’ Karl remarked. ‘If they asked for help, we knew nothing of it.’

  ‘It may be that the governor never sent them,’ the priest admitted.

  ‘What will you do now?’ the princess asked, facing him. When Karl shrugged, she stepped in front of him. ‘You cannot ignore what’s happening here.’

  He turned the question back on her. ‘And what do you suggest?’

  Serena turned to face the ocean. ‘If it were my island, I would gather the townspeople together and have them select representatives to form a council.’

  Before he could say another word, she continued, ‘Attempting to grow crops upon this island is a waste of time. Let them plant their own gardens if they wish, but it’s better to bring in food from the mainland. Allow Lohenberg to sell their supplies here.’

  ‘Forgive me, Your Highness, but how would the people pay for these supplies?’ the priest interrupted. ‘There is little that the folk here can exchange for food.’

  ‘They could exchange services. Many of the wealthy families would welcome the chance to spend some time on an island.’ She described her ideas for cozy cottages lining the sea cliffs. In each dwelling, there would be the finest beds and linens, along with a caretaker, cook and servants.

  ‘It would never work,’ Karl argued.

  ‘Not yet. But it would offer employment to many who can no longer farm.’ The idea struck him as entirely too fanciful and not practical. But he understood the inspiration. ‘Like the escape you were looking for.’

  ‘Yes.’ Her gaze turned to the sea, where a few ships bobbed upon the waves.

  ‘You won the wager.’ Karl kept his voice low. ‘Have you decided where you’ll go?’

  She shook her head. ‘I thought about a Greek island, or perhaps Italy. But you’re right. No matter where I go, they won’t stop looking for me.’

  Though her complexion was pale, she looked as though she were trying to be brave. ‘If I’m ever to gain my freedom, I have to face the king.’ With a deep breath, she added, ‘I’ll stay here until then.’

  ‘I’ll help you stand against him.’ It was more than holding up his end of the wager; it was his desire to avenge her for what she’d suffered.

  ‘No.’ She sent him a regal nod. ‘Once it’s done, you can escort me to another island. That will be sufficient. In the meantime, I’ll leave you to discuss your plans.’ Raising her hand to signal to her ladies, they returned to the manor house.

  Although her tone was cool, he didn’t miss the hurt and anger beneath it. She wanted nothing at all to do with him, believing that he’d only wanted her throne. It might have started out that way, but not any more.

  After they’d gone, Karl eyed the priest. ‘What do you think of her idea to revive Vertraumen’s economy? Impractical?’

  Father Durin’s eyes narrowed and he ignored the question. ‘When are you going to marry her and stop living a life of sin?’

  ‘When she says yes,’ he countered.

  The priest gave a heavy sigh of d
efeat and shrugged. ‘The princess’s idea holds some merit. There are enough abandoned homes that we might be able to renovate them. With appropriate funds, of course.’

  ‘I’ll speak to my father.’

  The priest’s face grew troubled. ‘Will he listen to you, now that you’re no longer the heir?’

  It was a valid concern. ‘Vertraumen is still one of our provinces. I don’t believe the king will turn his back on the island.’

  ‘And what of you?’ Durin asked. ‘Has he turned his back on you?’

  Karl sent the priest a dark look. ‘He hardly ever noticed me. Even when I was the prince.’

  Serena sat within the library, feeling restless. She’d watched the ships arriving on the horizon, and despite her resolution to stay here and face the king, the waiting was pressing down upon her nerves. Even when she retreated to the garden outside, the ladies were there, hovering around her. She took no comfort from them, for it only reminded her of her father’s impending arrival. There had to be some way to occupy her time, or she’d go mad.

  She stood up from the lawn and asked one of the ladies, ‘Who has been distributing the supplies to the islanders?’

  ‘Bernard and several of the guards,’ the woman answered. ‘They’ve been delivering grain for most of the morning.’

  The idea of bringing food and supplies to the needy struck her as a more enjoyable way to pass the afternoon. Though there might be some danger, she supposed Karl’s guards could keep her safe enough.

  Her ladies helped her to change into a gown more appropriate for paying calls within the village. When Bernard returned to load up the wagons, Serena informed him of her intent.

  ‘Your Highness, that would not be wise. Some of the places we’ve visited are … not fitting for a lady of your station.’

  ‘I’ll escort you,’ came a baritone voice. She turned and saw Karl standing beside the gate. He rode a black horse, and he held out his hand. ‘I think I can protect my own wife.’ He spoke the words with a hint of mockery. ‘Unless you’d rather burrow inside the house?’