She cared. This wasn’t about her father or escaping her life as a princess. She was trying to shield him. And he couldn’t understand why or what he should do about it.
He knew he was supposed to say something, to reassure her. But inside, he felt like a stumbling adolescent.
‘I—I should go,’ Serena whispered. She looked upset, and she tucked the wayward strand of hair behind her ear.
‘I’m escorting you,’ he reminded her. ‘Along with my father’s soldiers.’ He opened the door to the study. ‘You’ll go nowhere alone.’
When they left the manor house, surrounded by Bernard and the guards, Serena was surprised that Karl chose a carriage. As they drove toward the village, her chest tightened, thinking of his marriage proposal this morning. Part of her wished she could have said yes, though she knew it would have only complicated matters.
Was it because she wanted to let him shield her from the king? Or was it because she wanted to be with him? Karl wasn’t going to leave her, no matter how dangerous the circumstances or what she said to him. With him, she would always be safe. And his steadfast courage had slipped past the defences of her heart.
Above them, the sun shone down and the sea had quieted somewhat, lapping against the shoreline. She held her parasol in one hand, while her ladies followed behind on their own horses.
Her mind drifted back to the problem of her father. Should she threaten to raise a scandal with the newspapers, revealing her abuse? Although it would give her a small bit of leverage, it would cause severe political damage. Undermining the king would harm her country.
Or she could seek refuge with the Lohenberg royal family. König Sweyn had the army of protection she needed. If she could gain permission to cross the borders and live there quietly, perhaps that would work.
Her gaze fixed upon the horizon and the sweeping waves of the sea, fuelled by her desire to leave, and the fervent wish to break free of her father. Her mind mulled over potential solutions, and out of the corner of her eye, she studied Karl. In the days they’d spent together at the abbey, she’d been little more than a serving girl. It had been back-breaking work, but she’d revelled in the freedom from palace life. She still wanted that.
But even more, she wanted him, even as arrogant and stubborn as he was. It was completely illogical, for he’d behaved like a rogue who tempted her in his wicked ways.
Karl murmured another order to one of his guards, something she couldn’t hear. He gave the man a pouch of coins, and the rider disappeared toward the shoreline.
‘What was that for?’ she asked.
‘Nothing. Just some arrangements that needed to be made.’
She didn’t question him further, and he ordered the driver to take them through the village until they stopped at the edge of the beach. Karl disembarked from the carriage and assisted Serena. When her ladies and the footmen began to follow, he lifted a hand to stop them.
She sent him a grateful look, and they walked along the sandy edge of the water. It was peaceful, and Karl took her gloved hand in his. Though it felt nice to feel his hand upon hers, she was well aware of how improper it was. Beneath her breath, she murmured, ‘You don’t need to hold my hand for appearance’s sake.’
‘It’s not for appearance’s sake.’ He gripped her fingers tighter and they stopped midway along the beach. Karl reached down to pick up a shell for her. When he pressed it into her hand, she couldn’t take her eyes from him.
His cheek bones were honed, his face quite handsome, and his mouth … she remembered all too well the feel of his lips upon hers. And the way he’d touched her, making her feel so wanton.
Beneath her skin, a sudden heat prickled through her. She didn’t know what to think of it, or how to respond. Quickly, she turned away, shielding her eyes against the sun.
And there, on horseback, she spied Gerlach Feldmann, captain of her father’s guards. Her heart nearly stopped at the sight of him. Was he alone? Was her father already here? Sickened at the thought, Serena took a step backwards and nearly stumbled. The raw fear rippled through her, tearing down all of her earlier thoughts that perhaps it might be all right.
But then, Karl’s arm came around her waist and he followed the direction of her stare. ‘He was there, the day I abducted you. He’s one of your father’s guards, isn’t he?’
Chapter Fourteen
Karl recognized the rider as one of Serena’s original escorts. It was the guard who had held a spear to his side. Before he could pursue the man, he saw his half brother approaching from the opposite side of the beach, with a dozen Lohenberg guards flanking him.
A flash of resentment flooded through him, and he muttered a curse. Why was Michael here? To set the island to rights, in case Karl couldn’t do so? Whatever the reason, he doubted if the prince’s visit was a favourable one.
Michael’s eyes narrowed when he spied the princess, and Karl met the accusatory stare with no remorse whatsoever. ‘Go back to the manor house,’ he ordered Serena. ‘My brother is here, and I should welcome him.’
‘Shouldn’t I greet Fürst Michael, as well?’ she asked.
‘Another time, perhaps.’ Given that Karl had kidnapped a princess and stolen her away to an island, he could feel his brother’s fury from here. ‘Return to the manor house with my guards.’ Serena appeared reluctant, but she obeyed his orders, accompanied by his guards.
Karl stood his ground while Michael approached with his horsemen. Though he was at a height disadvantage while Michael was mounted, he didn’t move a muscle until the fürst drew his horse to a stop.
‘You went to the kingdom of Badenstein and stole their crown princess,’ Michael began without prelude.
‘Yes.’ No reason to deny it. He’d taken the princess away, ruined her reputation, and forced her to work like a servant. All for his own gain.
‘Were you trying to start a war between our two countries?’ the prince demanded. ‘Everyone has been searching for her. And you dared to dishonour her.’
‘Are you going to imprison me?’ he said calmly.
Michael dismounted from his horse, and strode forward. ‘I should.’ He strode along the beach, glancing back in an unspoken order for Karl to follow. When they were out of earshot, his brother continued, ‘Did you marry her, like the servants claim? Were you that stupid?’
‘She refused to wed me,’ Karl answered. It wasn’t surprising, given all that he’d done to her.
‘I don’t know which is worse,’ Michael admitted. ‘What do you think will happen to her now? You’ve ruined her. The world will believe that you took her into your bed, whether you did or not.’
‘I didn’t.’
‘By kidnapping her, you’ve drawn the king into this. Her father could rightfully demand your head. And we’d have to give it to him or risk war.’
He could feel his brother’s blistering anger, and he deserved it. He had taken Serena to this island. He’d fully intended to wed her, seizing control of a title he didn’t deserve. And right now, when he looked back at his actions, he realised what a fool he’d been.
‘She ran away,’ he told Michael, ‘because her father was beating her. Weeks ago, he broke her ribs. And on the day she left, he left bruises along her side and tried to strangle her.’
No woman should endure that, princess or not.
His brother’s face sobered as he considered what Karl had told him. ‘What are you going to do now?’
‘Protect her,’ was all he could say. The purchase he’d arranged this morning would help somewhat, if Serena chose to avail of it. ‘If someone threatened Hannah—’
‘I’d kill the man. With no remorse at all.’
‘Much as I’d like to, I can’t kill a king,’ Karl said. Even if he wanted to, he knew better than to risk threatening so powerful a man. All he could do was help Serena to disappear.
‘Do you love her?’ Michael asked. He stopped walking along the beach and stared at the water, which was starting to grow rougher. In the dista
nce, clouds rolled across the sea.
‘It doesn’t matter, does it?’ Karl could give no answer, for he didn’t know what love was. The only thing he understood was power and the lack of it. He was playing a dangerous game with the king’s daughter, one that might result in surrendering his life. He didn’t plan on martyring himself. But neither would he let any harm come to her.
‘You want me to leave her,’ he predicted, meeting his brother’s gaze. ‘Let her father come for her.’
‘If you fight against a king, I can’t protect you.’
‘Can’t you?’ He stared at Michael’s fury. ‘You know I won’t abandon her to him. Her father might kill her after she dared to flee.’
‘I don’t believe that.’
‘I’ve seen her bruises.’
His brother’s eyes narrowed. ‘And where were those … bruises?’
Karl knew what he was implying. ‘The servants believe that we married in secret. For her sake, I’d suggest you uphold the lie.’
Michael struggled to regain control of his temper. ‘You took advantage of a princess, dishonouring her for your own use.’
‘Yes.’ He made no denial of what he’d done. ‘And I won’t walk away from her when she has to face her father.’
When she reached the house, Serena saw a stunningly beautiful dark-haired woman waiting. Dressed in an emerald gown trimmed with lace, the woman sent her a blinding smile.
‘You must be Princess Serena.’ The woman dropped into a curtsy. ‘I am Hannah Chesterfield. Fürst Michael is to be my husband in the next week.’ With a soft laugh, she added, ‘I imagine my mother is ready to send an army after me. I’m supposed to be worrying about fittings and wedding details at the moment.’
Serena returned the greeting, and Hannah continued a stream of cheerful conversation as she led her into the dining room. ‘I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve already arranged a meal for us,’ the young woman said. ‘I thought we could talk and get to know one another better. You are coming to the wedding, aren’t you?’
Serena didn’t know how to answer. ‘I’m certain my father will go. I don’t know if my sister and I will be permitted to attend.’ It was as close to the truth as she could manage.
Hannah’s smile turned forced. ‘Oh. Well, I do hope you can.’ She drew her inside the dining room and gestured for Serena to sit opposite her. ‘There’s so much I’ve been wanting to ask you.’ Within moments, a servant brought in the first course, a lobster bisque with a dollop of cream floating in the centre. While the footman ladled out the soup, Hannah said, ‘I’ve heard that you and Karl wed in secret.’
A pang of regret settled inside her, but Serena managed a nod. Though she hated lying to the prince’s intended bride, neither could she admit that she’d lived alone with Karl for the past week. ‘No one knew of our wedding,’ she said.
Because it never happened.
Hannah studied her carefully, as if she were trying to read the truth. ‘There’s more to Karl than most people would see. He might appear arrogant and rude, but beneath it all, he’s a good man. He saved my life once.’
Serena’s eyes filled up with tears. It was true, and though she believed it was best for Karl to go on and leave her here to face her father alone, she knew it would never happen. He wasn’t the sort of man to turn from a fight.
She left her soup spoon beside the bowl, unable to bring herself to eat. Inside, she felt sickened. Though her father’s guard, Captain Feldmann, had disappeared, she knew what his presence meant. She had less than a day before her father arrived. Or, at least his men, if the king couldn’t be bothered to come.
‘You’re crying,’ Hannah said suddenly. ‘Is everything all right?’
Serena could only shake her head. She folded her napkin and left the table, her stomach in knots. Hannah followed her, but Serena didn’t want to reveal her problems to a stranger. It wasn’t her way to confide secrets, and she took a moment, trying to gather her thoughts up.
‘I’m sorry if I said anything to upset you,’ Hannah said quietly. ‘I made Michael bring me with him, because I thought you might want some female companionship. And perhaps we could … be friends.’
Serena swiped at her tears, trying to gather her composure.
‘Would you like to spend some time together?’ Hannah offered gently. ‘Perhaps we could visit the village?’
The young woman meant well, and it might be a good chance for her to understand what had happened to Karl and the kingdom of Lohenberg. ‘All right.’
Within the hour, both women were inside Frau Bauherzen’s shop. Serena could tell from Hannah’s strained expression that the fabric choices were nothing like she’d expected. Though the dressmaker was skilled enough with patterns and designs, most of the materials were little more than muslin and tarlatan. There was also black bombazine and a full array of mourning clothes.
Hannah came alongside her and said, ‘It’s not quite what I had imagined.’
‘If you could arrange for fabric from Lohenberg to be sold here, it would help,’ Serena suggested. ‘The selection is quite limited.’
Hannah gave a nod. ‘I’ll mention it to Michael. Something should be done.’ She moved in closer, lifting a length of white muslin. Lowering her voice to a whisper, she murmured, ‘Am I correct in presuming that you and Karl did not wed one another, as the servants believe?’
Serena kept her gaze downcast, but gave a single nod. Inside, she felt such confusion. It was her fault that the servants believed the lie. Though it had given them a false air of respectability, she didn’t know what to do about it now.
A gloved hand touched hers, and she saw Hannah’s solemn expression. ‘Do you love him?’
‘I don’t know,’ was all she could whisper. How was she to understand what love was? Everything about Karl confused her. He’d lost his kingdom, and though he’d wanted to regain it through a hasty marriage, the choice had always been hers. Not once had he forced her to bend to his will; he’d only coaxed her into feelings she didn’t understand.
‘If he were to leave you, and you’d never see him again, how would that make you feel?’ Hannah asked.
Serena could give no answer, for it would be as if someone had cut her in half. She could only meet Hannah’s gaze, letting her see the emptiness in her heart.
‘Karl can’t stay with me,’ she said at last. ‘If he remains here, my father will kill him for what he’s done. He has to leave, but he won’t.’
Hannah squeezed her hand. ‘If you want to be with him, I’ll do what I can to help you.’
‘I don’t know what he wants from me,’ she whispered. ‘Even if I did wed him, he could never be prince consort.’
Hannah pretended to study a length of lace. ‘If he’s still here, I don’t think he cares about your throne any more, Princess Serena.’
Her face flushed at the thought, for she suspected it was true. Every time he’d kissed her, she’d fallen beneath the spell of temptation. But it bothered her that Karl seemed so detached, almost as if he didn’t want to love her.
‘I need him to be safe,’ she said.
‘I’ll make sure of it.’ Hannah set down the lace and regarded her. ‘Although he is no longer heir to the throne of Lohenberg, he and Michael are still half brothers. And I owe Karl a favour, after what he did for me.’
The shopkeeper cleared her throat. ‘Meine Damen, is there anything I can help you with? Anything you would like to purchase …?’ Her voice trailed off hopefully, and Serena glanced at Hannah.
Hannah intervened with excuses to leave and thanked the dressmaker. She took Serena’s hand and let her outside. The footman Bernard was waiting, and he escorted them toward the waiting curricle. But before Serena could climb inside, she saw Captain Feldmann standing at the end of the street. He was waiting to speak with her.
‘Bernard, I—need a moment,’ she finished. ‘Please take Lady Hannah back to the manor house.’
‘My orders are to remain with you at all times
, Your Highness,’ the footman protested.
‘Then wait for me here. I’ll only be a moment.’
She walked along the side of the street until she reached Captain Feldmann. Her driver Samuel drew the curricle close, though he allowed her a little space for a private conversation. Bernard sat with Lady Hannah, a revolver in his hand.
‘You know why I have come,’ the captain said.
Serena’s heartbeat quickened, and she glanced behind at Hannah and her footman. ‘Is my father here?’
‘They’re a few hours behind me.’ His expression turned grim. ‘You’ve no choice but to return, Princess.’
She shook her head. ‘I’m not going back to Badenstein. You know what it was like for me.’
The captain stared at her. ‘Freiherr Albert von Meinhardt imprisoned my wife and son after I let you go. If you don’t return of your own free will, they’ll suffer for it. And I won’t let that happen.’ His hand moved beneath his coat, revealing a concealed revolver.
A sinking feeling settled into her stomach. She could hardly believe that the freiherr would make such a vicious move, to capture an innocent woman and child. But it was clear that Captain Feldmann would do anything on their behalf.
‘If you take me against my will, the freiherr still might keep them captive,’ she warned.
‘If you go back willingly, you might help them.’ The desperation upon his face reminded her that it was her fault they’d been taken. She was torn on what to do, but the captain wasn’t thinking clearly right now. He was thinking only of his family.
‘Come with me,’ he ordered, reaching for the weapon.
No. Although she sympathised with the man’s plight, she wasn’t going to go with him without a fight.
‘Bernard!’ she called out, as she gripped her skirts and fled toward the carriage.
The footman drew his weapon, aiming it at the captain. A second later, Karl emerged from the street, closing in behind Feldmann until he was surrounded on both sides.
The Accidental Prince Page 18