The Accidental Prince. Michelle Willingham

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СКАЧАТЬ her eyes shut, terrified that Karl would touch her.

      Don’t hurt me. The plea echoed in her mind, and she swallowed hard, her heart racing.

      But he didn’t lay a hand upon her. Silence fell between them, and when she at last dared to open her eyes, Karl had gone. A shattered breath of relief filled up her lungs, and her hands were shaking as she forced the door open and retreated into the tiny chamber.

      When she found a key, she locked the door and leaned back against the wood. Only then did she let the tears fall. It had been a gruelling day, and she felt so lost, so uncertain of what to do.

      The interior was freezing, though the footman had lit a fire. Serena drew close to the coals, feeling as though she’d never get warm. Her cloak and gown were still damp, and the heavy wool itched her skin. The tiny chamber had only a single bed, a table with a washbasin and pitcher, a desk and chair and a window with rose curtains. Serena walked over to the window, resting her fingers upon the cold surface of the glass.

      It’s going to be all right, she tried to convince herself. But she’d been unprepared for Fürst Karl von Lohenberg. Everything about this man confused her. She didn’t know how she was meant to behave or what to do about his insistence on eloping.

      It doesn’t matter. She would find a way to keep him at a distance, and surely he would leave her alone once he understood that she wasn’t going to wed him.

      She dragged the chair across the room, huddling in front of the fire. What she wouldn’t give for a ladies maid right now. Her corset was cutting into her skin, and she couldn’t sleep at all, not wearing so many heavy layers.

      Why did the fürst have to interrupt her plans? She would have been fine on her own. And at least she’d be asleep right now in a comfortable bed, perhaps with a warm brick wrapped in flannel at her feet. A tear dripped down her cheek, and she returned to her chair beside the fire, feeling foolish and angry. Crying wouldn’t help.

      It was as if her fairy tale had gone all wrong. The handsome prince was supposed to rescue her, not kidnap her. He wasn’t supposed to put her in a dusty manor house with no servants and terrible food, keeping her imprisoned in a wet gown.

      And he thought she would want to marry him after all that?

      A hysterical laugh trapped in her throat. No. Not even if he offered himself on a golden platter with a ribbon tied around his neck.

      In the quiet of the night, her nerves sharpened. She found herself staring at shadows, wondering if she was truly safe here. Karl had made no further move to touch her, but she didn’t trust him. He was here for a reason, and though she didn’t know what it was, her instincts warned that it wasn’t good.

      In the coach, she’d been shocked by the way he’d closed in the space between them, sitting beside her. She’d barely heard a word he said. All of her attention was drawn to the fierce eyes staring at her as if she were a confection he wanted to feast upon.

      If she’d been an ordinary woman, she might have welcomed the idea of a handsome prince wanting to court her. But the constant emotional and physical battering by her father had weakened her, until now, she couldn’t bear to have anyone close. Much less the prince.

      A light knock sounded upon the door, interrupting her thoughts. ‘Who is it?’

      ‘It’s Karl.’

      Why had he returned? She didn’t want to see him now, not when she was so tired. ‘What is it?’

      ‘Will you let me come in?’

      No. Stay far away from me.

      But she stood and crossed the room, resting her cheek against the door. ‘Why?’

      ‘You asked me for a ladies’ maid.’

      Had he found someone? The thought of getting rid of these clothes, of being able to sleep, was so intoxicating, Serena pulled the door open.

      But there was no maid standing there. She was about to shut the door again, when Karl stepped inside her chamber. ‘I misunderstood what you meant earlier, when you asked for a ladies’ maid. You can’t sleep, can you? Because there’s no one to help you undress.’

      No. Not a chance. If he believed she would let him anywhere near her, he was sorely mistaken.

      ‘It’s only a few more hours until dawn. I’ll wait until we’ve found someone.’ She took a step backwards, which was a mistake. The fürst advanced toward her, and she searched for a way around him.

      His hazel eyes were unreadable, his emotions masked. ‘What do you need help with?’

      ‘Go back to your own room. I don’t want you anywhere near me.’ The very thought of the prince unbuttoning her, of unlacing her corset, was an invitation to trouble. She’d rather go without sleep than risk him touching her.

      ‘So instead you’ll remain in discomfort for the next few hours because of your pride?’ He took her shoulders and softly guided her to stand by the fire. When she felt his hands moving down the buttons of her gown, she jerked away.

      ‘I said don’t!’ She covered herself with her arms, backing toward the door. ‘I don’t need your help now. I don’t want you here.’

      His supercilious belief that he could take the liberty of undressing her was too much. Why would he think she would want that?

      ‘Get out,’ she whispered, not bothering to hide her tears.

      The prince lifted his hands and backed away. When the door closed behind him, Serena lowered her head to her hands and wept.

       Chapter Three

      A few doors away, Karl sat down upon the bed and removed his boots, trying to push back the fury that darkened his mood. He’d gone to her chamber, meaning only to help her with the buttons and laces, but she’d behaved as if he were about to ravish her. Good God, he’d only meant to help her.

      A suspicion was starting to take root. She’d left the palace, supposedly for a brief holiday. And yet, she hadn’t taken a large enough retinue with her, nor had she received the king’s permission.

      Whatever she was fleeing from meant more than her reputation. She’d agreed to leave behind her servants, her family and her home, ruining herself as a consequence.

      Why? Her answer, that she’d wanted to live like an ordinary woman for a few days, seemed disproportionate to her actions. No, her behaviour spoke of a woman who had been hurt by someone.

      Every time he’d come too close, Serena had tried to shield her body … like a woman who had experienced physical violence. But who on earth would dare to harm a woman of royal blood? Any guard would tear the man apart.

      Likely, whoever had threatened the princess was still at the palace … someone who had utterly destroyed his bride’s confidence. He could barely touch her hand without her cowering. And he remembered the reddened skin around her throat, as if someone had tried to strangle her.

      Fury blackened his mood at the thought of someone harming a woman. He stood and СКАЧАТЬ