‘I don’t believe for a moment that you have any interest in me.’

‘You’re wrong.’ He reached out and lowered her hood, brushing his fingertips against her damp cheek. In her eyes he saw the startled shock. ‘I find you very interesting indeed, Princess.’

He could see from the look on her face that she wasn’t at all looking forward to their union. ‘Our marriage can be more than political.’

She turned her face to the window, the melancholy sinking in. ‘Sometimes I wish I could live like an ordinary woman, just for a few days. Free to make my own decisions.’ Her voice held a note of misery, as though she believed herself a prisoner.

‘Is it such a hardship, wearing diamonds and silks?’

‘Sometimes,’ she admitted. She stared outside the coach and said, ‘This isn’t the way to my grandfather’s lodge.’

‘We can’t go there,’ he admitted. ‘If we do, they’ll find you within a few hours.’

Her face paled. ‘Then you really are abducting me?’

‘Yes.’ He made no apology for his actions. ‘You’ll still have your holiday away from the palace,’ he reassured her. ‘And I’ll bring you back within a week.’

As my wife.

About the Author

MICHELLE WILLINGHAM grew up living in places all over the world, including Germany, England, and Thailand. When her parents hauled her to antiques shows in manor houses and castles Michelle entertained herself by making up stories and pondering whether she could afford a broadsword with her allowance. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, with a degree in English, and received her master’s degree in Education from George Mason University. Currently she teaches American History and English. She lives in south-eastern Virginia with her husband and children. She still doesn’t have her broadsword.

Visit her website at www.michellewillingham.com, or e-mail her at michelle@michellewillingham.com

Previous novels by this author: HER IRISH WARRIOR* THE WARRIOR’S TOUCH* HER WARRIOR KING* HER WARRIOR SLAVE† THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESS†† THE ACCIDENTAL PRINCESS†† TAMING HER IRISH WARRIOR* SURRENDER TO AN IRISH WARRIOR* CLAIMED BY THE HIGHLAND WARRIOR** SEDUCED BY THE HIGHLAND WARRIOR** TEMPTED BY THE HIGHLAND WARRIOR** WARRIORS IN WINTER

Available in Mills & Boon® Historical Undone! eBooks: THE VIKING’S FORBIDDEN LOVE-SLAVE THE WARRIOR’S FORBIDDEN VIRGIN AN ACCIDENTAL SEDUCTION†† INNOCENT IN THE HAREM PLEASURED BY THE VIKING CRAVING THE HIGHLANDER’S TOUCH

And in M&B: LIONHEART’S BRIDE (part of Royal Weddings Through the Ages)

* The MacEgan Brothers †prequel to The MacEgan Brothers mini-series ** The MacKinloch Clan ††linked by character

Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

AUTHOR NOTE

THE ACCIDENTAL PRINCE is a book I’ve wanted to write for a long time after completing THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESS and THE ACCIDENTAL PRINCESS. Fürst Karl von Lohenberg was a character who intrigued me in THE ACCIDENTAL PRINCESS, and I wondered what he would do after losing the kingdom he’d been born to rule. He struck me as a fighter—a man who wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted. And in this case he’s determined to marry a princess and reclaim his throne before anyone can stop him.

It’s no secret that I love fairytales, and all three books in this series have elements of classic stories such as Cinderella (THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESS), and The Prince and the Pauper (THE ACCIDENTAL PRINCESS), and it seemed fitting to do a Cinderella reversal with THE ACCIDENTAL PRINCE. I had great fun with this book, and I hope you’ll enjoy how Karl and Serena fall in love as an ordinary man and woman.

Many thanks to my editor, Joanne Grant, and to Flo Nicoll for her help with this book. I always appreciate the work that goes into making a story stronger. Thanks also to my agent, Helen Breitwieser, for being such a wonderful supporter. I appreciate all of you so much.

Visit my website at www.michellewillingham.com for a full listing of all my books, excerpts, and behind-the-scenes details. You’re welcome to interact with me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michellewillinghamfans or on Twitter at @michellewilling. I love to hear from readers, and you may e-mail me at michelle@michellewillingham.com or via mail at PO Box 2242 Poquoson, VA 23662 USA.

The Accidental
Prince
Michelle Willingham

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MILLS & BOON

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To Drew and James,

who will always be princes of their mother’s heart.

Chapter One

The outer borders of Lohenberg—1855

Karl von Lohenberg had always been a bastard. For twenty-five years, he’d merely thought it was a personality disorder rather than a reflection of his birth.

He’d been raised to believe he was a prince, the fürst, who would one day be king of Lohenberg. And only a fortnight ago, one word had stripped away his future: bastard.

His father had ordered him out of the palace, granting him land and a manor house near the borders, as if to say: hide him where he won’t cause any trouble.

Bitterness smouldered within him, at the way they’d turned their backs on him so quickly. Did they believe he was planning to kill or overthrow the true prince? Were the years of obedience and loyalty nothing to the king and queen? They treated him like a lighted fuse, leading to a keg of gunpowder.

Karl was stronger than that. He knew, well enough, that he’d never regain the throne of Lohenberg. It rightfully belonged to his half-brother Michael, and he wouldn’t blacken the royal family or his country with scandal, fighting for something that wasn’t his.

He’d given his life to his homeland, believing that one day he would be king, responsible for the lives of many. He liked being in command, and by God, he’d been good at it.

Fate might have picked him up by the collar and beaten him into a bloody mass, but he wasn’t about to slink quietly into the shadows to lick his wounds. This was his life, and he intended to live it on his own terms.

For there was another way to restore his position. Cold-hearted and villainous, yes, but it was a solution.

He simply had to marry a princess.

Karl reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter he’d received a few days ago like the shred of hope it represented. His betrothed, Princess Serena of Badenstein, was leaving the palace on an impromptu holiday to her grandfather’s hunting lodge in Hamburg. Alone. The letter from her sister Anna thanked him for his promise to accompany Serena as her protector.

At first, he hadn’t understood the letter. He’d made no such promise, since he’d known nothing about Serena’s plans. They hardly knew one another, for Karl had only met the princess twice in the six years they’d been betrothed. She was beautiful, with a heart-shaped face, dark blond hair, and green eyes that held years of unhappiness.

Not once had he seen her smile. When they’d first met, she’d eyed him with distrust and more than a little fear. He didn’t know what falsehoods her family had told her, but he wasn’t that bad. He wasn’t a man who caused small children to flee into hiding. Usually.

Why would the princess make a journey where her sister felt she needed protection? Wouldn’t she have her father’s guards and a hundred servants to keep her safe?

His instincts warned him that something was wrong with this so-called holiday. It was doubtful that Serena had invited him at all. More likely, the princess had lied to her sister, to appease her.

But Anna had turned the tables, letting Karl know that his bride was up to something. He didn’t doubt that Serena would carry out her plan of leaving the palace, but why was she planning to go alone? Was she running away? Or meeting someone else—a lover, perhaps?

Grimly, Karl folded the letter, his mind taking apart each possibility. It was too soon for anyone in Badenstein to know of his fallen status. At the time Anna had sent this letter, he’d still been the heir to the Lohenberg throne.

If he joined the Princess on her holiday, as Anna had suggested, his presence might grant her protection—but it would also compromise Serena’s reputation beyond repair. She’d have no choice but to wed him, even if he never laid a hand upon her.

There would be hell to pay afterwards, but he could live with that. Once he became her prince consort, the scandal would eventually die down, and she could live her life as she wished.

Karl stared outside the window of the inn where he and his men were staying. The skies were growing dark, and he was within a few hours’ ride of the palace. In the morning, he would put his plan into action. With any luck, he could claim the princess as his bride before anyone learned the truth about his lost kingdom.

Serena dragged out the small trunk she’d packed with a few days’ worth of clothing. Today she would leave the palace, seizing the freedom she craved. She would depart Badenstein with a handful of servants and reclaim her life. Although the risk of discovery was terrible, it was worth it.

Beneath her tightly laced corset, her broken ribs had finally healed after so many weeks. Though it sometimes hurt to breathe or to lift her arms above her head, she’d grown accustomed to the pain. And after today, everything would be different.

Serena ran her hands over the brass-bound trunk and then ordered Katarina, one of her most trusted ladies, to ensure that the trunk was placed inside the coach she’d carefully prepared. Her heart was beating so fast, she pressed her hand to her chest as if she could steady it.

She had no doubt it would be only a few days before the messengers alerted the king that she was missing. Nothing escaped his notice, and Serena had to plan this carefully, so as to avoid getting anyone else in trouble.

For now, she would go to her grandfather’s hunting lodge. Her father owned several estates in Badenstein and in Germany, but the lodge was rarely used any more since it had fallen into disrepair. Although they might search for her there, perhaps not until they’d investigated the other houses. It would grant her some time. She hoped to sell some jewels and purchase a small house or property somewhere no one would find her.

Her head spun with all the details, and she worried about being caught. If her father learned of this … she shuddered to imagine it. Princesses were not supposed to run away. And although she had enough loyal servants to help her, it might not be enough.

For now, she would concentrate on getting out of the palace. She couldn’t think too far ahead, or the worries would consume her. One moment at a time, one hour at a time, she decided. And before she left, she needed to see her mother.

Serena chose a single rose from the arrangement in the crystal vase upon the end table. Queen Clara had always loved flowers. During the spring, she often sat in the garden where she could admire the blossoms.

Flanked by her ladies, Serena walked down the long corridor leading to the east wing. Before she reached it, two footmen blocked their way and bowed.

‘Your Highness, His Majesty has commanded your presence.’

A layer of ice coated her stomach, but Serena lowered her head in acquiescence, following the footmen to her father’s chambers. Each time the king summoned her, she knew what was coming—a punishment for some imagined misdeed. Every moment she spent in her father’s presence was a mind-numbing game of trying to guess what sort of behaviour would help her to avoid his fists.

No one could protect her from His Majesty. Not the guards or her ladies, for they’d lose their positions. Not her younger sister or her mother, who was confined to a sickbed. She was defenceless against him.

Serena hated the pity in the eyes of the servants, for she didn’t like appearing weak. But after the last beating had left her unable to move, she’d had enough. Six years of suffering was too much to ask of anyone. Nothing would stop her from escaping.

One of her ladies, Katarina, offered her a look of silent support. Serena squeezed the woman’s hand, and then withdrew, needing the time to gather up her courage.

When the footman opened the door and announced her presence, Serena stepped forward. Her father, the king, stood with his back to them. He was a tall man, with greying hair and a physical form that rivalled his best guards. King Ruwald prided himself upon his strength, and he wore close-fitting clothing to show off his muscular arms and legs.

‘Were you planning to go somewhere?’ he asked softly, dismissing his men and her ladies with a hand. Serena curtsied and stared down at the Oriental carpet, her hand clenching her mother’s rose.

Do not make him angry. Be demure and modest in your bearing. And perhaps he’ll leave you alone.

The king moved closer, until he stood directly in front of her. ‘Answer me.’

‘N-no, Father. Of course not.’

‘Don’t lie to me!’ He seized her by the arm, jerking her upright. The grip of his fingers was so tight, she gritted her teeth against the pain.

‘My men informed me that you sent a trunk full of clothes to a waiting coach.’ Softening his voice to a low murmur, he released her arm. ‘Now why would you do that?’

‘They’re for Anna,’ she lied, rubbing the bruised skin. ‘The men were supposed to put the trunk with her belongings. That’s all.’ Tears spilled over her cheeks, as she stared down at the carpet.

‘Do you think I don’t see your defiance? I know everything you do. And you’re going nowhere.’

His fist struck the back of her head, and stars exploded in her vision. The king knew exactly where to punish her so that it would not leave a visible mark. ‘My men have their orders. You won’t leave the palace.’

Why does he hate me so? she wondered. What have I done? Never had he laid a hand upon Anna, thank God. But for whatever reason, she infuriated her father. And she feared that if he lost control of his temper one day, she might not survive it.

Darkness swam in her vision, and she backed away, folding her body inwards as if to protect it. As the king advanced toward her, Serena let out a broken supplication, ‘Please, Father.’

But her words meant nothing to him as he curled his fingers and raised his fists.

Serena lay with her body pressed against the carpet. Though her father had left, she couldn’t bring herself to move. Her hand touched the tender skin at her throat, the pulsing fear returning. She tasted blood in her mouth, and pain radiated throughout her body.

It only renewed her resolve to leave. I won’t stay here. I can’t. The door opened, and she saw the stricken faces of her ladies. Serena said nothing, but allowed Katarina to help her to her feet. The woman picked up the fallen rose with its crushed petals and held it to her.

Though not a word was spoken, she was certain they’d heard her father’s tirade. Serena accepted the rose and leaned upon Katarina as she entered the hallway.

‘Your Highness?’ Katarina asked, her voice fearful. Her maid stopped walking and reached for a fallen lock of Serena’s hair, pinning it back into place. In her lady-in-waiting’s eyes, Serena saw the worry. But she could say nothing to reassure them.

‘I am going to see my mother,’ she insisted. One last time, before I leave. Her ladies surrounded her and led the way.

As she walked, Serena rested her hand against her bruised side, fighting to calm herself. Though not every servant was loyal to her, there were enough men and women to turn a blind eye to her escape. She believed she could get out of the palace with little trouble. The true problem was reaching the hunting lodge before the other guards caught up to her. They had no choice but to follow and bring her home again.

When they finally arrived at her mother’s chambers and her presence was announced, Serena tried to smile.

Queen Clara was propped up with several pillows, her light brown hair streaked with grey. She wore a cap and a white nightgown, but the pale linen only accentuated her wan face.

‘How are you feeling today, Mother?’ Serena asked, handing her the rose.

Clara took it and smiled, before she waved her hand, dismissing the ladies. ‘Come and sit beside me.’

When the queen took her hand, her expression turned grim. Slowly, she reached out and touched Serena’s reddened throat. ‘What happened?’ Her hand traced the marks, as if the caress could take away the pain.

A hard ball of fear rose up in her throat and Serena forced back the denial. Tears pricked at her eyes, but she could only lift her shoulders in a shrug. ‘I’ve … tried to be better. More like the princess he wants me to be. But he seems to hate the very air I breathe.’

Clara closed her eyes, her hands gripping the coverlet. ‘Your lady-in-waiting, Katarina, confessed this morning that your father has … taken your punishments too far at times. And she said you’re planning to leave.’

Serena masked her frustration. It was her secret to keep—not theirs to tell.

‘You should have told me about this,’ her mother insisted, her face rigid. ‘I thought he Only … hit you once in a while. I thought it was discipline.’ A tear slid down the queen’s face. ‘But Katarina said he broke your ribs.’ Her mother’s eyes stared hard at her, as if trying to determine if it was true. Serena dropped her gaze, unwilling to answer.

‘Why would you hide this from me? I could have done something to help you.’

‘And what would you have done?’ Serena demanded. ‘You’re ill. If you tried to fight him, he would have taken his anger out on you. I’m strong,’ she whispered. ‘You’re not.’

‘I know it, but surely—’

‘Don’t try to stop me from leaving,’ Serena warned. ‘I … I need this time to decide what to do, Mother.’

The queen’s shoulders lowered in defeat. ‘You’ll be married this summer,’ she reminded her. ‘And after that happens, your husband will keep you safe.’

Serena didn’t believe it, though she nodded to her mother as if she did. Clara reached out and took her hand. She hid her dismay at how fragile her mother’s knuckles were, how pale the skin.

‘Take the next fortnight at our estate in Oberalstadt, if you need some time to recover. If your father returns and asks where you are, I’ll tell him I sent you to visit my relatives.’ Her mother tried to smile. ‘And when you return, I’ll do what I can to protect you from his temper.’ Her gaze shifted over to the wardrobe that contained her day dresses. ‘Perhaps I’ll be strong enough to speak to him myself.’

Serena doubted if her mother could do anything, but she demurred. ‘I love you, liebe Mutter.’

The queen reached up and touched her cheek. ‘I’m sorry for being so weak. If I had more strength …’ Her voice trailed off with unspoken words.

Serena lowered her strength. ‘You’ll be fine.’ And so will I. She kissed her mother’s cheek and squeezed her hands, praying that she would see her again one day.

After she left, she passed the tall windows that lined the east wing. As a young girl, she’d sometimes raced her sister down the hall, while sunlight spilled through the large panes of glass. Now, she walked at a more dignified pace, as befitted a princess.

Raindrops spattered down the windows, but even the wretched weather couldn’t destroy the bottled up hope inside of her. Freedom lay just within her grasp.

She returned to her chamber, waiting for her father and Anna to depart for Sardinia. Anna would be presented to the widowed king as a possible candidate for his new wife.

When Serena glanced in her looking glass, she saw the redness surrounding her throat. Without asking for permission, her lady-in-waiting Katarina brought out a lace fichu and drew it around Serena’s neck to cover the skin. ‘Does it hurt, Your Highness?’

‘I’ll be fine.’ But when Serena stared at herself in the looking glass, her face was pale, her green eyes rimmed with red. Despite all of her careful plans, she couldn’t repress her shiver. Her father might have killed her this afternoon.

She touched the back of her head, and the barest pressure sent a wave of pain within the skin. Katarina dampened a cloth from the washing basin and sponged at her hair to remove the traces of blood. Though her lady was gentle, Serena closed her eyes at the pain.

Soon you’ll be gone from here. And he’ll never hurt you again. She clung to the thought, taking comfort from it.

‘The coach is waiting in the forest,’ Katarina whispered beneath her breath. Before she could say another word, there was a knock at the door. When Serena nodded for Katarina to answer it, her lady-in-waiting announced, ‘Your Highness, the Princess Anna is here to bid you farewell.’

Anna entered with three of her ladies trailing behind, and Serena went to embrace her. Her sister wore a rose taffeta travelling gown with seven flounces and a silk bonnet with a matching rose ribbon. A dark woollen cloak was tied around her shoulders. She held her gloved hands together, worry creasing her smile.

‘I’ll miss you,’ Serena told Anna. It was true. Despite her desperate need to escape, she would think of her mother and sister often. Perhaps one day she could send for Anna, or make arrangements to come and visit her after her sister was married. But the tangled sadness in her heart wouldn’t soften. She was afraid of never seeing them again, and it hurt to imagine the loneliness.

Anna appeared worried. ‘I know that … a royal marriage is expected of me. But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid. What do I know of the king of Sardinia?’

‘You’ll be fine. And the weather will be much warmer.’ She braved a smile, but Anna didn’t answer it.

‘I still don’t understand why you’d want to leave for a holiday alone.’ A worried expression pulled at her sister’s mouth. ‘With only a few servants?’ Anna pressed her hands together. ‘How can you manage? You need at least seven ladies, simply to get dressed in the morning. Fifty would be a more appropriate number.’

Serena only smiled. ‘I want a quiet holiday, not an army surrounding me.’ Besides, she’d sent word for the caretaker to assemble a household of servants within the hunting lodge. It was far easier to make an escape with six servants, rather than fifty.

Anna would have none of it. In a whisper, she added, ‘You shouldn’t defy our father. What you’re planning will only make him angrier.’

Her sister reached out and touched the fichu at Serena’s throat. The knowing look in her eyes made her wonder if Anna suspected the punishments she’d endured. Had someone told her?

‘The king will never know I’m gone.’ Serena stepped back, adjusting the fichu to hide her reddened skin. ‘I’ll be fine.’

‘You can’t go off on your own,’ Anna insisted. ‘Someone might try to kidnap you or worse.’

‘It’s only meant to be a short holiday. By the time you return from Sardinia, I’ll already be home. No one need ever know of it.’ The falsehood rolled easily off her tongue, and she pretended as if it wouldn’t matter at all. She could only pray they wouldn’t find her.

‘But why would you go to Hamburg?’ Her sister looked as if she’d suggested living in a beggar’s cottage. ‘We haven’t gone there in years. And there’s nothing at all to do. Except … catch fish.’ Anna wrinkled her nose with disgust.

Serena didn’t answer, but merely hugged her sister again. ‘I’ll miss you.’

A tightness rose in her chest at the thought of leaving Anna, but when her sister squeezed back, she fought back the shadow of pain from her bruised ribs. A flash of fear came over her, remembering her father’s beating.

You don’t have a choice, she reminded herself. You have to go.

‘I’ll return in a few weeks,’ Anna promised. ‘And hopefully the king of Sardinia will choose someone else. You’re fortunate that the fürst of Lohenberg will be your husband. At least he’s quite handsome.’

There was an enigmatic look in her sister’s eyes, as if she wanted to say something else. Instead, Anna drew back and said a final farewell.

After her sister had gone, Serena ordered her ladies to help her change into a navy blue woollen travelling gown and a dark cloak. She raised the hood over her hair and covered her gown with the voluminous fabric.

‘Shall I come with you to the lodge, Your Highness?’ Katarina asked, her voice fearful.

Serena shook her head. ‘You’d only be punished. If you stay here, you’ll be safe.’ She’d arranged for a coachman, footman and four guards to accompany her.

Katarina pressed her forehead to Serena’s hand in a deep curtsy. ‘As Your Highness wishes.’

‘Go back to my father’s library. The guards I hired are standing outside the doors. Bring them to me.’

But her lady-in-waiting hesitated a moment. One by one, her other ladies surrounded her, and Serena saw the worry in their eyes. Then Katarina spoke, ‘Your Highness, you must know that … we would do anything to protect you. What you’ve endured from His Majesty—’ Her lady bowed her head and flushed with embarrassment. ‘It’s so very wrong. And though there are servants loyal to him, rest assured, we will help you to leave, as best we can.’

Serena looked at the faces of her ladies. These women had been with her for years, and they were so much a part of her life, she hadn’t thought of how lonely it would be without them. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered.

‘There was a … problem with your coach,’ Katarina said, biting her lip. ‘The footman, Herr Henley, will explain, but—’

‘We haven’t much time,’ one of the other ladies interrupted. ‘I’ll go and fetch the guards.’ With a curtsy, the young woman departed.

Serena turned back to Katarina. ‘What problem?’

Katarina shrugged. ‘Just something unexpected. Your sister, Princess Anna, arranged it.’ With that, Serena relaxed. Anna would do nothing to interfere with her plans.

A quarter of an hour later, the men arrived. Among them was Gerlach Feldmann, captain of her father’s guards. He looked uneasy about the journey, but of all the guards, she trusted him the most. He’d assembled men to help her, at great risk to himself.

Serena bid her ladies farewell, and raised her hood to hide her hair. The guards led her through the scullery maids’ quarters, to avoid notice.

Throughout each twisting corridor, her lungs tightened with fear. Although her ladies and many of the servants would not betray her, she doubted if every servant could say the same.

When they reached the grounds outside the palace, Serena ran through the rain, clutching her cloak around her. Her lungs burned with exertion as she fled into the wooded grounds just beyond the gates.

She never looked back. With a surge of energy, she raced as fast as she dared toward the coach that awaited her. It would take a full day to reach her grandfather’s lodge, but that didn’t matter. She would savour each mile that took her far away from the palace. No one would stop her now.

‘Your Highness,’ the footman, Herr Henley, interrupted. ‘There is something you should know.’

Serena lifted her hand to dismiss him. ‘Tell me once I’m inside the coach.’

The rain was pouring down, soaking through her hood and cloak. The waiting footman opened the door for her, and she let him assist her within. She sank down upon the cushioned seat, lowering her hood.

Then she stared in shock at the prince who was seated inside the coach, directly across from her.

Chapter Two

‘You seem surprised to see me,’ Karl said, knocking twice on the ceiling of the coach to signal the driver onwards.

His bride, in fact, looked as if she wanted to throw open the door of the coach and flee. Not quite the reaction he’d hoped for, but it came as no surprise.

‘What are you doing here?’

His suspicions were now confirmed. Princess Serena had indeed lied to pacify her sister.

‘Was I not invited?’ Karl asked, keeping a neutral expression on his face. ‘Your sister Anna sent a letter, thanking me for taking care of you.’

Beneath her breath, the princess muttered something about killing her younger sister. ‘You are not coming with me to Hamburg. Or anywhere else.’

Even in her bedraggled state, she held herself like a crown princess. Likely he was meant to apologise and cower beneath the regal order. Instead, Karl rested his hand upon the door of the coach to prevent her from trying to leave.

‘She informed me that you intended to take a holiday with only a few servants.’ He kept his tone neutral, but there was no doubt that his bride was growing more indignant by the second. ‘She was concerned about your welfare. And your reputation.’

Confusion shadowed her eyes. ‘Why would there be any harm done to my reputation by going alone?’

‘Some might believe you were going to meet a lover. Without your father’s knowledge.’

‘Oh, for heaven’s sakes.’ Her green eyes sparked with indignation. ‘How on earth could I have a secret lover, when I’ve been betrothed to you for the last six years. When would I have had time to meet someone?’

‘One of the palace guards, perhaps … or your groom?’

‘There is no one at all.’

‘Good. Then I won’t have to kill them.’

She stared at him as if she didn’t know whether or not he was serious. Before she could make another remark, he levelled a hard stare at her. ‘What is your true reason for going?’

The princess eyed the rain outside and lifted her chin. ‘My reasons are my own. Now get out of my coach.’

‘No.’

‘I have nothing to say to you. And if you don’t leave now, the rest of my father’s guards will catch up to us. I’ll have you arrested for kidnapping me.’

‘You might like being kidnapped by me,’ he said softly. Leaning in closer, his knees touched hers. ‘Think of it as getting better acquainted.’

Serena seemed to hold her breath when his hands came upon either side of her seat. Her green eyes were frozen with fear. ‘You shouldn’t be here,’ she protested. ‘It’s not proper.’

‘I don’t care about what’s proper or right, Princess.’ He reached out and captured her gloved hand, despite her attempt to snatch it back. ‘But I do care if my intended wife is trying to run away.’ He caressed her palm with his thumb, and her lips parted with startled surprise. ‘Or am I wrong?’

She cast a frightened look outside the window. ‘This has nothing to do with you.’

Whether or not that was true, he strongly suspected she was fleeing from something. Or someone.

‘You have no right to interfere with my plans,’ she insisted, pulling her hand back.

‘Don’t I?’ He changed tactics, for it was nearly time to put the second part of his plan into action. ‘Did it not occur to you that every man who has helped you on this … journey … could face charges of assault or treason?’

‘Not if I absolve them,’ Serena pointed out. ‘I won’t be gone for … very long. When I return, I shall take full responsibility for my orders.’

She believed it; he could see it in her innocent green eyes. She really thought that her word was strong enough to vouch for the men.

‘Every last one of these men will lose his post.’ Karl leaned forward, resting his forearms upon his knees. Once again, she drew back. Whether it was an aversion to him or another fear, he didn’t know.

‘They will never work in the palace again, and every person who saw them leave will know of their involvement in this frivolous holiday of yours.’

Her face reddened with fury. ‘It’s not frivolous at all.’

‘It is when it affects men’s lives.’ His gaze hardened upon her. ‘Do you have any idea what these people endure for your sake? They would throw themselves in front of a bullet to save your life. And yet, a single word from you would destroy them.’

Her hands clenched in her lap. ‘You don’t understand—’

‘No, it’s you who doesn’t understand.’ The coach was slowing down, and Karl saw the open land shift into another wooded forest. The coachman had obeyed his orders, and slowly, the vehicle came to a stop. He opened the door, and outside the rain pounded so hard, it was difficult to see. ‘I’m sending them back.’

‘Do not presume to undermine my orders.’

‘I’ll presume whatever I wish. Your Highness,’ he added with a dark smile. Before she could make a single move, Karl reached for the princess and captured her waist.

She let out a hiss, clutching her side. ‘Don’t touch me.’

It didn’t surprise him. Princess Serena was a woman accustomed to getting her own way, and she wasn’t about to obey him meekly. Despite her gasp, Karl lifted her outside the window, into the freezing rain. ‘I can’t breathe,’ Serena insisted, and he shifted his hold lower, still carrying her as he strode away from the coach. When he raised a hand to the coachman and her escorts, he signalled them to return to the palace.

But her guards didn’t obey. Instead, they closed in with weapons drawn.

‘Princess Serena?’ Captain Feldmann queried, awaiting his order. He held a bayonet, the sharp point directed toward Karl.

He couldn’t fault them for loyalty. He set her down, giving her a chance to make her choice. Rain poured down over them, dripping past the princess’s hood and soaking her gown.

‘Do you want anything to happen to them?’ Karl demanded of her, beneath his breath.

His bride gripped her cloak, her face crestfallen. He was counting on her to consider the truth of his words.

‘If you want to leave, I’ll escort you myself with my own men.’

She stared at him, and he could see the words of argument forming in her mind. ‘It’s your choice,’ he continued. ‘Go with me. Or return to the palace.’

Her hand went to rest against her throat, and it almost seemed that she was fighting back tears. He couldn’t understand why, but at last she nodded.

‘Return to the palace,’ she ordered her men. ‘Fürst Karl will see me safely to my grandfather’s lodge.’

The captain withdrew his bayonet and knelt before the princess, his knee sinking into the mud. ‘Your Highness, my men will be forced to search for you.’

She offered him her palm, raising him up. ‘Then don’t let them find us. Take them to all the other estates before the lodge. I just … want a fortnight to myself.’

‘You truly wish to go with the fürst?’ Captain Feldmann questioned.

The princess sent him a glance, but to her credit, she nodded. ‘He will not harm me. You’ll be in less trouble if I go with him and his men.’ Despite her calm tone, her face revealed her displeasure at the prospect.

One by one, her guards disappeared into the woods. When they’d gone, Karl took her hand and gestured toward his own coach, which lay waiting down the road. ‘My coachman Samuel will accompany us from here on out.’

The princess stood motionless, staring at her departing servants while the rain drenched them both. ‘I cannot believe I’m even considering this.’

Karl wasn’t about to let her change her mind. Instead, he led her to his own coach, where his footman opened the door. Lifting her inside, he settled her upon the soft cushions. Within moments, his coach changed directions, travelling northwest instead of south.

The rain had soaked through Serena’s cloak and her dark blond hair hung in tangled waves beneath her hood, across her shoulders. She was trembling, and her eyes glittered with anger.

‘Why are you really here?’ she demanded. ‘And don’t tell me it’s because my sister sent you. You didn’t care enough to come and see me more than twice in the six years since we’ve been betrothed.’

‘I think you know why I came, Princess,’ he said smoothly. ‘To make sure you weren’t eloping with some other man instead of me.’ He removed his hat and set it beside him. The cold rain had dampened his face, and his clothing was soaked from the bad weather.

Serena kept her hands folded primly in her lap. ‘Your Highness, let us be honest with one another. We were only betrothed because my father wanted to secure the alliance with Lohenberg. After we are married, what we do with our lives won’t matter. I don’t believe for a moment that you have any interest in me.’

‘You’re wrong.’ He reached out and lowered her hood, brushing his fingertips against her damp cheek. In her eyes, he saw the startled shock. ‘I find you very interesting indeed, Princess.’

He could see from the look on her face that she wasn’t at all looking forward to their union. Whether she disliked him or was afraid of him, he couldn’t be certain. ‘Our marriage can be more than political.’

She turned her face to the window, the melancholy sinking in. ‘Sometimes I wish I could live like an ordinary woman, just for a few days. Free to make my own decisions.’ Her voice held a note of misery, as though she believed herself a prisoner.

‘Is it such a hardship, wearing diamonds and silks?’

‘Sometimes,’ she admitted.

When he saw her shivering, Karl reached beneath the seat for a blanket. He passed it to her, and she huddled within the wool, struggling to get warm. Outside, the rain continued, and he could see his breath within the interior of the coach.

She stared outside the window and said, ‘This isn’t the way to my grandfather’s lodge.’

‘We can’t go there,’ he admitted. ‘If we do, they’ll find you within a few hours.’

Her face paled. ‘Then you really are abducting me.’

‘Yes.’ He made no apology for his actions. ‘You’ll still have your holiday away from the palace,’ he reassured her. ‘And I’ll bring you back within a week.’

As my wife.

The panicked expression that flashed over her face was real, and Karl didn’t understand it. It wasn’t as if he meant any harm toward her. She was simply the means to an end. After they married, he’d let her do as she pleased.

‘Where are you taking me?’

‘To the island of Vertraumen, off the coast of Lohenberg. We’ll take a boat there tonight.’

Her eyes narrowed upon him, as if she expected him to take advantage of her. ‘I am not sharing a room with you. Or a bed.’

‘Not now,’ he agreed.

‘Or later.’ She pulled the blanket around her, as if it could shield every last inch of skin from his view. ‘Just because I’ve decided to continue this journey doesn’t mean that I want anything from you.’ She nodded to him as if he were a servant. ‘You can do as you please, and I’ll stay out of your presence.’

Time was slipping through his fingertips, and Karl was well aware that once his fallen status was revealed, the princess could easily cast him off. What he needed was to elope with her, to coerce her into this marriage before he brought her home again.

But she didn’t even like him. And that was a problem. He needed to find a common ground with her, to somehow bridge the distance of the past six years.

‘No, Princess.’ He leaned forward, and she responded by inching as far away from him as she could. ‘I don’t intend to stay away from you at all.’

Outside, the rain pounded a rhythm against the roof of their coach while the horses quickened their pace. When he crossed to sit beside her, she cowered against the back of the coach, curling up her body tight. The fear in her eyes was completely different from the woman who had argued with him not five minutes earlier. Her hands were clenched in front of her, as if she were trying to shield herself.

Her response was entirely too violent. Something was wrong.

‘Princess,’ he said quietly. ‘What are you running away from?’

Her face had gone so pale, he thought she might faint. Slowly, she lowered her hands, but her breathing was unsteady. She didn’t meet his eyes, but stared down at her gloved hands. ‘Nothing that concerns you.’

She was lying. But whatever the reason, her decision to leave was more complicated than he’d supposed.

‘You have nothing to fear from me,’ he insisted. ‘Not now. And not when we are married.’

Her green eyes held nothing but suspicion. Droplets of water clung to her cheeks, one sliding down her slim neck. He noticed the reddened skin beneath the fichu, but the clouded daylight made it difficult to see clearly what had caused it. When his gaze fixed upon her lips, he wondered what it would be like to kiss her. Would she be cold and heartless? Or was there another woman hiding behind her hauteur?

‘Will you please return to your own seat?’ she pleaded.

Karl released her hand and moved to the opposite side of the coach. And when she turned to look outside the window again, he realized that this courtship would be far more difficult than he’d thought.

After travelling all afternoon and most of the night, they arrived upon the island of Vertraumen at midnight. Serena was so exhausted she could hardly walk, but she wasn’t about to accept help from Karl.

It made her feel vulnerable without her ladies surrounding her. This was what you wanted, her mind retorted. A chance to be alone.

But the man who had brought her here was not at all predictable. She’d mistakenly believed that Karl was a quiet, passive man. Instead, he’d taken charge of her kidnapping, changed her destination, and brought her to a place where it would be more difficult for her father’s men to find her.

Worse, he’d brought only two servants with him. Though perhaps it was to make them less noticeable, his lack of men struck her as unusual. Every royal household travelled with dozens of servants—especially guardsmen, to protect them from highwaymen or bandits.

Did he think he was invincible from danger? She knew better than to believe she was safe. Though Captain Feldmann might lead the others astray, unless she travelled a great distance from here, eventually they would find her. The thought of facing her father’s punishment terrified her.

But you haven’t been caught yet, she reminded herself. There was still hope.

Her hands were shaking as the coach stopped in front of a set of iron gates. Karl opened the door and led her outside toward a two-storey brick manor house with two turrets on either side. Ivy grew across the side of the house, and a curved gravel driveway nestled near the front steps. The rain continued to pour down on them, but Serena hardly felt it. Inside, she was sick about what she’d just done. And now, she was about to spend the night with a man who was not her husband.

Even if he slept in the farthest bedchamber from her, no one would believe that she hadn’t been compromised. Her reputation was now in ruins. If she ever returned home, the gossipmongers would believe the worst.

She was beginning to understand her sister’s reasoning. Though she loathed the idea of sharing a home with the prince, all would be forgiven if she married him.

She stared at the man who had orchestrated her abduction. For that was what it was, surely. He’d brought her here, and she didn’t understand his reasons for it. He was the fürst of Lohenberg. Surely his responsibilities were far too important for this.

He was hiding something from her … but what?

When they reached the gates of the estate, they were locked tight. There were no lights visible within the house, and a sinking feeling took hold in Serena’s stomach.

The fürst turned to his men. ‘This house belongs to my father. Where is the staff?’

The footman and coachman could only exchange blank looks.

‘Do you mean to tell me that there is no one prepared for our arrival?’ Serena predicted. ‘And we’re locked out?’

He sent her a dark look. ‘We’re not locked out.’ Turning around, he led them to the back of the walled manor, down to another padlocked gate. He ran his hands along the stone wall, counting stones right and then down, until he loosened a brick.

After several minutes of pulling at the stone, he withdrew an iron key. It fit into the padlock, and Karl opened the door. When he met her incredulous stare, he said, ‘I spent many summers here as a boy.’ To his footman and coachman he instructed, ‘Go inside and see if there’s anyone here.’

‘Did something happen?’ Serena asked. ‘Could the staff be sick or in trouble?’ Never had she journeyed to an estate where there was not a staff waiting. Even if they didn’t expect their arrival, most were ready to welcome them at a moment’s notice.

‘We’ll find out in the morning,’ he assured her. ‘It won’t be like this for long.’ But the look on his face held tension, as if he, too, suspected that all was not right.

Serena followed Karl through the garden. It was overgrown with weeds, as though no one had tended it in weeks. She saw a small henhouse, and a hole in the back of the garden wall, where one of the hens struggled to squeeze through.

A few moments later, Samuel and Bernard managed to force open the back door. When they walked inside, the kitchen looked abandoned, with no food anywhere, or signs that it had been used recently. It appeared ghostly, with the interior of the manor house cold and dark.

Serena huddled within her cloak, feeling more lost than ever. By now, she should have been comfortably ensconced in her grandfather’s home, dreaming of her future plans. Instead, she’d been taken to this place with a man she hardly knew.

The prince gave orders for Samuel and Bernard to light the fireplaces within the dining room and to prepare two chambers. While they departed, he turned to face her. ‘It was never my intention to bring you to a place so unprepared for our arrival.’

‘Then what was your intent?’ Her voice came out with a tremble that revealed her fear. It wasn’t so much the poor conditions of the house, but more, that she didn’t know this stranger standing before her. Her betrothed husband was staring with a look that reached deep inside, as if he were taking her measure.

‘I’ve already given you that answer.’

To become better acquainted. But what did he mean? Was he intending to seduce her? It felt as if she’d run from one set of problems, only to encounter something worse.

‘Stay away from me, Fürst Karl,’ she warned. She wanted to run far away from him, to hide herself. But she knew she couldn’t escape. The fear inside mingled with another unfamiliar sensation. The blood rushed to her face, while her body grew colder from the chill of her damp clothing.

‘You’re afraid of me.’ His voice resonated in the stillness, his breath clouded in the air. He reached for her gloved hand, but when she tried to pull it back, he held it captive.

‘I don’t know you.’ Her voice came out in a slight whisper, revealing every bit of her fear.

In response, his grasp upon her hand softened. His thumb slipped beneath one of her glove buttons, stroking her skin. She jerked her hand away, shocked that he would take such a liberty.

‘You will,’ he said quietly, releasing her hand.

What if I don’t want to? she thought. Everything about the prince made her uncomfortable, from his demanding presence to his rigid expression. She couldn’t deny her sister’s admission, that Karl was indeed handsome. His dark hair framed a strong, lean face. When she looked into his hazel eyes, flecks of green and brown mingled with hints of gold. And his firm mouth hadn’t smiled at all.

He reminded her of a highwayman, who had stolen her away to his private residence. Beneath her cloak, she gripped her arms, terrified of what would happen to her now.

Inside the house, the prince guided her through a series of sitting rooms until at last they reached the dining room. He pulled a chair beside the fire his footman had built. ‘Sit down and warm yourself.’

Serena sank gratefully into the chair, waiting for the tiny blaze to grow larger. The fürst left her side for a moment to give the footman another order for food and hot tea. Though she ought to be hungry, her stomach twisted at the thought of food. Right now, she wanted to be away from the prince, alone in a room where she could collect her thoughts. So much had changed so fast, she couldn’t quite grasp what to do.

‘I’m too tired to eat,’ she protested when the fürst returned. ‘Really, once I get warm, I’ll just go to my room and sleep.’ If she rested her head against the back of the Chippendale chair for even a moment, she thought she might fade into a dreamless exhaustion.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, but there was no satisfaction at having made her escape. Instead, she envisioned countless guards, searching every pathway, every road.

Her heart pulsed within her chest, though she tried to blot out the fear. She tried to comfort herself by imagining a steaming hot bath, a clean nightgown and a soft bed. There would be time to make plans in the morning after a good night’s rest.

A horrifying thought occurred to her. Without a staff here, she had no one to help her undress. Even worse … had Karl brought her trunk from the other coach? Did she have anything at all to wear?

‘I will need a ladies’ maid to attend me,’ she informed him. ‘Please send Bernard to find someone.’

‘It’s after midnight. I’ll send him to the village, first thing in the morning.’

‘No, not in the morning,’ she corrected. ‘Now.’

He sent her an annoyed look. ‘I’m certain you’ll survive one night without a lady-in-waiting to tuck you in or brush your hair for you.’

She sent him a look of disbelief. The prince didn’t understand what she was saying. There was no possible way for her to sleep unless someone helped her out of her corset and petticoats. But her alternative was to ask him for help. And that was most definitely not going to happen.

‘What about my trunk of clothing?’ she asked. ‘Did your footman bring it?’

His face showed no reaction at all. All he would say was, ‘There may be clothes that were left here by the governor’s wife.’

Then she truly had nothing at all to wear. Serena didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Nothing at all had gone right with her escape from the palace. The only thing that would make it worse would be if the guards caught up to her this night and forced her to return to the palace.

The sound of a man clearing his throat interrupted them. When Serena looked up, the footman Bernard looked embarrassed. He held a wooden tray containing a teapot, two cups, a covered plate and a jar of preserves. ‘Your Royal Highnesses, I must apologise. There was very little food in the house. I found some eggs in the hen house and prepared what I could.’ He bowed and set the tray upon the dining-room table, apologising as he left.

Serena lifted the cover and winced at the sight of the overcooked scrambled eggs. They were badly burned on one side, while the rest was runny. ‘I suppose he did try to cook for us.’

‘You wanted to know how ordinary people lived,’ the fürst pointed out.

She didn’t want to eat, but it would be rude to ignore the footman’s valiant effort. When she ventured a taste of the overcooked eggs, it surprised her to realise how starved she was. When she offered the plate to Karl, he shook his head. ‘I’m waiting to see if you survive.’

There was a hint of roguery in his voice, and she raised an eyebrow. ‘Did you want me to be poisoned?’

‘Not at all. I’ve no wish to be a widower before I’m a bridegroom.’ He poured her a cup of tea. Serena took it from him, but the drink was weak and tea leaves floated on the surface.

She stared down at the watery brew and wondered if she ought to tell him that she was ending their betrothal. ‘How long are you planning to keep me here?’

‘How long were you planning to spend your holiday?’ he countered.

She could feel his gaze upon her, though she didn’t meet his eyes. ‘I was going to stay three days at my grandfather’s lodge.’ After that, she’d intended to leave again, perhaps taking a train somewhere far from Germany or Badenstein.

He ate his own eggs, but all the while, his eyes were studying the room. ‘Your father’s men will come after you.’

‘I know it.’ A cold chill spread over her skin, and she pushed her plate aside, walking to stand by the fire. ‘They’ll try to force me to return.’

‘The king will be angry with you for taking such a risk.’

She said nothing, though her hands had begun to tremble. It was easy to hide her fear behind the guise of cold.

The prince left his own plate and came to stand before her. ‘Marry me here, on the island,’ he commanded. ‘And when we return, I’ll shoulder any trouble that arises.’

She shook her head slowly. Not only did she have no intention of marrying him or anyone else, but she wasn’t going to return.

‘You’d prefer to wait until the summer?’ he mused. ‘After being here with me, I don’t know if the king would allow it.’ He took her hands and drew her to stand. ‘We’ll wed tomorrow.’ Within his voice, she heard the commanding air, the expectation that she would do his bidding.

She was not a household maid, bound to obey. But neither would she have this argument now, not when she was too tired to think clearly. ‘We’ll discuss it later. Where do you think the servants went?’

‘I don’t know. But if Bernard can’t find them, I’ll hire a new staff.’ His posture stiffened, his bearing almost that of a soldier. This was a man accustomed to issuing orders and being obeyed.

He reached to her hood and lowered it to her shoulders. ‘A lot could happen in the week we spend together, Princess.’

She stepped back. ‘Or nothing at all.’ Her mind was made up. In the morning, she would decide where to go and how to get there. Although it terrified her, she had to make her own decisions and decide what she wanted to do with her life.

An awful thought occurred to her. If she refused to wed the fürst, would he reveal her whereabouts to the king? She stared at Karl, not knowing what sort of man he was.

‘I’m tired,’ she said at last. After all the travelling, the need to rest was overpowering. And though she could not change out of her gown, perhaps she could find a way to sleep in her clothes. ‘Do you think my room is prepared?’

‘All should be in order.’ The fürst led her toward the main staircase. While he escorted her up the stairs, Serena glanced behind them. There was no footman, no one else but the two of them. It felt awkward without her ladies, and she suddenly realized that she could be in danger if the fürst wanted to press his attentions upon her.

When they reached the door to her chamber, she ordered, ‘You may leave me now.’

He raised an eyebrow at her tone, but she ignored it and fumbled with the doorknob, trying to escape him as quickly as possible.

‘I am not your servant,’ he said quietly, resting his hand against the door frame.

‘Neither were you invited.’ She tried to push her way past him, but he refused to move.

The suffocating fear rose up, and Serena crossed her arms over her chest, turning away from him. If she could have melted into the wall, she’d have done so. The harsh memory of her father’s fists discoloured all else, and she squeezed 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 strode across the room, staring outside at the midnight sky. Nothing had gone at all as he’d expected. His bride-to-be had fled the palace because someone was hurting her. And though she was safe now, it would take a great deal of time to gain her trust. Time he didn’t have.

Karl pushed open the door and strode down the narrow corridor. The wooden floor was cold beneath his stocking feet, but he wanted to explore more of the house while he rearranged his plans.

Logic and reason had governed his actions in the past. He believed in ordered solutions to solve problems. And yet, he’d never met a woman who adhered to logic. They were changeable creatures whose moods altered as frequently as their gowns.

He spent the next hour going through the different rooms in the house, inspecting each of them, while he turned over the problem of Serena in his mind. Perhaps it was best to pretend as if they were on a holiday of sorts. If he provided her with a relaxing environment, one where she felt safe, she might soften toward the idea of marriage.

He wandered down a set of stairs and through the hallway until he stood in front of Serena’s door once again. Although he listened, there was only silence.

Karl wanted to say something to her, to somehow make her understand that he hadn’t intended to offend her. ‘Serena,’ he said quietly.

She didn’t answer.

He felt like an idiot talking to a closed door, but perhaps she was listening.

‘I apologise for my earlier actions,’ he said. ‘I meant only to help you.’

He waited to see if she would answer him, yet once again, there came no reply. Finally, he admitted, ‘I promise, I’ll find you a maid within a few hours.’

Still nothing. He turned around and walked back toward his own room. When he opened the door, he risked a glance back at hers.

Her door opened slightly, and he saw her watching him from behind it. She met his gaze for a brief moment, long enough to let him know that she’d heard him.

And when she closed the door again, he wondered what he could do to earn her trust.

Serena couldn’t remember a night worse than last night. Her neck and back were sore, and though her gown had eventually dried by the fire, she was ready to fall asleep standing up. But the fürst had promised her a maid this morning. If all went well, she might be in clean clothes within a few hours.

Clothes. Her eyes flew open and she let out a groan. She’d forgotten to look for a spare gown last night. It seemed doubtful that any would have been left behind.

And yet, what did that matter? It was ridiculous to fret over clothing when the larger question of her future loomed over her. She had to make decisions that would take her away from Vertraumen, away from the prince.

A knot of uneasiness clenched inside of her. Fürst Karl didn’t seem like the sort of man who had any intention of letting her go. He’d come all the way from Lohenberg to join her, and although he’d permitted her to leave the palace, it had been on his terms.

Would she now have to escape him, in addition to her father? Worries assaulted her mind as she fumbled with the buttons that the fürst had unfastened last night. Her hands struggled with the tiny holes, until at last she was forced to admit defeat.

A choked laugh caught in her throat. She couldn’t even dress herself. How did she ever expect to abdicate her throne and live apart from her family?

Serena walked over to the window, opening the rose curtains. It was early morning, and she stared out at the clouded island. The sea wasn’t visible from the house, but a low fog clung to the hills, obscuring everything.

Would the guards keep their word, searching the other estates first? Or would they follow Karl’s path, bringing her back immediately? Troubled thoughts of soldiers dragging her from the house, facing endless miles of travelling, plagued her mind. She questioned her decision, wondering if it was better to face her father’s punishments than to venture forth on her own. In the end, hunger drove her away from her worries and out of the privacy of her chamber.

Serena walked down the staircase, winding her way through the house toward the dining room. Before she reached it, her attention was caught by an open door. Inside, she found the library, filled with books.

She couldn’t resist going inside, and she ran her hands over the leather-bound volumes. There were books on philosophy, poetry and science, as well as a few tattered books on household management. In the corner of the room, she saw a large wingback chair facing the window. She imagined curling up within it, enjoying hours of quiet reading. A smile came over her face.

It faded a moment later when the fürst entered the room. His posture was as straight as Damascus steel, his face devoid of any emotion. If she hadn’t noticed the shadows under his eyes, she’d have believed he’d slept all night.

‘There are eggs, if you’re hungry,’ he said. ‘I’ve already given orders for Samuel to go and fetch more food from the village.’

He escorted her into the dining room, saying, ‘By tonight, you should have all the comforts you’re accustomed to. Including a maid.’

She nodded in thanks and then questioned, ‘Was there any sign of the king’s men following us?’

‘It’s doubtful that they’d find us here. Vertraumen is fairly isolated, with only a few ships that travel to the mainland.’ Serena recalled that his men had awakened a fisherman last night and paid him double his fare to take them across to the island.

‘At this time of day, most of the boats are out fishing,’ the prince continued. ‘And even if your father’s guards do come, I won’t let them take you against your will.’

She sent him a doubtful look. If her father’s men arrived to take her home again, there was nothing he could do to stop them.

As she seated herself at the table, the prince joined her on the opposite side. Serena lifted the covered plate and saw that the eggs were slightly better than last night. While she ate, she sensed the fürst watching her. Though she tried to ignore his gaze, it intimidated her. She saw the intensity within them, as if he wanted her instead of the food. She imagined his mouth seizing a kiss, and she recalled the heat of his hand upon her palm.

He was both dangerous and unpredictable. A man who wouldn’t hesitate to go after what he wanted. And he seemed to want her.

Tentatively, she met his stare, not knowing if she’d imagined it. The prince’s dark hair was short, his face bristled, from not shaving in the past day or so. He reminded her of an outlaw with his devil-may-care attitude. There came a flicker of a smile at his lips, as if he’d guessed what she was thinking.

Serena forced herself to look away, finishing her food though it tasted like sawdust.

‘I thought we’d go into the city today,’ the prince offered. ‘You could buy a new gown.’

Thank goodness. Nothing was more appealing than getting rid of the soiled navy blue travelling gown. Though at first she was grateful, the idea worried her. She’d never been allowed to leave the palace without a dozen escorts, much less venture among the citizens of Badenstein.

‘Won’t it be dangerous? Wouldn’t they recognise their crown prince?’

‘Even if I walked among them, most wouldn’t know me. Vertraumen is separate from the mainland, and they keep to themselves. My father’s face is on their currency, not mine.’ He folded his napkin and stood. ‘And, it’s easier to learn the needs of your country when you spend time amongst the people. You should try it.’

‘Do you disguise yourself?’

‘I wear plainer clothing, but most people aren’t that observant. So long as you don’t behave like a princess, I doubt anyone will notice.’

‘What if it isn’t safe?’ She was less worried about the citizens and more afraid of being recognised. Someone might send word to her father.

The prince’s mouth tilted in a silent challenge. ‘It will be fine. And we’ll find out what happened to the household staff while we’re there. We’ll learn more if we blend in among them.’

‘I don’t know,’ she hedged, uneasy about the prospect. ‘I’ve never gone out without my guards or my ladies. Who will protect us, if they discover who we are?’

‘You don’t look very much like a princess right now,’ he pointed out. ‘And I am quite capable of protecting us.’

‘How would you do that?’

The fürst departed for a moment and returned with his great coat. Inside, he showed her a revolver. ‘In the past five years, there have been at least ten assassination attempts on my life.’ His gaze centred upon her. ‘I’m certain you’ve experienced the same.’

She nodded. It was a part of being a princess, an unfortunate reality that terrified her. One of her ladies had become deeply ill when some food had turned out to be poisoned.

‘There were two attempts this year.’ A shudder gripped her at the memory. God willing, if she escaped the palace, there would be no more threats.

‘You’ll be safe enough,’ the prince said, discreetly hiding the revolver again.

Her stomach twisted with nervousness. She’d never ventured out in disguise before, and she frankly preferred to stay at the manor house where she could make her plans. ‘Perhaps you should go without me,’ she urged. ‘You could send the seamstress here with the patterns and material.’

The fürst rested his hands upon the table. Softly, he asked, ‘What are you afraid of?’

She studied the china plate, knowing that she sounded like the worst sort of coward. When she glanced into the other room, she saw the sunlight spilling onto a chaise longue. Outside was the freedom she’d wanted so desperately. And already she was allowing the shadow of her father to dictate her decisions.

‘I’ve hardly ever been outside the palace,’ she admitted to the prince. She didn’t know if she dared to try it. What would it be like to wander among the other people, like a commoner? To be viewed as a woman instead of a princess … she’d once dreamed of such a thing.

Serena lifted her gaze to his, expecting to see frustration upon his face. Instead, the prince was merely waiting for her answer. ‘It will be safe,’ he repeated.

She didn’t truly believe him, but what choice did she have? If she didn’t learn how ordinary people lived, how would she ever survive apart from her family? Assuming she avoided her father’s guards, that is.

‘All right,’ she conceded at last. ‘But promise me, if we’re discovered—’

‘We won’t be.’ He brought her cloak over and handed it to her. ‘Remove your jewels before you go.’

Serena took off her earrings and set them upon the table, reaching behind for the clasp of her pearl necklace. It had an intricate fastener, and she had no idea how to get it off.

‘Will you let me help you?’ the fürst asked.

She wanted to refuse, even though she knew it was foolish. Instead, she conceded, ‘You may.’

When his hands rested upon her shoulders, her skin prickled with an unfamiliar sensation. He reached for the pearls, and the strand rolled across her neck like a caress as he worked with the clasp.

His fingers moved over the pearls, and the heat of his hands permeated her throat while she breathed in the scent of his skin. Serena tensed as he freed the clasp, but all he did was set the necklace down upon the table. If he saw the bruises around her neck, he made no comment.

‘There are three buttons unfastened,’ he murmured against her ear. Heated tremors raced through her at the feeling of his warm breath upon her skin. ‘Would you like me to fix them or leave them alone?’

She kept her gaze staring straight ahead. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. ‘Please help me with them.’

Once again, his hands touched her nape, adjusting each button slowly. Before the prince pulled his hands away, he lifted a fallen lock of hair and twisted it, pinning it away from her face. The intimate gesture made her cheeks flood with colour.

‘Th-thank you,’ she stammered, rising up from the table. She reached for the earrings and necklace, searching for a place to hide them.

Karl nodded toward the sideboard, and she stored the jewels in a drawer. Then he handed her the cloak she’d worn yesterday. ‘Are you ready?’

Not at all.

But Serena donned the cloak and raised her hood. If she ever wanted a glimpse of the outside world, now was her chance.

Karl led the princess outside the manor house, though he made no move to touch her hand. She reminded him of a skittish bird, ready to take flight at the least provocation.

‘Are you certain we should walk?’ she asked. ‘Isn’t there a curricle or a carriage here?’

‘There is, but it would take time to ready the horses. Bernard has gone to hire staff from the village,’ he reminded her. ‘And if we are to remain unnoticed, it’s better this way.’

‘What about an escort, or someone to guard us?’ She looked around as if she weren’t at all certain he was capable of protecting them.

‘Samuel will follow in a few moments.’ Karl started to walk and after a sigh, the princess squared her shoulders and continued beside him. In her bearing, he could see her exhaustion. Her face was pale, her eyes weary from lack of sleep.

Although he told himself that it was only temporary, it made him aware that he’d done a poor job of taking care of her. She needed servants of her own and new clothing. Of the women he’d known in the past, most had been enamoured of baubles and beautiful gowns. Money and wealth were all that mattered to them, and his mistresses had given themselves freely, so long as he was generous.

Princess Serena was different. She seemed more eager to escape the palace than to surround herself with luxury. And if he wanted to wed her within days, he had to learn what she wanted most and fulfil that desire.

The path from the manor house led downhill to a small village. Out upon the sea, several fishing boats had gone out for the day’s catch.

‘When we reach the village, I’m going to hold your hand,’ Karl warned. He didn’t want her to overreact when he touched her. ‘We’ll pretend to be a married couple.’

She stopped walking and studied him. ‘Why would I need to hold your hand?’

‘Because it will let the others know that you’re under my protection.’

The closer they walked to the capital city, the more nervous Serena became. Her face was pale, her hands clenched together. He was beginning to wonder precisely how sheltered she’d been. Was she so afraid of visiting the city, or did he frighten her that much?

When he took her palm at last, she looked petrified. ‘Breathe, Princess.’

‘I am breathing!’ But her steps slowed when they reached the main cobbled street. There were rows of houses higher upon the hillside, while several shops lined the streets. The air held a stale, salty aroma, and he saw only a few people walking, most of them elderly.

‘It’s too quiet,’ she offered, keeping her voice in a low whisper. ‘I don’t like this.’

‘It’s practically abandoned.’ In the past, he remembered market stalls with fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, fish and bread. Even flowers in the springtime. When they passed a baker’s shop, there were only a few loaves of bread for sale.

Something wasn’t right about this place. It was as if most of the people had deserted the island. But why?

Karl led Serena deeper into the town, drawing her to one side as a cart rolled past. The princess gripped his hand, and when a few villagers walked past, eyeing them with curiosity, she leaned closer.

He caught the scent of her hair, and the unexpected warmth of her body as it brushed against his. A flare of interest caught him, and he resisted the urge to pull her closer, knowing it would frighten her. The princess was so cautious, it was like coaxing a butterfly to land on his palm.

‘Don’t be afraid,’ he murmured. ‘They don’t know who you are.’

She stopped walking and turned to him, her expression filled with worry. ‘It’s not easy for me. I keep thinking someone will come down the street and attack us.’

‘If any man tries, I’ll shoot him,’ Karl promised. He took her hand and brought it to his coat where the revolver rested. She studied him as if she didn’t quite believe he knew how to handle the weapon.

‘Shall I demonstrate?’

Her eyes widened a moment, before she realised he was teasing. Her shoulders lowered, though she didn’t quite relax. ‘That won’t be necessary.’

‘You’re under my protection, Princess. No man will harm you.’

She eyed him with suspicion. ‘You might.’ Her troubled gaze lacked any faith in him, as if she expected him to invade her bedchamber late at night.

‘If that were my intent, I could have done so last night.’ He studied her, not letting go of her hand. ‘And why would I want to harm the woman I’m going to marry?’

She sobered, her gaze lowering to the ground. Karl tilted her chin up to face him. Worry filled up her green eyes, but he held her steady gaze. ‘You’re safe with me.’

‘I hope so,’ she whispered. She stood with perfect posture, in spite of her tangled hair and the exhaustion lining her face. Though she’d tried to cover her throat with a fichu, the reddened skin had darkened into bruises. It reminded him that some men were worse bastards than himself.

With her hand in his, Karl led her farther down the street, where a small stone church stood with a single steeple. It looked a hundred years old, and in his mind, he could almost envision a bride with flowers in her hair, smiling up at her bridegroom on their wedding day.

He doubted if Serena would smile at him, not after the way he’d abducted her. And while he couldn’t give her the wedding day of her dreams, he hoped she could accept a marriage between them, despite his lost birthright. Though it was an inauspicious beginning, she would eventually have everything she wanted—he’d make sure of it.

When they reached the end of the cobbled street, Serena turned to him. ‘Why are we here?’

Karl started to answer, but the words caught in his mouth. Her demeanour was hesitant, and he suspected that bringing up the wedding again would only add to her fears. ‘No reason,’ he lied, bringing her back up the other side of the street.

He searched the row of shops until at last he saw a linen draper’s. When she frowned a moment, he ordered, ‘Go inside. I’ll buy you more clothes.’

The confusion on her face was replaced by gratitude. Serena’s lips nearly curved in a smile, and she took a tentative step forward, staring at the interior of the shop. It smelled pleasant, like freshly brewed tea. Upon a table lay rows of handkerchiefs and shawls, as well as a third row of aprons. She stared at the merchandise as if she’d never seen such articles before.

The female shopkeeper sent Serena a guarded smile. In Lohenisch, she greeted her, asking, ‘May I help you, madam?’

Before the princess could answer, Karl interrupted. ‘My wife’s belongings were lost overboard when we made the crossing to the island. She’ll need a new wardrobe. If you can find seamstresses who can work quickly and deliver the first gown tonight, I will double your price.’

The woman gaped at him, ‘Forgive me, my lord, but it’s clear to me that this is your first time upon our island. There are few of us left on Vertraumen. I am the only seamstress here.’

Karl exchanged a look with Serena. Correcting the woman, he said, ‘No, I visited the island years ago. It wasn’t always like this.’

‘We’re losing more of the islanders each day,’ the matron admitted. ‘Soon, there won’t be anyone left.’

‘Why would they go?’ He couldn’t understand how the island province would suffer in such a way.

The woman’s face turned solemn. ‘The crops have failed us over the past few years. We’ve no grain for bread or to feed our livestock. We rely upon the fishermen to sell their catch on the mainland. Most have gone to Germany or Prussia to find work and homes for their families.’

‘What caused the crop failures?’ Karl asked. In the past, he remembered fields of barley and even a few vineyards lining the hills. Although this island wasn’t as large as some, it had been self-reliant.

‘Flooding, mostly. We’ve had terrible rains these past two years.’

‘Have you appealed to the king of Lohenberg for help?’ he asked. Though he’d served on his father’s council, never had any problems been reported from the island. He wondered if the governor was to blame.

‘Our island isn’t the king’s concern, so it seems,’ she responded. ‘He did nothing.’

Karl remained silent at the woman’s assertion. If he were responsible for the island, he’d order relief supplies and grain. He’d try to bring in new equipment to mechanise their farming and—

You’re not their prince any more. Your only hope for a kingdom lies with Serena.

His jaw tightened at the thought. He didn’t like the idea of relying on anyone else’s whims to make his future.

With her hair pinned up in a messy arrangement, Serena looked vulnerable. Tentatively, she examined yards of fabric and trim, and Karl nodded to the shopkeeper. ‘Let her purchase whatever she wishes. And one of the dresses must be ready by this evening.’

The woman eyed him for a moment, her face furrowed as if she didn’t believe she could accomplish the task. ‘I have pieces of a gown partially sewn, but I must ask that you pay a portion of the cost beforehand. And I’ll need to take her measurements to adjust the fit.’

From her embarrassed expression, it seemed that others must have cheated her in the past. Karl withdrew a stack of gold coins and set them in the woman’s palm. ‘This should cover the cost of two gowns. One for tonight, and another within the week.’ Then he turned back to Serena. ‘Do you want me to stay while she measures you?’

The princess’s face reddened. ‘No, I’ll be all right on my own. But please … wait outside.’ She looked uneasy about being alone, and he wondered if he ought to stay, regardless of her wishes.

In the end, he decided that his presence would only worsen the awkwardness between them. ‘Send the dress to the governor’s manor tonight,’ Karl ordered. ‘And I need you to acquire a suitable ladies’ maid for my wife. Perhaps if you’ve a daughter or an acquaintance …?’

The woman’s face paled. ‘My lord, the governor’s house is locked up. Are you certain you’re speaking of the right place?’

Karl gave a single nod. ‘I am.’ He offered nothing further, letting her draw whatever conclusions she would.

Over the next hour, Serena inspected the fabric pieces that the dressmaker had begun stitching. It was a cream-coloured taffeta gown, trimmed with a cranberry ribbon. Although it would need to be taken in at the waist, Frau Bauherzen believed she could make it fit. There was also a matching cloak in the same shade of deep red.

It was strange, ordering a gown without jewels or lace, one that would never be worn to greet ambassadors. The simple design had a vee waist and box pleats that fell to the floor. A lady might wear this gown to pay calls, but it was entirely too plain for a princess.

Serena rather liked it.

‘Do … all the island women purchase clothing this way?’ she asked, feeling foolish at the question. Everything she’d ever worn had been created only for her. She’d never been inside a shop before, and she had to resist the urge to touch everything.

Frau Bauherzen sent her a curious look. ‘I’m sorry, madam, but I don’t understand.’

‘Nothing.’ She shook her hand, realising that she would only give away her identity if she asked more questions.

‘May I take your measurements now?’ Frau Bauherzen enquired.

Serena followed her behind a curtain, and the woman offered to help her remove her outer gown. ‘I’d rather remain dressed,’ she murmured, afraid that the dressmaker would discover her bruises, ‘if you don’t mind.’

Though the matron respected her wishes, Serena had to fight against her embarrassment at being touched. Her ladies in the palace already knew her measurements, and whenever she needed a new gown, it was simply delivered the day before the event. She had multiple wardrobes filled with day dresses, riding habits, ceremonial ballgowns, hats, gloves and stockings.

‘Your husband is a generous man,’ the woman offered, measuring the distance from Serena’s waist to the floor.

Serena didn’t know how to answer. Generous with coins, certainly. But how would he react when she informed him that she would not be marrying him? Already Karl had proved to be strong-willed and dominant. She suspected he wouldn’t accept her refusal well at all.

‘Forgive me,’ Frau Bauherzen apologised, ‘but I did wonder how you managed to go inside the governor’s house. It’s been locked up for several weeks now.’

Though the woman’s tone was unassuming, Serena wasn’t about to reveal their identities. She gave the only truth she could. ‘My husband has connections with the Royal House of Lohenberg. But we were surprised to learn that the staff had gone.’

‘They fled a few months after the famine,’ the matron admitted. Her face coloured, and she added, ‘Were I you, I’d go back to Lohenberg. There’s nothing here any more.’ She folded her hands, busying herself with writing more measurements.

‘What about the rest of the islanders?’ Serena asked. ‘How are they surviving?’

Frau Bauherzen set down her pencil and shrugged. ‘The rest of us have no choice but to stay. We can’t afford to leave.’ She lifted the taffeta gown and began pinning the waistline. ‘I don’t know what brought you here, but Vertraumen has no future any more. Not for any of us.’

Serena didn’t like hearing the resignation in the woman’s voice. ‘I’ll ask my husband to speak with the king of Lohenberg. It may be that he can get help for you.’

‘I wish it could be so,’ Frau Bauherzen responded, ‘but it’s been two years now. And … nothing.’

Though she knew it was none of her business, Serena couldn’t stand back idle when people were suffering. Surely they could bring in more food and workers to help restore the island. ‘We’ll see what can be done,’ she offered.

‘About what?’ came the voice of the fürst. He entered the shop, taking Serena’s gloved hand in his.

The matron cleared her throat, her face bright with embarrassment. ‘I was only explaining to your wife about the troubles that have been going on in Vertraumen.’

‘So I’ve heard.’ The fürst guided Serena to stand behind him. ‘I will send word to the king on your behalf.’

The woman sent him a sudden look, as if she were wondering who he was. A moment later, she seemed to dismiss it. ‘Thank you, my lord. In the meantime, I should … get started on the gown. I will bring it to the manor house as soon as it’s finished.’

Before Serena could say another word, the fürst guided her outside, leading her away from the village. ‘Bernard and Samuel have purchased supplies, and they will bring them to the house. We’re going back now.’

‘But I thought you wanted to explore the village?’ She was confused at his sudden decision. ‘Has something happened?’

He nodded. ‘I’ll tell you more when we reach the manor.’

‘I want her found.’ Freiherr Albert von Meinhardt swept his fist across the desk, sending a brass candlestick flying. It struck the ground, but Captain Gerlach Feldmann didn’t flinch. He’d been prepared for the freiherr’s outrage. As the king’s closest advisor and a distant cousin, Albert had secretly held a fascination with the princess. Had she not outranked him, Gerlach suspected the man might have offered himself as a potential bridegroom.

‘Why did you let her leave?’

‘She was travelling with the fürst of Lohenberg and went willingly.’

‘Against her father’s orders!’ the freiherr shot back. ‘You defied the king by letting her go.’

‘And was I supposed to offend the prince?’ Gerlach held up his hands, feigning ignorance.

‘Your loyalty is to His Majesty. Not to the fürst of Lohenberg.’

‘She’s only been gone one day,’ Gerlach said. ‘She must have gone to one of her father’s estates.’

‘Send two dozen men to each of the estates,’ the freiherr ordered. ‘Betrothed or not, if word of this reaches the people, the princess will be ruined. I don’t have to remind you what will happen when the king learns of this.’

‘Or what will happen to Princess Serena,’ Gerlach said beneath his breath. He’d seen the effects of the brutal beatings first hand, and it sickened him to see her bruises.

‘What His Majesty chooses to do with his disobedient daughter is his own affair.’

Gerlach didn’t answer, for he knew the freiherr would do nothing to offend the king. The man was blind to the princess’s suffering, and he was glad Serena was far away from the palace. Thankfully, by obeying the freiherr and sending men to each of the estates, it would grant the princess more time, for Gerlach knew she wasn’t there. Though he feared her escape could only be temporary, he hoped she would succeed.

‘As my lord commands,’ Gerlach said, lowering his head to acknowledge his orders.

‘Captain Feldmann,’ von Meinhardt continued. ‘If she isn’t found, the king will hold someone to blame. It won’t be me.’

The implication wasn’t missed on Gerlach, and he bowed. He’d known the risk in aiding the princess, but he’d wanted to do what was right.

‘I’ve ordered the arrest of your wife,’ the freiherr informed him. ‘She will be held prisoner in your place, while you find the princess.’

The ground seemed to disappear from beneath his feet. Was that man that heartless to arrest an innocent woman?

‘My wife has done nothing wrong,’ Gerlach protested. ‘You’ve no right—’

‘No, you had no right to ignore the king’s orders. And perhaps this will motivate you to find her sooner.’

Gerlach gritted his teeth to hold back words he was going to regret. The freiherr was a dangerous man, especially when angered. And he didn’t know if the baron was aware that they had a son. If he mentioned the boy, he sensed that von Meinhardt would imprison him, as well. He couldn’t hide the fury and resentment on his face, his hands clenching into fists.

‘You’re dismissed, Captain,’ the freiherr said. ‘The sooner you find the princess, the sooner we’ll release your wife. And take you in her place.’

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