by Carolyn Rae
Tingles escalated. Her heart pounding, she pushed faster and harder. She gripped his shoulders and kissed his mouth. Over and over as his mustache and beard tickled her face. She felt as if she were going to burst with all the wonderful sensations he caused.
He grinned. “All right, my Patricia, are you ready to reach the top?”
Breathless, and loving the way he called her ‘my Patricia,’ she nodded. He pushed harder and faster until they spun out of control, soaring to the sky, bursting through the stratosphere, and whirling to galaxies beyond, amazed at how wonderful it was to share this with him.
Tingling all over, she clung to him, met his smiling gaze as they floated down to earth. A cloud shadowed the sunlight, but basking in his nearness, she no longer needed its warmth.
He pulled her up to sit beside him and smiled. “I can find no words to tell you how much I enjoyed being with you, and what a glorious gift you’ve given me.” He pulled the blanket around them both. “The sun is going down. This is a great place to watch the sunset.”
Wrapped in his arms, she watched golden clouds change into peach, then pink. As they turned into a vivid magenta, she snuggled against him, glowing inside. She’d remember this afternoon for the rest of her life. Whether or not she and Prince Lawrence had a future together, she’d treasure these moments forever.
Lawrence appeared to focus on something down below. “Get dressed. Someone’s coming.”
She struggled into her clothes. As she fastened the buttons of her blouse, she remembered his admiring gaze as he unbuttoned it. She hoped her clothes didn’t look rumpled so that whoever was coming would guess what they’d been doing.
Prince Lawrence snatched up the empty foil packet and stuffed it back in his pocket. “I hope nothing unforeseen happens.”
Tricia glanced at his face, but couldn’t be sure what he was thinking. How would he feel if something did? Would he acknowledge a love-child, give her money to keep quiet about it, or worse, suggest an abortion?
She hoped he’d brave whatever scandal it caused and stand by her, but would he?
Smoothing back her hair, she glanced toward the lone rider. From his clothes, he appeared to be a soldier.
The soldier came closer. It was Jose. He had a worried look on his face.
“Your Highness needs to return to the palace immediately.”
“Why, what’s happened?”
“Your cousin. She’s missing . . . again.”
Chapter Twenty-three
Prince Lawrence’s jaw dropped. “Allysa is missing? Again?”
Jose nodded and got down off his horse. “The groomsman in the stable, Ned, came rushing up to me and asked where you were.”
Jose wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. “The groomsman said the cook had given him some cinnamon buns to deliver to her, but when he got there, the family’s children crowded around asking for some. He told them the rolls were for the lady that was staying there. Then the children told them she left with a man who came on horseback.”
Lawrence sighed. Why did his cousin have to run off with the professor again? Why couldn’t she just marry him right away? That would solve all their problems. Except, then Tricia would leave. Much as he’d like, he wasn’t sure he could persuade her to stay. He’d been able to persuade other ladies to dance or go on a picnic, but now it seemed tremendously important that he persuade Tricia to stay.
He swallowed. Maybe if he promised her all the jewelry and nice clothes she wanted, she’d stay. He glanced at her. No. That wouldn’t be enough. Tricia didn’t seem to value material things as much as other ladies.
Jose stared at him. “Sir, you need to hurry. Her life may be in danger.”
Lawrence frowned. “I don’t think the professor would harm her.”
“But Your Highness, the children described a man with skin the color of sand and dark curly hair with a nose which looks like yours.”
Tricia touched Lawrence’s arm. “I bet it’s Roberto. I thought I satisfied his thirst to be seen with someone important, but after he figured out she is the princess instead of me, he wanted to be with her. And if she snubs him, that will really set him off.”
Lawrence rubbed his forehead. A headache was starting to build. Remembering how his wrists had chafed after being shackled by the man, he frowned. “Do you think he will hurt her?”
Tricia shook her head. “I don’t think so. He may force her to appear in public with him. If anyone finds out about her pregnancy, that could undo all we’ve done to avoid scandal.”
Lawrence untied his horse and Tricia’s. “Come on, we have to find them.” After stuffing the blanket and the remains of their supper in the saddlebag, he felt the empty foil packet crinkle in his pocket. He hoped he hadn’t made Tricia pregnant, but a naughty thrill of masculine pride made him almost hope he had—then the king and queen would have to let him marry her to avoid a scandal. Thoughts of love-filled nights thrilled him, but now he had to rescue his cousin.
He helped Tricia mount and then followed Jose down the mountain trail. Once they were past the steep part and back on the main path through the forest, he forged ahead, urging his horse to a trot. As soon as they returned, and Tricia was safe in the palace, he, Jose and Pierre, the only soldiers he could trust to keep things secret, could set off to find his cousin. Confident he’d made the right decision, he headed his mount toward the stables. He needed to question the groomsman.
When they reached the stables, he told Tricia to dismount and stay out of sight. She frowned, but did as he asked. “Jose,” Lawrence said, “take our horses into the stable and then return and stay here with her.”
Inside the stable, Lawrence handed his horse over to Ned. “Do you think someone has grabbed the princess for ransom?”
Ned glowered. “He better not. I want to hunt him down and pummel him with my fists. Then you can run him through with a sword.”
Lawrence suppressed a laugh. “Don’t be melodramatic.”
“But, I want to help find her. She may be hurt. I can take bandages and ointment to sooth her lovely skin.”
So, Tricia was right. Ned did have a crush on Allysa. “But, Ned, you are only sixteen. Surely, you couldn’t overpower a full-grown man.”
Ned lifted a bale of hay. “I’m strong, see.”
Having lifted one or two himself as a teen, Lawrence knew how heavy they were. “I can see that, but how are you at fighting?”
“Your highness, have you heard of the sport of karate? I have studied it for quite some time and passed the test for a black belt.”
“But, Ned, whoever has the princess may have a knife or a gun.”
Ned nodded. “They teach us how to disarm a man with a knife or gun.”
“Tell your boss I have need of you.”
A smile lit up Ned’s face. He stuck out his chin. “We will get the princess back. I know we will.” He turned and busied himself saddling the horses.
Outside Lawrence beckoned to Tricia. “Go back to the palace with Jose. Stay in her room until we return.”
* * *
In the palace, as Tricia undressed for bed, she looked around the room. If they rescued Allysa tonight, and she was ready to consider marrying Raphael, this might be the last night Tricia would sleep in the palace. She wasn’t looking forward to saying goodbye to Lawrence.
He was not only charming, but he appreciated her as a person. She felt she could just be herself and say what she felt even though he often disagreed with her. Making love with him had been exquisite. Nothing she’d ever experienced could compare. She’d loved knowing he found her desirable and treated her as his equal, even though he was a prince, and she was a commoner. He’d satisfied her senses as no other man had. She sighed. When had he come to be such an important part of her life? Was she in love with him?
* * *
It was eight o’clock in the morning when Tricia awoke with a start. Someone knocked. Must be Serena.
“Who’s there?”
Instead
of Serena’s soft tones, she heard Lawrence’s deep voice. From her sitting room, he peeked through the door. “We did not find her yesterday, so we’re riding out again. Just came to tell you goodbye, and ask you to wish us luck.”
Tricia jumped out of bed and struggled into her robe. Trying to belt it, she rushed to him.
He stood there, grinning. “I love that tousled look. Wish I’d been able to share your bed. If I had,” he grinned. “you would look even more rumpled.”
Tricia’s face flamed at his suggestion. “Shhh. Someone might hear.”
He smiled. “If I bring my cousin back tonight, I can arrange a room for you at an inn away from town. Then I can visit and make you my rosy Patricia again. Well, goodbye for now.”
True, his beard-roughened face had reddened her cheeks, but was sex all he wanted to share? She sighed, then realized he was looking impatiently at his watch. If they brought Allysa back to the palace, this might be the last chance she had to be with him. “Wait, I won’t take long to get dressed.”
He frowned. “You’re not coming with us. It’s too dangerous, and besides--”
She grasped his arm. “I’ll stay in the background and let you men do the fighting.”
He shook her hand loose. “Like I told Ned, someone may have a sword or a gun. I will not risk your safety. I will bet even you can agree women do not need to be in the midst of a battle.”
Well, he was chivalrous at least. He glanced toward the open doorway to the hall, then smiled. “No one should see me kissing you.” He closed the door behind him. Taking her in his arms, he kissed her long and thoroughly, until her lips tingled, and her senses reeled.
He winked. “Bye, my Patricia. I will see you tonight, with my cousin in tow I hope. Until then you had better stay in her room. It would not look good if I return with her, and you are walking around in plain sight.”
She frowned. “Can’t I at least go visit my family? One of your trusted guards could drive me there.”
He shook his head. “That would not be wise.”
Serena will bring you meals and any books you may wish to read.”
“You mean I’ll be cooped up here like a prisoner?”
“Just stay here, please. I am locking the door when I leave.”
After what they’d shared, he didn’t trust her to keep her word. That hurt. “Don’t you trust me? I promise I’ll stay. I won’t like it, but please don’t lock the door.”
“I will see you later.” With that, he strode through the sitting room and stepped into the hall.
The door shutting behind him reminded her of their differences. She and he could never live together as long as he insisted on his way in everything.
She swallowed. The lump in her throat tasted bitter. Why had she let herself care about him this much?
She listened, but didn’t hear a click. Maybe he trusted her after all, but she didn’t want him going up against Roberto again. The man was devious and dangerous. If Roberto shot him, Lawrence could die without her there to kiss him goodbye. And then she’d have to join the royal family in mourning. And live without him the rest of her life.
She dialed her parents’ number, but like the last time she tried, the call didn’t go through.
She sighed. If she stayed here, she wouldn’t drop her fight for women’s rights in Cordillera. No matter how close she felt to Lawrence at times, even if she could bridge the gap between her ordinariness and his position as a future king, they were not really compatible.
Even if Lawrence was successful in besting Roberto and brought the princess back, Tricia would have to go back to the states.
Stewing about that wouldn’t get her anywhere, not as long as she had to stay in this room. She’d noticed an easel standing beside the armoire. Lawrence said Allysa also liked to paint. Tricia pulled the rope to summon Serena.
Two minutes later she heard Serena’s voice outside her door. “Yes, mistress?”
“Can you bring me some history books about Cordillera?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Serena said. “I will provide those items you requested and some breakfast as well.”
Five minutes later, Tricia heard a creaking noise, then a knock on the door. Serena’s voice filtered through the wood. “Your highness will find breakfast in the dumb waiter beside your dressing table.”
Sinking her toes into the plush cream carpet, she walked over to the place near the floor that Serena had mentioned. An unobtrusive knob carved in the shape of a pineapple half protruded from the paneled wall. She pulled and discovered dishes, silverware, a pot of coffee and some cinnamon rolls. A glass of orange juice sat in a bowl of shaved ice. Why was Serena using the dumb waiter instead of bringing her tray in? Maybe Lawrence had locked the door after all. Blast him. Maybe he didn’t care about her as much as she did about him?
From the hall came Serena’s voice. “Take the tray out so I can send books.”
Tricia lifted the tray and set it on a table beside the wall. The dumb-waiter door flapped shut, and she heard some whirring noises. She checked the bedroom door. Sure enough, it was locked. Damn Lawrence. He took overprotectiveness to a new level. She really didn’t need that.
A few minutes later, when the noise started up again, she waited until it stopped, then opened the door. A coffee-table book lay inside.
After downing the cinnamon rolls and two cups of coffee, Tricia stared at the blank canvas. She hadn’t painted in ages—hadn’t had the time. Even though Lawrence had ordered paints for her, she’d been too busy with him to use them until now. Should she paint from memory or create her own landscape? She wished she had the talent to paint Lawrence, with his arms open and his charming smile enticing her closer.
Instead, after getting dressed, she settled for painting the scene outside her balcony. Moving outside would make her too visible, so she moved the easel she’d found beside the armoire next to the open balcony door.
For the rest of the morning she painted the scene before her, roughing in the tall pine trees at the far edge of the garden, the boxwood hedge, the yellow roses and the border of tiny white flowers.
The picture seemed empty like her heart. She added the fence and the gatehouse, but the picture lacked life. She painted a figure walking along the white gravel from the palace. She imagined the crunch of footsteps. She painted a white uniform on the figure with gold braid around the cuffs and down the sides of the pants.
Staring at her picture, she realized she’d painted Lawrence’s unique jacket and pants. She added brown hair and a beard that stopped just above the jacket collar.
Tricia couldn’t imagine Cordillera or the palace grounds without Prince Lawrence. She left the painting on the easel. After they got the princess back, and Tricia’s parents returned, she needed to go back to Texas and immerse herself in studying for her degree. Perhaps she’d do her dissertation on women’s rights, how little they’d advanced in some countries of the modern world. However, if she mentioned Cordillera, she couldn’t say much without alienating Prince Lawrence.
After a lunch of tomato basil soup, cucumber sandwiches, and sugar cookies, the day dragged on. Her painting finished, Tricia read up on Cordillera. The book dwelt briefly on the history, some of which she’d had already heard. The book also had pictures of craftsmen creating handmade items to sell.
The clock chimed seven o’clock as she was adding a frolicking dog to liven up her picture when a knock sounded on the door. “Yes,” she said.
“May I come in?” asked Lawrence.
Tricia rushed to the door to the hall. If he’d brought Allysa back, things would change dramatically. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye, but perhaps it was best. She swiped an unbidden tear from her eyes as the lock clicked.
After opening the door, the prince slid inside and pulled her into his arms. He smiled and kissed her. “I’ve missed you. Riding in the woods without you wasn’t the same.”
She frowned. “You didn’t have to lock me in. Did you find Allysa?”
“I wonder where he might have taken her.”
“I wish I knew.”
“Did Raphael go with you and the soldiers?”
Lawrence nodded. “He was worried about her. I hope she’s all right. I’d never forgive myself for not finding her if she has trouble with her pregnancy.”
“Unless Roberto hits her, I don’t think she’d be likely to have any problems at this time.”
Lawrence smiled. “Since we didn’t find her, I ordered supper brought here. Serena can clear off that mess on the table, and I can move it out onto the balcony.” He stared at the table. “Oh, you’ve been painting.” He glanced at the easel. “That figure you show walking on the entranceway—who is it supposed to be?” He smiled as if sure she’d painted him there.
Tricia stepped closer to the canvas. “I painted the scene from my balcony, but it didn’t seem right without you in it.”
He beamed and squeezed her hand. His caramel eyes shone, reminding her how he’d made love to her on the mountain. Suddenly, she realized it was almost time for her period. It usually came on time, like clockwork. Surely, she’d have it in a day or two. After all, it hadn’t been very long since they—
Pregnant – she couldn’t be pregnant. Just thinking about it clouded her anticipation of being with Lawrence tonight.
Chapter Twenty-four
She couldn’t be pregnant. They’d used protection.
She’d watch for nausea and her breasts feeling sensitive. Her married friend back home had said those were sure signs of pregnancy, but it was too soon to know anything. Besides, Tricia had really enjoyed breakfast and lunch. Delicious smells wafted in from the hallway. Thoughts of supper on the balcony with Lawrence made her mouth water and her pulse speed up.
