He didn’t move at first, and when he eventually stirred it was with obvious reluctance. I risked glancing up at his face and my heart wrenched at the disappointment filling it, the anguish in his expression matching the emotion in my own heart.
It had been the right choice.
But that didn’t keep the regret away.
Chapter 11
When I arrived for breakfast the next morning, I found a daisy resting beside my plate. I grinned girlishly as I picked it up and breathed in its floral scent. Liam…
He’d been offering simple, sweet gestures for me every day this week, ever since our garden stroll where we’d first held hands. Small tokens, really, but all of which felt monumental to me—from asking the cook to prepare blueberry pudding as a surprise, to leaving hidden notes for me to discover, and now flowers. If this was Liam courting, he was doing a remarkable job of it.
I didn’t hear him come in but I sensed his presence after he’d approached. He leaned over my chair and I became enveloped in his cinnamon scent. “Good morning, Lavena.”
I shuddered as his warm breath caressed my skin. “Good morning, Liam.”
He twisted around to playfully rub his nose against mine. I clutched the arms of my chair in an attempt to ground myself. Goodness, he was getting more forward; as much as I loved it, I couldn’t continue to allow this to happen between us.
I’d spent most of the night reliving yesterday’s excursion to the village in every detail, dwelling on each look, smile, and tender word Liam had given me. Each reminder caused my heart to flutter in a way that was foreign but which I recognized all the same—it was the early signs of falling in love, I was sure of it. And falling in love was something I couldn’t do.
Oblivious to the battle raging within me, Liam smiled warmly. “It is a wonderful morning, isn’t it?” He withdrew and walked stiffly over to his seat, wincing as he went. “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get out of bed this morning, considering yesterday I used muscles I didn’t even know I had. My princely stride has been replaced with the waddle of a goose.”
“It’s a good thing I like geese so much.” The words escaped before I could check them. Trying to resist my affections for Liam was proving difficult.
He grinned as he plopped into his chair and turned his soft gaze to me. “You look lovely today, just as you did yesterday with your soot-covered dress and messed-up hair. You were amazing with the villagers.”
“Thank you. And you were never more a crown prince than when you were working with the men to rebuild the cottage.” I lifted the daisy to my nose again. “Thank you for the flower; I love daisies.”
“Is that a daisy, then?” He slumped in relief at my nod. “Thank goodness. You’ve frequently noticed a specific white flower during our daily walks, but this morning when I rose early to track one down for you, I realized just how many white flowers there were and was afraid I’d plucked the wrong one.”
“Even if you had, the gesture would have been equally appreciated.” Achingly sweet, just like everything about him. Regardless of what happened between us, I felt quite fortunate to have the opportunity of knowing this wonderful man.
Conversation flowed easily as we began breakfast. Liam was his usual animated self, laughing boisterously as he talked with his hands while occasionally grimacing as his stiff body moved. His laughter washed over me and each tender smile sent a flutter straight to my heart.
Liam shoved his last bit of toast into his mouth and leaned back in his seat. “What are your plans for today, dear?”
Dear…he’d been using that endearment more and more often, and it never ceased to make me smile. “Is there a reason for your curiosity?”
Crimson dotted his cheeks as he ran his fingernail along the table seam. “I was hoping you’d want to spend the day with me.”
He made the same request every morning, always with shy uncertainty, as if afraid I wouldn’t want to. But how could I not when being in his presence was like basking in the sun? “I’d like nothing better than to spend more time with my husband.”
He brightened. “Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Then we shan’t waste another moment.” He bounded from his seat with his usual exuberance and took my hands to tug me to my feet.
“Can’t I finish breakfast first?” I asked.
“Ah yes, provisions.” He picked up my napkin and dumped the entire basket of fruit inside. “Now we’re ready.”
I grabbed my last piece of toast and allowed him to lead me from the dining room. “What adventure do you have in mind for today?”
It turned out to be a trip to the fountain. Liam sent a servant to retrieve a small stack of rather important-looking documents before taking one with a reverence that I doubted was for its content.
“Have you ever folded a paper boat? Why are you shaking your head? This is blasphemy, Lavena.”
I dipped my hand into the cool fountain and splashed him. “I’ve always been too busy to fold paper boats.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Busy doing what? You’re not the heir.”
Oops. I silently cursed my mistake. While the handmaiden Anwen worked from dawn until dusk, Princess Lavena was one of the most idle people I knew. “I don’t like being idle.”
“It’s true you never sit still for long…like me. Another compatibility.” His grin was hesitant at first, but at my returning smile he brightened. “Now, shall I remedy this appalling lapse in your education? The art of making paper boats is far more important than any princess subjects you’ve studied. Kian and I spent many hours perfecting the process when we were children.” He winked and I giggled. He handed me one of the documents. “Now, watch closely…”
“Wait, Liam, we’re using this? Isn’t it important?”
He took it and studied it with a furrowed brow before shrugging. “Not really.” He returned it, his touch lingering on mine. “Now watch the master.”
He set his document on the rim of the fountain, pulled up his sleeves, and went to work, his tongue half-sticking out of his mouth as he made each fold with practiced precision. I watched, fascinated, as the boat took shape. He finished and held it up triumphantly.
“I dub this ship the HMS Lavena. May she sail the seas and experience grand adventures for many years.”
I winced to hear her name used in place of mine. “I hope I don’t sink; I have no experience captaining such a seaworthy vessel.”
“As your first mate, I’d never let you perish in a shipwreck.” He placed the boat in the fountain and gave it a gentle push. Sure enough, it floated. He wriggled his eyebrows. “I’m ready for my accolades.”
I stood to sweep into an exaggerated curtsy. “Oh Master Shipbuilder, please teach your humble apprentice all your secrets.”
He stroked my cheek with his knuckles. “I thought you’d never ask.”
He sat next to me, whispering instructions as if he were imparting great shipbuilding secrets, all while finding any excuse to touch me—from brushing a strand of my hair aside so I could better see, to guiding my hand, to helping me make each fold. I cherished each touch and soon found myself doing poorly on purpose.
“I know what you’re up to,” he whispered in my ear in a singsong voice.
Heat tickled my cheeks. “I—” I had no words.
He chuckled. “I see I’ve rendered you speechless.” He hesitated before running his fingers through my hair, and even though I was determinedly avoiding his eyes, I still sensed his soft smile. “I don’t mind, Lavena dear. Too bad we’ve almost completed this boat’s construction. Perhaps the ship will sink so we’re forced to start over.”
The heat filling my cheeks deepened. “But then the HMS Liam won’t be able to go on its own adventure.”
“Perhaps the HMS Liam likes this one better.” He playfully tapped my nose. “Despite that, I do want to accompany the HMS Lavena on her own voyage.”
We returned to constructing his boat, and after more touching and gig
gling between us, the HMS Liam was at last ready to launch. I placed it in the fountain, where it immediately capsized. “My apologies, Captain, but your boat is sinking.”
Liam watched the ship slip beneath the water before sighing. “I sank. It appears I distracted you a bit too much. Thus ends the days of the HMS Liam.” He placed his hand over his heart and bowed his head solemnly.
“Not to worry, I’d never leave my husband to such a fate. The HMS An—Lavena rescued you before you could perish. Perhaps you can repay my generosity with a grand adventure.”
He stroked his chin before a rather wicked grin filled his face. “I have the perfect one in mind.”
My heart hammered, but not in fear. “I recognize that mischievous gleam. What plot have you just concocted?”
He slowly leaned forward. “This.” He pushed me, sending me tumbling backwards into the fountain with an icy splash. My shriek was eclipsed by his boisterous laugh. I spat out some water and gaped at him through my dripping hair.
“You pushed me?”
“Not a very husbandly thing to do, is it? I’m sorry, my dear, but you did sink my ship.” He laughed again.
I pushed aside my wet hair. “It appears I mistook you for a gentleman.”
He bowed slightly. “I am a gentleman and will thus render my assistance immediately.” He extended his hand to help me out, but instead I yanked him into the water with a spectacular splash. Sputtering, he scrambled to his knees and gaped at me in shock before he grinned.
“I probably deserved that.”
“No doubt, but I’ll still apologize.” I leaned over and pressed a kiss on his cheek, finally acting on the impulse I’d felt for days. So much for distance.
He stilled, and for a moment he stared at me blankly before his smile widened. “Wow, I like your apologies.”
I smiled shyly. “Does this mean you accept it?”
“I certainly do. In fact, I may need another apology as I think I bumped my knee when I fell in.” He tilted his cheek towards me expectantly, but instead I splashed him. He chuckled. “I deserved that, too. Now, allow me to do my husbandly duty and warm you up.” He pulled me against his wet chest and rubbed his hands up and down my arms. “Pushing you was beyond the lines of my usual immaturity. Are you alright?” His gaze softened in remorse.
“I’m fine.” If holding me was Liam’s way of saying sorry, it’d always be easy to accept his apologies.
I shyly snuggled deeper into his toasty embrace, telling myself I was only doing so because he was a welcome respite from the cold water soaking my skirts. I found my fingers stroking the nape of his neck. His breath hooked and he started to lean closer…until my shiver shattered the spell.
“Are you cold?” he whispered.
“No,” I lied.
“We should go back inside and get into some warm clothes.”
“I don’t want to.” The water rippled as I nestled closer, not wanting to end this moment with him.
“I don’t want you catching a chill. But don’t worry, today’s adventures aren’t over.”
He helped me out of the fountain and escorted me to my room to change. I emerged several minutes later to find him waiting for me, already in a fresh outfit himself. His gaze lingered on my hair, which I hadn’t bothered styling despite the insistence of my maid, so it now lay in dark clumps plastered down my back. The princess would have had a fit if she’d seen how I was representing her. I smirked at the thought. Excellent.
“Are you going to tell me the story behind that smile?” Liam asked. “I’m quite anxious to know.”
“You seem quite invested in my smiles.”
“They show me you’re happy, which means I’m being the husband you deserve.”
Despite my lingering chill, his words warmed me through, a warmth that only grew as he continued staring at my hair, his grin growing with his perusal.
“You look even lovelier than before, Lavena, if such a thing is possible.” He ran his fingers through my hair. “I like this look on you.”
“I thought I’d leave my wet hair down so that you’d be reminded of your crime of pushing your wife into the fountain and feel the proper guilt.”
He chuckled before lowering his hand, running it down my arm to weave his fingers through mine. “It appears I must still earn your forgiveness. Perhaps we can limit our next adventure to a more land-based activity, such as spending the afternoon in the library together.”
“Unless I’m in the mood for you to grovel for a bit longer.”
He chuckled again as he escorted me to the library, where we each selected books and settled beside one another on the settee, which I quickly realized was a mistake. His proximity made it impossible to concentrate; I read the same sentence half a dozen times before closing my book in defeat.
He glanced up. “Finished already?”
“You’re distracting me,” I said. “I can’t concentrate with you sitting so close.”
“You’re not the only one who’s distracted. I haven’t the faintest idea what I’m supposedly reading.” He studied his book’s cover. “Well, this is embarrassing; it’s actually upside down.” He laughed but stopped when I stood. He caught hold of my skirt. “Where are you going?”
“I can’t read while trying to resist touching you.”
“You mean you’ve been just as tempted? I’ve been fighting the desire to put my arm around you ever since we sat down.”
He’d been as tempted as I’d been? For I’d spent the entire time clenching the folds of my skirt to resist taking his hand. Perhaps distance would be best.
“I’ll just be in the window seat.” But I’d only taken a few steps before he tugged me back, expression imploring.
“Please stay, Lavena. The settee is rather frightening when one is alone on it.”
I raised an eyebrow. “The settee is frightening? What’s the story behind that?”
“I’ll tell you if you stay.” His eyes became pleading and I felt dangerously close to relenting. For as much as I welcomed his attentions, they placed my heart more in jeopardy.
I made a show of considering his offer, tapping my lips thoughtfully. “Maybe later.” I tugged myself free and pattered towards the window seat. I’d no sooner settled than he bounded over, expression lit with mischief.
“Is your book really more interesting than me?”
“Hard to say. Are you interesting, Liam?”
He crawled onto the seat beside me, so close our sides touched. “I’m very interesting. Let me prove it to you.” He stroked my cheek. At my body’s responding shiver, I realized what he was up to.
“Are you flirting with me?”
He grinned. “I suppose I am.” His fingers lightly trailed up and down my neck. “Are you enjoying it as much as I am?”
It was becoming difficult to breathe. All that was happening between us was too new and somewhat frightening, despite it also being wonderful. “I—” My head felt foggy but in a pleasant way. I liked this feeling, but nowhere near as much as I adored the tender way he smiled at me.
“Speechless again? I love knowing I’m affecting you in even the smallest way, as you always affect me with just a single look from your gorgeous eyes.”
My heartbeat escalated, on the brink of soaring if he continued looking at me like that. I raised my book and held it in front of my face like a shield, but he merely removed the barrier between us, raising his eyebrows at the cover.
“The World of Insects? It appears I’m not the only one who grabbed a random book.” He took my book and set it aside. “With that obstacle out of the way, shall we resume our flirting?”
“I’m not very good at it,” I stammered.
“I disagree, because whatever you’re doing, it’s definitely working.”
His own flirting nearly undid me completely. I pressed myself further back against the seat even though I wanted nothing more than to bridge the distance between us to discover what lay on the other side. “Liam…”
He reached out to caress my face, but I ducked beneath his arm and scrambled from the window seat. He chuckled. “Oh, so you want to be chased? I’ll happily accommodate.”
He came after me. I darted from his reach and ran to the other end of the library, where I found myself wedged between two bookcases. Liam cornered me and rested his arms on either side of me like a cage, but I didn’t feel trapped; instead I felt moments away from floating.
“Gotcha,” he said with a triumphant smile. “Now that I’ve captured you, what shall I do to you?”
“Let me go?” I squeaked, both wishing for him to and desperately hoping he never would.
“Ah, Lavena, I couldn’t do that. When one discovers a treasure, they keep it in order to cherish it.”
He ran his thumb across my cheek before tracing it along my jaw to cradle my face, tipping it at the perfect angle, his gaze on my lips. A purposeful glint filled his eyes as he dipped down. I immediately knew his intention. And I almost let him, but at the last moment…
“Please don’t,” I pleaded breathlessly.
He paused inches away, close enough that I could feel his warm breath caress my mouth. It would be so easy for one of us to close the remaining distance. I ached to, needing to feel his lips press against mine. But he heeded my plea and immediately released me, stepping back to give me space. I released a pent-up breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t realize you didn’t want…” He trailed off, cheeks crimson. I felt horrible for hurting him. Again. Regret for stopping the kiss already gnawed at my heart.
“I’m not ready, Liam.” Another lie, one of many. I hated being forced to lie to him.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to rush you. I thought you were flirting back, that you welcomed…” He dug his fingers in his hair, looking so lost and uncertain.
“I do welcome it,” I said.
He misunderstood my words and, with an ecstatic grin, he leaned down to try and kiss me again. I jerked away, this rejection more painful to give than the last. “No.”
The Kingdom Chronicles Box Set 1 Page 68
