The Accidental Prince

by Michelle Willingham

  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 we
re 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, a
n 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.’