Heart Captivated

by Lindsay Bergman

  “Me too. I’m here anytime you need to talk, Bree.” She squeezed my shoulder, then followed an older groom into a paddock to cool down her beloved stallion.

  I moved slowly over the dirt pathway toward the barn. Drawing closer, I noticed the tracks of tears running down Sophie’s face and quickened my pace. “What’s wrong?” I asked once I reached her.

  “Ashton just broke up with me.” The whispered admission and obvious pain in her voice made my own heart twist painfully.

  Taking her hand, I led her to a bench in a quiet, deserted section of the stables. In the nearby paddock, a small group of foals were being weaned from their mothers. Their soft whinnying was familiar, and the earthy smell of horse soothing. For a brief moment it felt as if we were back home in Montana. Normally, the foals would have captured Sophie’s complete attention, but she was too wrapped up in her misery to notice them.

  Brimming with compassion, I ran a comforting hand down the length of Sophie’s long auburn hair. “Tell me what happened.”

  She was hunched over, elbows braced on her knees and face buried in her hands. Her words were muffled when she spoke. “Since we weren’t really dating, he didn’t actually break up with me. He just said I was beautiful and charismatic, and that he enjoyed spending time with me as friends—he was very, very clear about how we were only friends.” Sophie sucked in a shuddering breath and sat up abruptly, turning red-rimmed eyes on me.

  I could see the questions, the pain and confusion, swimming in those brown depths. My heart ached for her.

  “Why doesn’t he love me, Bree?” she whispered dejectedly. “What did I do wrong?”

  “Oh, Sophie,” I murmured, pulling her close for a hug. She wrapped her arms around me and cried into my shoulder, her sobs hoarse. Resting my cheek against the top of her head, I rubbed her back and said, “You didn’t do anything wrong. Sometimes two people just aren’t meant to be together."

  “Do you think Ashton’s angry with me for trying to make him jealous at the ball?”

  After his declaration last night, I had a sinking feeling that this break-up had something to do with me, not Sophie’s actions last night. “Maybe.”

  “Do you think he broke up with me because he’s in love with you?”

  I tensed. Sophie pulled back to look at me. Her beautiful face was etched in pain, eyes dark with betrayal, and tears wet on her cheeks.

  “I don’t know, Sophie,” I murmured, voice thick with regret. “If Ashton feels anything for me it was just an accident—I promise I never encouraged him.”

  She pulled away and rose, turning her back on me. “How can you say that after the way you let him hold you yesterday?”

  Guilt swamped me. “I’m sorry, Sophie.” I rubbed sweaty palms over the tops of my jeans, feeling sick to my stomach over the pain I had unintentionally caused my sister. “I never meant for any of this to happen.”

  “Do you think that being sorry is going to fix this?” Sophie whirled around, eyes blazing. “You made him fall in love with you, and now Ashton wants nothing to do with me!”

  I rose to my feet and stood before her, facing the angry and fierce storm that was my sister. “What do you want me to do?”

  “I want you to stay away from him!”

  “We’re here for another five weeks. Do you really expect me to avoid him for all that time?”

  “Yes,” was the stubborn reply.

  I sighed softly. “Would you rather just go home early?”

  “No, I don’t want to go home.” Sophie’s face crumpled and she whispered, “I’m not ready to give up on him yet. If he can forget about you, then maybe he’ll want to be with me …”

  “Sophie—”

  “Please, Brielle,” Sophie begged, stepping forward to take my hands, her gaze pleading. “I know I don’t have the right to ask you this after my gossiping hurt you today, but please just try to stay away from him so we can have another chance to be together.”

  “He’s my friend, Sophie. He’s not going to understand if I suddenly start ignoring him.”

  “But I’m your sister. Don’t you want me to be happy?”

  I frowned, hating that she was trying to guilt me into this. “You know that I do. I have always done everything I can to make you happy.”

  “Then do this for me.” Her eyes grew round, like a sad puppy-dog. “Please, Brielle? It will help me to forgive you for last night. And then maybe you’ll be able to forgive me, too. I hate it when we fight.”

  Even though I was the younger twin—by three minutes—I had always looked out for my sister, taken care of her, soothed away her tears and bent over backward in order to diffuse arguments and make her happy. My chest tightened at the thought of trying to avoid Ashton, but honestly, I knew it was for the best. Sophie was in love with him and as long as her heart was involved, there could never be anything between us. If this was what it took to discourage him and repair the rift with my sister, then so be it. It was the right thing to do.

  “What am I supposed to tell him?” I whispered, eyes downcast. I didn’t want her to see my heartache, to know how much it was hurting me to lose the first true friendship I’d had in years.

  Ashton was the first person to wash away some of the grief over losing my mom. When I was around him, the pain wasn’t so sharp. I could actually feel joy in the moment. He was kind and thoughtful, his embrace warm and comforting, his touch like a hot spark. Those striking blue eyes and that dimpled smile. He stirred something within me. He made me feel … alive.

  Until I’d met Ashton, I hadn’t realized that for the last year I hadn’t truly been living—I’d merely been surviving.

  “Tell him whatever it takes,” Sophie answered, her eyes lit up with hope. “Thank you, Bree. I know you don’t want to do this, but I’m really grateful. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I love Ashton, and I really hope I can win him back.” She hugged me tightly, then moved to head back toward the palace.

  “Hey, Soph?” I called out.

  She paused to look back at me.

  “Why did you spread that gossip about our family? Everything in it makes you look as bad as me. We’ll both be seen as gold-diggers with ulterior motives. I don’t understand how it’s supposed to help you with Ashton.”

  There was a long pause. “I didn’t do it because of Ashton. It doesn’t bother me if everyone knows that our mom died from cancer, or that Dad ran out on us when we were ten. I don’t care if people think I have an ulterior motive for dating Ashton because I know the truth.”

  “Then why did you do it?”

  “Because I was mad at you. It hurt me to see you with Ashton. It hurt me to see the way he was looking at you and holding you. You’re always so private. I knew you would hate it if everyone in Coradova knew about our family’s secrets. But I also did it for you—to protect you.”

  I raised a brow in skepticism.

  “No, really,” Sophie insisted. “I know how much you hate being in the spotlight. You don’t belong in his world, Brielle. You would hate being a princess. I thought if Ashton could see that, then maybe he wouldn’t be interested in you anymore.”

  I crossed my arms. “So you really did it for yourself.”

  Her gaze hardened and she stomped toward me. “I did it for you. I see how you look at Ashton—you like him, even though you don’t want to. I know you, Brielle. You love with your whole heart, completely and unconditionally. What happens if you fall in love with Ashton and then realize how much you hate the life of a princess? Just ask Maddy—you know how hard the adjustment’s been for her. Don’t you think it would hurt worse after you’re already in love? Wouldn’t it just be easier to stop it now, before your heart is involved?”

  Unwilling to admit that my heart was already involved, I said, “Sophie, there’s nothing going on between us. I’ve never even considered a relationship with Ashton because I know that you love him.”

  “Then don’t start now. Look,” Sophie said, taking hold of my han
d. “I know that you think I’m self-absorbed and selfish—”

  “I don’t think that, Sophie,” I argued quietly.

  “But it’s the truth. We both know I like to have my own way. And I can admit that I don’t usually think about how it’s going to affect others. I’m sorry about the article, and I’m sorry for being jealous. I love you, Brielle. You are my twin sister. I don’t want to see you get hurt over a guy.” Her lashes fluttered briefly, mouth turned down in a sad smile. “And I also don’t want to see you in a relationship with Ashton—it would break my heart.”

  I pulled her close for a fierce hug. “I would never do that to you. No matter what happens, Sophie, you come first.” I eased back to look into her face, a perfect reflection of my own. “I promise not to get involved with Ashton even if things don’t work out between you. Sisters first.”

  Sophie’s answering smile was brilliant. “Always.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Bright morning sunlight glinted off the black strands of Ashton’s hair when he appeared in the open doorway. I tried to ignore how handsome he looked in beige slacks and white shirt. His dimpled smile flashed at the sight of me. I was sitting out on the terrace with a tray of breakfast food resting untouched on the table. After yesterday’s events, I still felt unsettled and didn’t have much of an appetite.

  Still smiling, Ashton approached my table. “Good morning, mon trésor.”

  The warmth in his blue eyes was too much for my fragile heart this morning. I found myself blinking back tears. Why did he have to be so wonderful? For Sophie’s sake, I needed to warn him to keep his distance from me, to convince him that there could never be anything between us—even though I wanted to melt into a puddle because of the tender way he was smiling at me. Frustration rose within me. I needed to get a better handle over my reaction to him. I needed to rebuild the exteriors of my heart that Ashton had unwittingly chipped away.

  Feeling flustered, I stumbled over my words. “Please don’t call me your treasure.”

  Ashton grinned and joined me at the table. “You’ve been brushing up on your French endearments. Is there something else you’d like me to call you? Ma choupette? It translates to ‘my cabbage’, but it really means ‘my favorite one’.” His expression was playful as he leaned closer, his eyes growing dark and sultry. “Laissez-moi vous appeler mien. Ma belle, ma chérie. My beautiful one. My darling.”

  I blushed and angled away from him. “Please just call me by my name.”

  “All right … Brielle.” Even the way he said my name was sweet, like warm honey. The sound of his voice flowed over me, making my spine tingle. “How are you today, Bree? I’ve been worried about you since that article came out yesterday. Gossip can be cruel.”

  “I’m fine, Ashton.” I peeked over to find him watching me, his arms braced on his knees.

  “Is it all true?” he asked. “Did your father really abandon his family?”

  My hands fisted over my lap, the familiar bitter resentment spiking through me. “Yes, it’s true. He ran out on us when Sophie and I were ten, and Logan was twelve. We haven’t heard from him since.”

  His warm hand covered mine. “I’m sorry, Brielle. No wonder you never mention him. You don’t have to tell me more unless you want to.”

  Dropping my gaze, I touched the back of his hand, briefly allowing myself a moment to enjoy the connection, before gently removing it. “There’s actually something else I need to talk to you about. Can you spare a few minutes, Your Highness?”

  Ashton sighed and took his hand back. I wasn’t ready to look at him, but I could practically feel his eyes burning a hole in my cheek. “Your Highness,” he repeated, sounding unhappy. “We’re back to formalities? This doesn’t sound good.”

  We heard voices in the hallway, growing in volume as they moved toward the terrace.

  Ashton rose, clasped my elbow and brought me to my feet. “Come on, let’s find somewhere more private to talk.” He steered me down the terrace steps and onto a pathway, eventually letting his hand fall away from my arm.

  We walked in silence, moving through the opening between the cypress trees. I followed him over a trail of stepping stones that led to a grassy knoll near the pond. Cattail lined the edge, swaying gently in the breeze. The water was a deep blue-black, ripples spreading in random spots along the surface, disturbed by insects or fish. Ashton stopped in a secluded spot hidden from view of the palace and turned to study me, his expression unusually grave. My heart churned at the sight. I missed his dimpled smile and laughing eyes.

  “What did you want to talk about, Brielle?”

  Releasing my breath in a huff, I forced out the dreaded words. “I know that you broke up with Sophie yesterday, but I need you to understand that it doesn’t change anything between us. I think you’re wonderful and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you, but we need to put some distance between us. You can’t keep calling me sweet nicknames, or hug me, or ever try to kiss me. I don’t even know if we can be friends—”

  “Why not?” Ashton demanded. Chicken through and through, I lowered my gaze away from his questioning eyes. I could feel his stare on the top of my head as he continued to probe for an answer. “I understand that we can’t be in a relationship right now, and I’ll agree to take things slowly. But I want to be around you, Brielle.”

  “You really don’t make this easy,” I murmured painfully. Gathering my courage, I looked back up at him. “I had no idea you could be so … persistent.”

  Ashton smirked, his shoulders relaxing as if he’d won the battle. “Well, I am a prince.”

  “And as a prince, you’re accustomed to getting what you want.” Hardening my heart against him, I lifted my chin defiantly and said, “I’m sorry, Your Highness, but you can’t have me.”

  The next several days blurred together, my heart in turmoil as I avoided Ashton at every possible opportunity. Whenever all three of us were in the same room, the tension was palpable. After a long, awkward dinner, I couldn’t take it any longer. The tension in the dining room seemed more intense than usual. I needed some time alone outside of the palace. I needed the calming sight of the sea and fresh air to clear my muddled thoughts.

  Heading toward the front doors, I noticed the long shadow that fell over me. It belonged to a burly royal guard with long black hair that brushed the collar of his fancy black suit. His footfall mirrored mine.

  When he trailed me to the front door, I spun around to face him. “Why are you following me?”

  “I’ve been instructed to guard you, mademoiselle.” He stood tall with feet braced apart and hands clasped behind his back. He was a very formidable guard, indeed.

  “Why?” I questioned.

  His stoic expression didn’t change as he politely ignored my question. “My name is Stephen. Would you like me to order a driver for you?”

  “No thank you, Stephen.” My voice dripped with irritation, my usual patience nearly gone. I was not in the mood to be babysat like some troublesome child. “What I would like, is for you to answer my question. Who ordered you to guard me?”

  “I did,” Ashton announced from the hallway. His black hair was mussed and his navy button-down shirt brought out the blue of his gorgeous eyes. He looked good, too good. He approached at a quick pace, his steps clapping against the marble flooring. “I assigned guards to both you and Sophie.”

  “Why?” I questioned once again.

  Instead of answering, he looked at the royal guard. “Thank you, Stephen. I’ll take her from here.” The guard bowed and faded into the shadows of the hallway, leaving me alone with the prince I’d been avoiding for days. If I hadn’t wanted to hear his explanation for assigning a guard to me, I would I have fled from his overwhelming presence.

  Crossing my arms, I waited expectantly. “Well?”

  His eyes darted around the grand foyer. “Come here,” Ashton murmured, taking my hand and steering me into the privacy of the front parlor. The door closed behind us with a gentle cl
ick. Once we were alone, Ashton turned to face me, lacking his usual cheerful countenance. “We’ve been hearing reports that someone is asking around about you and Sophie. It started two days after that gossip article came out.” A hard glint entered his eyes. “I wouldn’t have given it any thought, except this person is inquiring about your routine, your whereabouts—it’s as if they’re trying to find an opportunity to get you alone.”

  A chill crept down my spine. “Why would someone be interested in me and Sophie?”

  “I don’t know.” Ashton worked his jaw, grave eyes searching my face. “I don’t know why someone is looking for you, but after what happened to Maddy last summer, I don’t take threats lightly.”

  “Threats?” I gasped out.

  “Don’t worry, ma chérie. There haven’t been any threats.” Ashton’s calmly spoken words washed away my concern. He shifted to stare out the front bay window, his gaze distant. “I only meant that someone is trying to find you—and since I don’t know why, I’m going to be a little overprotective for the next few weeks, until I’m certain that you’re safe.” He sent me a sidelong glance, the hint of a smile on his lips. “Since I’ve been warned to keep my distance, I’ve assigned Stephen to you for protection. He will accompany you any time you leave the palace.”

  My brows drew together in a disgruntled frown. I didn’t want to be shadowed by my own personal security.

  Ashton’s smile widened at my expression. “I know you value your privacy,” he said, moving to stand before me. His warm blue eyes danced with humor as he looked into my face. “If you want to spend your every waking moment with me, I promise you won’t even notice the guards.”

  I smothered a laugh and shook my head at him, unable to completely hide my amusement. “You are relentless, Your Highness.”

  He grinned and shifted closer. “When it comes to something I want, I don’t give up easily.” Those gorgeous blue eyes seemed to darken with emotion, replacing the merriment with something more potent. It swirled thickly between us, leaving me unable to step away from him, to break the sudden connection. My heart thumped an erratic beat.