A laugh bursts out of him again, and I hate how my body responds to it.
“Something like that, my lady. You can live your life how you choose, and I can live mine. We can make up some excuseregarding heirs so you won’t need to worry about that either for the time being.”
Warmth heats my cheeks at the insinuation, and I look down at my feet. What do I even say to that?
“No need to look so scandalized, love,” the prince teases. “As I said, this would be on paper only, no need for it to go any further than that, as you’ve made it clear you’re not interested in marriage.”
True as that might be now, what if I were interested someday? If I were bound to the prince, that would take away any chance of me ever having a real marriage. Was that something I could live with?
“I . . . uh . . . That’s an interesting offer, Your Highness,” I finally reply, daring a glance back up at him.
His lips turn down. “I thought for sure you’d jump at the opportunity.”
I should. I really should. My home is not my home any longer. I’m miserable and tired, and life has felt so entirely hopeless.
The prince gently turns my face back to his, and I loathe how I respond to the simple touch. “Do you need more time to think it over?”
Staring into his eyes, I wonder if I’m about to make the biggest mistake of my life. My stomach is doing somersaults, but I take a breath before saying, “Okay.”
His brow rises. “Okay?”
“Okay as in yes. I’ll marry you.”
“Perfect. I knew this plan would work.” He grins.
Oh gods, I’m in trouble.
“But I have some requests,” I add.
“Oh? Already?” He shakes his head before motioning with his hand. “Out with it.”
I bite my lip, noticing how his eyes dart toward the movement and linger before he raises them back to mine. “I don’t want to be the laughingstock of court.”
“Go on.”
“If we are to wed in name only, I am sure you will still haveneedsthat must be met.”
“I do admit, I’m quite curious where you are going with this, love,” the prince replies. I can’t stop the blush as he takes a step closer. “Are you offering your services to meet my . . .needs?”
“Gods no!” I exclaim, even as the flutters in my belly make it hard to breathe.
A wicked grin curls his lips. “I’m still very much intrigued.”
I blush even more furiously. “Nothing like that, Your Highness. I just mean to ask . . .”Gods, why is this so hard?
“Yes?”
“What I was trying to say is that I’m aware of your reputation, and even if our marriage is on paper only, I do not wish for everyone at court to think I’m unworthy of your affections.”
A flicker of understanding lights his eyes. “I see.”
“Do you?” I ask, hating that I even need to try to explain myself . . . explain these thoughts.
“You’re asking me to stop my ‘playboy ways.’”
“Yes—well, no . . .” I stammer. “I realize you have needs. I would just request that you be discreet in the ways that you meet them.”
The prince stiffens, and I note the way he clenches his fists at his sides, but he nods. “That’s fair.”
