He mounted his horse, and reloaded his weapon with ammunition given over by the captain.Urging his steed faster, he rode as fast as the animal would take him.With each mile, his dread intensified.
He couldn’t lose her.Hannah belonged to him as surely as she held his heart.Although she had voiced arguments, trying to convince him that she wasn’t worthy of being a princess, he wasn’t going to accept them.He would keep her at his side, both to protect her and to love her.
At the crest of a hill, he saw the pair of them near the city borders of Vermisten.The rider had stopped, and he held Hannah captive.
Michael drew his weapon.Right now he couldn’t risk firing it, for fear of striking Hannah.He kept up the unyielding pace until at last he reached them.
And when he saw that it was Fürst Karl who held her, a suffocating rage came over him.
His guards joined him, surrounding the pair with weapons drawn.The impostor prince had his own weapon but did not reach for it.Instead, he lifted Lady Hannah down from the horse.Hannah raced to his side, and Michael turned to his guards, signaling.“Take him away.He is guilty of kidnapping Lady Hannah.”
He dismounted and crushed Hannah into his embrace.Gripping her hard, he couldn’t calm the racing of his heart.Her dress was ragged, the hemline dragging on the ground.Tangled brown hair hung across her shoulders, and her arms were reddened and bruised.
“Michael, no.The prince didn’t—”
He shushed her, covering her mouth with his.“He’s going to answer for every bruise I see.”
She drew back, not allowing him to kiss her fully.“Let him go.He was keeping me away from the gunfire, not running from you.”
In her eyes, he saw unyielding stubbornness.And though he had trouble believing that Karl would lift a finger to help them, Hannah stepped back from him and turned to the former prince.“Thank you, Your Highness.”
The prince’s mouth tightened, but he nodded.Just as he was about to leave, Michael called out to him.Karl turned, his expression taut and unreadable.
“You have my gratitude.”
The former prince met his gaze, gave a nod, then turned away.Though Michael still didn’t trust him, Hannah was right.Karl had found her, keeping her away from the gunfire.He owed the man for that.
“You came for me,” Hannah whispered.She kissed him, winding her arms around his neck.The simple touch of her lips made him forget about everything but her.He didn’t care about anyone around them, nor what they might think.He was simply glad she was safe.
When Michael pulled back, he cupped her face, examining Hannah to be sure she was all right.“I’m sorry that you had to endure such a terrible night.I should have made sure you had better protection.”
“I don’t blame you for it.”She stifled a yawn, leaning her head against his chest.“I’m just glad you found me.”
“Hannah, I was angry, and I said things I didn’t mean.”His fingers traced the line of her jaw.“I love you, and I’m offering you a choice.I want you to marry me, whether you want to be a princess or merely a lieutenant’s wife.”
She stood up on tiptoes, lifting her mouth to his.“I love you, Michael.And wherever you go, I will go.”
“Even if it means having to endure this life, with all the trappings of royalty?”
She sent him a mysterious smile.“Oh, I don’t intend for it to be a trap.Not anymore.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Threedayslater
“Lady Hannah, you simplymustwear white,“ her maid Estelle argued, holding up one of her mother’s lists.“Lady Rothburne specifically listed this gown in her instructions, should you attend a formal occasion.”
“No, I disagree.White would make her brown hair stand out too much,” Lady Schmertach argued.“She needs something softer, more feminine.”
The two ladies were battling between an embroidered ivory silk gown and a pale sea-green gown trimmed with antique lace.Tonight, the king was planning to formally acknowledge Michael as the crown prince to the people of Vermisten.In turn, Michael intended to announce their betrothal.The entire palace was buzzing with the news.
Hannah ignored the two bickering ladies and opened the door to her wardrobe.Staring at her choices, she selected a crimson silk gown trimmed with ribbons and pearls.It would bare her shoulders, with only slight wisps of fabric as sleeves on her upper arms.With long white gloves, the gown would be vibrant, commanding everyone’s attention.
“I will wear this.”
Both women gaped at her.“But, Lady Hannah, that color is too scandalous,” Estelle burst in.
“It’s the sort of dress a courtesan would wear,” Lady Schmertach interjected.“Not a princess.”
