She flinched at his harsh tone. Without answering, she took the edges of her fichu, and used the lace scarf to cover her neck.
There was a flash of anger in the prince’s eyes before he returned his gaze back to the house. Though he hadn’t pressured her for answers, she sensed that he was only biding his time.
Karl led her to the back entrance of the house, locking it tightly behind them. As they continued through the maze of rooms, the silence continued. At last, they reached the drawing room.
The Fürst’s posture was rigid as he walked over to a carved wooden clock that hung upon the wall. After checking the time on his pocket watch, he adjusted the hands of the clock and swung the pendulum.
“While you were with the dressmaker, I spoke with one of the other islanders. He said that they have been without a governor for weeks. With hardly any provisions left, some have resorted to stealing.”
She wasn’t surprised to hear it. “Frau Bauherzen told me about the hardships. I think you should send word to your father and appeal on their behalf.”
The prince reached for the clock key and inserted it, winding it up. But even after he swung the pendulum a second time, there was no sound of ticking from within the clock. “I agree. I’ll have the king send troops to restore order and help with supplies.” He folded his arms and stared at her. “It would be best if we married today or tomorrow, before we leave. I can arrange it this afternoon, if that would suit.”
It took an effort to keep her mouth from dropping open. He spoke of marriage as if it were having afternoon tea. “I’m not going to marry you.”
“I promised I would keep you safe,” he said quietly. “Marrying you is my means of doing so. Surely you understand that it will silence any gossip about us. We’ve no choice in the matter.”
But Serena had no intention of surrendering her freedom to his whims. Although he was right that her virtue was already destroyed by being with him, she had no desire to wed any man. It didn’t matter what people believed, for she intended to disappear and live where no one would find her.
She straightened and walked over to him. “You will return to Lohenberg. And I’ll go to my grandfather’s hunting lodge, as I’d planned.” It wasn’t the truth, for she hadn’t decided where to go, but it was all she could think to say.
“You can’t go there. Your father’s men would bring you back to the palace within hours.” He closed the clock door and turned to face her. “Unless that’s what you want.”
Most definitely not. If they found her, she would bear the full brunt of her father’s temper. Serena closed her eyes at the thought.
“Who were you running away from?” he asked. His gaze fixed upon her throat, and the anger in his expression unnerved her.
She ignored the question. Even if he believed the truth, there was nothing he could do about it. “Why did you kidnap me?” she countered.
The Fürst moved so close, she could feel the warmth of his breath against her mouth. Though he didn’t touch her at all, it took all of her courage to hold her ground. “Why do you think, Princess?”
Her body seemed drawn to his words, the heavy woolen gown feeling restrictive. She thought of his hands upon her nape, unfastening the buttons last night.
He believed that he was still going to be her husband, that he had the right to touch her in this way. When she dared to look at him again, the heat in his eyes held her transfixed.
“You’re trying to ruin me,” she whispered.
“You’re already ruined,” he responded, reaching out to cup her face. His hands were gentle upon her skin, but embarrassment blazed upon her cheeks. “I’m trying to tempt you.”
A sudden chill swept over her, and Serena took a step backwards. He let her go, and the darkness in his eyes took on a shadowed look. This was a man accustomed to getting what he wanted. And he wanted her.
Her mouth went dry at the thought of sharing his bed. Karl von Lohenberg looked as if he knew exactly how to seduce a woman, how to lure her into wickedness. But she couldn’t allow herself to be caught up in him. Though he’d helped her to escape Badenstein, she would find another way to repay him. A way that didn’t involve marriage or sharing his bed.
“Anna should never have written to you,” she said to him. “I would have been fine on my own.”
His dark look said he didn’t agree. “There are many men who would take advantage of a woman traveling alone.”
“I wouldn’t have been alone. I had guards.”
“What you did wasn’t safe. Half-a-dozen bullets would have ended their lives, and you could have been kidnapped.”
”Iwaskidnapped,“ she reminded him, “by you.”
“For your own good.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Can’t you imagine what would have happened to you, if another man had stolen you away?”
She sent him a pointed look. “And your intentions are more honorable?
“I offered to marry you.” He took another step forward, pressing her back against a chaise longue. “You’ll admit, I’ve not once forced my attentions on you.”
