But neither could she wed him and bring him to face the wrath of a king. “I know there are thousands of little girls who wish they could be a princess,” she said quietly. “But I hate everything about it.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s a prison.” She regarded him. “Don’t tell me you haven’t wished for a single day, all to yourself. With no one telling you what to wear, what banquets you’ll attend, what you can and cannot say. If you could give up being a prince, you would.”
“I would never turn my back on my country.” She heard the stiffness in his voice, the disbelief that she would so willingly leave her birthright to someone else. “You have a responsibility to your people,” he insisted. “You’ve never had to worry about survival, like so many others.”
She narrowed her gaze at him. Raising her arms to him, she revealed the bruises again. “Haven’t I?”
He sighed. “You’re giving up too easily, Princess.”
“Why does it matter to you?” she whispered. “Find another princess to wed. Let me live my own life.”
He reached for her gloved hand, and within his palm, her fingers felt small. Heat permeated the glove, reminding her of the way his hands had moved over her buttons.
She couldn’t stop thinking of his bare fingers touching her spine and the intimacy of him unlacing her corset last night. Her body softened, and she couldn’t draw her attention away from the man who was watching her with such unveiled desire. She half-expected him to pull her to her feet, dragging her into a breathless kiss.
It startled her to realize that she wouldn’t mind that at all.
“You couldn’t give it up your crown if you wanted to,” he said.
“I could,” she countered, “and not hold a single regret.”
His expression turned into a challenge. “Would you care to make a wager on that?”
What did he mean? At her curious gaze, he continued, “Three days, Princess. We’ll live together in the abbey as ordinary people. No servants. No luxuries.”
He removed her glove, turning her palm over. With his fingertips, he stroked the soft skin. “I don’t believe you could survive it. These palms have never known what it is to work.”
She frowned at his prediction. “Are you suggesting I’m not capable of living the life of a commoner?”
His mouth curved in a slight smile. “If, after three days, you still want to give up your throne, I’ll help you. I’ll take you to a country of your choice and help you purchase property of your own. Even hire a few servants, if that’s your wish.”
Serena stared at him. He’d offered to grant her deepest desire, to have absolute freedom to live her life as she chose. “There’s more, isn’t there?” she ventured. “You’re not expecting me to…give myself to you?”
“No.” He released her hand, his eyes filled with daring. “But regardless of whether you agree, people will believe you’ve shared my bed. Your reputation is already compromised.”
She crossed her arms, suddenly feeling the chill in the morning air. “Then what are you suggesting?”
“If, after three days, you’ve decided you’d rather live the life of a princess, you’ll wed me. Immediately.”
“I won’t,” she whispered.
He took a step forward, standing so close their lower bodies touched. His mouth moved against her ear, whispering, “By the end of the three days, you’llwantto be my wife in body, as well as in name.”
He would try to seduce her. Serena’s breathing turned unsteady, and she put her hands against his chest, bringing distance between them. “You’re going to lose this wager, Fürst Karl.”
He took her hand in his. “Are we in agreement, then? You’ll go where I take you to live and become a commoner?” Lifting her fingers to his lips, he added, “You’ll cook for us…and keep the house clean?”
There was doubt in his voice, as if he didn’t believe her capable of completing such tasks. Just because she’d never cooked a meal in her life or ever swept a broom didn’t mean she wasn’t able to do so. There were books to show her how.
“Will you keep your promise, if I win?” She knew that it would be nearly impossible to purchase property and a house, as a woman. But if Karl made all the arrangements, she could remain far away from her father—safe and free to build her own life as she chose.
He gave a single nod. “As long as you wed me, if I win.”
She shook his palm, sealing the agreement between them. It would be difficult, but she was determined to prove him wrong. She was no hothouse lily who would wilt if there was no one toserve her. The Fürst didn’t know or understand her at all. She was looking forward to the challenge.
In three days, she could survive anything at all.
