“Was I not invited?” Karl asked, keeping a neutral expression on his face. “Your sister Anna sent a letter, thanking me for taking care of you.”
Beneath her breath, the princess muttered something about killing her younger sister. “You are not coming with me to Hamburg. Or anywhere else.”
Even in her bedraggled state, she held herself like a crown princess. Likely he was meant to apologize and cower beneaththe regal order. Instead, Karl rested his hand upon the door of the coach to prevent her from trying to leave.
“Anna informed me that you intended to take a holiday with only a few servants.” He kept his tone neutral, but there was no doubt that his bride was growing more indignant by the second. “She was concerned about your welfare. And your reputation.”
Confusion shadowed her eyes. “Why would there be any harm done to my reputation by going alone?”
Was she truly that innocent?
“Some might believe you were going to meet a lover,” he suggested. “Without your father’s knowledge.” He eyed her with his own suspicions, wondering if there was someone else in her life.
“Oh, for heaven’s sakes.” Her green eyes sparked with indignation. “How on earth could I have a secret lover, when I’ve been betrothed toyoufor the last six years. When would I have had time to meet someone?”
“One of the palace guards, perhaps…or your groom?”
Her expression grew taut with annoyance. “There is no one at all.”
“Good. Then I won’t have to kill them.”
She stared at him as if she didn’t know whether or not he was serious. Before she could make another remark, he leveled a hard stare at her. “What is your true reason for leaving, Serena?”
Princesses didn’t simply run away from home for no reason. Especially with so many guards and escorts surrounding them at every moment.
But she eyed the rain outside and lifted her chin. “My reasons are my own. Now get out of my coach.” Her voice held all the haughtiness of a woman accustomed to getting her way.
“No.” He offered a faint smile. The way he saw it, her sister had given him the opportunity he needed. What sort of fiancé would he be if he left her alone?
“I have nothing to say to you. And if you don’t leave now, the rest of my father’s guards will catch up to us. I’ll have you arrested for kidnapping me.”
Oh, he had indeed annoyed her. Even though they both knew she wouldn’t follow through with that threat.
“You might like being kidnapped by me,” he said softly. He sat across from her inside the coach, his knees touching hers. “Think of it as getting better acquainted.”
Serena seemed to hold her breath when he rested his hands on either side of her seat. Her green eyes were frozen with fear. “You shouldn’t be here,” she protested. “It’s not proper.”
“I don’t care about what’s proper or right, Princess.” He reached out and captured her gloved hand, despite her attempt to snatch it back. “But I do care if my intended wife is trying to run away.” He caressed her palm with his thumb, and her lips parted with startled surprise. “Or am I wrong?”
She cast a frightened look outside the window. “This has nothing to do with you.”
Whether or not that was true, he strongly suspected she was fleeing from something. Or someone.
“You have no right to interfere with my plans,” she insisted, pulling her hand back.
He most definitely disagreed with that. “Don’t I?” He changed tactics, for it was nearly time to put the second part of his plan into action. “Did it not occur to you that every man who has helped you on this…journey could face charges of assault or treason?”
“Not if I absolve them,” Serena pointed out. “I won’t be gone for…very long. When I return, I shall take full responsibility for my orders.”
She believed it; he could see it in her innocent green eyes. She really thought that her word was strong enough to vouch for the men.
“Every last one of these men will lose his post.” Karl leaned forward, and once again, she drew back. Whether it was an aversion to him or another fear, he didn’t know. “They will never work in the palace again, and every person who saw them leave will know of their involvement in this frivolous holiday of yours.”
Her face reddened with fury. “It’s not frivolous at all.”
“It is when it affects men’s lives.” His gaze hardened upon her. “Do you have any idea what these people endure for your sake? They would throw themselves in front of a bullet to save your life. And yet, a single word from you would destroy them.”
Her hands clenched in her lap. “You don’t understand—”
