“I wasn’t aware that Karl had a younger brother,” she began, waiting for more answers.
The comb stopped moving. “Fürst Michael is the true heir to the Lohenberg throne,” the woman said quietly. “I thought you’d heard the news…that your husband was not the legitimate prince.”
The bath water suddenly seemed to grow cold. “No. I wasn’t aware.”
He’d lied to her. All this time when he’d claimed he wanted to marry her…it was because he wanted to become a prince again.
Serena’s eyes burned, but she would not cry. He’d been telling her the truth, when he’d said he was a bastard who was only using her. She hadn’t believed it until now.
Karl stood in the bedchamber that adjoined Princess Serena’s, noting that one of her maids had moved his belongings inside. He rubbed the edges of his cheeks, knowing he looked like a man who’d lived among wild animals. A valet awaited his orders, and he bade the man fetch shaving supplies. Another brought out clean clothing, as well as a basin of water.
While the valet shaved him, his gaze focused on the adjoining door. Why had Serena given the order for him to remain nearby? It made little sense at all. From behind the door, he heard the sound of ladies talking to the princess.
And then he heard the telltale splash of her bathing in the tub. His imagination conjured up the image of her smooth skin sliding beneath the water, the slight ripple against her bare breasts.
He grew hard, thinking of her. Right now, he wanted to order everyone out and throw open the thin door that lay between them.
His valet had said something, but Karl was certain he’d misheard the man. “What was that?”
“My lord, the cook has asked if you and your wife would prefer salmon or beef for luncheon?”
His wife? Now where had that come from? Had the servants made an assumption of their own?
He tested his theory with a question of his own. “Who told you of our marriage?”
His valet reddened. “Her Royal Highness told her ladies of your elopement.”
So that was the reason for the adjoining doors. She’d lied to the servants, in order to protect their reputations.
The bastard within him suddenly had a very interesting idea.
“Leave me,” he ordered his servants, dismissing them with a hand. “You may tell the cook that we’ll dine upon salmon for luncheon.”
Once the men had left his chamber, Karl stepped over to the adjoining door and opened it.
Serena stifled a scream as Karl strode through the doors into her bedchamber. Her ladies stared in shock, and fled like scattering birds when he raised a hand in dismissal.
She sank deeper into the tub, trying to hide as much of herself as possible. “Why are you here?”
“Why did you tell them we were married?” he countered.
Why didn’t you tell me you lost your throne?
Her anger at his deception was brewing hotter, and she struggled to maintain her composure. “To preserve my reputation. Why did you think?” She kept her voice frigid, not wanting him to draw incorrect conclusions. “Now, I would begrateful if you would leave and send back my ladies.” She was proud of the way her voice held all the haughtiness of a royal courtier, revealing none of the nerves creeping beneath her skin.
Karl closed the doors behind him and walked over to her bedchamber door, locking it.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, drawing her knees up in the bath.
“Giving myself privacy with my wife.”
“I am not your wife.” She tightened her grip around her knees and sent him a furious look. “And you, I understand, are not a prince anymore.”
“I told you I was a bastard.”
“In more ways than one.”
She huddled within the cold water, trying to protect herself. Karl drew a chair over and sat beside her. Did he think to take advantage of her? She sent him a hard look. The expression in his eyes was unreadable.
