Instead, he was staring at her flushed face and the white gown that covered her from collared throat to the floor-length hem. Her bonnet was tied beneath her chin, and her gloves were spotless. Though she spoke not a word about their bathing interlude, he caught the frown playing about her mouth. The prim and proper princess had returned, so it seemed.
“Your Highness, someone has to reestablish the justice system here,” Father Durin was insisting. “Perhaps your brother, the Fürst—”
“Are you enjoying your walk, Princess Serena?” he interrupted, cutting off the priest’s words.
Serena sent a sharp look toward the priest. “I was. The weather is much nicer today.”
With a nod to her ladies, she bid them stand a short distance away to grant them a private conversation. “You were saying something about the justice system, Father Durin?”
As she walked alongside the priest, Karl could almost imagine her unspoken chastisement. Although she kept a pleasant tone in her responses to the priest, he could feel her discontent.
“We need intervention from the king,” Father Durin continued. “The supplies that arrived today will be a good start, but we still need more. For years, our petitions to the king went unanswered.”
“I never saw a single petition,” Karl remarked. “If they asked for help, we knew nothing of it.”
“It may be that the governor never sent them,” the priest admitted.
“What will you do now?” the princess asked, facing him. When Karl shrugged, she stepped in front of him. “You cannot ignore what’s happening here.”
He turned the question back on her. “And what do you suggest?”
Serena turned to face the ocean. “If it were my island, I would gather the townspeople together and have them select representatives to form a council.” Before he could say another word, she continued, “Attempting to grow crops upon this island is a waste of time. Let them plant their own gardens if they wish, but it’s better to bring in food from the mainland. Allow Lohenberg to sell their supplies here.”
“Forgive me, Your Highness, but how would the people pay for these supplies?” the priest interrupted. “There is little that the folk here can exchange for food.”
“They could exchange services. Many of the wealthy families would welcome the chance to spend some time on an island.” She described her ideas for cozy cottages lining the sea cliffs. In each dwelling, there would be the finest beds and linens, along with a caretaker, cook, and servants.
“It would never work,” Karl argued.
“Not yet,” she agreed. “But it would offer employment to many who can no longer farm.”
The idea struck him as entirely too fanciful and not practical. But he understood the inspiration. “Like the escape you were looking for.”
“Yes.” Her gaze turned to the sea, where a few ships bobbed upon the waves.
“You won the wager,” Karl kept his voice low. “Have you decided where you’ll go?”
Serena shook her head. “I thought about a Greek island or perhaps Italy. But you’re right. No matter where I go, they won’t stop looking for me.”
Though her complexion paled, she looked as though she were trying to be brave. “If I’m ever to gain my freedom, I have to face the king.” With a deep breath, she added, “I’ll stay here until then.”
“I’ll help you stand against him.” It was more than holding up his end of the wager; it was his desire to avenge her for what she’d suffered.
“No.” She sent him a regal nod. “Once it’s done, you can escort me to another island. That will be sufficient. In the meantime, I’ll leave you to discuss your plans.” She raised her hand to signal to her ladies, and they flanked her as they returned to the manor house.
Although her tone was cool, Karl didn’t miss the hurt and anger beneath it. She wanted nothing at all to do with him, believing that he’d only wanted her throne. It might have started out that way, but not anymore.
After they’d gone, Karl eyed the priest. “What do you think of her idea to revive Vertraumen’s economy? Impractical?”
Father Durin’s eyes narrowed and he ignored the question. “When are you going to marry her and stop living a life of sin?”
“When she says yes,” he countered.
The priest gave a heavy sigh of defeat and shrugged. “The princess’s idea holds some merit. There are enough abandoned homes that we might be able to renovate them. With appropriate funds, of course.”
“I’ll speak to my father.”
The priest’s face grew troubled. “Will he listen to you, now that you’re no longer the heir?” It was a valid concern.
