“Yes.” He made no denial of what he’d done. “And I won’t walk away from her when she has to face her father.”
When she reached the house, Serena saw a stunningly beautiful dark-haired woman waiting. Dressed in an emerald gown trimmed with lace, the woman sent her a blinding smile.
“You must be Princess Serena.” The woman dropped into a curtsy. “I am Hannah Chesterfield. Fürst Michael is to be my husband next week.” With a soft laugh, she added, “I imagine my mother is ready to send an army after me. I’m supposed to be worrying about fittings and wedding details at the moment.”
Serena returned the greeting, and Hannah continued a stream of cheerful conversation as she led her into the dining room. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve already arranged a meal for us,” the young woman said. “I thought we could talk and get to know one another better. Youarecoming to the wedding, aren’t you?”
Serena didn’t know how to answer. “I’m certain my father will go. I don’t know if my sister and I will be permitted to attend.” It was as close to the truth as she could manage.
Hannah’s smile turned forced. “Oh. Well, I do hope you can.” She drew her inside the dining room and gestured for Serena to sit opposite her. “There’s so much I’ve been wanting to ask you.”
Within moments, a servant brought in the first course, a lobster bisque with a dollop of cream floating in the center.While the footman ladled out the soup, Hannah said, “I heard that you and Karl wed in secret.”
A pang of regret settled inside her, but Serena managed a nod. Though she hated lying to the prince’s bride, neither could she admit that she’d lived alone with Karl for the past week. “No one knew of our wedding,” she said.
Because it never happened.
Hannah studied her carefully, as if she were trying to read the truth. “There’s more to Karl than most people would see. He might appear arrogant and rude, but beneath it all, he’s a good man. He saved my life once.”
Serena’s eyes filled up with tears. It was true, and though she believed it was best for Karl to go on and leave her here to face her father alone, she knew it would never happen. He wasn’t the sort of man to turn from a fight.
She left her soup spoon beside the bowl, unable to bring herself to eat. Inside, she felt sickened. Though the guard, Captain Feldmann, had disappeared, she knew what his presence meant. She had less than a day before her father arrived. Or, at least his men, if the king couldn’t be bothered to come.
“You’re crying,” Hannah said suddenly. “Is everything all right?”
Serena could only shake her head. She folded her napkin and left the table, her stomach in knots. Hannah followed her, but Serena didn’t want to reveal her problems to a stranger. It wasn’t her way to confide secrets, and she took a moment, trying to gather her thoughts up.
“I’m sorry if I said anything to upset you,” Hannah said quietly. “I made Michael bring me with him, because I thought you might want some female companionship. And perhaps we could…be friends.”
Serena swiped at her tears, trying to gather her composure. “Would you like to spend some time together?” Hannah offered gently. “Perhaps we could visit the village?”
The young woman meant well, and it might be a good chance for her to understand what had happened to Karl and the kingdom of Lohenberg. “All right.”
Within the hour, both women were inside Frau Bauherzen’s shop. Serena could tell from Hannah’s strained expression that the fabric choices were nothing like she’d expected. Though the dressmaker was skilled enough with patterns and designs, most of the materials were little more than muslin and tarlatan. There was also black bombazine and a full array of mourning clothes.
Hannah came alongside her and said, “It’s not quite what I had imagined.”
“If you could arrange for fabric from Lohenberg to be sold here, it would help,” Serena suggested. “The selection is quite limited.”
Hannah gave a nod. “I’ll mention it to Michael. Something should be done.” She moved in closer, lifting a length of white muslin. Lowering her voice to a whisper, she murmured, “Am I correct in presuming that you and Karl did not wed one another, as the servants believe?”
Serena kept her gaze downcast, but gave a single nod. Inside, she felt such confusion. It was her fault that the servants believed the lie. Though it had given them a false air of respectability, she didn’t know what to do about it now.
A gloved hand touched hers, and she saw Hannah’s solemn expression. “Do you love him?”
“I don’t know,” was all she could whisper. How was she to understand what love was? Everything about Karl confused her. He’d lost his kingdom, and though he’d wanted to regain it through a hasty marriage, the choice had always been hers. Not once had he forced her to bend to his will—he’d only coaxed her into feelings she didn’t understand.
“If he were to leave you, and you’d never see him again, how would that make you feel?” Hannah asked.
Serena could give no answer, for it would be as if someone had cut her in half. She could only meet Hannah’s gaze, letting her see the emptiness in her heart.
“Karl can’t stay with me,” she said at last. “If he remains here, my father will kill him for what he’s done. He has to leave, but he won’t.”
Hannah squeezed her hand. “If you want to be with him, I’ll do what I can to help you.”
“I don’t know what he wants from me,” she whispered. “Even if I did wed him, he could never be prince consort.”
Hannah pretended to study a length of lace. “If he’s still here, I don’t think he cares about your throne any more, Princess Serena.”
