Norah, despite Nanny’s poking and prodding, hadn’t spoken much to the Maker since her parents had died. There hadn’t seemed to be any reason. After all, he hadn’t saved her family or her island. She had only made it out alive because of Nanny, and every plan she had made since had revolved around a fate she could control–one she could purchase herself if she only saved enough money.
But now, for the first time in a decade, she realized she wanted something more than simple escape. Thisman deserved more than the lot he’d been given. No matter how much she tried, though, she couldn’t see any way to fix it.
I don’t know how to fix this,she prayed again silently in a sudden wave of desperation.Just let me do it somehow.
Phillip didn’t play for long. A few songs later, he returned the violin, took her now heavy reticule, wound it around his wrist, and swept her into a dance with the other couples, their bare feet sliding through the sand. And Norah found herself looking up into his brown eyes in the golden light of the setting sun, and she found that she had forgotten how to breathe.
Because the way he was looking down at her now was different from how he had ever looked at her before. The warmth of his large hands on her waist matched that of his eyes, and suddenly the distance between them, though small, was too distant still.
“I’ve never danced like this before,” she whispered in an attempt to clear her head. “I… I was too young back on the island.” And she meant it. The country dance her neighbor had pulled her into had been nothing so close. Not at all this intimate.
His response was simply to pull her closer so that shehadto be aware of him… and only him. The heat of his breath on her forehead made the rest of her seem cold by comparison, and in a flash she realized that–for the first time in her life–she could see herself staying with this man…
And this man alone.
But unlike the fears that had plagued her those first couple of days, she no longer feared waking up to a stranger every morning. Rather, she found herself wondering what it would be like to wake up every day with the desire to know this man more.
And that in itself was frightening. So frightening. Because if she stayed, it would mean that she could no longer cling to her hope of starting again. There wouldn’t be any escape from the past that haunted her like smoke in the air. For better or for worse, whether she broke his curse or not, she would beentwining her life with his until he disappeared into himself, or they somehow miraculously managed to heal what no one else–not even the great Prince Everard–had.
What if she loved him, but the silence didn’t break?
They headed home soon after that. Lady Freya would be worried if they stayed out too long, and though this observation made Phillip roll his eyes, he gave her a wry smile and led her back to their shoes.
By the time they made it back to the palace, Norah’s head was a jumble of fear and excitement and hope and despair. To her relief, they hadn’t set the palace ablaze with anxiety over their absences, and she breathed a sigh of relief as he walked her back to her room as he always did.
When they stopped at her door, though, Norah was distinctly aware that something between them had changed.
Phillip seemed aware of this as well. Instead of his usual bow and polite kiss to her hand, he let his lips linger, brushing over her knuckles a moment longer than necessary, his brown eyes holding hers like he never wanted to let go.
And with a good deal of fear, Norah realized that she didn’t want him to either.
Chapter 10
A Princess with Red Hair
Three days after their secret escapade into the city, Norah sat on the breakfast balcony watching Phillip practice boxing, yet another of his many physical outlets.
Norah couldn’t help smiling slightly as she wondered whether Nanny would think her spectatorship scandalous. Phillip was fully clothed, but his shirt stuck to him with sweat, and she had a better-than-usual view of his shoulders. In Norah’s defense, she had never specifically thought to ask Nanny if ladies ought to watch their betrothed practice punching others in the face–even if she had a pretty good idea ofwhat her nurse would think.
“You were the one who wanted me here,” she murmured as though Nanny were beside her.
“Enjoying the view?”
Norah’s face flushed as she realized she wasn’t alone. She turned to see Lady Freya’s husband, Sir Oliver, join her.
Had he heard her talking to herself?
What didhethink of her presence here?
“No. I mean, yes,” Norah stuttered. “It’s just that…”
He waved her off and shook his head. “I’m only teasing.” Heleaned against the railing and looked down at Phillip and his trainer. “He’s quite impressive, isn’t he? Ten years my junior, and I was never his equal.”
“I know it may not be ladylike,” Norah said, her cheeks still warm, “but watching him… it’s like a window.” She shook her head. “I don’t know how to explain it.”
“He has very few ways to express his passions,” Sir Oliver said gently. “If I recall correctly, you only met a few times as children before your betrothal contract was signed, yes?”
Norah nodded. “I have a few memories of him, but nothing special. Just glimpses and introductions and such.”
