His hand faltered. Barely. But she saw it.
And she smiled.
“Go on,” she whispered. “Burn it all down. I’ll be the one still standing.”
The vicar opened his book.
Then a voice ripped through the chapel like a thunderbolt.
“I would advise you to let her go.”
They all swung around.
Standing in the doorway, coat dark with rain, eyes cold as a winter storm, was Prince Alexander von Hohenzoller-Siegmaringen.
Sera’s prince.
Maddie’s eyes flew wide. What washedoing here? Relief slammed into her the same time as that thought.
Her mother gasped, one hand flying to her throat. The color drained from her face, confusion warringwith dawning horror as she looked between them. “Who are you?”
The prince ignored her as his gaze dropped to Maddie’s wrist, still locked in Paisley’s grasp.
His jaw flexed, eyes flicking back to the duke. “What,” he said softly, “are you doing?”
“None of your business, Your Royal Highness,” Paisley sneered.
“It becomes my business when you manhandle my wife’s friend.”
“She’s willing.”
“She doesn’t look willing.”
“I’m not here willingly!” Maddie exclaimed.
“No one asked you, pet,” Paisley said.
“She just told you,” the prince said with a sneer. “Take your hand off her. Now.”
Paisley’s grip tightened, and Maddie winced.
“You overstep,” the duke hissed.
“And you violate every code of decency,” the prince said, stepping forward. “Let. Her. Go.”
Paisley squared his shoulders. “Going to challenge me to a duel, Your Highness?”
“If it’d work faster, yes. But I’d rather drag you before a magistrate in chains.” The prince’s voice dropped. “So I’ll ask one last time. Unhand the lady.”
Paisley hesitated.
Maddie seized the moment. Her fingers slid into her coat pocket, closing over the etched silver edge of her etui. She didn’t pull it yet. But braced herself to do so at any moment. “I swear,” she hissed, “I’ll bite your hand off if you don’t release me this instant!”
The prince didn’t smile, but his eyes gleamed. “You heard the lady.”
Paisley flushed, then slowly let her go. Only to snatch her elbow instead.
Drat this man!
