‘She has already accepted another offer.’
A laugh slipped from Raleigh’s lips – a sharply exaggerated burst of derision.‘Do you expect me to believe that?’He didn’t bother to keep the mirth out of his tone.‘I seldom leave Rostenburg, and even I know you’re the laughing-stock of the aristocracy.No one wants the blood money of a social-climbing nobody.’
‘Except for you?’
‘Oh, I don’t want the money,’ the prince said lightly.‘Think of it as a political arrangement, if you will.A glorious union between our two houses.’He spread his arms wide as he spoke.‘It’s what you wanted, isn’t it?To marry your daughter into nobility?’
‘Not—’Not to you,he was going to say.It was obvious to me, and I knew it was obvious to Raleigh, who was buoyed by the outcry.
‘Perhaps we should ask her.I know exactly how much your word is worth.’
The prince crossed the room until he was standing all too close.He held one hand out to me, as though inviting me to waltz.It should have been a charming gesture, but all I could imagine was his talons digging into my flesh.‘Clara, is it?Do you hear the lies your father is spouting?’
I bowed my head, hoping to disguise my trembling.‘He isn’t lying.I am already promised to another.’
‘Oh.’He sounded bored.‘I assume this is the baker who ruined your prospects?We can always kill him.’
‘You can’t!’I grasped the hand he held out to me, purely out of reflex.The room was warm from the fire, but his skin felt frozen to the touch.‘Don’t you dare hurt him.’
‘I’m only joking.’He yanked his hand from my grip and flexed his fingers, his expression unreadable.‘An engagement is easily broken.’
‘I love him.’
His face clouded.‘That’s a shame.’He took one of my hands and planted a chaste, gentlemanly kiss on my knuckle.His lips were as cold as his hand, but they were softer than Yann’s.When he spoke again, his words weren’t for me.‘This isn’t a request.I demand your daughter’s hand as payment for all you’ve done.’
‘I haven’t done—’
‘Be quiet, Juri,’ the prince snapped.His grip on my hand tightened painfully.‘I am giving you an out that you do not deserve.You know this could be so much worse for you.I am looking for a bride.’His grip loosened, his voice turning soft.‘And you have such a lovely daughter.’
‘Do I not have a say in this?’I asked.
For the first time Raleigh was caught off guard.I didn’t know what he was alluding to regarding my father – if he really had done something or if Raleigh was making him the scapegoat for a crime of his own.But I wasn’t going to sit here and let my future be negotiated as payment for something I didn’t understand.
‘Of course you have a say,’ the prince said.‘You may come with me willingly, which I feel we’d all prefer, or I can drag you to the castle myself, conscious or otherwise.’
I lifted my chin.‘Why should I have to suffer for my father’s actions?’
‘I have no intention of making you suffer,’ the prince said.‘This is hardly a punishment.You should both be grateful.’
‘No crime is worth this,’ I said.
‘No?’He released my hand and straightened, brushing down his spotless coat.‘I actually think he got off lightly.Shall we tell her, Juri?She ought to know, don’t you agree?’
Father gripped the back of the settee so hard it was a wonder the fabric didn’t tear under his fingers.‘It’s for the best, Clara.’He wouldn’t look at me.
What?The words cut through me like falling ice.My legs felt weak, as though they could no longer hold my weight.A horrible smile carved across the prince’s lips.
‘You can’t mean that,’ I said.I was engaged to Yann.He knew that – he’d given his blessing.Would he really trade his own daughter just to save face?
Father continued to speak, listing the reasons why this match would be advantageous, but I wasn’t listening.Couldn’t listen.My ears rang, horror and rage flaring up within me.All the while the prince stood over me, his terrible smirk drifting in my periphery.
Finally, Father finished his piece.I could tell I was supposed to agree with whatever he proposed.I said nothing.
‘Well, I’ll take that as a yes,’ Prince Raleigh said.‘Have someone ready your horses, will you, Juri?I’m afraid I came without.’
‘Give me a day,’ I blurted.The prince hooked an eyebrow.‘I– I’ll marry you … I just … There are loose ends.I need time.Just one day to say goodbye.Please.’I crumbled into silence under the scrutiny of his stare.
The prince’s eyes burnt into me, scrying into the depths of my mind.I waited, not breathing, for him to scoop out the lie.But heonly sighed.‘Very well.You may have a day to say your goodbyes, and I will return to collect you tomorrow at sundown.How does that sound?’
