“Plans? You think I should have some sort of plan now?”
He chuckled, wanting to play the flirtatious game she’d started. “You forget, I work for your father. The guards hear all the gossip, and the latest gossip is that you need to find a husband.”
A frown claimed her face, and he wanted to kick himself for making the light disappear from her eyes. “Forgive me if I spoke out of turn,” he quickly apologized.
She shook her head. “There’s nothing to forgive. I just don’t like this particular subject.”
“May I ask why?”
“Because I don’t feel as though I’m ready to marry, but my parents feel differently.”
“Why don’t you think you’re ready?”
“I don’t know. I just don’t think being a wife and mother would be very exciting for me right now.”
“Do you believe the queen has a boring, tedious life?”
“Of course not.” She rolled her eyes. “My mother is very active and loved by all.”
“Do you not think you’re like her?”
Stopping, she huffed and placed her hands on her hips. “Really, Ryder. What a ridiculous thing to ask. There is no way I’m like my mother, and you should know that about me by now.”
He arched an eyebrow. “The girl I once knew was exciting, adventurous, and sweet-natured. All the other children in school adored her. I couldn’t tell you this then, but all of the boys wanted to marry you. And not just because you’re a princess.”
She laughed.
“You were nice to everyone,” he continued, “and you willingly gave of your time. If someone was sick, you arranged to take them a basket of food. If someone in the village couldn’t afford to buy their children clothes, you created a volunteer group to find materials and seamstresses to make them clothes.” He cocked his head. “Tell me, Clarissa, how is this not like your mother?”
Her face flamed with a crimson color. “All right, so maybe I’m alittlelike the queen.”
“Are you afraid of being a mother, Clarissa?”
One of her shoulders lifted in a small shrug. “I don’t know. I fear I won’t know how to teach them or be a good example for them.”
He moved in front of her and took hold of her hands. Her eyes widened and she sucked in a quick breath.
“Clarissa, I think you will make a wonderful mother, mainly because you had such a great example. I’ve seen you several times throughout our childhood caring for those less fortunate, and don’t forget the children in the hospital. They love to see you and they feel your love for them.” He rubbed his thumbs across her knuckles.
She offered a tender smile. “You are too kind.”
“I’m just being honest.”
“Well, perhaps I’m scared of the unknown. Meeting men, and deciding if they are going to be the right man for me, is frightening. What if I choose the wrong man and I’m miserable for the rest of my life?”
He held his breath, not believing what he just heard. She’d saidman. Not prince, or king, or lord...butman. Dare he hope he had a chance with her?
“I don’t believe that will happen. I’ve always known you to achieve whatever you set your mind on. You have never let anyone sway your way of thinking before, so why would you in this particular circumstance?”
“Ryder,” she shook her head, “you are making it very difficult for me to feel bad about this new phase in my life.”
“Did you want to be alone while you sit on the pity-pot?”
She chuckled and tugged her hands away from him. “You are just awful, Ryder Grey. Did you know that?”
“Actually, I think you like me.” He took hold of her hands once more. “But tell me if I’m wrong. Tell me that my words didn’t stir something inside of you that made you think differently about your situation.”
She narrowed her gaze as though to scowl, but the grin on her mouth let him know she was being playful again.
