“So do you wonder why you are suddenly feeling this way?”
She shrugged. Ryder had done something to her mind, because she couldn’t stop thinking about his words...and because of that, her headache grew worse. Confusion filled her thoughts, and she wished it would disappear.
“Oh, Ryder. I just don’t know anymore.” She moved away from the window and toward the stairs. “I should head back home now.”
“Wait.” Ryder jumped off the cot and came as far as he could before the chains stopped him. “Will you do something for me during our time apart?”
“I don’t know. It depends.”
“Clarissa, all I want you to do is think about what I’ve said in regards to Prince Ormond. You owe it to yourself to dig deep inside your heart and really know what you want out of this marriage, and especially, what you expect from the prince.”
The pain in her skull pounded harder. “Fine. I’ll think about it.” She took two more steps before he called out her name, making her stop. “What now?”
“I just wanted to thank you for the food and water.”
Her heart clenched as guilt washed through her again. “You’re welcome. Is there anything special you need me to bring you tomorrow?”
“Books, perhaps? Reading would certainly help pass the time.”
Inwardly, she scolded herself for not remembering to bring those today. “Yes, I will remember to bring some books from our library.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Now, I must leave,” she muttered and turned toward the stairs, but a shining object on the floor caught her attention. It was Ryder’s sword. How could she have forgotten about it? She quickly picked it up before hurrying down the stairs. By the time she reached outside and was mounting her horse, tears stung her eyes.Not again!What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she remain firm in her determination to keep Ryder away from her until she was married? If she couldn’t keep her emotions in check, a doctor’s visit would be forthcoming very soon.
THIRTEEN
“Did you receive theflowers I sent you earlier today?”
Clarissa sat across the supper table from Prince Ormond and smiled. “Indeed, I did. Thank you, again. They are such a nice gesture.”
He nodded as he picked up his roll, and spread butter on it. “It delights me to know you enjoy them so much. And of course, they smell heavenly. Don’t you agree?”
“They certainly do. I’ve not smelled anything finer.” She quickly shoveled another bite of fish in her mouth. She didn’t want to tell him she hadn’t smelled the flowers today. When she’d returned from the tower, her headache kept her from doing anything productive for the rest of the day, and she feared smelling the flowers would make the pounding in her head worse.
She swallowed her food and looked up at him again, trying her hardest to keep a smile on her face—or at least to appear as if she were enjoying herself. She decided to take Ryder’s advice and try to get to know Ormond a little better.
