“Ormond? What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I—I—I’m confused.”
“About what?”
“I thought you lovedme.”
She cringed, not enjoying the way he whined. Her heartbeat pounded in a panicked rhythm, and she stood. “What are you talking about? Didn’t my father inform your mother I wanted to marry you?”
“Uh, yes.”
“Then why are you confused?” Clarissa inquired, although really, she knew the answer to her own question. Once more, Ryder’s words returned to haunt her.Do I really love the prince?She was certain Ormond held feelings for her, but now... Did she love him?
“The way you were talking about your friend, it seems you love him more,” he muttered.
She really hated it when he didn’t speak up. What kind of man was he, anyway?
When she caught her inappropriate thoughts, her mind screeched to a halt. She was finding fault with him. In fact, she really wasn’t even enjoying being around him. That wasn’t good if she planned to marry him, was it?
Nervously, she flipped her hand in the air and released an uncomfortable laugh. “You think I’m in love with Ryder?”
He nodded, but lowered his gaze to the floor.
Oh, dear.Her mind played back the way she had talked about Ryder in front of the prince, and sure enough, it had sounded like she was infatuated.
Clarissa couldn’t exactly tell Ormond that shedidn’tlove Ryder, because she did. They’d been the best of friends for too many years and had shared so much. How could she not love him? Unfortunately, telling the man she wanted to marry that she did love Ryder wasn’t a smart thing to do, either.
“Don’t worry, Ormond. Ryder and I are just friends. The best of friends.”
His mouth pulled tightly as he shuffled from one foot to the other. “I understand.”
His voice was so low she barely heard him. Well, she must somehow change the subject of their conversation before the tension between them thickened.
She cleared her throat and asked, “Shall we adjourn to the music room?”
Ormond shook his head. “No. I think I’d better leave now. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He spun around and moved toward the door.
“Tomorrow?” She quickly stepped around the table to stop him. She didn’t want him coming too early, since she had to make another visit to the tower. “What time tomorrow?”
He glanced at her over his shoulder, but didn’t keep his gaze on her for very long. “Morning?”
“Um, actually, morning is bad for me. How about mid-afternoon?”
“All right,” he said. “If it pleases you, I’ll bring more flowers.”
This time, his attention stayed on her face as he awaited her answer. She smiled the best she could and nodded. “I would very much like more flowers, thank you.”
Slowly, his mouth lifted in a grin, but it wasn’t the kind of pleasant grin she thought he’d display. In fact, his expression almost appeared...calculating, as if he had the upper hand somehow.
As she watched him leave, she realized this evening had been full of surprises. Mainly in the direction her thoughts had taken during the meal. How had she ever found that man attractive and good company, when he had been quite the opposite today?
###
IT WOULD RAIN TODAY.
Ryder frowned as he stared out the curtainless window. Gray clouds filled the sky, and they were only getting darker as the morning progressed. On days like this, nobody wanted to take a jaunt just to bring food to a prisoner in a tower, which meant Clarissa would not be coming today.
He glanced at the meager scraps of food still left in the basket. There was enough to keep him alive, but just barely. To be sure, he’d not have energy due to the lack of nutrition today. Perhaps in that way it was good he couldn’t move far, thanks to his chains. However, if Clarissa didn’t come and bring him some books to keep him company, he’d go mad with nothing to do. Indeed, in that case, he would only be able to think about his hungry stomach and solitary confinement.
