“What do you think my heart is trying to tell me?” she whispered.
“That perhaps you were too hasty in wanting to marry the prince?” There. He’d said what was on his mind. Apprehension hammered through his heart, and he hoped she wouldn’t get offended by his honesty. “Think about it, Clarissa. I want you to tell me how you felt that morning before you met him. Can you recall that time?” He certainly could. He hadn’t stopped thinking about it.
The color of her eyes changed slightly, appearing greener, and the worried lines on her face softened. She cuddled her face against the palm of his hand. “Yes, I remember. I had a very enjoyable morning at the hospital, and an even better afternoon while riding with you.”
“Do you remember telling me you didn’t think you were ready for marriage?”
“Yes.” Her smile faded. “My parents thought I should have found a man to marry while I was visiting my cousin, and when I returned home without a husband, they were devastated.”
“Exactly.” He winked. “But then you met Prince Ormond that evening. Do you recall the thoughts you had right before meeting him?”
She nodded. “I couldn’t wait for dinner to be over so I could talk to my father about...you.”
He wanted to laugh with happiness, but he remained serious. He needed her to say what he’d been waiting for—that she knew something was amiss, and that she realized the truth at last. “What did you think of the prince?”
Chuckling, she pulled away, but only far enough so his hand could drop. She lowered her gaze to the basket beside her as she traced her finger along the edge. “When I first saw him, I thought him to be too shy, and extremely awkward. I didn’t think he was eye-catching, either.”
Ryder recalled that all of the king’s guards thought this when they saw Ormond.
“But after he’d given me the flowers...” She shrugged. “I don’t know. I saw him differently.”
He waited a few moments for her to realize what she’d said. Because the spell was still lingering, he was certain the importance of her words would take time to sink in.
Soon, her brow creased and the frown deepened. When she met Ryder’s gaze again, her eyes widened.
“Didn’t you mention something about the flowers being cursed?”
It took all of his willpower not to shout with joy. He nodded. “I did right after you had chained me to the wall.”
She leaned toward him and touched his hand. “What were you talking about? All I remember about that night was being very vexed with you and not wanting to hear what you had to say.”
Adrenaline beat inside him harder than it had done when she had first locked the chains on his wrists and ankles. She seemed as if she would be more receptive now, and he felt he could tell her everything. Now he prayed she realized that he was right about Prince Ormond.
FOURTEEN
Clarissa rubbed herforehead, wishing the slight pounding would disappear. She’d been feeling this way a lot lately, and it was only when she was in deep thought about Ryder. However, this time, she just couldn’t ignore the promptings to examine this matter further.
