PART 2: THE HERBWITCH PRINCESS
“Antonio, look at me,” Carla cried, taking his face in her hands. “I don’t want the duke. I want you. It has been you all along, don’t you understand?”
“But you accepted his hand.”
Her brown eyes clouded. “His Grace...you do not know him.”
“What did he do? Did he hurt you?” Antonio demanded, trapping her in his arms.
Carla gave into the embrace, pressing her cheek against his chest. “H-he forced me into the arrangement.” Her voice trembled like a flower in wintry winds. “Oh, my love. Help me run away. I don’t want to go through with it. I mustn’t go through with it.
—fromA Sailor’s Seduction: Tales of Romance at Seaby Erasmus Lenard
11
Two hours later, thecarriage rolled to a stop. Lord Frederick opened the door.
“We’re approaching the marketplace, milady,” he said. “It’s time to proceed on horseback.”
