He considered her words and then winced. “I should let him know that I intend towedyou,” he stated.
“It’s probably best if you ask if you can do so,” she suggested. “Although, you are a sultan’s son, so maybe you don’t have to?” she added with a shrug.
“I do not wish to offend your father,” he countered. “He has been most gracious taking me, a stranger, into his home,” he added. “And I sense he will not easily give you to me. He holds you in high regard. I shall have to devise a plan.”
Adeline gave a start. “A plan?” she repeated.
“A proposal,” he countered. “An offer.”
Not quite sure what the sehzade had in mind, Adeline gave him a watery grin, deciding she wouldn’t remind him that he really should include her in the proposal.
“I will see you to your room,” he said as he closed the book and set it aside. He rose from the couch and turned around to help her up.
“Meet me at the statue of Aphrodite in the morning?” she whispered.
The dim light from the fireplace illuminated his brilliant smile. “Yes. It seems I may owe her my gratitude.”
The two made their way out of the library and up the stairs, the hall clock chiming twice.
