Chapter Twenty-Eight
The last two days had been unbearably lonely after the argument she’d had with Magnus. She ate in her parlour to avoid him. It took her a day to realise that she needn’t have bothered, as he had already left the palace, and it had felt as if her heart had broken for a second time.
There was one comfort in her solitude. Margarite had discovered that Sonja’s engagement had been broken off, so she presumed Magnus had spoken with Hans and discovered the truth.
Although, she had not seen Hans or Sonja so she couldn’t be sure.
Tonight was the coronation ball, the official ceremony would take place in only a couple of days.
There was a knock on her door, and Margarite went to answer it.
A short time later she returned, with a huge bunch of alpine flowers in her hand.
‘His Serene Highness sends you these. He will be waiting in the grand hall for you. He wants you to know that he’s sorry, and he hopes to make things right. ’
Selina stared at the flowers. Had he picked them himself? Was that why he’d left the palace?
‘Shall I put them in water?’ asked Margarite hesitantly, as if she were half-afraid Selina would throw them out of the window.
Selina nodded firmly. ‘Yes, please. And then help me change. I’ve decided not to wear this dress.’
Margarite stared at the white-and-sapphire gown in surprise. ‘Is something wrong, Ma’am?’
‘With this gown? No. But I have decided to wear my crimson one.’ Selina smiled. ‘It’s more…me.’
She no longer cared what the aristocrats of Thrudheim thought of her. She wanted bright and vivid colour to comfort her tonight. She also wanted to remind Magnus of who she was—if he still disapproved of her, then so be it. At least she would know.
As she entered the grand hall, her title was announced, and everyone turned to look at her. At least this time she didn’t have any punch to drop, and she ignored the stares, searching the room for Magnus instead, but she couldn’t see him anywhere.
A moment later she was surrounded by a flood of dignitaries, including the Duke of Solberg and Lady Nora.
‘Your Serene Highness, you look…colourful this evening,’ said the duke with a raised brow.
‘I hoped to speak with you about an important matter. My jewellery crafters have always received the patronage of Princess Helga, and I had a letter from our most skilled artisan this afternoon, Mr Ingvarsen. He asks permission to create a special piece for your birthday and has provided several suggestions. Jewellery is such an intimate choice. I thought you might like to read it, before giving an opinion…’
‘Oh…’ Selina fumbled with the letter as it was thrust towards her. All eyes were focused upon her, and she had the distinct impression they were waiting for her to stumble and fall, which only made her more nervous and the letters blurry. She picked out a few words, but struggled to focus. ‘I…’
‘It is in English, Your Serene Highness. I took the liberty of translating it for you.’
The prod made her spine stiffen. This was a test. Lady Anne must have told her cousin about her struggles with reading and writing.
Selina helplessly scanned the paper trying to pick out some words as quickly as possible but failed to do even that.
There was mention of a tiara, but Princess Helga’s name appeared repeatedly as well.
Was it explaining what Princess Helga preferred, or suggesting alternatives?
‘This does seem a tricky choice,’ she said feigning confidence before carefully folding up the letter. ‘Perhaps I should take some time to consider it.’
Lady Nora smiled maliciously. ‘The choice is between a tiara and a bracelet, is it not? Forgive me, Your Serene Highness. I happened to catch a glimpse over your shoulder.’
Selina did not trust this unlikely ally, so she said, ‘Yes, but perhaps I need time to really consider what would be best.’
‘You are mistaken, daughter,’ said His Grace.
‘You must have read that Princess Helga received a bracelet for her birthday last year. The choice for Her Serene Highness is between a tiara and a necklace. I imagine it was difficult for you to read that from your current position.’ The man’s eyes glittered with triumph, and Selina had the sickening realisation she had been led by the nose to this humiliating situation.
The men and women gathered around her exchanged glances, not of confusion but of knowing judgement. They had been testing a theory about her, and she had proven them right. ‘I… I struggle—’
‘Let me see the note,’ barked an imperious voice to the side of her, and Selina nearly jumped out of her dress.
Magnus was standing beside her, or rather looming beside her. He looked furious, and her heart sank as she handed him the letter. She had let him down, proven how useless she was. She wanted nothing more than to let the tears flow and run straight from the ballroom to her bed.
As their fingers brushed, she glanced up at his face.
His expression was as hard as granite, but when his eyes met hers, his chin with the delicious dimple dropped a little, and his expression gentled for a single breath before he focused on the paper.
Was it her imagination or was he trying to reassure her?
With a sharp flick of his wrist the paper was shaken open, and he frowned down at the contents. ‘You say you translated this, Solberg?’ asked Magnus with a raised brow.
The Duke of Solberg nodded with a sharp sniff of his long bloodhound nose. ‘I did, Your Serene Highness.’
Magnus’s head tilted as if he were trying to decipher a puzzle. ‘There is no shame in admitting you have an impairment.’ He stared down at the letter and then back at the Duke of Solberg. ‘I hear spectacles are most useful at improving penmanship, and lorgnettes are quite the rage.’
Selina couldn’t help but smile. ‘Indeed, all the dandies adore them in London,’ she added.
Magnus handed the letter back to her. ‘A diamond and ruby tiara would suit the sovereign princess well…to match her beautiful gown. It is your favourite colour, is it not?’
She nodded. ‘It is.’
‘It suits you well. But you know your own mind. So, choose whatever you wish, and I will commission the earrings to match.’
‘A diamond and ruby tiara sounds delightful,’ she said and grinned.
‘Perfect!’ declared Magnus. ‘I will pay for the earrings. I have to say it is very generous of you to pay for the tiara, Solberg…very generous.’
‘As you wish, Your Serene Highness.’ The Duke of Solberg dipped his head in disgruntled agreement, and then Magnus offered her his arm.
‘Will you join me for a turn about the room?’
Selina nodded and took his arm, unable to hide her proud smile as they walked away from the disgruntled aristocrats. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered, ‘for saving me…and for the flowers.’
‘There is nothing to thank…especially as the flowers were sent as an apology for my terrible behaviour. Just as you have struggled with the written word, I have struggled with my emotions. I still do. But I want you to know that I am deeply sorry for how I have behaved, and I am determined to make things right. Sonja will not have to marry that man, so do not worry about that. All I ask is for you to be patient with me.’
She smiled sadly. ‘I am not well known for my patience.’
‘You will not have to wait long. I swear it.’
He turned her towards him and tilted her chin up with his gloved hand before brushing the gentlest of kisses against her lips.
‘You look beautiful tonight, as you did in that gown on the very first night that we met. You captivated me that night, and without you I would be lost, trapped in an empty room of my own making.’
‘I forgive you,’ she whispered. Even if he could not love her fully as she loved him, she could not abandon him.
But he shook his head. ‘Not yet. I still have more work to do. But I promise… I will make things right.’