Chapter Sixteen #2
It was only fair he divulge the truth to her, even though he’d prefer not to.
He pulled a face. “I was going to say that if I followed in my father and grandfather’s footsteps, then once I had an heir, I would be free to share my favors elsewhere.
I do not expect to remain with the woman I marry.
She is sure to be very tedious and will probably be as glad to see the back of me as I will her.
My family have never had happy marriages.
My grandfather married a woman approved by the Holtswig council, but he did not love her, and my father and mother…
” He hesitated but it had to be said, and she deserved the truth.
“They ended up hating each other, and you know how far and wide my father spread his favors. My mother too, after I was born. They considered they had done their duty, and it was time to enjoy themselves.”
She stared down into the water, as if she was intent on a ray of sunlight changing color the deeper it went, but he knew she was considering his words. “I’m surprised that your people are happy about our engagement then, if they want you to marry someone ‘suitable’ from home.”
Had he hurt her feelings? She didn’t sound hurt, just curious.
“Actually,” he said, “I’ve been told my people have been very supportive of our engagement.
The common people, I mean, not the aristocracy or the councillors.
They will always prefer to keep things as they are, and it is they who support my rule.
But the everyday men and women are delighting in the fairy tale we have created for them, Roberta. ”
She smiled, and seemed pleased by that, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m glad our fairy tale helps with your popularity, sir. When I agreed to it, I was more concerned with the possibility of you being killed.”
“Call me Niki,” he said sharply. “I like it when you call me Niki.”
“Niki then,” she said softly. “If you insist.”
“I do insist. I am adamant about it. In fact, it is a royal decree.”
Her soft lips twisted into a half smile. “Oh? What else do you decree? Should I curtsy like Edwina every time I see you?”
He heard himself say it, the yearning words spoken before he could force them back down. “I decree that you kiss me.”
Her eyes widened. She hadn’t expected that, but then her expression changed to something teasing, and he did not think she was averse.
She leaned in, her palm pressed to his chest, and her mouth was suddenly very close.
He could smell her, a combination of rose-scented soap and woman.
“Like this?” she whispered, warm breath brushing his skin.
Her lips pressed lightly to his, barely touching.
“You need to put more feeling into it,” he said, his voice gone husky. His hands twitched with the need to grab her and pull her close.
“More feeling?” she whispered, and this time her mouth was firm on his, and the tip of her tongue slid along his own.
“Better,” he said, but she wasn’t fooled. He felt her smile, and then he clasped her in his arms and pulled her against him. His mouth plundered hers, as if he was starving for her. As if all of his life, he had wanted nothing more than to kiss this woman.
Roberta did not seem to mind. In fact, she clung to his neck, her fingers tugging at his hair, and when he dived in again, she made little sounds of pleasure and need, as if she didn’t want him to stop. He certainly didn’t want to stop. He could have stayed by the pond and kissed her forever.
It wasn’t until she pulled away, eyes startled, and turned to look at the path they had so recently traveled that he realized they were no longer alone. A childish giggle sounded, and through his swimming senses, he realized it wasn’t the first one.
One of Roberta’s sisters stood there with an unpleasant smirk on her face.
“Georgia!” Roberta burst out, rather breathlessly. “What are you doing here? Are you spying on us? I will tell Grandmama, and then you’ll be sorry.”
Georgia sniffed. Niki was right in his assessment of her; she was an unpleasant sort of girl. “Why should I care?” she said. “You don’t frighten me. I will tell whoever I like.”
Niki could see that Roberta was at a loss. The girl wasn’t afraid of her threats, and in fact seemed to relish the power she had over her.
“Will you indeed?” he asked, watching her eyes widen as she turned to him. “Even though, as a prince, I can order your head to be chopped off?”
Georgia froze, staring at him, and then her mouth wobbled and she burst into tears. She whirled about and ran back the way she had come.
Roberta sighed but seemed to be trying not to smile. “You may be popular with the common folk, but I think your disciplining of children needs some work. She is probably off to tell anyone who will listen that you are about to have her executed.”
She may be right, but Niki decided he didn’t care. He had slain the dragon for her—well, her difficult sister—and he thought that she was actually rather pleased.
As they walked back, he took her hand in his, and they dawdled in the garden on the way to the house. It was probably time they returned anyway. They were unchaperoned, and even an engaged couple should have someone to watch in case they behaved in an inappropriate manner.
Niki wasn’t sure how he felt. Happy, he thought.
It was a fleeting emotion, but right now, with Roberta at his side, he was happier than he had been for a long time.
He had been right to become engaged to her, even if it wasn’t real.
He had been right to take this time for himself before returning to the serious business of ruling his country.
And he refused to think about the end. He would not.
“It is silly of me, but I—wish…” Roberta began to say, and then seemed to think better of it.
He might have asked her what she meant, although he had a strange feeling that he knew. She wished this was real and not a sham.
But then he caught a movement in the trees and realized they weren’t alone after all.
Of course they weren’t. One of Freddie Hart’s men was watching, ready for the next attempt on his life.
The thought sobered him. He had been enjoying himself, and now the happiness drained from him, leaving him feeling flat.
He tried to shake it off. He refused to allow whoever this person was to spoil his stay at Grantham. It might be the only time he was allowed here, because when the engagement was called off, then the dowager duchess would probably refuse to speak to him again.
Until then, Niki wanted to make the most of these magical moments.