Page 98

They exchanged light pleasantries, but he was acutely aware of her questioning stare, almost hidden by her smile. And how, after one quick glance at Annalena’s ring finger, she hadn’t looked that way again.
Suddenly his collar felt too snug. Was Annalena right? He and Elise had never discussed marriage or a relationship. But had he inadvertently raised expectations?
He’d been so determined to identify a suitable spouse who wouldn’t demand too much, he hadn’t considered her perspective.
His gut tightened. He’d told himself he never used people the way his father had. But the lines between them were more blurred than he’d thought. He’d been as ruthless as Karl, fixated only on getting what he wanted without considering others.
Too late to worry about your conscience. You’re making Annalena marry you, even knowing she hates the idea.
‘Elise, let me introduce you.’ He turned to Annalena. ‘Princess, I’d like to introduce Countess Heldenbruck. Countess, I don’t believe you know Princess Annalena of Edelforst.’
After greetings were exchanged, Annalena surprised him by saying, ‘I believe I know your cousin Paul, Countess.’
‘Really?’ Elise’s smile looked less brittle than a moment ago. ‘He hasn’t lived in Prinzenberg for years.’
‘I met him on a field trip in Scandinavia.’ She continued with an amusing anecdote about a research trip that involved dog sledding into the wilderness. She painted Elise’s cousin as a saviour when the team ran into difficulties. Benedikt watched with gratitude as the Countess’s expression eased.
A few minutes later they moved through the press of guests towards a dais. The buzz of conversation grew loud with speculation. Some of those closest had noticed the emerald on Annalena’s finger and hurried to spread the word.
But no one broached the subject with him. Protocol demanded a royal announcement.
Between nods and smiles Annalena murmured, ‘That was her? The woman you mentioned?’
Benedikt’s pace faltered, his head snapping round. But Annalena’s expression revealed only the same mild pleasure she’d shown since entering the room.
She was even more perspicacious than he’d thought. Neither he nor Elise had uttered anything but social niceties.
He should feel embarrassed, introducing his fiancée to the woman he’d considered marrying. But he’d planned a convenient marriage, not a love match. Annalena could hardly be jealous.
‘It was.’
‘She’s extremely beautiful, and, I think, intelligent.’
She was right. Benedikt wouldn’t accept any less in a wife, but he couldn’t say that to the woman he was forcing into marriage.
‘Yes, she is.’
But no more than you.
Something else he couldn’t say.
‘Thanks for putting her at ease. I hadn’t realised…’ He shook his head. ‘I put her in a difficult position. It was cruel of me not to warn her about tonight.’
To his surprise Annalena’s expression softened. ‘I don’t see how you could. There was too much at stake. But I’m glad you realise it.’
At the end of the room he slowed his step, holding her gaze. ‘Ready?’
She nodded, making the crystals on her translucent cape shiver like winking stars. Her eyes were just as bright. He wished he knew what she was thinking.
Taking her hand, he guided her up the steps. The room hushed as they turned to face their audience.
He could have heard a pin drop when he made the announcements. First he introduced Annalena then explained they planned to marry and rule jointly.
Stunned silence spun out until someone nearby broke into cheers that were rapidly taken up until the ballroom swelled with the din.
There was no way of knowing how genuine the applause was. He saw stunned expressions, one or two heads shaking. But there were plenty of smiles too.
Meeting Annalena’s eyes, he saw a flash of something he couldn’t name. His conscience wavered and he realised with devastating clarity how much he asked of this woman. But he couldn’t pull back.