Page 40 of Charmless

Still chuckling, the portly Warrington accorded Tom a mock bow. “I do beg your pardon, Mr. Piper. I am sorry for the misunderstanding.”

His wounded pride mollified by the man’s apology, Tom shrugged, “’s all right, mister.”

“This is far from all right,” Florian snapped. “Commander, I want this young villain clapped in irons.”

“But Tom has done nothing wrong,” I protested.

“He's a public nuisance, creating a disturbance and disrupting my performance.”

“Oughta give me a medal for that,” Tom grumbled, but Horatio quickly clapped a hand over his mouth before the prince could hear him.

Florian continued to grouse. “Perhaps a good thrashing and a day confined in the yoke of shame will teach the whelp some manners.”

“Oh, no! Please, Your Highness, the boy meant no harm.” I rested my hand on Florian's sleeve and gazed up at him. “Surely he does not need to be dealt with so harshly.”

Florian’s mouth set in a mulish line, but when he glanced down at me, something in his expression softened. “It would please you if I pardoned the boy?”

“It would indeed,”

“But someone must pay his fine.”

“How much would that be?” I asked anxiously, aware of how little coin I had in my purse.

Florian’s lips curved into a sly smile. “The merest trifle. Just a kiss.”

“I ain’t kissin’ you!” Tom said, producing another spate of amusement from the crowd. Even Florian gave a reluctant smile.

“Not you, imp. The lady!” The prince took my hand in his and smiled at me expectantly. I felt my cheeks heat, aware of all those eyes trained upon me, everyone waiting to see what I would do. I stole an uneasy look at Horatio and sensed the tension in him. His jaw was locked at a rigid angle, his hand clenched at his side.

How could I kiss the prince under Horatio’s very nose? And yet how could I not, I thought as my gaze shifted to Tom and imagined the lash of a birch rod against his thin backside. Surely Horatio must understand.

Tipping my face up toward Florian, I braced myself for another of his sloppy kisses. To my surprise, Florian pressed his lips to mine in a way that was respectful, almost tender. The kisslasted far longer than I would have wished, but never had the prince embraced me so gently.

The crowd erupted into applause. When our lips parted, the prince was beaming at me. I risked a glance at Horatio, fearing to see the anger in his eyes. His expression had hardened into a mask of stone.

Florian grinned and reached down to tousle Tom’s hair. Sensing his deliverance was at hand, Tom bore the patronizing gesture with good grace.

“Well, young man, this is indeed your lucky day,” Florian said. “You are free to go.”

“Thanks, Your Highness.”

The boy wriggled out of Horatio’s grip, but Horatio immediately collared him.

“Not so fast, Mr. Piper.”

The prince frowned. “What are you doing, Commander? I have pardoned the boy. Release him at once.”

“I am afraid I cannot do that.”

“I gave you an order.”

“With all due respect, Your Highness, I am pledged to uphold your father’s laws. Only he can issue a pardon.”

Horatio executed a stiff bow and dragged the boy away, heading back to Quad Hall. Tom did not try to resist. The lad looked stunned by Horatio’s actions, and he was not the only one.

The prince’s jaw dropped as though he could not believe anyone, even a Scutcheon commander would dare defy him. I was likewise gaping in disbelief. Horatio could be stern about his sense of duty, but he could have easily acceded to the prince and let the boy go. Was Horatio jealous about the kiss and taking his anger out on poor Tom? That was not at all like the good and decent man I knew.

Angry mutterings spread through the crowd. As a Scutcheon Commander, Horatio was not exactly a popular person in Midtown, but he had always been accorded a great deal of respect. Now a few even dared to boo as he hauled Tom through the Quad Hall gate, while the prince was being heaped with praise for his kindness to the lad. Everyone but me seemed to have forgotten it was Florian who had ordered the boy arrested in the first place.