Page 41 of Charmless

I felt as though I had been tossed into the middle of some mad play where everyone had their parts all wrong, Florian appearing as the hero while Horatio transformed into a villain.

The prince was performing his part nobly, tossing back his hair and shaking his fist in the air while he railed against Horatio. “What a hard-hearted wretch. Arresting a poor unfortunate little waif! I vow that when I become king, I will remove that arrogant commander from his post and send him crawling off to patrol the swamps.”

Florian’s speech was greeted with applause. Although I was dismayed by Horatio’s actions, I leapt to his defense.

“Please, Your Highness,” I cried. “I am sure Commander Crushington meant no disrespect. I daresay he was only trying to do his duty. He is a very loyal servant of the crown and... ” I trailed off as I realized my defense of Horatio was not playing well with the prince. Florian regarded me with a mighty scowl.

I have never been good at pandering to anyone’s vanity, but I tried to assume a flattering smile. “Commander Crushington was vexed with the boy for interrupting your performance. We all enjoyed your singing so much. Perhaps young Mr. Piper does need to be taught a lesson, but I am grateful to you for being so magnanimous to him.”

The ire faded from Florian’s eyes. He was quick to seize the advantage, stealing his arms about my waist.

“Grateful enough to marry me?” he murmured.

“Um – no.”

My response elicited gasps of disbelief and disapproval from the crowd, especially the ladies.

“What is wrong with that girl?” one exclaimed.

“I tried to tell all of you,” Ardelia Vanderwix spoke up. “She is completely mad. She actually enjoysrunning.”

I expected Florian to be vexed as well, but he grinned. “Still being coy, Ella? And yet you cannot deny I have been making inroads upon your heart.”

No, not so much as a single paving stone, I could have assured him.

“That was quite an enthusiastic kiss you gave me.” He smirked.

I grimaced. What the prince mistook for enthusiasm had merely been relief that no tongues had been involved.

“Perhaps another kiss and a few more love songs and you will be mine.”

“No!” I braced my hands against his chest as he tried to draw me closer. “Surely Your Highness must have more important things to do than sing to me all afternoon.”

“No, my entire day, indeed my entire life is at your disposal.”

His words elicited sighs from the women close enough to hear.

Florian bent lower. He clearly meant to kiss me again in front of half of Midtown. From the ardor in his gaze, I feared there would be tongue this time.

Squirming to get free, I blurted out, “But what about your father?”

I flung out the words in sheer desperation, not expecting them to have any effect. But Florian halted mid-pucker. He drew back, frowning.

“What about my father?”

“I heard that the king is very ill.” Aware that these were not tidings the palace wanted bruited about, I lowered my voice to a whisper. “Perhaps even dying?”

“Who told you that?”

“The king’s own majordomo.”

“That man is entirely mistaken! My father is not dying, but yes, I do admit he is quite ill.”

“Then should you not be with him?”

I sensed this was not a subject Florian cared to discuss. His hands dropped from my waist, and he averted his gaze.

“Perhaps I should be at his bedside,” the prince said. “But I find it unbearable seeing him so weak and ill. I may have always been my father’s favorite, but we do not get along that well. I have no idea what to do or say to bring him comfort.”