Page 24 of His Unforgettable Bride (Bride Ships: New Voyages #4)

Twenty-Four

Then the two young creatures are left together to understand each other if they can, and to

love each other if they will.

A round of gut-wrenching tears had left Juliet drained, and her face was undoubtedly red and blotchy. She preferred not to open the door until she had time to compose herself and sort through everything that had transpired—the good, the bad, and the befuddling in between.

She hadn’t wanted to believe Ruby’s news last night. She’d tried hard to deny the truth about the paper with Gray’s picture. She’d made up one excuse after another for why it couldn’t be him. And she’d tried to act like nothing had changed between them. But it had.

It had been selfish of her. After all he’d gone through, he deserved to have his memories back. It’s just that she wished he had different memories of a different past. But they confirmed every aspect of what the poster had detailed. Gray was the prince of Bascandy.

As a result, the fragile start of a future together now lay broken and scattered between them. Even though Juliet loved him, there was a literal kingdom to consider. Yes, she loved him. It was time to admit the truth to herself fully.

But look where that love got her. She finally opened herself up to the possibility of a bright future, to belonging, to having everything she’d once lost, only to lose it all over again.

Wouldn’t she be better off having never met Gray and falling in love with him?

Sniffling, she leaned into the door’s crack with her hand on the latch. “I need more time before we continue this conversation.”

“But I shall leave soon to check on my friend and valet Dobbin to let him know I walk among the living. Afterward, I shall return.”

Already his old life called to him. “You don’t need to come back.”

“Please open the door, Juliet.”

If she widened the opening, he’d see her vulnerable side. She wasn’t ready for such a thing and might never be again. “I’m sorry, but I’m…numb.” The sensation would fade, unlike her heartbreak. “It’s wonderful you recall your family and your home, Gray—I mean Henry.”

“Call me what you prefer. I have grown fond of the name and you.”

Juliet drew her hand to her chest, heart pounding against her palm. What she felt for him shined brighter than fondness . It was like comparing the moon’s glow to the sun’s brilliance.

“While in Victoria, I shall speak to the constable about my kidnapping and Ruby’s blackmailing attempt. One way or another, we shall stop her before she steals one item from the sisters.”

“I hope you’re right, and please don’t worry about me.”

“An impossible request.” His long, slender fingers wrapped around the door’s side, a sliver of his white cuff showing. “You mean everything to me.”

Between the agony in his voice and the emotions barreling against her chest, she considered yanking open the door and throwing herself into his arms. Instead, she tried to rouse her strength, toughness, and good sense with a few sturdy breaths.

She’d learned plenty since her first etiquette lesson, but not enough to court a prince. He deserved the best wife—an actual princess who curtsied on cue and chose the right fork at the dining table on her first try—someone who understood the difference between a spoon bonnet and a cottage bonnet. And a proper young lady who never uttered Holy Moses , dad-blamed , or snakes alive .

His bride would be gentle, soft-spoken, and elegant, unlike her. If he didn’t realize that yet, he eventually would. And although he may profess that he was fond of her and she meant everything to him, that was now. Once he returned to his normal life and routine, he’d soon see her for who she really was—an orphan maid who didn’t belong in his world.

If they stayed together, he’d eventually grow tired of her, resent her, and find a way to cast her aside, just like everyone else in her life had.

Besides, the prospect of mingling with royalty other than him tangled her stomach into a messy knot. She’d forever be judged. And who wanted a lifetime of being condemned?

Nobody in her circle of friends. “I’m not being a martyr, but you deserve someone better than me. Someone familiar with your royal world. Someone polished.”

A thump, which opened the door a smidgen wider. Did his head hit it? “There is nobody better for me than you. However, you deserve to know that my life is full of rules and rigors. A person could wilt under the censure of not feeling good enough. I have multiple times. Yet, I believe together you and I can conquer anything.”

What a sweet and far-fetched claim. Also, who had deemed him inadequate and how dare they? “Do you want to discuss the disapproval you received? Because I find it hard to believe anybody could find fault with you.”

“That would be a long conversation, and I admit I am partially to blame. Another time, perhaps. What is important now is that you realize we belong together.”

Belong? Did she belong anywhere? Even with the sisters? Would they accept her if they knew everything about her, especially the deepest secrets about her past pickpocketing days? Maybe she’d been foolish to think she could finally have her secret dreams come true. And perhaps she would be better off if she locked such a dream away again, keeping her free from more hurt and disappointment.

“Even though my memories are back, I want to keep being the person you have come to know.”

Although his heart and soul had not changed, being royalty set him miles apart from everyone else. “But a carpenter is approachable. A prince…is not.”

“I am me at my foundation, and you are you. It is as simple as that.”

She scoffed. “I find it hard to believe you truly think our situation is simple.”

“My royal status is admittedly a large bite to swallow, but it does not need to separate us.” Frustration had crept into his voice.

How could it not? The monarchy was a giant, unmovable wedge slammed directly between them. From where she stood, it appeared insurmountable. “We will miss each other greatly. In time, we’ll undoubtedly agree our parting is for the best.”

He adjusted his grip on the door. “No.”

His opinion wasn’t the final say-so. Her decision counted as much as his. “What do you mean no ?”

“I love you, Juliet.”

Warmth and tingles rippled through her, top to bottom. His honeyed words stuck to her heart as she stared at his fingers, longing to kiss each knuckle. I love you, too was what she wanted to say. But she had to set free the charming and almost too-good-to-be-true prince of a man. He deserved a kingdom of happiness, the precise thing she wanted most for him.

Other than for a brief span, they had led vastly different lives and were woefully incompatible. “I don’t fit into your world anymore.” A soft chiding in the back of her mind told her she was spouting excuses. But it didn’t matter. She had to let him go.

“I disagree and believe you need more time to ponder the matter.” After a moment, he added, “If I could give you one thing, it would be for you to see yourself as I do.”

Tears welled inside her, and she swallowed what she could. The remainder leaked onto her cheeks. The old Juliet would have rolled her eyes in disbelief. Now, a lovesick fool and practically a lady, she refrained.

“When I return, we shall discuss this, along with our fu?—”

“Don’t say it.” Her throat tightened.

“Why?”

“It’s too much,” she whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of her emotions.

He was silent for several long heartbeats. “Speaking of too much, there is one additional matter I feel obligated to mention before I depart.”

What? That his family had two kingdoms instead of one? “I’m listening.”

“I am betrothed to another.” His words hung heavy in the air. “Though I shall end the arrangement immediately once I reach Bascandy.”

She gasped and then lightly pressed her head against the door. As tears flowed, she mopped them with her sleeve. She would never divide a man and woman, whether already wedded or on the brink. Wasn’t that why she had left Manchester, to not come between Molly and her husband?

She closed her eyes. It was easy to picture Gray’s handsome face—winsome brown eyes, a regal nose, and perfectly full lips. Any minute, thanks to her, his expression would crumble. She couldn’t bear to see it, not even in her imagination.

Still, in her heart, she knew what to do—beckon her strength and walk away. One day, he’d understand. “I’m incredibly sorry, but don’t come back, Henry. Ever.”

“Wait—

Juliet closed the door.

After he rapped on the door twice and called her name, she moved to the bed, buried her head under a pillow, and wept.