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Page 27 of His Unforgettable Bride (Bride Ships: New Voyages #4)

Twenty-Seven

I would, on many grounds, caution the

young against hasty engagements.

“G ood day to you, sir.” Henry bowed after finishing his business with the Everly constable before leaving the jail.

Afternoon snow flurried in every direction as he moved toward the rented carriage parked in the street, where Dobbin dutifully waited. Their steamer had arrived in Everly forty-five minutes prior.

With one pressing conversation complete, another more significant one followed—explaining to Juliet the details of his pending arranged marriage. He still kicked himself for not giving her all the facts immediately after his amnesia faded. His only excuse was having a brain heavy with memories, questions, and the driving need to check on Dobbin.

Now he had to make Juliet understand he had only ever loved one woman—her. And to convince her they belonged together. As the new King, could he not continue to smooth the way for Juliet in Bascandy, like in Everly?

He would do his very best.

Ruby’s recent incarceration was another matter to discuss. According to the constable in Victoria, she had committed many crimes, not counting the theft of her former employer’s jewels, including the Queen’s brooch. Henry alerted the lawman of Miss O’Reilly’s blackmail attempt, which would lengthen her imprisonment.

Henry quickened his pace, eager to see Juliet. As much as he longed for a bride of his choosing—someone full of life, kindness, and charity—did she want him? Certainly not before he broke his engagement to Faith.

“Henry!”

At the sound of Tabitha’s voice, he turned and drew his collar tighter around his neck to ward off the wind. She approached from the bank, a tall whitewashed structure in the backdrop. He tipped his hat. “Good afternoon. I was on my way to pay you a call.”

She smiled in that familiar way of hers. “Me or Juliet? Either way, we are delighted.”

“You are on to me. How is she, by the way?”

“Well, indeed.” Tabitha’s voice dropped. “Yesterday, she informed us of her hardships and misdirection after her grandfather’s death. Fortunately, she persevered.”

Juliet’s admission of being a pickpocket, a well-buried secret, was monumental. His chest swelled with pride on her behalf. “May I offer you a ride? I need help with a plan, and you are the perfect person to assist me.”

Her brow cocked. “How intriguing, and I’d appreciate a lift. Not a snowflake in the air when I left the house earlier.”

He offered his arm, and she linked with him before they moved toward the carriage, snow crunching beneath their boots. Few pedestrians or conveyances traversed the sidewalk and street, likely due to the disagreeable weather.

Dobbin, standing by the door, assisted Tabitha into the coach. She sat on one side, with him and Dobbin on the other springy red cushion. The combination of black walls, drapes, and dreary sky forced him to squint in the dimness.

Introductions followed as the carriage jerked forward, the road bumpy beneath the wheels. After exchanging pleasantries, Henry leaned back against his seat. “I had a long talk with Mr. Blake moments ago. Apparently, a man named Victor Thayer coordinated my kidnapping to receive a handsome ransom.”

“He is under arrest, is he not?” Dobbin asked, his fair brows knitted.

“Yes.” There was no reason to tell Tabitha or Dobbin the remainder of what Mr. Blake had said. Henry’s ruse had worked, fooling his kidnappers into thinking he had hidden on the second steamboat after his escape. The steamer left the dock for Victoria with the men still on board, searching high and low for Henry, who had jumped into the water.

Eventually, the pair returned to Everly, the last place they had seen him. Not until after the tearoom open house, with everyone whispering about a missing prince at the local saloon, did the kidnappers find Henry’s trail again.

“You know, Henry,” Tabitha said, “it is good you did not leave Everly with Miss O’Reilly during the open house. Otherwise, the kidnappers may have followed you to Victoria and captured you a second time.”

Or perhaps not. He doubted his entourage, mostly Dobbin, would permit him to wander away for a similar plot to unfold. “Do you honestly believe Juliet would have permitted me to leave town with her foe, even if that meant sitting on me to stop the departure?”

“Never in a million years.” Tabitha chuckled.

“I can barely wait to make Miss Dash’s acquaintance.” Dobbin grinned. He usually remained stoic when in public, but Everly had a way of changing people.

“You’ll adore her as we do,” Tabitha said.

When the carriage driver stopped before the sisters’ home, Dobbin quickly exited and waited at the door to assist Tabitha.

The northern wind whipped inside through the opening and sprinkled snowflakes onto Henry’s trousers, which he brushed aside. “Will you please give us a moment, Dobbin? I want to speak privately with Tabitha before we leave the carriage.”

“Of course.” After bowing, Dobbin silently closed the vehicle’s door.

Henry met Tabitha’s gaze directly. “May I financially compensate you for expenses incurred during my stay?”

“Heavens no. We were happy to assist you however possible.”

“Thank you.”

Tabitha nodded. “You might be interested to know that I received a letter from my brother this afternoon.”

“All is well back in England, I hope.”

“It is.” A moment passed before she added, “I don’t believe I told you, but when Alex stopped by the house, he asked me to help fund his upcoming trip home.”

Henry raised his brow. “No, you did not mention that detail, though it was none of my business.”

“My nephew’s request perplexed me at the time. I couldn’t imagine Nolan not providing for his son. Especially since he requested Alex return home directly. My brother is known for his generosity.”

“I am sorry.” Although they never learned what specific crime Alex had committed up north, swindling seemed like a strong possibility. “If only our family members behaved exactly as we preferred.”

“Yes, because we know best.”

He smiled. “Indeed.”

“Now what was this plan you desire my help with?”

Ah, a much better topic. “There are critical matters I must discuss with Juliet and prefer to do so privately. And perhaps romantically.”

“Intriguing. Leave the details for Livy and me. But I must ask, are you intending to propose marriage, young man?”

“Ideally, yes, but sadly, not today. I still need to convince her that we are well suited, though I fear she would abhor the acute attention she would receive at the palace. It is stifling, to say the least.”

“Understandable, though Juliet has a sturdy backbone.”

“That is true.” Not for the first time, he admired Tabitha’s faithful support of her charge. He also appreciated that she treated him as an equal, with no indication that his royal status made a fraction of a difference in their relationship.

“I suspect you’ll easily persuade her.”

He was less convinced. “Except there are two things you do not know about me.”

“Then, by all means, do tell.”

“I am the new King of Bascandy and engaged to another woman.”

“Oh my stars.”

* * *

“Juliet, it’s time for another lesson.” Tabitha’s smile was vast, and her eyes were as bright as the lantern she gripped.

“You look pleased this evening.” Juliet rose from her knees beside a new shipment of tea from India, the spicy scents spilling from the crate she had unpacked. The shop had closed an hour earlier as dusk had settled.

“Do I?” Tabitha’s grin faltered a notch. “I suppose I am. Though my afternoon started poorly due to the surprising snow, it vastly improved.”

“Some days definitely follow that pattern.” The night of the open house sprang to mind as Juliet reached for her shawl draped over a chair and tossed the garment over her shoulders. “On what topic is my next lesson?”

“Hmm…I don’t know the specifics. You’ll have to ask your instructor.”

What had Livy planned this time? Probably something essential, such as what jewelry to wear in season or out. Never mind that Juliet had nothing of that sort. Yesterday, Livy spent two hours reciting personal care recipes, everything from cold creams and the cure for chapped hands to tooth powders and rose lip salve.

All important, perhaps. Yet less than riveting.

They exited the tearoom and crossed the slippery cobblestone pathway, the ice momentarily slowing their steps. Juliet gripped Tabitha’s elbow to keep her from falling. Stars had replaced the earlier snowflakes, dotting the sky with sparkly diamonds.

As they entered the back door to the kitchen, Icala turned away from the stove and revealed a wide grin. The scent of roasting meat also offered a warm welcome. “It is a good day, is it not?”

Fairly run-of-the-mill, in Juliet’s opinion. She stomped the snow off her shoes onto the braided rug and started to shed her shawl. “I’m glad you think so.”

“I’ll take your wrap.” Tabitha extended her arm, her overcoat still buttoned to her chin. “You go on ahead to the library.”

“Enjoy your lesson.” Icala shooed her toward the hallway with his wooden spoon.

Juliet glanced at the floor near his dark shoes to ensure he hadn’t dripped a droplet. Satisfied he hadn’t, she nodded and left the kitchen. Why all the smiling and enthusiasm about Livy’s instructions? Of course, there was nothing wrong with their keen interest and support. However, a suspicious person might wonder why they were almost giddy.

Juliet would have preferred to take a minute or two to tidy herself, but apparently, there wasn’t time. She freed her hair from the binding, stuffed the leather piece into her pocket, and threaded her fingers through the strands before entering the library.

She halted abruptly at the sight of lit candles everywhere. On the mantel, the coffee tables, and scattered on the bookshelves. And there was Gray, standing before the fireplace, his back to her, flames licking the hearth. A dark blanket and wicker basket were splayed on the floor behind him. An intimate picnic. Had she ever seen anything more romantic and lovely? No and then he turned around.

He was as handsome as she remembered, maybe more so, if possible. Hungrily, she drank him in, from his cleanly shaven face to the tips of his shiny black boots. His brown waves were tamed and shorter than before he left Everly. But his golden-brown eyes hadn’t changed a tinge. They still had the power to weaken her knees.

“You’re back.” She said the only thing that came to mind, which ended up being the obvious.

He chuckled that masculine laugh, deep and throaty.

The sound of it, along with everything about him, sent shivers tingling up her spine.

“You look beautiful.”

She tucked his sweet compliment deep inside her heart, where she stored all his others. “I’ve worked all day and am likely a mess.”

Shaking his head, he approached her. Was there wariness in his eyes? “Trust me, you are the best thing I have ever seen.”

Her hands grew clammy, and she swiped them on her uniform’s stiff skirt. What about the two unmentioned matters that loomed large in the library—he was still a prince and engaged to somebody else? “I was to report here for a lesson. Does that make you my instructor?”

“Not at all, and the lesson was mine to learn, never yours.”

What in the tarnation was he talking about? Was she the instructor? No, she had no wisdom to impart. She glanced at the wicker basket. “I assume Icala is to thank for our private meal.”

“Yes, he, Tabitha, and Livy helped with this little surprise. Shall we investigate what he has prepared?”

It was almost as if Gray wanted to court her. But he’d leave town soon, and the man had a fiancée. Not one thing since Tabitha had entered the tearoom minutes ago had made a speck of sense.

When she nodded, he reached for her hand and led her to the blanket where they sat. She tucked her legs beneath her skirt as the fire sizzled over his shoulders. “I’m surprised there isn’t a chaperone on duty.”

“Cy and Livy, along with my friend, wait around the corner in the drawing room. Later, I would like for you to meet him.”

“I’d like that, as well.” It wasn’t every day she met someone from his past. In fact, she had never experienced the pleasure.

He unpacked the hamper—slivers of rare roast beef, deviled eggs, thick rye bread, cheese squares, and a currant-and-nut pudding in individual tureens.

After Gray blessed the meal, he filled his plate. Oddly, Juliet had no desire to eat, only to sit and stare at him instead. A notable cleft dented his chin, something she’d missed when he wore whiskers. She fought the temptation to fit her finger into the groove.

His attention swerved from his full plate to her face. “Your gaze is quite intent.”

“I’m curious what is on your mind.”

He wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Two critical items. First, the chief constable visited me the day I arrived in Victoria and reported Ruby was already under surveillance for additional crimes. She is now locked in a cell, awaiting trial.”

Holy Moses. Emotions bombarded Juliet, everything from relief to sympathy for her tormentor. “I am tongue-tied.”

“The good news is she cannot hurt you anymore. Perhaps her captivity is the push she needs to change her life. For the child’s sake, I did ensure she received the reward money.”

“Thank you.” Juliet’s heart squeezed. Her old roommate was a tried-and-true criminal. But then, so was Juliet, once upon a time. Childhood pickpocketing was still stealing, no matter how a person twisted the facts and made excuses. Starting today, she would pray for Ruby and her baby. Would someone kindly help raise the little one, much like Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood had taken in Tabitha and Livy? Please let it be so.

Juliet reached for the pudding tureen and sampled a delicious bite. “I told the sisters about my past. They reminded me God loves me as I am.”

The intensity of Gray’s stare sent her stomach spinning. “How true. That leads to my second point, my lesson, if you will,” he said. “I made a monumental mistake when I left before explaining my relationship with Faith.”

“Your intended?”

“My temporary intended. She and my brother loved each other fiercely. After his death, my parents moved me into the groom role.”

“Without your permission?”

“That is how my world works back home. But rest assured, I intend to break our betrothal as soon as I arrive in Bascandy.”

Was ending a royal engagement that simple? Juliet suspected not. “But if the King has decreed the wedding, is that not an unbreakable contract?”

Gray’s eye twitched before he drew a deep breath. “Unfortunately, when I was in Victoria, I learned my father has also died.”

“Oh, Gray.” She reached for him and wrapped her arms around him in an embrace. First, he’d learned of his brother’s unexpected death. Then he waded through his amnesia, and now this. What an onslaught of woes in a short span. “I am immensely sorry for your loss. You must be eager to return to your family.”

“It is complicated.” With one final squeeze, he broke their embrace to capture her hands and held them tight against his chest. “Now that my father is deceased, I am no longer Prince Henry. I am King Henry.”

“King?” The word carried a stuffy, unrelatable ring. Rulers belonged in fairy tales and the Bible, not sitting on the library floor, for heaven’s sake.

“I am heir to a throne I never wanted. More than anything, I long to propose marriage to you, but alas, it is impossible until I break my engagement.

Juliet fought the urge to nibble her fingernail. But it wasn’t ladylike, and someone had hold of her hands. “By refusing Faith, you’ll go against your parents’ wishes.”

“I believe Mother shall change her mind after meeting you.”

“Meets me?” Juliet’s voice squeaked. Had she ever had more questions arrowing through her thoughts than now? Granted, Gray’s royal world was more foreign to her than a pickle fork on the day she first arrived in Everly. “Is she nearby?”

“No, but I propose you travel to Bascandy with me to meet my family. I shall talk to Faith and explain the situation. Afterward, you and I shall wed if that is agreeable.”

She released his hands and clutched a handful of skirt. Could she believe Gray had her best interest at heart? A tiny voice inside her whispered no, that eventually he would tire of her and reject or leave her.

“I see your hesitation. It is not unheard of for an heir apparent to abdicate and give up the throne for one reason or another. Perhaps that is what I should do.”

Juliet’s chest grew tighter than a wedding band one size too small. Not in a million years would she allow him to make a sacrifice that impacted an entire kingdom. He’d make an ideal ruler with his innate kindness, strength, and intelligence. “Absolutely not. Bascandy needs you, and you’ll be a wonderful King.”

“Thank you, and perhaps.” He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Does that mean you have agreed to come with?”

Her heart thumped wildly. Was she truly considering traveling abroad with him? Was she a mad woman? “When would we leave?”

“After we round up a few of my men who still search for me. However, they shall return on another ship if we do not find them soon.”

Juliet’s thoughts continued to leap back and forth and sideways. Not for a second did she yearn to become a queen who resided in a palace while others scraped to exist. Also, being judged for the rest of her life soured her stomach.

But she had to push past her fears, take this next step, and finally let herself dream of having more in her life. Because the truth was, she didn’t want to live without Gray for a fraction of a second if the possibility of a life together existed.

Maybe, and hopefully, she could help minister to the downtrodden in Bascandy one day. Less fortunate folks lived everywhere in the world, didn’t they? She’d be a fool to turn down the opportunity, especially with Gray at her side.

And yes, she needed to start thinking of him as, and calling him, Henry. Because that’s who he really was, and that’s the life she would have to accept for him and for them.

He ran his finger over her wrist, stirring up an explosion of tingles inside her. “What are you thinking?”

To kiss him until their troubles faded was one idea. Instead, she drew a sharp intake of breath. “If I travel with you, I have three conditions. First, I’d like to seek guidance from my bride-ship friends.”

“A perfectly reasonable request. What else?”

“While your engagement remains intact, you and I won’t share intimacies.”

“I agree.” His brow rose. “And your third requirement?”

“It’s more of a revelation than a stipulation.” She had to tell him the truth, even though he still belonged to someone else. “I love you unconditionally and to a dizzying degree.”

His lips trembled as sincerity filled his warm eyes, giving her hope they’d find a way to piece together their vastly different lives. “I am lightheaded with love myself.”

“Then it’s good we’re sitting down.”

“Indeed, and it is good we established firm rules for our relationship.” His gaze flickered to her lips, then rapidly away. “For I am dying to kiss you.”

Slowly, she nodded. As much as they loved one another, her future remained unresolved. Would she travel to Bascandy only to turn around and retrace the waves back to Everly because he couldn’t break his engagement to Faith? If so, she’d return alone. Never would she permit Henry to forfeit his country on her behalf.