Page 6

A lex.

The name suited him well.

And she hadn’t lied. The sight of him… Truly reminiscent of a Greek mythology hero!

She had thought him handsome before, but seawater didn’t do a person any justice.

Except in his case, it flattered him even more.

Sera propped herself into a sitting position and set the book aside. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alex.”

His gaze fell on the book, and he arched an eyebrow. “ Matters of the Heart ? Interesting reading material.”

She closed the book with an audible swish and left her flat hand on it, as if pinning down evidence of a crime.

Heat rose to her neck, burning her cheeks, and she dared not meet Alex’s gaze.

“It’s not what you think,” she blurted, although his raised eyebrow suggested otherwise.

Though, why she felt the need to defend herself baffled her.

She wasn’t committing a crime, after all.

“It’s supposed to help me catch the attention of the man I have my sights set on. ”

“That’s exactly what I thought.” He gave a lopsided smile that stirred something within Sera, as if swirling her insides around. “And have you such a man?”

“There’s a man,” Sera admitted slowly, word for word. “My sights are set on him. But not for the reasons this book might suggest.”

She probably shouldn’t be so forward with a stranger, but then, she was betrothed to a complete stranger.

That logic would deem this—whatever time spent with Alex—harmless.

Society would consider this scandalous, while her betrothal to a man she’d never met would be considered ordinary.

And the man had rescued her from the ocean!

At the very least, he wasn’t a total stranger.

With those warm eyes of his, he deserved far more than her gratitude.

Her heart, she mused, though it was a notion she wished to bury in the sand like a little crab.

And she could make him less of a stranger.

What did the book say again?

A lady must always conduct herself with the utmost propriety in the company of a gentleman, ensuring her manners are impeccable and her demeanor reserved. Above all, she should never find herself alone with him, for such indiscretion might cast a shadow over her reputation.

Sera bit her lip—she needed to ensure they could be alone.

“Come with me,” Sera said, reaching for his hand as he followed her over the slippery rocks in the shallow creek.

“Where are we going?” he asked, grasping her hand with a moment’s hesitation.

Feeling the urge to be closer to the refreshing water, Sera slipped off her shoes and stepped onto the smooth rocks in the shallow creek. The cool water lapped at her ankles, bringing an immediate and delightful shiver.

She turned and smiled at Alex, who watched her with an amused yet baffled expression.

“Not joining me? Too attached to those Hessians?”

“I’m joining you,” he replied with a grin, but his eyes connected with hers in a way that tugged at her soul. He removed his boots, set them aside, and rolled up the hem of his trousers before following in her footsteps.

He still looked so handsome, she kicked her foot and splashed him with water, disturbing the small fish that swam by.

“Minx,” he muttered. “As if getting drenched this morning wasn’t misery enough.”

Sera’s laughter rippled through the air like a melody, infectious and bright.

She walked a little ahead of him, her fingers dancing through the tall grasses along the bank.

“You’ll survive,” she teased, nodding toward a patch of swaying white flowers with sunny yellow centers.

“Those are oxeye daisies. They thrive this time of year—June to August is their big show.” She didn’t wait for his reply, already pointing to a cluster of rich blue blooms tucked farther down by the water.

“Bluebells. They’re usually gone by May, but isn’t it delightful to imagine them lingering?

Like little rebels refusing to stick to the schedule. ”

“Rebels, are they?” Alex raised an eyebrow. “I’ll try not to trample their cause.”

“Better not.” Sera grinned, moving toward something new.

Giddiness filled her as she gestured toward a stretch of soft pink flowers spilling over the edge of the path.

“Cornish Heath,” she said with evident affection.

“They’re famous on the Lizard Peninsula, but look—here they are, playing tourist like the rest of the us. ”

“Oh, how special,” Alex drawled, his tone dripping with enough fake interest to make her scoff.

“You know, for someone following me around gaping at flowers, you lack proper enthusiasm.”

He smirked. “I wouldn’t say gaping.”

“Fine.” She tilted her head. “Would it kill you to pretend I’m an excellent tour guide?”

“You’ve memorized some names. Congratulations.” His voice was flat, but the twinkle in his eyes gave him away. “That said, you’re passably… diligent.”

“Oh, passably? Now I’m intrigued.” Heat rose to her face. She shot him a look but couldn’t quite suppress her laugh. She wanted to impress him. Really impress him. He had an air about him that seemed to draw her ambitions out.

Kneeling to pick a bright orange-red blossom, her tone softened. “And these,” she said, brushing her fingers over delicate scarlet petals, “are common poppies.”

Sera suppressed the impulse to slap her hand over her face. Common poppies.

There was so much more to say about their delicate flowers adding a splash of color to the rugged landscape along the cliffs.

But when she looked up at him, the bright sun illuminated him from behind, and he cast her such a warm look that even the sun felt cold.

Sera forgot what she wanted to say. “The seeds taste wonderful in scones.”

“I know poppies. Also, poppy strudel.” His voice was lower now, his accent curling warmly around the word. “They grow everywhere in Europe.”

Her breath hitched slightly as she glanced at him. His face was angled toward her, but his eyes… they weren’t on hers. They were fixed somewhere else—maybe on her mouth?

Sera blinked, suddenly aware of the way the moment stretched between them. Her pulse quickened, a warm flush creeping into her neck. “Then you’ll appreciate them as much as I do.”

“Oh, I’m appreciating something,” Alex murmured, almost to himself.

She turned away quickly, her fingers trembling slightly as they grazed the petals again. She didn’t look up this time, not trusting herself to hold his gaze. But she could feel it—his eyes on her, intent and unguarded—making her heart stumble over itself in a way that no flower ever had.

Sera wasn’t sure what to make of it. It was as if a thousand butterflies had entered her belly and fluttered about madly.

Their eyes met, and she swore the summer sun bathed his dark eyes in a golden hue, making them sparkle like crystals.

How romantic of you, Sera!

Which was ridiculous, even to her. She considered herself the least romantic person on this planet. Her voice tried to remain steady, but inside, her heart raced each time their hands brushed or their eyes met.

He’s a “somewhat” stranger, she reminded herself.

Sera retreated a step, and to her horror, her foot slipped on a moss-covered rock. She gasped, her arms reaching out instinctively for balance. Before she could fall, Alex’s strong hands caught her, pulling her close against his chest.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Their eyes locked, and Sera felt all those butterflies fluttering to her lungs. The heat of his hands on her arms sent sparks shooting through her body, igniting something—a sort of thrill, she thought, that she had never felt before.

“Are you all right?” he asked softly, his voice filled with concern.

“Yes,” she whispered. “Thank you. You keep saving me from near disasters.”

“You seem rather prone to them.”

She laughed. “I promise, I’m not usually this way. There must be something in the air this season.”

Perhaps it’s you.

“Well, whatever it is, I hope it passes by quickly.” She rather hoped not, especially if this man was there to catch her each time.

Too bad he wouldn’t be.

The loss of him surprised her—mattered more to her than she’d anticipated.

“Are there other, less watery places that are just as pretty?” he asked.

Sera’s mind raced over all the options. The market was lovely, but there were too many people. The new library? Too many books. “There’s the cherry orchard.”

“Orchards? That sounds rather intriguing.”

“I’m happy to be your guide. I’m glad I get to share my knowledge.”

“You make it sound like you’ll never share it again.”

Sera shrugged. “You never know what the future might hold.” She was unsure where the prince would take her if she failed in her plans. “But for now, I’m here. You’re here. We’re here.”

“I quite like the sentiment.”

So do I.

*

Alex followed Sera through the orchard; the soft murmur of leaves dancing in the breeze filled the warm afternoon air. He had only ever been to local apple orchards with his brother and sister before, so this was refreshingly different from the area around Bra?ov where he grew up.

This young woman was spirited and sweet—and so pretty.

Yet, she didn’t carry her beauty with artifice or flirtation; it simply threaded through her like the warm light of the Cornish sun glinting off the waves.

It wasn’t long before Alex realized something much deeper shimmered beneath that outer grace.

It was the way her eyes sparkled with life when she spoke of a plant or a half-forgotten tale.

He found himself watching her more closely than he intended, captivated by how she seemed made of the very landscape they wandered together.