Page 15 of The Accidental Prince (Accidentally in Love #3)

K arl was haunted by the vision of Serena’s bare skin. He’d mistakenly believed that he could help her unfasten her gown and corset without responding—but he couldn’t have been more wrong.

As he’d loosened every button, baring more of her skin, her womanly scent had aroused him to the point of physical pain. He’d wanted to kiss her bare back, to cup her full breasts and strip away every layer between them.

But then he’d seen the bruises that ran from her back around to her ribs. The yellowed skin revealed the healing, and it made him aware of just how abused she’d been.

From the extent of the damage, he guessed that her ribs had been broken. How could anyone do this to a royal princess? Disbelief and fury tangled within him, but he wasn’t going to let it happen again.

He would never let her leave on her own with no one but strangers to take care of her. She was too innocent to fully understand the danger.

Karl stared into the firelight, wondering what the hell he was doing. Somehow, he had to convince her that marrying him was her best option and that he would never harm her.

He lay back on his bed, a fiery ache plaguing his side.

He remembered Serena’s smooth hands passing over his skin and the way she’d touched him with such gentleness.

She’d been so tense when he’d unlaced her, as if she believed his control would snap and he’d force himself upon her.

She didn’t know just how close to the edge he’d been.

Though he’d brought her to the island with the intent of seducing her, forcing her to marry him…he couldn’t do it any more. Not after what she’d endured.

The sensible solution would be to bring her back to Badenstein, and let her go. But there was no way in heaven or earth that he could allow her to be threatened again. If she returned, she’d only become a victim, and it would be his fault.

Damn it all, nothing had turned out as he’d planned.

Karl rose from the bed, wincing at the bullet wound. He stood by the cold fireplace, wondering what he should do now. If his princess preferred to be a commoner…

A startling idea occurred to him. He’d simply have to convince her that being an ordinary lady wasn’t everything she believed it was.

In the morning, a soft knock resounded at the door. Serena buried her face under the coverlet, hoping the person would go away and let her sleep for a few days more. The warm cocoon of her bed wouldn’t allow her to emerge.

The knock grew louder, and the door opened quietly. “My lady?” came a woman’s voice. “I’ve brought your new dress, and your husband asked me to awaken you.”

Serena peeked over the covers and saw Frau Bauherzen standing at the door. In her arms, she held a package wrapped in brown paper. The woman apologized, saying, “I came last night, but no one was here. It was getting late, so I had to return home.”

“May I see the dress?” Serena asked, reluctantly rising from the bed.

Frau Bauherzen unwrapped the package, revealing the cream gown trimmed with cranberry ribbons and a matching red cloak. “Shall I help you?” the matron asked.

Serena sent the woman a grateful look. After she used the pitcher and basin to wash, she gripped the bed post while Frau Bauherzen assisted her with her corset and petticoats.

Then she raised her arms while the woman lifted the gown over her.

It was still a little large, but Serena was so grateful to be in clean clothing again, it didn’t matter.

“Thank you so much,” she smiled.

The woman bobbed a curtsy, but worry lined her face as she reached out to point toward Serena’s upper arms. “I see you have some bruises, my lady. Are you all right?”

Serena’s smile faded. “I suffered a fall down the stairs, several days ago,” she lied. “I’ll be fine.”

Frau Bauherzen murmured her sympathies, but Serena could tell she was still uneasy about them. “Shall I tend your hair?” the matron asked.

Serena sat at the dressing table, thrilled beyond words to have assistance. Though she was self-conscious of the bruises, she hoped they weren’t too noticeable. She could wear the cloak outdoors to cover her arms, or perhaps find a shawl.

Frau Bauherzen helped her untangle her hair, brushing it to a smooth sheen before coiling it and pinning it into a soft chignon. When at last she was ready, Serena offered, “Whatever your family needs, I shall see to it that you receive it.”

She started to instruct the matron to speak to Bernard, but then realized she didn’t know what had happened last night. “Come with me downstairs, and I’ll make the arrangements,” she finished.

She reached the dining room and saw Bernard standing near the door.

He appeared weary, and when she asked after his welfare, he admitted that he’d suffered no injuries.

“I am very glad to hear it.” She smiled and told him to provide Frau Bauherzen with a share of the supplies they’d received last night.

“What happened after I left?”

“I relived my past days as a palace guard,” came the voice of Father Durin from the dining room.

Serena hurried forward and saw the priest seated across from the Fürst. “I hope you weren’t hurt?”

“Not at all,” the priest assured her. “And I recognized a few of the men from my parish. When they saw me, they realized their wrongdoing. I’m convinced that They’ll make amends.”

Serena breathed a little easier, but when she caught the prince staring at her, she felt self-conscious.

His eyes drifted over her new gown, settling around her figure.

The heat in his gaze made her feel exposed with the short sleeves.

And then, when he studied her bare arms, he stood from the table.

“We need to talk,” he said.

“What you need is a chaperone,” the priest grumbled from behind them.

At the pointed look on his face, Serena flushed. Before she could voice a reply, the prince guided her into the library and closed the door. His knuckles curled across the door frame, gripping the wood. “Those bruises didn’t happen last night, did they?”

“No.” Serena covered up her arms with her hands. “I told you I was beaten at the palace.”

Karl crossed the room to stand in front of her.

He removed a glove and reached out to trace the bruise on her upper arm.

As soon as he touched her, Serena drew back.

“Running away from the problem won’t solve it.

This man should be punished for what he did to you.

” His voice held the razor edge of his temper. “Have you even told the king?”

She let out a breath, afraid that trusting him with the truth would only entangle him further. “Serena,” Karl said quietly, “let me protect you.”

Though he didn’t touch her, goosebumps rose up over her skin in the cool air. His words conjured up last night, when he’d nearly taken a bullet for her. He’d kept his word, bringing her away from the danger and keeping her safe. She wasn’t used to that.

But neither could she wed him and bring him to face the wrath of a king. “I know there are thousands of little girls who wish they could be a princess,” she said quietly. “But I hate everything about it.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s a prison.” She regarded him. “Don’t tell me you haven’t wished for a single day, all to yourself. With no one telling you what to wear, what banquets you’ll attend, what you can and cannot say. If you could give up being a prince, you would.”

“I would never turn my back on my country.” She heard the stiffness in his voice, the disbelief that she would so willingly leave her birthright to someone else. “You have a responsibility to your people,” he insisted. “You’ve never had to worry about survival, like so many others.”

She narrowed her gaze at him. Raising her arms to him, she revealed the bruises again. “Haven’t I?”

He sighed. “You’re giving up too easily, Princess.”

“Why does it matter to you?” she whispered. “Find another princess to wed. Let me live my own life.”

He reached for her gloved hand, and within his palm, her fingers felt small. Heat permeated the glove, reminding her of the way his hands had moved over her buttons.

She couldn’t stop thinking of his bare fingers touching her spine and the intimacy of him unlacing her corset last night.

Her body softened, and she couldn’t draw her attention away from the man who was watching her with such unveiled desire.

She half-expected him to pull her to her feet, dragging her into a breathless kiss.

It startled her to realize that she wouldn’t mind that at all.

“You couldn’t give it up your crown if you wanted to,” he said.

“I could,” she countered, “and not hold a single regret.”

His expression turned into a challenge. “Would you care to make a wager on that?”

What did he mean? At her curious gaze, he continued, “Three days, Princess. We’ll live together in the abbey as ordinary people. No servants. No luxuries.”

He removed her glove, turning her palm over. With his fingertips, he stroked the soft skin. “I don’t believe you could survive it. These palms have never known what it is to work.”

She frowned at his prediction. “Are you suggesting I’m not capable of living the life of a commoner?”

His mouth curved in a slight smile. “If, after three days, you still want to give up your throne, I’ll help you. I’ll take you to a country of your choice and help you purchase property of your own. Even hire a few servants, if that’s your wish.”

Serena stared at him. He’d offered to grant her deepest desire, to have absolute freedom to live her life as she chose. “There’s more, isn’t there?” she ventured. “You’re not expecting me to…give myself to you?”

“No.” He released her hand, his eyes filled with daring. “But regardless of whether you agree, people will believe you’ve shared my bed. Your reputation is already compromised.”

She crossed her arms, suddenly feeling the chill in the morning air. “Then what are you suggesting?”

“If, after three days, you’ve decided you’d rather live the life of a princess, you’ll wed me. Immediately.”