Page 20 of The Accidental Prince (Accidentally in Love #3)

G erlach stood upon the shores of Vertraumen. It had rained all night, and his clothing was soaked. He stared at the green island, while the waves sloshed against the sand. In all his years of service, he’d never imagined he’d have to betray the princess like this.

But there was no choice. His wife and son were at the mercy of the baron, and once the king learned of his role in the princess’s escape, all of them could pay the price. He had to bring her back or risk harm to those he loved.

He walked for hours along the edge of the sand, past the houses belonging to the middle class and a few of the wealthy.

He searched for poverty, for only there would he find the sort of men he needed—desperate folk who wouldn’t hesitate to bring him his hostage.

And he needed men who could scour the island until the princess was found.

When he reached the outskirts of the town, he found shelters held together with wood and rusted nails. A child stood watching him from the door, a young boy perhaps three years of age. His face was dirty, and he looked hungry. Gerlach’s throat burned, but he walked toward the house.

A father would do anything for his child’s welfare—even betray an angel. He voiced a prayer of forgiveness for what he had to do now.

The pounding sound wouldn’t stop. Serena groaned and buried her head deeper under the coverlet. She was shivering, and the idea of removing her body from the bed was akin to freezing to death.

Only when the door flew open, did she shriek and open her eyes.

“What did you do to my shirt?” the prince demanded, tossing the garment at her.

“I…washed it?” She stared at Karl with groggy eyes, wondering why he was in her chamber. When she sat up from the wretched mattress, she saw her gown drying near the fireplace. Which meant she was naked beneath the coverlet and the prince was getting an eyeful of her bare shoulders and side.

“It’s pink, for God’s sake! What did you put in the water?”

Oh. That. She closed her eyes and lay back down on the pallet. “My red cloak. I thought I could wash both of them together.”

“Obviously not.” The words came out in a growl, and his ill temper was too much to endure at this early hour.

“How was I supposed to know this would happen?” He ought to be grateful that she’d washed it at all. Hadn’t she spent most of yesterday cooking for him, straightening up the abbey, and laundering their clothes?

“I thought you had a book of instructions.”

“It said nothing about washing a red cloak and a white shirt. Or washing clothes at all, for that matter.” Rolling over, she pulled the blanket tighter and offered, “You might look fetching in pink.”

“Princess,” he warned. In his voice, she heard the threatening anger.

And yet, she wasn’t at all intimidated by him. Even with all his bluster, the prince had never dared to lay a hand on her. All he’d done was kiss her. And that, admittedly, had been rather pleasant.

“Go away,” she ordered. “I need to get dressed.”

“So do I,” he reminded her. “And I’m not wearing that shirt.”

“Fine. Go and look through the priest’s clothes. I’m certain you’ll find something black to match your mood.” When the door closed, Serena kept the coverlet firmly wrapped around her body, in case he decided to invade her chamber again.

It took half an hour to get dressed, since she couldn’t quite get her chemise and petticoats fastened the way she wanted to. The gown felt awkward buttoned up the front, but she reminded herself there were only two more days. After that, she could have a lady’s maid once more.

She smiled to herself as she finger-combed her hair and prepared to face the second day.

When she wandered down the stairs, the hall was cold and dark. The morning weather had shifted into sunlight while the hearth had died down to coals. Fürst Karl was trying to stoke it, and she saw him wearing an oversized shirt that bunched at his waist.

All right, so she did feel guilty about dying his shirt pink. But it truly had been an accident.

When the prince couldn’t get the wood to light, he cursed beneath his breath.

“The logs are wet, aren’t they?” she predicted. All around the hearth, she spied puddles from where the roof had leaked.

Karl nodded. “It will be cold inside today.”

“But at least the rain has stopped.” She pointed up at the large glass windows. “I thought I’d explore the area around the abbey today. From the top of the hillside, I imagine we could see all around the island.”

“There’s too much to do,” he argued. “We need more food and a fire.”

“I want to see if Durin has a garden, and I’ll try to find some herbs and vegetables.” She walked to the doorway, adding, “The book of cooking receipts that I brought with me has excellent drawings. I’m certain I can identify what I need.”

She reached for her cloak and held out her hand. “Won’t you come with me?”

He looked annoyed, as if he’d rather remain within the leaking walls. But at last he relented. “For an hour.”

It would be far longer than an hour, but she didn’t tell him that. Serena handed him his great coat, saying, “I’ll go and fetch a basket and my book.” She intended to pack a picnic luncheon as well. It would be her atonement for ruining his shirt.

Karl crossed the room and brought ammunition and his revolver. “I’ll bring the weapons.”

Because every picnic needed guns. Serena resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

Outside, the ground was damp, and Serena studied the book, recognizing turnips in Father Durin’s garden. It was too early for any other vegetables, but there were a few potatoes and carrots she’d seen in the priest’s cellar last night. She might be able to prepare a vegetable stew.

From the herb garden, she selected cuttings of rosemary and sage, which she added to her basket. Karl looked impatient, as though he’d rather be anywhere else but here. His hand remained inside his coat, as though he took comfort from the revolver.

After she’d collected her plants, she continued climbing up the pathway leading to the top of the hill. Karl followed behind, but he looked disgruntled at the walk. The dark forest surrounded them, the sun skimming the edges of the trees, casting shadows over the lichen and moss.

Serena climbed higher on the pathway, holding on to the narrow trees to help keep her balance. The walk was more difficult than she’d realized, and perspiration dampened the back of her neck. She stopped a moment to rest, and when Karl caught up, he asked, “Do you want to go back?”

“Not when I’ve come this far. It’s only a little farther.

” She caught her breath and continued ahead, until at last she reached the hill summit.

The ground flattened into a small, grassy clearing with a stone altar in the center, adorned with a carved limestone cross.

It was old, overgrown with moss, but she imagined the monks climbing the hill and saying their prayers here.

She set down her basket and chose a spot in front of the altar.

The cool wind brushed against her face, and she adjusted her cloak around her shoulders.

Leaning back against the stone, she drew her knees up beneath her gown and stared out at the glittering sea.

The gray waters had calmed somewhat, though the waves were still choppy.

In the distance, she spied a few lone fishermen with their boats.

Karl stood beside her, his eyes narrowed as he took in the view. He seemed unable to relax at all, for he studied the landscape with the eye of a man who saw only the problems and none of the beauty.

“Will you sit with me?” she asked.

“No, I’d rather stand. And we’ll be going back soon enough.” He shielded his eyes against the sun and turned toward the path.

“Not yet. I thought we could eat our luncheon here.” She opened the basket and revealed the food she’d packed: a flask of wine, some of the sugar biscuits, and a jar of strawberry preserves. Though it wasn’t the most elegant selection of foods, she thought she’d done well enough.

Karl stared at the food, not speaking a word. It seemed that she’d confounded him once again.

“You really believed I would give up, didn’t you?” she said softly. “Even though I told you luxuries weren’t important to me.”

His gaze fastened upon her face, and there was a subtle defensive shift in his features. “This isn’t over yet, Princess.”

Karl didn’t sit, though he knew Serena expected it. Her words sank into him with the realization that she was right. He didn’t know her at all, but he’d placed her in the same class of every other princess who would fall into hysterics if there was the tiniest flaw in her food.

All of them would have wailed at the prospect of cooking a meal; instead, Serena had only asked that he help her. Her fortitude was like nothing he’d ever seen before.

She stood up and took his hand. “For ten minutes, stop being a prince, and just be an ordinary man. Sit and enjoy yourself.”

He guessed she was trying to ease his tension, to break up his mood. But the words only reminded him that he was a nobody now. A man without a throne, without a future.

He pulled his hand back. “I don’t want to stop being a prince, Serena. It’s who I am. It’s who I’ve always been.” The words came out harsher than he’d meant, but it was too late to take them back.

Serena returned her attention to the basket and shrugged. “I only meant…for a few minutes.”

Her confusion was justified, and he realized how brutish he’d sounded. She didn’t know what had happened within his kingdom. And once she did, she’d want nothing more to do with him.

If he had any sort of honor, he’d tell her right now that he was illegitimate and had no claim to any kingdom. He ought to let her go.

But if he did, he’d have to face a life he didn’t want. She stared at him, and he looked away at the sea. “Forgive me. It’s just the…falling out with my father.”