Page 32 of The Accidental Prince (Accidentally in Love #3)

“Karl can’t stay with me,” she said at last. “If he remains here, my father will kill him for what he’s done. He has to leave, but he won’t.”

Hannah squeezed her hand. “If you want to be with him, I’ll do what I can to help you.”

“I don’t know what he wants from me,” she whispered. “Even if I did wed him, he could never be prince consort.”

Hannah pretended to study a length of lace. “If he’s still here, I don’t think he cares about your throne any more, Princess Serena.”

Her face flushed at the thought, for she suspected it was true. Every time he’d kissed her, she’d fallen beneath the spell of temptation. But it bothered her that Karl seemed so detached, almost as if he didn’t want to love her.

“I need him to be safe,” she said.

“I’ll make sure of it.” Hannah set down the lace and regarded her. “Although he is no longer heir to the throne of Lohenberg, he and Michael are still half-brothers. And I owe Karl a favor, after what he did for me.”

The shopkeeper cleared her throat. “ Meine Damen , is there anything I can help you with? Anything you would like to purchase…?“ Her voice trailed off hopefully, and Serena glanced at Hannah.

Hannah intervened with excuses to leave, and thanked the dressmaker.

She took Serena’s hand and let her outside.

The footman Bernard was waiting, and he escorted them toward the waiting curricle.

But before Serena could climb inside, she saw Captain Feldmann standing at the end of the street. He was waiting to speak with her.

“Bernard, I—need a moment,” she finished. “Please take Lady Hannah back to the manor house.”

“My orders are to remain with you at all times, Your Highness,” the footman protested. “Then wait for me here. I’ll only be a moment.”

She walked along the side of the street until she reached Captain Feldmann. Her driver Samuel drew the curricle close, though he allowed her a little space for a private conversation. Bernard sat with Lady Hannah, a revolver in his hand.

“You know why I have come,” the captain said.

Serena’s heartbeat quickened, and she glanced behind at Hannah and her footman. “Is my father here?”

“They’re a few hours behind me.” His expression turned grim. “You’ve no choice but to return, Princess.”

She shook her head. “I’m not going back to Badenstein. You know what it was like for me.”

The captain stared at her. “Freiherr Albert von Meinhardt imprisoned my wife and son after I let you go. If you don’t return of your own free will, they’ll suffer for it. And I won’t let that happen.” His hand moved beneath his coat, revealing a concealed revolver.

A sinking feeling settled into her stomach. She could hardly believe that the Freiherr would make such a vicious move, to capture an innocent woman and child. But it was clear that Captain Feldmann would do anything on their behalf.

“If you take me against my will, the Freiherr still might keep them captive,” she warned.

“If you go back willingly, you might help them.” The desperation upon his face reminded her that it was her fault they’d been taken. She was torn on what to do, but the Captain wasn’t thinking clearly right now. He was thinking only of his family.

“Come with me,” he ordered, reaching for the weapon.

No. Although she sympathized with the man’s plight, she wasn’t going to go with him without a fight.

“Bernard!” she called out, as she gripped her skirts and fled toward the carriage.

The footman drew his weapon, aiming it at the captain. A second later, Karl emerged from the street, closing in behind Feldmann until he was surrounded on both sides.

“Leave the princess alone,” Karl demanded.

Captain Feldmann retreated. “I came to warn her, not to harm her. Her father’s men will be here soon.”

Serena moved to stand behind Karl. “I’m not going back to the palace, Captain Feldmann. But if you help us, I’ll do everything I can to free your wife and son.”

The man didn’t move, but his posture tensed. “They’re all I have.”

Serena touched Karl’s shoulders, and murmured, “Let him go.”

“He tried to take you against your will.” Karl’s voice revealed his reluctance.

“He asked me to go with him,” Serena corrected. “But he never laid a hand upon me.”

She needed an ally against her father’s men. If the worst happened, Captain Feldmann was her best hope. “Please,” she whispered, leaning in to his shoulder.

“Bernard, take his weapon,” Karl ordered. The captain stood still while the footman removed it from his coat.

Karl stepped back, keeping his arm across her as protection. Without another word, the guard disappeared into the streets. For a while, Serena worried that he might pursue the captain, but he remained in place.

When it appeared safe again, Karl signaled Samuel to bring the carriage forward. “Is everything all right?” Lady Hannah asked, leaning forward anxiously.

Karl kissed her hand in greeting, and bid her welcome to the island. Though Serena knew it was a customary gesture, the flush on Hannah’s face sent an unexpected jealousy flaring through her.

“I want you to return to the manor,” Karl ordered, motioning for Bernard to go with them. “I’ll bring Serena back with me.”

After the curricle was gone, Karl took Serena’s hand and led her to his waiting horse. Her complexion was pale, as if a silent terror had numbed her mind and body. “Are you certain you want to face your father? Or do you want to leave?”

“I’m going to stay.” She squared her shoulders, gripping her hands together. “I have to confront him, but you cannot stay with me.”

“Try and stop me.” He lifted her on to his horse, swinging up behind. Her skin was cold, but she didn’t move away when he brought his arms around her, to the reins.

“I don’t want anything to happen to you,” she admitted, so softly he wondered if he’d heard her right. A strange tightness formed inside him, and it seemed impossible that she should care about him, not after everything he’d done.

“Don’t waste a thought over me,” he said, guiding the horse along the water’s edge. He urged the animal into a swift canter, holding Serena close.

“Where are we going?”

His answer was to draw the horse to a stop. “Look there.”

In the distance, several ships emerged upon the horizon. He knew she was searching for her father and his men, and the worry on her face made him keep his silence. For a long time, they simply stood there, overlooking the sea. The sun had grown warm, and it glittered against the waves.

Karl caught her in his arms and held her tight. She smelled of flowers and sunlight, and he reassured her, “I’ll keep you safe. You have my vow.”

“And yourself,” she said. “Promise me.”

He made no reply but tilted her face up to kiss her. The words she’d spoken earlier washed over him. I don’t want anything to happen to you.

No one had ever said that to him before. Never had anyone cared about him, and when Serena kissed him back, he met her mouth, showing her without words what he felt. It didn’t matter what happened to him now. All that mattered was protecting her. And he would…no matter the cost.

A heaviness settled over him, and he fought to keep his kiss gentle, not letting her see the apprehension he was hiding. When her arms came around his neck, she held him close. “Everything would be different if I weren’t a princess,” she murmured.

“What do you mean?” He didn’t let her go, but breathed in the scent of her hair, keeping her body pressed against his.

“I might have married you,” she said, lifting her face to his. “If you were the sort of man who could love me.”

He framed her face, sliding his hands down to her shoulders. “How much time do we have left?”

“Perhaps hours, if we’re fortunate.”

He rested his hands at her waist. “I arranged a gift for you today,” he said. “I suppose now would be the best time to give it to you.”

She studied him, but shook her head. “I don’t need any gifts, Karl.”

“This one is different. It may not be something you want, but…” he took her hand in his “…it may help you, once this is finished.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Let me show you.”