Princess of Silence, page 27
part #1 of When Kings Collide Series
The surprise wore off in time for him to grab her hand and remove it before she could drive her point home. Shaking his head, Caleb stood. “Katherine, this conversation is over. I don’t mean to offend you, but I am not interested in your... proposition.” She gaped up at him, looking as if she might try the tears again. “Please feel free to take with you whatever gowns and jewels you have been given. I will have my servants prepare your belongings. You will leave in one hour.”
As he turned to walk out the door, she called his name several times. He didn’t turn to acknowledge her. He was done playing games with a woman whose personality changed as easily as her gown. Whatever the situation was in Nadoria, he knew Katherine wasn’t being beaten or locked in a tower. Why her family wanted her back so desperately, he wasn’t sure, but they could certainly have her. The sooner the better.
Caleb headed back to his study, giving the order to a servant to get Katherine out of the castle as quickly as possible as he went. He wouldn’t be there to see her off. With any luck, he’d never see Princess Katherine of Nadoria again.
Rose sat in the library for most of the hour Caleb had given her, trying to come up with an alternative to climbing aboard the carriage. As the library door opened, she glanced at the clock. She still had twenty minutes.
“Your Majesty, your carriage is ready,” an officer with a thick accent stated. It was a different one than the man who’d spoken to her earlier. This one was taller, with broader shoulders, and seemed to be less impressionable. It wouldn’t stop her from trying.
Reposing on the settee, she placed the back of her hand against her forehead. “I’m too ill to travel today,” she said in a weak voice. “Perhaps I shall feel better in the morning.”
He cleared his throat. “Princess, I have direct orders to ensure you board the transport. Your brother is likely already on his way to the meeting point. You must be there in time to meet him. Come along.”
Though it was due to her trepidation about facing James, not an actual illness, Rose’s stomach truly was churning, and she felt that she might vomit all over his disgusting, smug face if he insisted on escorting her out. “Tell the king to send word I shall depart in the morning.”
The officer pursed his lips and took a few steps toward her. “Come along, Princess,” he said again, offering his hand.
Rose stared at it and then back at him, wanting to fold her arms and act like a child. She had the idea he wouldn’t mind picking her up and carrying her to the carriage, kicking and screaming “Please, please don’t make me go,” she begged. It entered her mind to try to seduce him, but she imagined it would do her no good and only ruin her chances of selling a story to James later about how Caleb had mistreated her and his sister.
Reluctantly, Rose took the officer’s hand and stood, pouting as she walked with him out to the waiting carriage. Caleb was nowhere to be seen, which was a disappointment. She’d hoped to have one more chance at convincing him to let her stay.
“I feel faint,” she said, dragging her feet.
“I’m sure you will feel better upon seeing your family,” he insisted as she climbed into the carriage.
Rose was out of options. She’d have to come up with a story to tell James. She folded her arms and glared at the officer. “How long is the ride?”
“Fifteen hours, give or take,” he replied. “You’ll be escorted by our finest Royal Cavalry, the king’s personal transport soldiers.”
“What if Philip’s men try to kill me? Or Leopold’s?”
“We shall keep you safe.” He sounded confident, but the prospect of spending fifteen hours in this carriage, traveling through war ravaged areas, through swamps and forests, over bad roads and hilly terrain, had her more frightened than the idea of facing James at the end of it.
The officer closed the door and gave the order for the carriage to move out. Rose watched the horsemen fall in line all around her and felt safer, but the more she thought about the potential outcomes, complications from the lies she’d told, the more terrified she became. Bile rose in the back of her throat. She hadn’t even made it through the castle gates when she shouted, “Driver, pull over! I’m going to be sick!”
Chapter 26
From the balcony above the courtyard, Caleb watched as Katherine’s carriage left the palace gates. It was a relief to see her go. He honestly hoped that she would find happiness, either in Nadoria or somewhere else, but it certainly wasn’t going to be with him. Her desperation to stay, to attempt to seduce him, was unsettling, but he had no reason to believe her claims that her family had treated her poorly. With any luck, her journey would be a safe one, and he’d never hear from her again.
Caleb returned to his desk, satisfied that he’d gotten several menial tasks out of the way, even if it did mean spending the day inside for a change. He’d only been back to work for a few minutes when he heard a stirring in the adjoining room. His heart caught in his chest as he listened, not sure what to do. Perhaps he should fetch Caroline in case Rose needed assistance a woman should provide. The thought that leaving her to run to the kitchen might take too long, and Rose might fall or otherwise become injured, made him hesitate. With a deep breath, he crossed to the other chamber, certain he could hear her moving around.
Caleb knocked lightly on the door. “Rose? Are you well?” He realized she couldn’t answer as soon as the question left his lips. He waited a moment more before stating, “I’m going to open the door.” It crossed his mind that she might not want to see him at all, but then, he needed to apologize. He opened the door slowly, giving her ample time to find a way to protest if she wished to.
She was just climbing back under the bed sheets as he stuck his head in. The site of one bare leg disappearing beneath the covers had him frozen in the doorway. He hadn’t meant to invade her privacy and hoped she hadn’t noticed he’d seen her, though his face was already turning red, he was sure. He took a deep breath and slowly approached the bed.
The color had returned to her cheeks, and she looked even more rested than she had before the incident. He stood at the end of the bed for a moment, taking her in. She didn’t look frightened of him, only cautious. He wondered how much she remembered from the night before but wasn’t ready to ask.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked, resting his hands on the footrest of the large bed. The room was relatively small in comparison, with only a dresser, a table by the bedside, and a window across the way. The curtain hanging over the entryway to the privy swayed slightly as if the room had recently been used.
Rose nodded, letting him know she was feeling better. She ran her good hand through her hair, much of which had come loose from the ribbon she had tied at the base of her neck. The curls framing her face set off her eyes, and Caleb imagined she’d look lovely in any situation.
“Good, I’m glad you’re feeling better.” He managed a smile, and her lips turned up slightly, but he could tell she was still apprehensive. Caleb shifted on his feet. “I wanted to speak to you about what happened.” Her eyes enlarged. “If now is not a good time, please let me know, and I’ll come back later, when you’re better rested.”
Rose’s eyes were still wide, but she wasn’t shaking her head no. Though he’d spent most of the day considering what he would say to her, now that he had the opportunity, the words wouldn’t come easily. With a deep breath, he did his best to speak from the heart. “Rose, I want you to know that I am whole-heartedly apologetic for what transpired yesterday.” He dropped his eyes, no longer able to meet her gaze as he continued. “I completely lost control of my temper, and I hurt you. I hope you can forgive me and believe me when I say I promise I will never, ever hurt you again.”
Caleb looked up at her now, not sure what else he needed to say. There was more, but he wanted to make sure she believed him before he went on.
Rose’s demeanor had shifted. That friendly, kindhearted quality he’d noted immediately overpowered any apprehension she might still be feeling. When she smiled at him this time, it was genuine, and Caleb felt the restrictions around his heart begin to break. “You forgive me then?”
She nodded confidently, and Caleb lifted a hand to his forehead. “Thank God,” he muttered. Then, looking at her again, he said, “I’m not sure how that’s possible, but I appreciate your grace, Rose. Not many people would be so capable of offering mercy the way that you are.”
She shrugged, looking away from him, and he realized he must’ve made her feel uncomfortable. He didn’t mean to. He had been trying to pay her a compliment. “What I mean is....”
Caleb wouldn’t have the chance to explain. The sound of the chamber door opening was followed by Caroline’s footsteps. A moment later, she entered the room. “Oh, bless my soul, you’re awake!” She flew to the side of the bed to inspect the patient. “How are you feeling, dear? You must be famished! Let me take a look at your hand. You’ll be wanting some more salve, I’m sure.”
The king watched for a moment, thinking he should’ve offered her those things, but he’d been so focused on apologizing, he hadn’t considered she might still be in pain. As Caroline bustled around, taking care of Rose’s needs, he quietly slipped out of the room, hoping he’d have another opportunity to speak to Rose later. There was so much more he wanted to say, but now wasn’t the time, and he needed to consider what was best for Rose if he was going to prove to her he’d meant what he said. He had meant it—every word of it—and so much more he hadn’t said. All in due time....
Katherine finished the soup Caroline had brought her and set the bowl aside, wishing she could take it back to the kitchen. But the cook had made it clear she wasn’t to get out of bed until the next day at the very earliest, and Katherine didn’t want to upset the woman who’d been so kind to her.
The pain in her hand had subsided significantly, thanks to the salve and Russell’s treatment. The sleep had helped as well. When she’d awoken with a full bladder, she was shocked to see she’d slept most of the day. What was even more shocking was the fact that the king was waiting to speak to her.
Memories from the night before were fuzzy, but she did remember him carrying her. She’d heard his apology then, though she hadn’t been sure it wasn’t part of a dream until he said it again, before Caroline came in the first time. It was evident when he looked at her he meant what he said, that he truly regretted his actions. Katherine couldn’t explain what had come over him the day before, but she knew what she’d witnessed wasn’t the man he truly was. As a person who’d once made a terrible mistake that had cost her dearly, she was a firm believer in second chances.
Why he was so concerned with her, a harlot turned kitchen wench for all he knew, she couldn’t say. Perhaps it was because of the assistance she’d been to Matthew, or maybe he would feel terrible for causing anyone such torment. But when he looked at her earlier, as he stood at the end of the bed, she thought she saw something in his eyes that echoed the feeling she’d experienced in the library the day before.
It seemed silly to think that the king might be developing feelings for her given his impression of who she was. Yet, it was there just the same. Part of her thought maybe he was considering using her services, the ones Rose had described, but Caleb didn’t seem like the sort of man who would need to pay for pleasure.
If he was willing to apologize to her, to bare his soul, Katherine felt as if she needed to tell him the truth as well, to let him know who she really was. She wanted her ring back, though. Rose needed to tell him the truth as well. The idea that Caleb could grow angry at her again when he learned of her deception sparked a flicker of fear inside of her, not that he would harm her once more, but that he may never want to speak to her after that. The entire situation had gotten out of hand, and she wasn’t sure if she should risk upsetting him now or if she should wait until later when everything inevitably came to light.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She knew it was Caleb before he even spoke. A smile brightened her face at the prospect of seeing him again. She tried to hide it, but when he stuck his head in the door, she was certain her cheeks were red.
“Rose,” he said, standing near the end of the bed again. “If you have a moment, I’d like to speak with you again. There was more to what I wanted to say earlier.”
She nodded and slid over in the bed, a strange gesture even to herself, but then, it was odd to have a conversation with him at such a distance. He raised an eyebrow and took a few steps forward. “Do you mind if I... sit?”
Katherine shook her head, waving a hand to the side of the bed where there was plenty of room for him. He still seemed hesitant, but he came over, running his palms down his trousers and sitting near her knees.
“Are you feeling well? Did you get enough to eat?” She confirmed both of his questions with a nod. “Good. How is your hand?”
She lifted it off of her lap for him to see. A bandage was wound around her first two fingers and her palm. It still stung, but nothing like it had the day before.
Caleb’s touch was gentle as he lightly lifted her hand closer, turning it over carefully. That same tingling sensation she’d felt in the library arched up her arm again, and when he placed her hand back on her leg, Katherine wanted to reach out and touch him again. She shifted in the bed, trying to calm her pulse.
“If you need anything at all, please let me know. Medical attention, something more to eat, a more comfortable room.”
Katherine laughed, wondering how she could be more comfortable. The room was perfect even if it was on the small side. Still, she couldn’t think of anything she needed.
“You find that amusing?” he asked, smiling at her. She shrugged, not knowing how to explain herself. “It’s good to see you laugh.” His eyes grew melancholy again, and she imagined he was remembering what he’d done. “I feel terrible.”
Katherine placed her fingers on his arm, wishing she could say something to let him know her forgiveness was complete, and he didn’t need to feel that way anymore. In a way, she felt as if the horrible incident had brought them closer. He could show everyone else the warrior side, the infallible side. But she had seen him at his most vulnerable, both last night when he’d carried her out of the darkness and today when he’d apologized to her. Regardless of what was to come, her connection to him had grown through this experience, and she felt as if it was a situation he’d learned from, something he’d never forget.
Caleb wasn’t looking at her, though he didn’t seem to mind her hand on his arm. She thought perhaps she should remove it, but she didn’t want to. She liked the way touching him made her feel. When he finally looked up and met her eyes, she didn’t look away as she had before. Instead, she held his gaze, feeling her heart pounding in her chest and her breath staggering in her lungs.
He shifted, moving toward her, and she leaned in his direction. The space between them still seemed immense, but when he lifted his hand, moving a lock of hair behind her ear, his fingertips grazing her cheek, her flesh lit up beneath his soft touch.
Caleb swallowed hard, and when he spoke, his voice was soft. “If you want to return to Clovington, I’ll make the arrangements.” Her eyebrows shot up. She hadn’t been expecting that. He hurried on. “I don’t want you to go.” She released a deep breath. “It’s just... I couldn’t blame you if you wanted to.” He dropped his eyes for a moment, and she wished she could tell him everything, but most importantly that she wanted to stay here, in Arteria, with him, forever.
Meeting her eyes again, Caleb continued. “Regardless of whom you were before or what you’ve done, you’re here now. If you want to stay, I promise, I will always protect you.”
A smile took over her face as she realized he was saying more than his words conveyed. If she could write, she’d tell him right then and there who she really was, but with burnt fingers, that would be impossible. There had to be some way to let him know the past he believed was hers was nowhere near the truth. A sigh escaped her lips as she contemplated what to do.
“Is something the matter?” he asked, brushing her hair back again, letting his fingers linger on her skin. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
Katherine continued to shake her head. She wasn’t offended, only confused and unsure of herself. He seemed to understand that he hadn’t said anything wrong, but when he looked over his shoulder at the door, she tightened her grip on his arm. She didn’t want him to go.
Caleb turned back to her, his head tipped to the side inquisitively. Katherine bit her bottom lip. Her body was beginning to respond to him in ways she’d never experienced before, and it didn’t matter how improper it might be that he was sitting in her bed, that she was only wearing a thin night dress beneath the blankets, or that her fingers were wrapped around his arm. She might not be able to say the words she needed to in order to tell him how she felt, but she could show him.
Whatever was happening inside of her, he was feeling it, too. Caleb moved forward on the bed again, his hip pressing against hers. The scent of leather and the woods mingled with a masculine scent that was distinctly him. He lifted his palm to her cheek, and Katherine raised her injured hand against the outside of his, leaning into his touch, closing her eyes and reveling in the sensation of his skin on hers.
His lips were so close to hers, she could feel the warmth of his breath caressing her mouth. She tipped her face up to his, silently begging him to taste her. When he didn’t, she opened her eyes and saw the confliction in his gaze.
“I want to kiss you--so badly,” Caleb whispered. “But I don’t want to hurt you again. If… if you don’t want me to, then I won’t.”
Not sure how he thought kissing her could hurt, Katherine closed her eyes and willed him to lower his lips. The feel of his mouth brushing against hers, softly, had her lifting her hand to her back of his neck, pulling him closer. Caleb continued to take his time, though, slowly melting into her. Katherine’s lips parted, and his tongue grazed hers, stealing her breath. She wanted more, opening wider, drawing him in. The feel of his hand on her neck, his thumb gliding along her jawline and the pressure of his hip against hers sparked a flame inside of her like nothing she’d ever felt before.
