Page 28 of Royal Sin

“So…do you want the bad news first?” I began, my fingers fidgeting with the rings on the opposite hand.

Serena nodded. “Start with the good?”

“There isn’t any,” I laughed dejectedly. “The worst is that I’m single.”

“Your plans fell apart,” she sighed. “Can’t say I’m surprised. No boy in his right mind would want to deal with your parents’ displeasure.”

“I don’t think themancared about that. He found out who I was and hasn’t spoken to me since.” I began to pace. “Oh, Serena, it was horrible!”

She only nodded.

The whole story came tumbling out. How Paul Preston found us at the Pier, and how the guy I’d been seeing left without a word.

“And now, the bad news.” I choked on another laugh. “I’m being sent to Germany!”

Serena let out a low whistle. “To your granny?”

“The strict one.” I nodded.

“What about your education? Your parents were so damn proud that you were going for a degree. They won’t want that laureate denied you, surely.”

“Oh, no, I’ll finish college,” I added ruefully. “I’ll attend university over there. My rusty German will have to suffice. But there will be no more dating. Gran will make sure of that.”

Silence fell. I made three more laps across her room, fighting back the tears that persisted on prickling my eyes.

“While this is rough, I don’t see how it’s the end of the world.” Serena shot me a leveled look.

“How can you say that?” I nearly wailed.

“Easy. You still are going to school. You’re traveling. And your parents will get over it in time.” Serena ticked off the reasons on her finger.

My pragmatic friend. From her vantage point, this had to be blessing!

“They’re still going to attempt to marry me off,” I grumbled. “My stunt proved nothing.”

“And you’ll have time to deal with that when it comes,” she countered.

“I will,” I agreed. “I’m not bowing to their pressure on that score.”

“Then I don’t see what—”

“I fell for him, Serena.” I stopped in front of her. “I thought I could do this without feelings, but the more time we spent together, the more I realized how much I liked him.”

Serena’s face softened completely. She shifted in her chair but made no other move to come to me.

“Leonard was the best thing to happen to me in a long time. I felt like we had something—he did too!” I threw my hands to the side. “And I can’t help but feel that if I’d been more honest, he would have stayed. He was the sort of man my parents wouldn’t be able to stand up against if only he would fight for me. He’s got a scary side, and— What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Serena had shot to her feet as I’d been speaking. “That’s the first time you’ve told me his name.”

“Yeah, Leonard Baldwin. It’s an old-fashioned name, I’ll grant you, but— What is it?” I demanded.

Her face was decidedly pale. She hurried to the window, peered outside, and then turned toward me.

“Anna, I’m going to tell you something, but you have to swear never to reveal it.”

I nodded, inching toward her. “I swear!”

“I mean it, Anna. You can’t tell a soul.”

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