Page 101 of A Tenuous Betrothal
“I’m grateful to your father for saving me from a terrible situation in Wales, but I’d like to wed someone who loves me and whom I love in return. Can we still be siblings if I don’t, in fact, wed?”
“Well now, I wouldn’t know about such things. But you needn’t concern yourself overly much about it. The idea, of course, is that we brothers will spend enough time with you for one of us to win your heart.”
She forced a laugh, but her stomach lurched. Still, she appreciated Kristoff. He had a way of communicating difficult things so they didn’t sting. “In answer to your question, then, I am impressed with Karl. I was feeling low. And this race, this day, is just what I need.”
“And Marc left.” Kristoff pressed his lips together, shaking his head.
Intrigued, she studied him closer. “Do you not approve?”
“I do not. But you will find I’m as loyal as they come. Perhaps I don’t know enough of the reason he would do so, but some things are more important than others, and a woman like yourself, about to be swept away by one of his brothers, is one of them.”
Rhi felt her face warm.
“If I were him, I’d spend every waking moment with you or thinking of how to convince you of the constancy and permanence of my love.” Kristoff’s eyes were full of emotion, passion even.
She’d never seen such a thing in him before and at once felt honored to be shown this whole deeper side to him that she’d never considered. “But he’s said himself he cannot have a wife right now. He’s said goodbye to me as though he does not plan to see me.” She gripped the railing to force herself to speak rationally about the things that tore at her insides. “At least, not in that way.”
Kristoff turned to face her, leaning back against the railing. “He’s attempted to abide by this plan since he met you. It hasn’t worked out so well for him, has it?”
“No.” Kristoff’s words were not as comforting as they could be. To attempt to hope for a man to love her against his better judgment was not appealing. She frowned. “And I know he’s in danger.”
“Which is why he won’t send another person in his stead.” Kristoff sighed. “I suppose you cannot fault a man for being noble.”
“I suppose.” But she found she really did fault him. Perhaps that was unfair. Perhaps his departure was too new. If his cause was bigger and more important than the two of them finding love, then she supposed she should be willing to make the sacrifice as well. But she was not.
She studied the two of his handsome brothers before her. On the surface, she would not be hurting too much with her remaining choices. If they didn’t suit, she could be happy, unmarried, in the palace. She would find meaning and offer to serve on the council with the brothers and their wives. The king did not seem to accept that option, but theoretically, she could remain single.
Her father would not have wanted that. She did not want that, not really.
As the race continued, she made her way to the tip of the bow and leaned out toward the ocean, thinking that leaning forward might perhaps speed them along. They had been neck and neck with Layton, but he’d pulled ahead, and although they were faster than all the other boats, Layton was winning.
She should have laughed at her own competitive nature, but in that moment, she was not amused. “Come on! Come on! Go!”
They raced along the water, their sails filled with wind, and still Layton moved faster.
Karl came to stand beside her and stared after Layton’s boat. “I really hate to lose,” he said.
She nodded.
“You know, Marc doesn’t seem to mind much.”
She turned a disbelieving expression to Karl.
“Well, he’s a good sport about it, anyway.”
“Do you often beat Marc?” She couldn’t imagine Marc losing at anything, even to Karl.
“Actually, no, but when Hayes does, it’s amusing, to be sure.”
She laughed. “I shall never know when to take any of you seriously.”
“I’ll let you know when the moment arises. And be prepared. Since I rarely say anything worth noting, it is bound to be something for the generations.” His eyes twinkled with a perpetual laughter and a carefree sort of peace. She envied him that.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said.
He turned away from Layton’s boat and faced her. “I’m assuming you like to read.”
“Why is that?”
