Page 110 of A Tenuous Betrothal
Then he stepped backward down the corridor, watching while she closed the door.
She leaned back against the wood, relishing every memory.
He was well.
He was hers.
And he had almost kissed her again. She closed her eyes, hardly daring to believe such a thing had happened. And it might happen again.
Chapter Thirty-Five
One week later, the Oldenburgpalace was full. Dignitaries from neighboring countries and local families gathered together to welcome a new person into Oldenburg. Rhi was worth every bit of celebration they could muster, as far as Marc was concerned. Tonight was the ball in her honor, and he had very specific plans.
But first he had to surprise her. He grinned to himself.
With ropes tied to his own study balcony, he lowered himself onto hers near one of her sitting rooms. With flowers in one hand, he carefully opened the door to enter. Catrin jumped, but he held a finger to his lips. She nodded, though she looked none too pleased.
He chuckled. Then he placed the flowers in Rhi’s pitcher and sat at her table. Two piles of books were strewn across the surface.The Gothic Lies of Sir Winchester? He lifted it, opened to the middle, and his eyes widened. He’d have to read more of that later. The other books—Pride and Prejudiceand a hefty collection of Walter Scott—showed her firmly in the support of British authors and romance. He smiled. But the other stack was even more intriguing to him. The Moors and a book on Oldenburg family history? It was opened to a specific page.
“We’ve often wanted more information about how our fathers met.” Rhi stood in the doorway, her hair hanging down around her shoulders, her morning dress highlighting the blue in her eyes.
“Yes, we most certainly have.” Marc stood and reached out a hand.
She took his immediately, as if she were made to do so, and then he pulled her into an embrace.
“Good morning,” he said.
“And to you!” She smiled. “Flowers! Thank you.”
“How do you know those are from me?”
“How many men in this palace would sneak in here and leave me flowers?” She thought about it for a moment. “Actually, I suppose all your single brothers might.”
He laughed, then stopped. “Wait, they might, really?”
“I haven’t yet decided which of them I will allow to court me.”
He frowned.
“Some of them spent time trying to win my hand, you know, at your specific request.”
“Yes, but—”
“And they were quite charming. It is going to be the decision of my life since the one I truly want remains so elusive.” Her eyes were sparkling, her lips full. And her face was begging for mischief.
“I think you are trouble of the worst kind. And that you shall make your decision at the ball.”
“Do you?”
“Yes, aren’t all decisions such as this one made at a ball?”
She nodded.
“But I have news.”
They sat at her table, and Catrin brought in a tray.
“Oh, breakfast!” Rhi said.
