Page 15 of A Tenuous Betrothal
“To be asked to marry a woman you’ve never met, save her from her evil uncle and a life of very little food and security, then be asked to navigate the situation and safety of her miners?”
“Duty is a strong siren call in my family. I’m pleased to assist, naturally. I’d never wish to see you, or any woman, trapped in your situation. But I’m pleased we both agree that duty should only have to go so far.”
She sat straighter. “My father’s addendum cannot force you to ask for my hand. And I’d rather you not ask for it if you feel forced. I’ll not feel beholden, not even to my father’s arrangement for marriage.” She shook her head. “Once we figure out the miners’ situation, we can come up with an equally pleasing plan for me.” She swallowed, and it seemed to cost great effort.
He could see she was upset, but he wasn’t certain what to say to help her. Just as it had for the miners, sometimes life dealt the cards, and there wasn’t much Marc could do about this particular hand. He could get her out of her situation in Wales. He could try to help the miners. He could help her find a husband. He could even marry her if he saw no better course. But he couldn’t change the fact that by marrying her, he would be responding to duty only. He did not wish to marry. He hadn’t given it two seconds’ thought before reading the will. His life was consumed by the national security of his country and by moments of frivolity when he let himself relax. His lack of need for a wife had nothing to do with her own desirability. She was everything a man could want—beautiful, courageous, kind—but that didn’t mean he would wish to marry her for any other reason than duty alone.
“We will figure this out between us.” He lifted her hand in his. “You have my word.”
She gave him a grateful smile. “I feel a bit like those miners. I think what I want most is to be able to choose for myself how to live my life.”
“I can understand that sentiment, for it is precisely my own.”
Her smile grew. “Prince Marc, it is a pleasure getting to know you. As frustrating as this situation might be, I think you are just the man for the job. Thank you.”
“You are most welcome.” He pressed his lips to the back of her gloved hand; it was meant to be a gesture of respect, but he found himself wanting to linger, to look into her eyes and see if she was affected by his touch—irresponsible thoughts if he wished to remain unattached. She was entirely off limits for those kinds of flirtations. But he couldn’t deny his sense of gratification to see her cheeks blush a most becoming shade of pink.
Chapter Five
Rhi had left Mr. Thomas’shome the night before, hopeful. She was not entirely satisfied, but she was pleased with the plans that were made. She knew some families would not want to take advantage of the new measures, but she felt the miners should choose. Perhaps they could accomplish all of it without her uncle even aware such talks were happening.
“And now we leave my beloved Wales.” She and Marc sat once again upon their horses this morning, heading away from Cresselly. They crested the rise that would give her the last view of her home.
Despite the brisk wind, she could not help but wish to linger. The land that stretched in a great sunny green all around her had given her family generations of memories and a livelihood. In a rare show of afternoon glory, the sun peered through the clouds. Beautiful colors, enriched by the sunlight, smiled at her from every direction.
“Hwyl fawr fy ffrind, gorffwys mewn heddwch.”Goodbye, my friend. Rest in peace.
“What was that?”
She’d almost forgotten Prince Marc was there. He had an uncanny way of blending into places. Though, when she looked at him, she couldn’t fathom how that could be. He was handsome in a striking way. And she guessed, by the understanding twinkle often present in his eye, that he also had a sense of humor.
She looked away. “Oh, just saying goodbye.”
He didn’t respond, and she preferred the quiet. Memories of her childhood flashed through her mind. The creek behind her home, the trees she used to climb, the friends from the village, the vicar and his wife. All the loving people who had embraced her family and loved her throughout her childhood were lined along the street, in her imagination only.
She shivered. “Your father, whom I’ve never met, is a better man to me than my own uncle.”
Prince Marc’s jaw worked, his lips pressing together, but he said nothing for some time. Just when she thought he’d not respond at all, his voice filled the air around them. “I cannot understand a man like your uncle. But I’ve seen many of them. I can only say I’m grateful, for my part, in getting you as far away from him as possible.” He dipped his head. “And I will admit, begrudgingly but never to my father, that sending me was the best decision.”
She smiled. “I do not know whether I will ever admit, begrudgingly or otherwise, that I should be arranged in marriage.”
“Ho, ho! I haven’t said that.”
Their joined laughter seemed to fit among the rocks and green of Wales, and Rhi was grateful for it as she at last let her heart close the chapter on her time at home.
“Well, you’ve certainly proven your skills in rescuing fair maidens from their evil uncles.”
She shifted in her saddle, watching the last of her beautiful Cresselly descend below the crest behind them, then turned to Prince Marc. He sat so comfortably on a horse. His body seemed perfectly at ease, though she wasn’t certain how such a thing could be. His life was in as much upheaval as hers. Her curiosity got the better of her. “Tell me about yourself, Your Highness,” she said.
He seemed surprised but grinned at her in such a charming way that she found herself smiling in return. “The first thing to know about me is that even though I seem to always be gone from my home, one of my favorite things to do is tobehome and read by my fire in a room that overlooks the ocean.”
“That detail is not convincing me that your father’s offer of an arranged marriage is so bad an idea.” She laughed, and he squirmed just a bit in the saddle, which made her laugh all the more. “I am having some fun at your expense. But, admittedly, I love to read also. Tell me more.”
“I enjoy good music, much like good literature. I get lost in it, feel it echo my own thoughts. I love it.”
“Do you play?”
“Unfortunately, no. I can sing a bit, but not for the discerning ear.”
