Page 96 of A Tenuous Betrothal
A knock interrupted her. Hoping it was Marc again, she ran to the door.
But Frederick stood there instead.
“Prince Frederick?” She studied him. He didn’t look like he’d slept much either.
“Marc sent me.” He ran a hand through his hair. “This is all untoward, but he sent me to see that you are well.”
“I am well,” she lied. She was the furthest from well she had been in a long time. But she didn’t know Frederick at all. Her heart hammered inside with a newfound panic. She knew no one at this whole palace very well. Sophie was thereabouts somewhere, but the woman was expecting, and what would she say to Rhi? She would tell her to stay put. She nodded. “Thank you for checking on me.” She started to close the door, but he held it with his hand.
“Might I come in?” His eyes were warm but his face serious. “I will feel better if I see for myself that all is secure.”
She wished to groan in impatience, but instead she stepped back. “I think so? Shall we call for some tea?” What did one offer a man when he was securing her room? “I was just going to... sleep.” She stepped aside to let him in. “So if we could make this short—”
“Were you?” His eyebrows were raised, and his attention was directed at her maid, who was trying to back out of the room with a handful of clothing.
“Preparing for tomorrow.” The lie did not come easily.
“Marc thought you might need extra reassurance. But perhaps he was also hoping to stop any other activities you might choose to participate in.”
“He could not have known that. I didn’t even know.” She frowned, giving away her intent.
Frederick smiled.
“If I were to do such a thing, I wouldn’t have known.” She crossed her arms. “So you are here to ensure that I don’t?”
“And to see that you are well, as I said. Marc is most concerned that you will have to bear the burdens of knowing about his tasks and wishes you to be suitably distracted.”
She snorted, not caring how unladylike she sounded. “And he sent you, thinking you would be the most distracting?”
Frederick shrugged. “And perhaps knowing I’m not about to fall in love with you.”
She didn’t know whether or not to be offended or reassured by that comment. “So we are friends but not allies, if you are here to deter me from ensuring that Marc is safe.”
Instead of laughing at her, which she fully expected him to do, Frederick nodded. “He has other people doing that for him. What he needs most where you’re concerned is the knowledge that, while he is gone,youare safe and well.”
“And betrothed.” She frowned.
“I don’t think he allows himself to think along those lines.”
She hadn’t asked him to sit. And hadn’t ordered tea. But now that she knew he was here simply to make sure she didn’t leave, she had no more desire to entertain him. “I find I am tired. Perhaps I shall sleep.” She second-guessed her original frantic desire to run after Marc. As Frederick explained, there were others who would ensure his safety. “How good is his team? Will he be... safe?”
“They are the best. I know they will do all in their power to protect Marc.”
His words brought some comfort. He gestured to the sofa. “Do you mind if I sit in here?”
She opened her mouth. “Am I to be kept as a prisoner?”
“No, you are never a prisoner here. But suppose...” He cleared his throat. “Suppose another were to intrude on your peace. I promised Marc I would ensure that you feel safe tonight.”
“Very well.” She turned and then remembered to be gracious. “Thank you.”
She did feel better with him there. And suddenly, she knew she could sleep. The thick coldness had left. And she suspected now was not the time to run from the palace, particularly since she did not know where she was going or what direction Marc had taken.
She entered her bedchamber and closed the door behind her to ensure her privacy from Frederick, and shook her head. “Thank you, Catrin,” she said quietly to the maid. “I won’t be needing any of those things this evening, but if you could keep them ready, I could come rushing in and need them at any time.”
“Yes, miss.”
“I’m going to sleep now.”
