Page 98 of A Tenuous Betrothal
“We do indeed have a boat. It is the best way to see the race.” His eyebrow wiggled, just one, and she found it charming. But, as handsome as he was, that was all she saw: a handsome man. He was not Marc. He walked at her side as they made their way out the back entrance.
She picked up on his energy. “This is excellent. I’ve never seen a regatta, and except for my journey here, I have never been at sea.” Dare she tell him it was the one thing that had gotten her out of bed that morning? “I thank you for escorting me.”
“It is my pleasure.” He turned to her, his eyes filled with mischief. “And it is my understanding that you wish to become acquainted with all of us.”
She sent a puff of air up into her hairline. “I do.”
“Excellent. If you would allow me, I’d like to be your escort for the day? I think you will enjoy what we are about.”
“I’d be happy to spend the day with you. Where do you fall in the Wilhelm lineup?”
“I’m third from the end, in the middle. And sometimes happily overlooked.” He winked. “Of all the brothers, I tend to have the most time to myself.” He stepped closer and secured her hand on his arm. “Which lends itself to some benefits.”
“Oh? So you aren’t called away on mysterious missions?”
“Never.”
“And you don’t have a busy position that keeps you active all day?”
“No to that as well.”
“And you have, say, time to create a life for yourself?”
“Yes, I do.” He looked dramatically one way and then the other. “I travel. I enjoy fun relationships with other royals. I attend regattas.”
She laughed at his double wink. “Will none of the others be there?”
“They might.” He shrugged. “But I always attend. Someone has to be seen and has to interact with the citizens and have fun.”
“That sounds like a perfect job.”
“I agree. My place in the family is probably the best you can get as a Wilhelm. Thankfully, the crown prince is already taken. He and Princess Elsie have quite a task ahead of them—following Father and Mother. And the youngest, Layton, has the whole navy to command. Marc has security, though none of us really knows what that means.” Karl laughed. “And the others all have various responsibilities I’m certain you shall hear all about. Henri”—he coughed—“well, you’ve met Henri.”
“Yes.” Rhi studied him. His jabs were as good-natured as his brothers’. The whole lot of them liked to tease, just as Kristoff had told her.
“I shall not have long tales of great intellect to share, but wewillhave fun.”
She let a good amount of the tightness in her chest leave with her next breath. “I could use some good entertainment. Honestly, this might be just what I need today.”
“Excellent.” He rested a hand on top of hers as they walked. “It goes without saying that we are dutiful sons. We will all attempt to woo you out of duty, but none of us is complaining much.”
She coughed. “You’re not?”
“Not at all. You are the most attractive woman to set foot in the palace, besides those I’m obligated to acknowledge and am related to.”
Rhi laughed, not quite believing him but loving his easygoing nature. “Thank you.” Her smile came easily. “Might I ask one serious thing before I throw it all to the side for the day?”
“If you must.” But Karl turned sincere eyes to Rhi, and their depth impressed her. My, he would make just about any woman happy. Any woman not already longing for Marc.
“I’d like to think that Marc is going to be all right, that this mission he has undertaken is not overly dangerous.”
He looked away, seeming not to enjoy this topic. “I don’t know precisely how to respond. When I said no one really knows what Marc does, I was being truthful. Frederick knows some detail, and perhaps Kristoff, although Kristoff can more often than not be convinced to join us in the more frivolous pursuits.”
“That is good to know,” she said. But, disappointed that he could not alleviate her concern, she set it aside for now, as she’d told him she would. “Perhaps you would be able to fill me in on all the gossip around here.”
His jovial countenance returned. “I can certainly do that. I’m not sure how this has come about, but I hear it all. Every juicy bit of information gets passed to me. As long as I continue to act enthralled by all the drama, someone, somewhere will divulge the truth.”
Their walk had taken them out the palace doors, through courtyards and gardens, and down the back steps. They passed what looked like a busy servants’ entrance. “Take the East Wing servants.” He leaned in close in a mock whisper. “They are in a bit of a struggle right now because the head chef refuses to give them their meals on time. And shall I tell you why? They came late to a meal ten days ago, and he has not forgiven them. Mealtimes are sacred, apparently.” He leaned closer. “What no one else knows is that they were covering for one servant who was going to be late because of a mishap in his family.”
