Page 21 of Slippers and Thorns
Michael examined her. Slightly flushed from the exercise, she glowed with energy. Her blue eyes were brighter than he had seen in a long time, but the carefree air she wore seemed to him as if it verged on reckless.
He held out his hand. “Shall we?”
To his surprise, she set her hand on his shoulder, then trailed her fingers down his arm before settling them at last in his hand. Leaning into him, she looked up through her lashes. “Naturally.”
“Who are you, and what have you done with my wife?” he joked as the dance began.
“What do you mean?” she asked, pouting prettily like a courtier and shaking her blonde curls. “Don’t you like me like this?”
He chuckled. “I suppose I don’t object. But you’re not usually so…”
“Charming?” she supplied. “Vibrant?”
“Flirtatious.”
She smirked. “I’ve been practicing all evening.”
“Yes,” he replied uneasily, clearing his throat. “I noticed.”
“You were supposed to.”
Michael frowned at that. “Supposed to?”
Arabella rolled her eyes. “Well, I haven’t been acting like a fool with every young man I came across because I hoped he’d invite me onto the balcony.”
Michael forcibly relaxed his jaw muscles, which had stiffened at the thought of Arabella ensconced in a secluded corner, sheltered further from sight by the dark night, with one of the young whelps with whom she’d been dancing. Getting jealous again wouldn’t advance his plans for the evening.
Although, the way she said it… He pulled her a little closer and leaned his head down to speak softly in her ear. “Are you implying that you hopeI’llinvite you to the balcony?” He thought about the nooks and crannies created by the decorative exterior of the castle, the convenient staircase that led into the dimly lit gardens beyond… Forget the shadow of potted plants! The balcony would be a significant upgrade.
Arabella studied him through several long turns of the dance. “Perhaps,” she finally answered. “But I believe I require several more songs dancing with you first.”
Tightening his arm around her waist, Michael smiled. “As you wish, my lady.”
CHAPTER 10
Ella
T
he remainder of their stay in Ralnor was not perfect, but it was definitely better. Michael spent less time wandering among the nobles, sitting or standing with Ella instead. When he did make the rounds, Ella looped her arm in his and went with him like she used to. They made several trips through the gardens, admiring the flowers and slipping behind tall hedges to scandalize the proper old ladies (who couldn’t see them, but would be horrified if they could).
The journey home was convivial. Ella tried to grumble less about being stuffed into the carriage at the beginning and end of each day for the sake of appearances, and Michael was as attentive as could be, whether they were riding, engaging in the carriage-related necessities, or sitting to dinner at the evening’s inn. He even gallantly forewent his own room one night when the inn proved to be overbooked due to a local festival, masterfully assuring the poor innkeeper that it was not an inconvenience, while Ella pretended to study some paintings on the far wall to hide her unladylike giggles.
Ella hoped things would continue to improve after they reached Daraigh. At first, it seemed like they might. She and Michael had gotten into the habit of seeing each other at all three meals and visiting before bed, not to mention frequently throughout the day, and being home was no reason to stop.
However, once they settled back into the rhythm of Hartford Castle, the habits began to slip. Michael had a morning meeting that ran late, so Ella ate lunch without him. Preparations for a ladies’ brunch drew Ella away from breakfast. An afternoon hunt and the celebration afterward kept Michael away from the castle until late, by which time he decided not to risk waking Ella to tell her good night and simply retired to his own room upon his return. The rest of the time, Michael’s full schedule as crown prince made it difficult to sneak away for a few minutes of private conversation (or non-conversation) in the middle of the day.
A couple of months after their return, Ella was once again sighing at a window. King Phillip had agreed to open negotiations with King Steffan about Reineggburg, but even if the deal was successful and even if they were allowed to help with the reconstruction (which she doubted), it would be months before they could escape to that temporary retreat.
In the meantime, she hadn’t seen Michael since lunch the day before, and it was almost dinnertime.
“What I wouldn’t give to spend a few more minutes with him each day,” she sighed. Her eyes drifted to a ridiculous piece of embroidery that Katy had gifted her at their parting. An arrow pierced a red heart, with the words “My beloved hunter, I am yours” encircling it.
“If you have trouble finding time for each other after you get back,” Katy had whispered conspiratorially as she handed it off, “ask him to teach you archery.”
“Archery?” Ella had replied, bemused. “Whatever for?”
Katy had waggled her eyebrows. “Haven’t you ever watched a man trying to teach a girl he likes how to shoot a bow?”
