Page 10 of Slippers and Thorns
As he watched Charles chat easily with Arabella, he had to firmly tell himself that he couldnothave a model guard demoted or thrown into prison just because said guard was capable of making the princess laugh. Jealousy did not justify abuse of his power as crown prince.
But he wanted to.
The entire day passed in the same manner. She avoided him when they halted for lunch, and as soon as they resumed their journey, she planted herself next to Charles, taking great care to ensure there was no room for Michael. Unless he wanted to cause a scene, he had to stay back.
By the time they stopped so that Arabella could reenter the carriage, Michael’s emotions were so tightly wound that he didn’t notice at first. When he realized it, he swung out of the saddle so quickly, Chief whinnied in protest.
Delayed by his distraction, Michael arrived at the carriage after Charles was already in position next to it. The guard was wise enough to quickly yield his place when the prince approached, though.
Arabella paused outside the carriage door, sweeping her eyes over him with a cold expression. “Hello, Michael.”
Michael hid his frustration and held out his hand. When she simply stared at it, he said as calmly as he could, “Aren’t you going to get in?”
She surveyed his hand with surprising disdain. Where was his quiet, gentle wife? “Charlie is more than capable of helping me. You needn’ttroubleyourself with such a small chore when you haveservantswho could do it for you.”
Aware of the many watching eyes of their retinue, Michael pushed down his irritation and leaned in closer, lowering his voice. “Arabella, I’m sorry. I was angry yesterday, but I shouldn’t have ignored you like that.” Her eyes softened slightly. “Please, may I help you into the carriage?”
Her gaze flicked sideways before the corners of her mouth turned up in a slight smile. “Of course,” she answered.
Finally. They were getting somewhere.
Gently placing her hand in his, she stepped into the carriage without putting any weight on his supporting hand. He squeezed her hand lightly, then brought it to his lips in a lingering kiss as she settled onto the seat. He wasn’t certain, but he thought he saw a faint blush on her cheeks.
Releasing her hand, he gave her a small smile of his own before returning to Chief. It was a small victory, but after the last two days, he’d take it.
“Your Highness! May I speak with you for a moment?”
Michael turned to the excursion’s steward. “Of course. What do you need?” he asked, dropping towards the back of the procession to speak to him.
It was a shorter distance to the inn than he had expected. When they stopped again, Michael looked up, startled. “Excuse me,” he hurriedly told the steward. The man was still spluttering a response as he rode off.
Even so, he was too slow. By the time he reached Arabella’s carriage, Charles was already assisting her down the steps with a smile. Which she returned with a much larger one than what she’d given Michael on her way in a short time before.
Envy clawed at his chest with renewed fervor as he watched from his position on Chief’s back. He’d always known she was more comfortable with the servants than most members of royalty or the nobility were.
Clenching his fists, he turned away. Apparently, she was more comfortable than he had realized.
CHAPTER 5
Ella
S
o much for the trip improving their relationship.
Ella blinked back tears as her maid pinned up her hair. They had arrived in Himmelsburg, the Ralnoran capital, two days ago. Axel and Katy had been very welcoming, and both Michael and Ella had presented the appropriate smiles and words of thanks. Michael had properly escorted Ella from her carriage clear through the castle to her quarters – where he had left her without a word.
At home in Hartford, they had at least spoken to each other occasionally.
Remembering the journey, Ella admitted to herself that her anger that first day probably hadn’t helped. His refusal to dismount and help her into the carriage had been petty, but she had overreacted. Regardless, she had thought they were back on decent terms at the end of the next day when he had squeezed her hand and smiled at her while handing her in.
Except then when they arrived at the inn, Michael was icy as he escorted her in and had continued the same ever since. What had gone wrong?
Stepping into the hallway, Ella nodded to the auburn-haired guard outside her room. “Good morning, Henry.”
“Good morning, Your Highness,” he replied. His tone was perfectly professional, but his hazel eyes slid sideways to her before refocusing ahead. It was unfortunate that his good nature and easy laugh only made an appearance with his fellow guards; she could have used a laugh.
“Ella! There you are!” someone exclaimed from further down the hall. “I expected you sooner – you’re usually up with the sun.”
