Page 5 of Slippers and Thorns
“Thank you,” she murmured, daring to place her hand on his arm. For a moment, their eyes met, and they exchanged gentle smiles. But then Michael drew back, a polite smile on his face once more.
“If you’ll excuse me, Arabella,” he said, bowing slightly, “I am expected at a meeting with one of Father’s advisors.”
“Of course,” she replied with equal politeness and a slight curtsy. “Do not let me keep you from your duties.” She kept her voice light so the edge of frustration wouldn’t leak through. Naturally, he had duties. She was practically useless, a pretty ornament making pretty ornaments, but one duty or another was always claiming her husband. He never had time for her.
CHAPTER 2
Michael
M
ichael let the smile slide off his face as he walked down the hall. He didn’t care if the servants saw his slight glower; it wouldn’t be the first time they had seen him in one of his moods.
That hadn’t gone as he’d hoped.
She hadn’t frowned at him, like she had that morning when he’d seen her at her window. She’d seemed happy to see him. But all she really wanted was—
An arm dropped across his shoulders, startling him out of his thoughts. “Michael! You look positively joyful. Should I send for Oliver to protect everyone around you, or for the lovely Arabella to soothe your irritated soul?”
Michael turned an unimpressed look on his younger brother.
“Are you going to tell me what has you all worked up?” Justin asked brightly.
“Arabella.”
Wincing, Justin slid his arm off and scratched the back of his neck. “Oh. What did she do?”
Michael relived the encounter. His amusement at her embarrassment. The thrill of holding her for once. His frustration when he realized what she was doing.
“She was in the west wing hounding the servants to let her help again,” Michael finally admitted.
Justin looked up at the ceiling, thinking. “Nope,” he said after a few moments, “I don’t see the connection.”
“The connection?”
The younger prince raised an eyebrow. “Between Arabella trying to clean and you being upset. She’s been doing that since you married her!”
Because she hadn’t truly been pleased to seehim; she had been hoping he had something for her to do.
Running a hand through his hair, Michael searched for an explanation that wouldn’t make him sound pathetic. “It’s servants’ work.”
“So?” Justin asked, spinning to walk backward so he could face his brother.
“She shouldn’t be doing it.”
Justin shrugged. “Does it matter, as long as she enjoys it?”
“She’s a princess now.” Michael scowled at the floor. “Princesses aren’t supposed to mix with servants, let alone do their jobs for them.”
Of course, princes weren’t supposed to, either.
“That’s… an unusual stance, coming from you.” Justin’s voice had a strange note to it, but the comment barely registered on Michael’s awareness.
Huffing angrily, he restrained the desire to kick a suit of armor as he passed. He’d broken the social rule first. Now he had a sweet, beautiful wife…but one who preferred the company ofservantsto her husband.
Maybe he should have listened to his parents and ignored his emotions. Married someone of a similar station, and love be hanged.
“Michael?” Pulling his eyes up, he found his brother watching him with a creased brow. “Are you still with me?”
