Princess in Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

fascinated her the way this one did, not even Joseph, her fiancé, which
     disturbed her greatly.
    She shouldn’t have come.
    But she needed to know.
    “You’re still angry with me,” he said, his eyes serious.
    “Yes, of course I am, but that is yesterday’s news.”
    He relaxed back in the chair, and she wondered exactly how much brandy he’d consumed.
     “But I thought tonight was different,” he added. “It felt like old times. You seemed
     cheerful and it gave me hope that you have finally forgiven me.”
    Rose sat back with a resigned sigh. “Why does it even matter? Two years ago you made
     your feelings quite clear. You did not wish any further contact with me. I accepted
     it, and as I told you before, I have moved on. Besides, even if I wanted to, there
     could be no turning back.”
    He regarded her with curiosity. “How do you mean?”
    There was no point keeping it secret. He would know soon enough, and she wanted him to know. Yes, by Jove, she did. Perhaps it was wicked of her, but she wanted
     to jab him with it—or at the very least, damage his monstrous pride.
    “It has not yet been announced,” she explained, “but the truth is…” She paused and
     lifted her chin to bask for a moment in this very splendid array of satisfaction.
     “I am engaged to be married.”
    His head drew back. “Good God, I had no idea.”
    She scoffed. “Why? Is it so difficult to imagine? Did you believe I would pine away
     for you the rest of my life, and never give my heart to another?”
    Now it was his turn to appear flustered, and she took great pleasure in it.
    When he seemed unable to provide an answer, she relaxed her offensive charge and took
     a deep breath. “I’ve shocked you.”
    “Yes, I suppose you have.”
    They gazed at each other in the flickering firelight, and when he looked at her that
     way—with such intimate familiarity—she had to fight hard not to fall back under the
     spell of his captivating male beauty, mixed with all the unforgettable memories of
     their brief affair two years ago. Certain moments would be etched in her mind forever.
    She’d once imagined their love would last a lifetime and they would never be apart.
     She’d believed, quite mistakenly, that he felt the same way.
    How quickly dreams could be crushed. How quickly one could go from bliss and ecstasy
     to the throes of deathlike despair.
    “Who is he?” Leopold asked.
    “Archduke Joseph of Austria.”
    His eyebrows lifted. “Heir to the throne?”
    “Yes. My father arranged for us to meet eight months ago, and we have corresponded
     ever since. He is a good man, Leopold. You would approve of him.”
    It was the truth. Joseph was decent and honest and their union would strengthen Petersbourg’s
     political ties with Austria. It would be a successful marriage on all fronts.
    Leopold sat forward and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I see. Well, then.” He looked
     up at her with dark and broody displeasure. “Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials,
     Rose, but I would be lying if I said I approve.”
    She scoffed again. “Why? Is there no one else, besides you, who is good enough?”
    She meant to be sarcastic, but when his penetrating eyes narrowed, she realized with
     a jolt of shock that he might still entertain some measure of desire for her.
    It was quite possible that tonight had not been a meaningless flirtation simply to
     swell his masculine pride. It was quite possible that he, too, had not forgotten the
     past … that there might still be something more simmering beneath the surface.
    All at once, she felt as if she were back in that swerving, out-of-control coach and
     needed to grab on to something.
    “It’s not that,” he explained. “I’ve always known you could have any man you wanted.
     You are a beautiful woman and the daughter of a king. I cannot reiterate enough how
     it frustrates me to think that you wanted me once, but that it simply could not be.”
    “Could not be?