LITMIR.BIZ

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house led downhill to a small village. Out upon the sea, several fishing boats had gone out for the day’s catch.

      ‘When we reach the village, I’m going to hold your hand,’ Karl warned. He didn’t want her to overreact when he touched her. ‘We’ll pretend to be a married couple.’

      She stopped walking and studied him. ‘Why would I need to hold your hand?’

      ‘Because it will let the others know that you’re under my protection.’

      The closer they walked to the capital city, the more nervous Serena became. Her face was pale, her hands clenched together. He was beginning to wonder precisely how sheltered she’d been. Was she so afraid of visiting the city, or did he frighten her that much?

      When he took her palm at last, she looked petrified. ‘Breathe, Princess.’

      ‘I am breathing!’ But her steps slowed when they reached the main cobbled street. There were rows of houses higher upon the hillside, while several shops lined the streets. The air held a stale, salty aroma, and he saw only a few people walking, most of them elderly.

      ‘It’s too quiet,’ she offered, keeping her voice in a low whisper. ‘I don’t like this.’

      ‘It’s practically abandoned.’ In the past, he remembered market stalls with fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, fish and bread. Even flowers in the springtime. When they passed a baker’s shop, there were only a few loaves of bread for sale.

      Something wasn’t right about this place. It was as if most of the people had deserted the island. But why?

      Karl led Serena deeper into the town, drawing her to one side as a cart rolled past. The princess gripped his hand, and when a few villagers walked past, eyeing them with curiosity, she leaned closer.

      He caught the scent of her hair, and the unexpected warmth of her body as it brushed against his. A flare of interest caught him, and he resisted the urge to pull her closer, knowing it would frighten her. The princess was so cautious, it was like coaxing a butterfly to land on his palm.

      ‘Don’t be afraid,’ he murmured. ‘They don’t know who you are.’

      She stopped walking and turned to him, her expression filled with worry. ‘It’s not easy for me. I keep thinking someone will come down the street and attack us.’

      ‘If any man tries, I’ll shoot him,’ Karl promised. He took her hand and brought it to his coat where the revolver rested. She studied him as if she didn’t quite believe he knew how to handle the weapon.

      ‘Shall I demonstrate?’

      Her eyes widened a moment, before she realised he was teasing. Her shoulders lowered, though she didn’t quite relax. ‘That won’t be necessary.’

      ‘You’re under my protection, Princess. No man will harm you.’

      She eyed him with suspicion. ‘You might.’ Her troubled gaze lacked any faith in him, as if she expected him to invade her bedchamber late at night.

      ‘If that were my intent, I could have done so last night.’ He studied her, not letting go of her hand. ‘And why would I want to harm the woman I’m going to marry?’

      She sobered, her gaze lowering to the ground. Karl tilted her chin up to face him. Worry filled up her green eyes, but he held her steady gaze. ‘You’re safe with me.’

      ‘I hope so,’ she whispered. She stood with perfect posture, in spite of her tangled hair and the exhaustion lining her face. Though she’d tried to cover her throat with a fichu, the reddened skin had darkened into bruises. It reminded him that some men were worse bastards than himself.

      With her hand in his, Karl led her farther down the street, where a small stone church stood with a single steeple. It looked a hundred years old, and in his mind, he could almost envision a bride with flowers in her hair, smiling up at her bridegroom on their wedding day.

      He doubted if Serena would smile at him, not after the way he’d abducted her. And while he couldn’t give her the wedding day of her dreams, he hoped she could accept a marriage between them, despite his lost birthright. Though it was an inauspicious beginning, she would eventually have everything she wanted—he’d make sure of it.

      When they reached the end of the cobbled street, Serena turned to him. ‘Why are we here?’

      Karl started to answer, but the words caught in his mouth. Her demeanour was hesitant, and he suspected that bringing up the wedding again would only add to her fears. ‘No reason,’ he lied, bringing her back up the other side of the street.

      He searched the row of shops until at last he saw a linen draper’s. When she frowned a moment, he ordered, ‘Go inside. I’ll buy you more clothes.’

      The confusion on her face was replaced by gratitude. Serena’s lips nearly curved in a smile, and she took a tentative step forward, staring at the interior of the shop. It smelled pleasant, like freshly brewed tea. Upon a table lay rows of handkerchiefs and shawls, as well as a third row of aprons. She stared at the merchandise as if she’d never seen such articles before.

      The female shopkeeper sent Serena a guarded smile. In Lohenisch, she greeted her, asking, ‘May I help you, madam?’

      Before the princess could answer, Karl interrupted. ‘My wife’s belongings were lost overboard when we made the crossing to the island. She’ll need a new wardrobe. If you can find seamstresses who can work quickly and deliver the first gown tonight, I will double your price.’

      The woman gaped at him, ‘Forgive me, my lord, but it’s clear to me that this is your first time upon our island. There are few of us left on Vertraumen. I am the only seamstress here.’

      Karl exchanged a look with Serena. Correcting the woman, he said, ‘No, I visited the island years ago. It wasn’t always like this.’

      ‘We’re losing more of the islanders each day,’ the matron admitted. ‘Soon, there won’t be anyone left.’

      ‘Why would they go?’ He couldn’t understand how the island province would suffer in such a way.

      The woman’s face turned solemn. ‘The crops have failed us over the past few years. We’ve no grain for bread or to feed our livestock. We rely upon the fishermen to sell their catch on the mainland. Most have gone to Germany or Prussia to find work and homes for their families.’

      ‘What caused the crop failures?’ Karl asked. In the past, he remembered fields of barley and even a few vineyards lining the hills. Although this island wasn’t as large as some, it had been self-reliant.

      ‘Flooding, mostly. We’ve had terrible rains these past two years.’

      ‘Have you appealed to the king of Lohenberg for help?’ he asked. Though he’d served on his father’s council, never had any problems been reported from the island. He wondered if the governor was to blame.

      ‘Our island isn’t the king’s concern, so it seems,’ she responded. ‘He did nothing.’

      Karl remained silent at the woman’s assertion. If he were responsible for the island, he’d order relief supplies and grain. He’d try to bring in new equipment to mechanise their farming and—

      You’re not their prince any more. Your only hope for a kingdom lies with Serena.

      His jaw tightened at the thought. He didn’t like the idea of relying on anyone else’s whims to make his future.

      With her hair pinned up in a messy arrangement, Serena looked vulnerable. Tentatively, she examined yards of fabric and trim, and Karl nodded to the shopkeeper. ‘Let her purchase whatever she wishes. And one of the dresses must be ready by this evening.’

      The woman eyed him for a moment, her face furrowed as if she didn’t believe she could accomplish the task. ‘I have pieces of a gown partially sewn, but I must ask that you pay a portion of the cost beforehand. And I’ll

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