Read Princess in Love for Free Online Page A

to put this behind me,” she explained. “Now I have done so, and
     I really must leave.”
    Something wild flashed in his eyes. “But have you forgiven me?”
    She hesitated. “If I say yes, will you promise never to speak of this again?”
    He inclined his head, as if he were trying to work out an answer.
    Why wouldn’t he just let it go?
    As she looked into his eyes, she couldn’t seem to escape the memory of the mad love
     she once felt for him. She supposed it would always be a part of her, but life must
     go on. Eventually she would leave Petersbourg for Austria and become a married woman.
     When that day came, it was quite possible she would never lay eyes on Leopold Hunt
     again.
    Which would, of course, be for the best.
    “All right then,” she said at last. “All is forgiven. Fate had other plans for us,
     that is all. I appreciate that you have explained yourself. Please know that wherever
     life takes you, I will wish you well.”
    She forced herself to hold out her hand.
    He looked down at it for a long moment. There was a visible knot of tension in his
     brow, and Rose feared there would be more of this unbearable torture before he said
     good-bye.
    At long last he took hold of her hand, raised it to his lips, and kissed the back
     of it. Her whole body awakened with feverish sensation.
    “I, too, will always wish you well.” His eyes lifted to meet hers, and she steeled
     herself against a powerful flood of emotion. The passion she once felt for this man
     was kicking beneath the surface of everything. She didn’t want to let go of his hand.
    But she must, for it was done. He had apologized for his conduct. They were finished
     with each other now.
    She gave a quick curtsy and turned to go. “Good evening.”
    “Rose…”
    She stopped at the door, but did not turn around.
    “I will examine the dowager’s coach at eight o’clock tomorrow morning,” he said, “to
     determine if it is fit for travel. Will I see you then?”
    “Yes, and thank you,” she said over her shoulder, while she prayed that the vehicle
     would be in good working order, for she wasn’t sure she could manage another day in
     this man’s presence, especially now that all was forgiven.
    *   *   *
    “It appears all is well,” Leopold said to the dowager the following morning as he
     knocked on the outside of the coach. “She’s as sturdy as a warship.”
    “Oh, thank heavens!” the dowager replied.
    Rose stood on the stone walk in the yard and tried to ignore the way the morning sun
     sparkled in Leopold’s eyes as he approached. “That is indeed good news,” she said.
     “We will not need to burden you any further, Lord Cavanaugh.”
    “I assure you, Your Highness, it was no burden,” he said with a bow. “In fact, I am
     exceedingly pleased we had the opportunity to dine together last evening.”
    He gave her that look, as if he were communicating far more than his words conveyed …
     as if they had a secret to share, which they most certainly did.
    “It was a very pleasant evening,” she agreed, though she had not slept well the rest
     of the night, despite the prescribed dose of laudanum.
    “Might I inquire about your injured wrist?” he asked, looking down at her gloved hand.
    She raised it to show him. “It’s much better, thank you.”
    They stood facing each other on the stone walk while a blackbird chirped in the eaves.
     Rose breathed in the fresh, cool scent of the earth, damp with wetness from the heavy
     rains the night before, while her former lover regarded her with a rather intense
     look of desire.
    She found herself reveling in the pleasure of his nearness and wondered if it would
     ever pass. Perhaps not. He was her first love, after all. She couldn’t simply erase
     him.
    “Well!” the dowager called out. “Shall we be on our way?”
    Lord Cavanaugh turned. “Indeed, madam. Allow me to assist you.” He moved to help her
     step into the coach, while Rose managed with some