The Frog Prince

Read The Frog Prince for Free Online Page A

Book: Read The Frog Prince for Free Online
Authors: Jenni James
brilliant—every woman’s dream.”
    “He is.” She smiled. “Oh, he is just marvelous.”
    “If he is so perfect, why did you throw his letter in the pond?”
    “I beg your pardon. How did you know I did that?”
    If she was willing to lie, so was he. “I read it while I was fetching the ball.” Of course, that statement was not actually false; he had read it while he was writing it.
    “Oh.” She sighed and brought her knees to her chest again. “Never mind; I will not attempt to paint him in a better light. You obviously know the worst now.” She sighed again.
    The worst? What was the girl on about? “I thought it was an exceptional letter! What was in it to create this sadness in you?”
    She looked at him then. He was shocked to see her eyes shimmering with unshed tears that she quickly blinked away. “I forgot who I was speaking to. Of course you would think the letter excellent—you are a prince.” Blythe reached down and twirled a bit of fabric from the duvet with her fingers. “However, perhaps I can teach you something before you make the same mistake Prince Nolan does while addressing the girl you hope to marry.”
    “You wish to give me advice on how to deal with a female?” He did not know whether to laugh or be appalled, but the look on her face checked him from commenting on either emotion.
    “Yes.”
    “What did he do wrong?”
    “ Does, not did . He is still doing it.”
    As she fiddled with the fabric, he wondered what she could be speaking about. Had he not done everything in his power to confirm to her how eager he was for this courtship? Had he had not shown himself time and time again to be steadfast by proving his worth to her? What more could the girl want?
    After a few moments, she whispered, “He does not see me.”
    There! There it was again, the same nonsense she had said at the pond. Except now he was more confused than ever. Of course he saw her! He wrote her, did he not? Why were females so difficult? He looked up and realized she was waiting for him to say something. “Oh, uh, what do you mean?” he asked.
    “I was lying just now when I told you Prince Nolan is perfect. I did not want you to know how miserable the situation actually is. I knew you would mock me even more when you knew the truth of it because honestly, if he were to come to me and ask for my hand this instant, I would reject him.”

CHAPTER NINE
    “WHAT?” NOLAN FELT HIS heart drop. “Are you certain?”
    “Yes,” Blythe said as she placed her chin on her knees. “He is literally the very last man I could ever want. He is the direct opposite of all those qualities I mentioned earlier. He is simply too engrossed in himself to need anyone else.”
    Nolan slowly let that sink in. For some reason, his heart had begun to beat uncommonly fast and he was not sure what feeling this was that coursed through him. “What do you mean? Has he done something untoward?”
    “No.” She closed her eyes briefly and then opened them again. “It is not that at all. We have never even met. It is simply that he does not care about me.”
    For the first time he noticed how deep and brown her eyes were—they were remarkably pretty. “Why would you say that?”
    She grinned regretfully and sighed. “Because if he did, he would have asked about me, and he never does. Prince Nolan sends sheets and sheets of his own accomplishments, but has not once thought to ask about mine. Not any of my favorite things, my home, my thoughts—nothing. It is always only about him and his favorites. Just once, I would love to read a letter from my intended that asked me how I was doing or what I cared about most.”
    Those beautiful eyes began to shimmer with unshed tears again. “Caspian, I am sorry I am not what you expected a host to be. I am sorry I forgot our promise and treated you so very ill. I am not myself lately—I am worried. I am confused and concerned about a most decidedly unhappy future. All my life, I have gone

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