Page 13 of The Wanted Prince

“Idiot! What are you doing?”

“Ssh, ssh. Don’t shout.”

I kicked his foot. “I will shout! You jump out of the bushes, scare me half to death?—”

“I didn’t jump out. Didn’t you see me?”

“Obviously not! And what are you wearing?” I took him in for the first time, in ratty old sweats, a goofy blue baseball cap askew on his head. He looked like a cartoon of a man in disguise, every dumb cliché, the hat, the dark glasses.

“No one can see me.” He grabbed my hand, dropped it. Glanced back up the path. “Is there somewhere around here? Somewhere quiet to talk?”

“The pond,” I said, faintly. “Under the trees. But you can’t be here. We can’t?—”

“I know.” He took my hand again and drew me into the trees. “I came here to warn you.”

“You’re trampling the bluebells.”

He looked down at his feet, at the crushed ranks of bluebells. “Sorry,” he said.

“Wait, warn me?” I tensed as my head caught up to my racing heart. “Is this about last night? Did somebody see?”

“No. You’re still safe. I promise, I won’t—” He cut himself off and backed into the shade. “I’ll go in a second. This won’t affect you. I swear I won’t let it.”

I swayed, feeling dizzy. “What won’t affect me?”

Alessandro took a deep breath. Adjusted his shades. He stood up straighter and seemed more like himself, and when he spoke again, his voice had steadied. “The royal amulet’s been stolen. No one knows yet but us. Well, us and my family, and the Royal Guard. But it’s bound to get out soon, and I need you to know, I won’t drag you into it, no matter what happens.”

My knees shook like jelly. I searched for somewhere to sit. But there was nowhere, so I grabbed a branch for support. “Drag me into it? I don’t understand.”

“It went missing last night. While we were together. But I haven’t told anyone, and I promise I won’t.”

I tried to make sense of what I was hearing. “Wait. Are you saying they think you stole it?”

“I’m being set up. They have me on tape. It’s not real, of course, but the time stamp’s been fixed.”

“The time stamp?” I reeled. “What time was it stolen?”

“Just before midnight. While we were together. But you don’t have to worry. I won’t say a thing.”

I gripped the branch I’d grabbed for support. Relief washed through me, then on its heels, guilt. With a word, I could end this. No one would doubt me. I’d be declaring myself a traitor to my family, throwing my reputation straight on the fire. Why would I do that if it weren’t the truth? Hugo would step in and try to defend me, and the moment he did, he’d make it ugly. Alessandro would be the seducer, the way he’d tell it, taking advantage of his innocent sister. I’d be the fool, too naïve to know better.

“I’m going to root out the thief,” said Alessandro.

I barely heard him, picturing Mother. Picturing her face, when she heard what I’d done. She loved a good scandal, but this was a bad one. I’d let him conquer me, or so she’d say. Let the false prince plant his flag on my soil. She’d say he’d used me and tossed me away. Made me look stupid and our family look weak.

“Laura?” He reached for me. “Are you all right?”

My voice seemed to come from a million miles away. “Who, uh… Any idea who’d want to frame you?”

He tugged at his baseball cap. “Maybe. I might. I’ve made a few enemies over the years. I guess I’d start there, and see if I?—”

“What?”

Alessandro had frozen, head cocked to one side. Now I heard laughter coming our way, steps on the footpath circling the pond. I peeked out and saw Mother and a gaggle of guests. Alessandro let go of me.

“Stall them. I’ll run.”

“I can’t jump out of the bushes!”

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