Page 108 of Bride of the Midnight Prince

“Where are we going?” I venture after several minutes of silence.

“To sort out the matter of whether I shall be wed soon,” he says, and I’d almost think there was a note of dry sarcasm in the statement.

“Oh,” I say stupidly, focusing my attention on my hands in my lap. Horse hooves clip-clop on the cobblestone streets. I watch out the window, noting the familiar streets and houses. That’s the Fairfax manor. Two streets over, the Ludlum family has their beautiful estate with enough grounds to make one forget they were in the city.

It occurs to me that I likely know which family he intends to marry into. I’m probably acquaintances with the girl. I want to ask, but force myself not to, in fear I might give away knowledge a boy of my supposed station shouldn’t have.

“Mary’s situation is nearby,” I say absently.

“Perhaps we can visit after our business is settled.”

I shake my head. “She’ll be far too busy, but she’s promised to visit me soon.”

“As you wish.”

We sit in silence, and when I look up, I find him watching me intently yet again. His scrutiny makes me shift awkwardly in my seat.

The carriage comes to a halt. I peer out the window.

What I see nearly makes me go blind in panic.

That is the trimmed shrub of a rearing stallion. A stallion I know better than my own name.

“It looks like we’re here,” says Rahk, stretching his legs as the footman opens the carriage door for him.

Is this some terrible joke? Is this a horrible nightmare I’m about to wake up from? Has he found out every one of my secrets and intends to force my hand in the cruelest of ways?

But when I look at Rahk, there is not a shred of understanding or significance on his face. No gloating“Aha! I’ve got you now!”—not a single smidge of it. If anything, his expression shifts very slightly to concern when he looks back into the carriage and sees I haven’t followed him.

“Come along then,” he says.

I could plead ill. I could claim my leg is thunderously painful. I could—

All of my options create more problems. Iamin disguise. Perhaps my disguise is enough to fool my stepfamily? I could slip in, stay at the back, and slip back out again. No one will be the wiser.

I draw in a deep breath and climb out of the carriage, hiding the flash of pain that shoots up my leg at the effort.

I hang back among the footmen, but Rahk waves me to his side as he strides up to the front of the manor I’ve lived in all my life. My mind races faster than a galloping horse. Mary is here. She’ll recognize me for sure. Perhaps she can pull me aside, away from the prying eyes of my stepfamily.

“Lord Rahk,” says Charles at the door, bowing. “Lady Duxbury Vandermore has been expecting you. This way.”

I finally process the reason for this visit.

“I haven’t met her yet. I’ve tried on multiple occasions, but she has always been out.Her family was willing to accept my proposal on her behalf.”

I stagger slightly, but I’m situated behind Rahk so he doesn’t notice. Charles’s gaze snaps to mine, however, and at once his eyes go wide with recognition. I hold up one finger to my lips, silently pleading with him not to reveal me. He swallows and quickly looks away.

I’mthe bride Rahk is considering.I’mthe woman he’s been trying to see.

I stare in shock at the broad expanse of his back, the way his coat swishes with each purposeful step. Am I . . . engaged?

The parlor is as I remember it, though it suddenly feelsverycramped with Rahk taking up so much space.

“I know you’ve been eager to meet Lady Vandermore,” says Agatha, all smiles and ease as she receives Rahk into the parlor. She wears one of her nicest dresses—a raspberry colored silk. “I am happy to inform you that she is here.”

My head whips up in shock. But Agatha isn’t looking at me. She gestures to Bridget, whose curls are groomed to lush perfection, wearing the same spring-green gown I wore to the ball where Lord Boreham told me his intent to propose. It is far too fine for a morning reception—as is Agatha’s dress. Are they trying to flaunt their wealth to Rahk?

Bridget rises, smiling beautifully as Rahk bows over her hand and kisses it.

---