Page 60 of Beguiled
“I understand that you may not have trusted me initially.” He stabbed another piece of mutton. “But in recent days, I thought I’d proven my loyalty to you.”
All my excuses for not telling him the truth now seemed flimsy and irrelevant, for he had proven himself many times over.
He lifted the mutton, sank his teeth into it, and ripped off a juicy bite. With his broad shoulders hunched, he stared straight ahead while he chewed.
“It does not matter anymore,” I whispered. “She will kill me for my heart, and you can do naught to stop her.”
He paused in taking another bite to glare at me.
“Please, I beg you to take Ruby and go while you still can.”
“Princess Pearl.” The queen’s voice sliced through our whispered conversation.
I sat up straighter and peered at the queen several places away. She was attired in one of her loveliest gowns—a dark green that brought out the green in her eyes. Like most of her garments, this one contained intricate jewels throughout, making her glitter.
“Enlighten me.” She toyed with her goblet, running her finger around the rim. “Prince Mikkel has declared his love for you. Do you feel the same about him?”
I probably loved him more. But I couldn’t say so. If I did, she’d use Mikkel to make me submit to her every whim. He would be safer if I severed my connection to him now while I still could.
“No.” I kept my attention on the queen and didn’t let it stray to Mikkel. I didn’t want to see the hurt my words were sure to cause him. “No, I do not love the prince, and I shall not go to Scania with him.”
Chapter
22
Mikkel
Pearl was lying.Wasn’t she?
I tried to finish swallowing the piece of meat, but it stuck in my throat. Maybe my feelings were stronger than hers for me. Maybe she didn’t love me yet. But I hadn’t imagined the attraction that had grown between us, and I knew she liked me.
I dropped my knife and the rest of the mutton to my trencher and swished my fingers in the pewter washing bowl at my place setting. I rinsed them of grease and food, my appetite washing away just as easily. All the while, I studied Pearl’s face, really taking her in for the first time.
Her cheeks were high boned and elegant, her nose a perfect shape, her lips alluring, and her chin delicately rounded. Her flawless creamy skin contrasted with her dark unbound hair cascading in long curls.
Not only was her face breathtakingly beautiful, but her body was too. I’d only seen her in loose-fitting men’s tunics and breeches. And now, her red gown highlighted an alluring womanly form.
Altogether, she was remarkably stunning. What word had the queen used? Beguiling?
I understood why the queen believed Pearl’s beauty had cast a spell over me, making me fall in love with her. Even now, I could see the way Lord Anise and the other young noblemen regarded her with admiration.
Was it possible the queen was jealous of her daughter? Perhaps she didn’t like sharing the attention. Or perhaps she feared Pearl would win over the favor of the citizens. For the queen lacked the one thing Pearl possessed: inner beauty. Pearl’s compassion, benevolence, and solicitude toward others would make her the better queen by far.
Though I didn’t like that Pearl had deceived me about what was behind the veil, I could understand the wisdom of her plan. Knowing the man I’d once been before my Testing, a man who’d valued appearances, I would have focused on her outward beauty and missed the incredible woman she was on the inside.
The fact was, I’d fallen in love with her for who she was and not for what she looked like. And I wasn’t sure that would have happened without the veil.
I dried my hands on my garments, then shifted in my chair so I was face-to-face with her. “I forgive you,” I whispered.
Her long lashes lifted, framing her expressive eyes—eyes I’d grown to love as windows into her soul. And now they filled with both surprise and tenderness. “I am truly sorry. I should have told you sooner—”
I covered her lips with mine, pressing in and claiming her. She was mine. I loved her. And I wanted her to know that no matter what might happen, no matter how much she denied loving me in return, I would never stop loving her.
Her lashes fell, but not before I caught sight of the pleasure in her eyes. And when she arched to meet me, her lips melding against mine with passion, I knew she loved me too, that she’d denied it to protect me.
I didn’t care that every person in the room, including the queen, was watching us. I didn’t care that peril lurked at every move. I loved Pearl more than I’d ever believed possible, and I wanted her to know that.
“Very nice.” The queen’s voice cut into me, and I backed away at the same time Pearl broke our kiss. “The two of you have indeed enlightened me just as I’d hoped you would.”
