Page 41 of If The Crown Fits
“That everything was different?” Cai offered and I nodded. “Me too.”
Perhaps he had much less say in this marriage than I realised, and now it was too late to go back. Cai would find out the truth one way or another. And Lance knew that. So what exactly was he planning? Lance was afraid I would take the heirloom for myself, which was why he’d made certain I was under close observation by the guards at all times. But what happened to Cai when it was over and he found out that it was all a lie? Was he going to kill him?
And how could I be certain that Lance wouldn’t betray and kill me too, once I’d given him what he wanted? Despite how much I cared for my family, I’d chosen to run away out of fear for the future. I’d chosen to run away from the life I was living, in the hope of a better one, in a different kingdom. But I’d never planned for all of this to happen. For me to be in a position to change things. One thing was certain: Lance could not be trusted, and whatever he had planned, it couldn’t begood. I didn’t know what exactly to make of Cai, yet. Had my uncle been here, what would he have told me to do? Kill Lance? Would it change anything except make me a sought-after thief and a murderer? The price on my head would increase, that was certain, but it wouldn’t change anything for the better.
Trust Cai? They said the enemy of your enemy was your friend. Could that be true? Nevertheless, I was inside enemy lines and Uncle would want me to play the game.
* * *
We arrived at the manor house some hours later and Cai got out of the carriage first. He held out his hand to help me out, but clumsy as I was in this costume of a gown, my foot got caught between the two carriage steps and I fell... straight into Cai’s arms. I met his beautiful eyes in embarrassed horror while clinging to his shoulders, which felt even more muscular than they looked. Had he always smelled so nice? The scent of him was earthy. Like the forest on a cool autumn morning. Why hadn’t I noticed it before?
“Are you all right?”
My face heated again. This was silly. I quickly pushed myself away from him, finding my footing and brushing a strand of hair away from my eyes. “Quite all right, thank you.” I cleared my throat. Cai looked like he was trying to hide a smile. Damn prince.
“This is a beautiful home,” he commented, and I caught myself staring at it in awe.
Lance called it a house, but it was more like a small castle, surrounded by vast gardens and a small stretch of woodland. The large stone building had to date back a few hundred years, but no effort had been spared in the upkeep of the estate. Everything seemed perfectly in place, from the pine trees that lined the road to the rose gardens — tranquil and quiet. I couldeven smell a light sea breeze in the air. And then I remembered I was supposed to be used to all of this.
“Oh, you know. It’s modest but comfortable,” I said as we walked up the marble steps. The two large wooden doors were opened for us and I had to keep from taking in too large a breath in amazement at the beautiful foyer. Rich people had no idea what they really had. And if they did, they certainly didn’t show it.
Maybe I was biased. Maybe I was bitter. Or maybe I was right.
“Eloisa?” A voice came from one of the adjacent rooms.
A very familiar voice.
“Lance?”
He came over, dressed in his formal royal attire, and placed a kiss on each of my cheeks. “Sister, it is so good to see you.”
I tried to refrain from looking too surprised or uncomfortable.
Lance turned to Cai. “And it is good to see you too.”
“It’s been some time.” Cai replied with a smile on his face, but it wasn’t quite the one I had become familiar with.
“Come, we must get you something to drink.” We followed Lance to a parlour and I placed myself in one of the chairs, hands folded neatly. Lance poured us each a drink before taking his own seat.
“I heard you two had quite the journey in getting here. Blasted bandits.”
Neither Cai nor I replied. How the news had reached Lance so fast was beyond me. As well as what exactly I was supposed to do now. He’d only revealed up to this part of the plan. Told me to look for a family heirloom, and I had discovered none. I’d barely had any time to get to know Cai.
“I’m very glad you both got here safely.” He smiled and I felt a slight shiver run down my spine, but blamed the light breeze making its way through the house.
“Yes, quite so,” Cai said, and Lance took a sip of his drink, staring at the two of us intently.
“I trust you two are getting along well, then?” The question came off innocently, but I knew what it meant — knew what he was really asking.
“Yes, we are,” I said before taking a sip.
Lance abruptly stood up. “Cai, you don’t mind if I borrow my sister for a moment, do you? I’m afraid we have some family business to discuss, you know the sort of thing.” He led us back into the foyer. “But your chambers are ready for you, I believe.”
Cai nodded in thanks and followed one of the servants upstairs. The moment he was out of sight, Lance grabbed my lower arm and pulled me in the opposite direction. I yanked my arm out of Lance’s hand as he closed the study door behind us, and rubbing it a little, I watched Lance pour himself another drink. In fact, I was trying to think of a time when I hadn’t seen him with a drink.
“What was that all about?” My tone came off as offended.
“You’re a bandit,” he replied as if this was the answer to everything.
