Page 51 of If The Crown Fits
Cai cocked his head to the side. “I was told that you loved to read. Was I misinformed?”
Of course, damn it. Princess Eloisa was very fond of books while I, on the other hand, didn’t take very much pleasure in reading. I could read but I wouldn’t unless it was a necessity. I’d slipped up, yet again.
“Of course I love to read.” I attempted to recover from my blunder. “I only meant, why would you presume your library to be superior to the one I have at home?” Better.
The corner of Cai’s mouth jerked, but he pulled a straight face again as if the action was involuntary.
“I never said you would find it superior to your own library. I simply said I think you wouldlikeit.”
“Are you fond of reading?” We’d made our way out of the maze and back around the rose garden.
“Sometimes. Though I haven’t had much time for reading at leisure lately.” The rose that he had placed behind my ear earlier fell to the ground and I reached down to pick it up. But those bloody hems wouldn’t allow me that simple task and I lost my footing. In a moment, Cai was holding my arms, keeping me from falling.
“Careful now.”
I was thankful the darkness wouldn’t allow him to see the flush in my cheeks.
Cai bent down to his knees, picking up the rose.
“Your Highness.” He held it out to me.
“There’s no need to get down on one knee.” I took the rose and placed it in my hair. “We’re already engaged.”
My words made Cai smirk.
I hoped that Cordelia had finished her job and that I had managed to keep Cai away from his chambers long enough.
“You were right, you know.” We walked up the steps of the porch and he held open the door for me before we entered.
“Right about what?” I asked.
“You’re not like any princess I have met before.” His words managed to put a smile on my face, though I wasn’t entirely sure what I was satisfied about.
“Well, I never lie.” And I turned and headed for my room.
* * *
“You what?”
Cordelia motioned for me to be quiet. “It wasn’t my fault! How was I to know he would be there?”
All my hopes had come crashing down when I stepped into my bedroom and found Cordelia standing empty-handed with a disappointed look on her face.
Apparently Cordelia had run into Jack as she was entering Cai’s room.
“What did you do?”
“I told him I got lost and then we walked back to this side of the manor.”
I huffed in frustration. “I tell you to steal a sword and you end up strolling with the enemy.”
“I didn’t have a choice. You know I didn’t.” Which was true. I hadn’t taken Cai’s guards into account and, once again, I had not got Lance what he wanted. I fell onto my bed with a groan.
“I’m never going to pull this off.” The bed dipped as Cordelia sat beside me.
“You will. You’re not thinking straight, that’s all.” Taking my palms away from my face, I peered at her in confusion.
“What do you mean?”
