Page 4 of Much Ado About Mistletoe
Cal strode forward to shake hands with Baldissere. “A happy occasion to see you returned to Verona. With your lovely wife, I assume?”
Baldissere beamed. “Susanna is indeed lovely, and here with me for the gladsome occasion of your marriage to our dear sister Rosaline.”
I knew what he was doing. My former betrothed was refuting any interest in me, past or future, to the powerful man who had laid claim to me.
Cal inclined his head. He knew, too. “Rosie, I beg you accompany me to the Christmas market inPiazza dei Signori. I’d appreciate your suggestions for the gifts the palace will give to Verona’s orphans.”
Emilia jumped to her feet. “Toys! I want to see the toys. Can I go?”
Katherina put her hand on Emilia’s arm and in a not-quiet-enough tone said, “Not after your blunt welcome.”
“I simply said unless there was another stabbing—”
“I know what you said. Don’t say it again.”
“But it’s true,” Emilia muttered.
Katherina cast a patently fake smile at Cal. “I’m sure Rosie would be delighted to advise you.”
Imogene had to put herflorininto the conversation. “Katherina, have you taken leave of your senses? Mamma would not approve of Rosie going alone with the prince into the city. She must have a chaperone. At least one.”
“For what reason, Imogene?” Baldissere asked.
Imogene turned to him. “To protect her virginity. He’s proved himself to be less bloodless than we imagined!”
Prince Escalus neither moved nor winced, nor did he show embarrassment at being perceived as formerly bloodless and now, er, more…well, just more.
Baldissere, on the other hand, sputtered in shock.
For emphasis, Imogene looked meaningfully at him and bumped her fists together.
Immediately Baldissere excused himself and sought privacy, one supposed to relieve himself, but probably to question how his former betrothed, who had been uninterested in his physical appeal, and the prince of Verona, who had a well-deserved reputation as an upright, just, unsmiling ruler with an overload of self-control and totally without charm, could be clashing in any enthusiastic physical way…
Admittedly I was experiencing some shock myself. A truth had slowly begun to grow on me… No, that’s not right. A truth had begun to vigorously present itself to me; Prince Escalus ruled himself with stern discipline to retain command over his deep-held passions. I did not know all the storms and rages he hid beneath his still demeanor, but since our tumultuous engagement, I had been shown brief glimpses of his true self in eloquent speeches and, more than once, inflamed interludes.
“I am sure the presence of the prince’s bodyguards and my own good sense will protect my virtue.” NowIsounded bloodless.
Which mattered not, because Imogene pulled a disbelieving face. “If the report I heard is true—”
Katherina turned on her. “We do not discuss Rosie’s virtue in front of strangers!” She owed me, because of the little escapade she and Princess Isabella had enjoyed and from which I’d rescued them.
“What strangers?” Imogene asked.
Katherina indicated the prince’s bodyguards who stood, unmoving and expressionless.
Or…mostly expressionless. Marcellus looked like he’d swallowed an olive pit, and Dion fought a spasm of coughing that did not disguise his laughter.
“They’re not strangers,” Imogene protested. “They’re like Tommaso. They know all our secrets. There’s no use pretending they don’t!”
Which was quite true, but nevertheless, Holofernes, who’d managed to maintain his usual tranquil demeanor, said, “My prince, we’ll await you and Lady Rosaline outside.”
I had to put a stop to this. “Imogene, I promise, with all the market watching our every move, the prince will be forced to restrain his appetites.”
Cal at last spoke up. “Not quite all.”
Every eye swung in his direction.
“I find a slice of warm, savory lamb pie irresistible.”
