Page 67 of Heart of Snow
I stepped toward him, dropping my voice to keep Thieuloye from hearing. “Then call me Oriana, his lady love and most ardent admirer.”
His smile brightened. “Ah, a fellow enthusiast ofAmadís de Gaula, I see.”
“Of many chivalric romances. They are a weakness of mine.” It wasn’t entirely true, but I felt sure it would please the prince to hear it.
Thieuloye tapped an impatient foot against the floor. “Lady Margaretha, we must dress for supper.”
The prince didn’t even look at her when he answered in broken French, “Run along, madame. The countess join when she readies.”
Thieuloye slammed the chamber door, and I cringed. She might well put needles in my mattress as retribution for such flagrant disrespect.
“I came to thank you for your token,” he said. “With your colors on my arm, I feel I could conquer the world.”
“Your Grace, with the colors on your family’s flag, the world is already yours.” I shivered, hoping he’d notice how ready I was for a change of clothes and warm food.
“You are cold.” He pulled off his gauntlet, tucking it beneath his arm as he pressed a hot hand against my cheek. “You know”—he moved closer—“I might be able to warm you.” Though his tone was playful, he allowed his fingers to slide down my jawline to the hollow between my collarbones, his eyes dropping to my lips.
My stomach leapt, and my pulse danced as his head bent toward mine, but I would not let him see it. Taking a great step backward and schooling my voice, I said, “Tush, Felipe, I thought your feelings deeper than these hollow sentiments. Find me again when you’re sincere.” I patted his hand and was turning back to my chambers when he caught my wrist and spun me to face him.
“I have been nothing but sincere with you, my lady.” His eyes bored into mine as he brought my knuckles to his lips. The kiss he bestowed was warm, the heat of his lips saturating my gloveand settling into my skin until a shiver rippled through me that had nothing to do with the cold.
Chapter 32
Margaretha
The ladies in the queen’schamber laughed in conversation, but I kept to myself, using the light of the windows to reread Belinda’s letter. All at home were healthy, she assured me. Though the family’s growing debts continued to be a constant source of distress, she would not dwell on that. She and Father longed to visit and would in a heartbeat if Father were not banned from Brussels after his part in the rebellion. She was not yet in a family way but hoped to be soon, and the letter went on much the same. The very idea of Belinda carrying Father’s children was every bit as unsettling as their marriage announcement had been. Service to the queen had prevented me from attending the wedding, and Belinda seemed to feel the loss, for her letters to me since then were full of cheerful reports and declarations of how desperately she missed me. Time and her persistent attempts to repair the breach had done their work, however, for I found myself missing her too and eagerly anticipating each of her letters, even if I was not quite prepared for news of a new sibling. I truly wished her happy and my father even happier. He’d been so long without Mother that he deserved to find joy again.
“Do I interrupt your solitude?” Felipe’s whisper at my ear made me jump. When had he come in?
“What are you doing here?” I whispered in return. “I hadn’t expected to see you until dinner.”
“I couldn’t wait that long.” He glanced behind him, putting his back to the ladies’ stares and curious looks as he quickly slipped a paper into my hand. “Please come,” he whispered, then disappeared out the door.
Felipe’s missive seemed a hot coal in my pocket as I walked the castle corridors toward the Aula Magna just a few hours later.While the other ladies chattered about court gossip, I mentally recited Felipe’s instructions to meet him in the north corridor before dinner. Slipping away from the ladies-of-honor would be easy enough, but secretly meeting the prince was gambling with my reputation more than I’d ever dared. Still, it was broad daylight, and we were meeting in an oft-traversed hall. Ignoring the prince’s entreaty after boldly seeking his favor seemed the greater risk.
With the entrance to the north hall nearing, I let myself fall to the back of the train, hugging the wall as I walked. I kept my eyes forward, waiting, watching to be sure no one saw, before darting north into the empty corridor. Holding my breath until the soft scuffle of shoes faded, I tiptoed through the hall, wincing at every rustle of my gown and clip of my shoe.
“Margaretha, here.” Felipe’s whisper echoed, and I put a stern finger to my mouth to silence him.
He answered with a grin, reaching out his hand to pull me into a small room and closing the door behind him. There were no windows, but enough light came from under the door that I could still see his rakish smile.
“I think you like the danger of sneaking about,” I whispered.
“I would say I do, only I fear you’d find some new accusation to level at me.”
I chuckled. “Perhaps. Though it appears you’ve forgiven me my abuse of last night.”
“Wholeheartedly.” He took both my hands, and his smile turned serious. “Though you may still doubt me, I hope to convince you I am earnest in my attachment to you.”
“Attachment?” I reared my head. “Felipe, you hardly know me.”
He laced his fingers through mine. “I have known many women, but I’ve never before felt this kind of longing. You’re in every thought, in every dream, churning my mind into a feveredhaze until I can’t think clearly.” He ducked his eyes, his voice dropping to a whisper. “My feelings for you are deep and real, and I intend to prove myself sincere.”
“And how do you plan to do that?”
I expected his seriousness to fade into levity, for the flirt to win out over the pleading lover, but he proved me wrong. Lifting his head, his eyes surprised me with their openness when he answered, “Any way you ask.”
My thoughts leapt to Samuel in an instant, but it was too soon. Too soon to know if the prince’s affections were real, and too soon to test them with such a heavy request. Keeping my tone light, I said, “You can start by letting me out of this closet. Though you so enjoy these intrigues, I fear it puts a strain on my reputation.”
