Page 65 of Second Chance Prince
“Who gets seasick?”
It was Niki, coming up the stairs behind them. He looked weary, but he smiled when he saw Roberta on her feet.
“Pirates,” she said with a grimace. “I used to think I could be one and sail the high seas. Obviously, I am now having second thoughts.”
His dark eyes gleamed, and he smiled that smile he saved forher alone. He leaned in closer, intimately, and said, “I’m glad you are feeling better.”
“So am I.”
“Once you have rested, we will carry on. I am looking forward to showing you my home.”
She tried to make a joke. “Is the roof leaking and the east wing tumbling down? Because that is what I am used to.”
He pulled a pretend regretful face. “Sadly, no, my castle has no leaks or parts that are falling down.”
Roberta sighed, her eyes lingering on his. “Oh well, it will just have to do.”
He laughed in delight, and then glanced at Freddie and Antonia, as if only just remembering they were there. The two of them had been watching the interplay with interest. “I must speak to my men,” Niki said abruptly, and headed back out to the quay.
Roberta and her helpers continued up the stairs. Freddie left them at her door, and then Antonia ordered a bath and helped her undress, although Roberta protested she would rather just sleep.
“You will feel much better for a bath,” her sister said. “You smell a little, Roberta, but I have been too polite to tell you until now.”
Roberta groaned. “Did everyone notice?”
“I’m sure they didn’t,” Antonia said kindly, and her sister groaned again.
Of course, Antonia was right, and the bath was wonderful, and when she was clean and warm, she was presented with a platter of food to nibble on and was surprised to realize how hungry she was. Replete, she lay down on the comfortable bed, with the salty breeze stirring the curtains and the sounds of the busy port outside, and fell instantly asleep.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Niki had just returned to the inn, having satisfied himself that their luggage was being unloaded properly and that Arrow had not taken any harm during the rough weather.
He intended to spend time with Roberta—he had been worried when she was so ill onboard, but she had seemed more herself once she was on dry land.
Every moment he was apart from her felt like a waste of time, but he suspected their separations would only get worse. His councillors were used to him being available to them at all hours of the day and night. He would have to teach them they needed to leave him time with his wife, but there would be protests, and it would not happen immediately. Right now, with his enemies circling, he needed to have his wits about him, and being with Roberta tended to fully engage those wits.
Yes, he had lustful thoughts about her, but it was more than that. He just wanted to bewithher.
In these circumstances, he was glad Antonia was here to keep her company, and Ernest. He had wondered if his younger brother might develop an infatuation for Antonia and was determined to keep an eye on things, just in case. Then again, he was not sure he needed to worry—Antonia seemed extremely sensible.
He was about to head up the stairs to his wife when one of the servants presented him with a letter from Chamberlain Francis.He frowned. That Francis was writing to him so soon must surely mean he had news about Count Leo Becker. Niki found his way to the private parlor he had appropriated, tore open the letter, and began to read.
His frown grew the further down the page he went. Francis did not bother with pointless civilities. He stated the damning facts succinctly and then drew some conclusions that caused Niki’s heart to sink.
Firstly, Becker had gone missing. Whether he had fled the country or was in hiding, Francis had yet to ascertain, and the questioning of his family and friends had failed to lead to any answers. Secondly, Karl had not arrived at his own wedding. When it happened, it was assumed he had been delayed for some reason, but when nothing was heard and he could not be located along the road from the capital, suspicions were raised. Perhaps he had been injured? Perhaps Niki’s assassin had turned his attentions to Karl?
And then it was discovered that Karl had remained in France and was now residing in Paris. When quizzed by Francis via special messenger, his brother had declared he had no intention of marrying Lady Henrietta or anyone else, and he was not coming home.
Niki groaned and dropped his head, the letter crinkling in his fist. Of course Karl would refuse to do as he was told! When hadn’t he? He was selfish and hedonistic and rarely thought a day ahead. Now he had insulted Henrietta and her people along their southern border, and that was sure to have consequences.
With an effort, he turned again to the chamberlain’s writing.
Francis seemed to draw a different conclusion than Niki didfrom Karl’s actions. He suspected both Karl and Becker were in Paris and that both of them might be behind the attempts on Niki’s life. That far from being a stubborn bridegroom, Karl was in Paris to await his brother’s death, and then he would return and take the throne. He was popular with the people, and although there might be some rumblings, he would probably persuade everyone he was the best choice of leader. For a while, anyway, before his bad habits became more widely known. But then, who else was there? Ernest was too young, and Matilda’s son, Tomas, the next in line to the throne, as well as also being too young, was surely too English to win any support.
Times have changed, Francis wrote ominously.Holtswig no longer seeks England’s approval. There are those who look to the old days and the old ways and want a return of them, and their voices are getting louder.
Niki knew there had been hints that was the case in some quarters, but they were far from the majority. And yes, Karl had been in London with him when the attempts were made, and he was usually close by. But no. He shook his head. He didn’t believe it. Karl might be selfish, and his behavior with Roberta’s friend had been reprehensible, but he was not a devious assassin. He had never shown any desire to harm Niki or take his place. In fact, he had stated often enough that he was glad he did not have to carry Niki’s burdens and could just enjoy himself.
