The Princes Determined Read online

  Her violent reaction startled him. “You are overreacting.”

  “How dare you say so?” she hissed. “If you think to declare war on my home, I will not stand for it.”

  He wanted to kick himself. Surely that is what she would think. It was true there was no love lost between him and Bevelaire, but he had no intention of declaring war on them. Not yet, at least.

  He should have spoken with her before now. “Who escorted you here?”

  “D’Arcy. Now, tell me. Is it true? Have you declared war on my father?”

  Talin searched the crowd for d’Arcy. When he found the lad, the young soldier shook his head and held up his hands as if to say he tried to stop her. Talin was familiar with Rowena’s ways and knew he could not blame Hugh.

  He turned his attention back to his intended bride. “No, I have not declared war on your home. It is true that a troop is going to Bevelaire to seek out your father, but we do not seek a battle.”

  Rowena’s lips formed an O of understanding. “Do you really mean that?”

  “Yes, Rowena.”

  She blushed, and her expression became contrite. “Forgive me, my lord. I heard there were troops going to Bevelaire, and I thought the worst.”

  Talin took her hand and brought it to his lips to press a kiss on the soft skin of her fingers. “I should have warned you. It is I who am sorry. I did not stop to think of your concerns.”

  Rowena colored even deeper, but she did not snatch her hand away. That in itself was a good sign.

  “What will you do if you find my father?”

  Talin linked her arm through his and turned her toward the railing of the dais. “I am not sure yet. Everything depends on how he acts when he is found.”

  “He will not be happy,” she predicted.

  It was the closest she had come to revealing anything about her father. “Because he is guilty?”

  Her lashes drifted over her eyes as she blinked several times. “I don’t know.”

  Hope rose in his blood. Perhaps she was as innocent of her father’s misdeeds as she appeared to be. “I hope he is not.”

  She turned to look at him. Her forehead furrowed in confusion. “Why would you?”

  Talin wanted this woman to understand how much he wanted her. She was all he desired in a wife … passionate, determined, and sensual despite her innocence.

  “We are to be married, Rowena. I do not wish to imprison your father for the assassination attempt.”

  Her lashes hid her eyes from view. When she reopened them, the deep brown of her eyes still gleamed golden. “What if he is guilty of the murder of your father?”

  He clenched his jaw, and the muscle grew taut. He relaxed them enough to speak. “Then he will be a traitor to Noventia, and he will be tried by the council and punishment given as they suggest.”

  The fact that his punishment would be death was left unspoken. When Talin arranged the betrothal, he had not imagined the reality of sharing his life with Roarke’s daughter. Rowena was a ploy to tie himself to Roarke. He had not known he would wish for so much more than a marriage of convenience. She’d fought him at every turn for most of the time he’d known her, but he wanted her beyond reason.

  Rowena bowed her head as if in prayer. Her hands were clutched tightly together at her waist. “I cannot help you. I do not know if my father is guilty.” She lifted her head again and pinned him with a fierce look. “But I do know he is not a good man.”

  Talin hated the pain he sensed behind her words. “I do not ask you to betray your father, Rowena. Even if you did know, I would not put you in that position. A child should not have to expose his or her parent.”

  She shook her head slowly from side to side. “I owe him nothing. If I knew, I would tell you.”

  For the first time since she arrived, hope for their future together outweighed the bad. “Will you stay with me for a little while?”

  “Yes.” She stood with him as the remainder of the troops rode out.

  He turned his attention back to the field. There were no more than sixty men left. He tried not to, but he could feel her presence at his side.

  The scent of her taunted him. She smelled like roses, intoxicating and sensual. Strands of her hair had come unbound, and the golden curls gleamed in the meager sunlight. The fog had lifted, but it was still early morning.

  He hated to ruin the companionable silence they’d found themselves in, but once the last of the men were gone, he spoke. “But I have declared war on the rebels.”

  Her reaction surprised him. She nodded as if his decision was expected. “I heard rumors you planned to do so.”

  She lifted her face as the wind picked up the ends of her hair and whipped them about her head. She was so beautiful it damned near hurt to look at her.

  He didn’t need her approval, yet he desired it. “And what is your opinion?”

  She seemed surprised he asked her. She recovered quickly and pursed her lips as she pondered his question. There was no guile on her face as she answered. “Sometimes we are forced to do things we don’t want. You are doing what is necessary for your kingdom. I cannot say I would do anything differently if I were in your position.”

  “You are in this position, Rowena. You are to be my wife soon.”

  He needed her to know how difficult this decision had been.

  He gestured toward the empty field in front of them. The grass had been tamped down by the horses’ hooves and the footsteps of his men. The mountains loomed in the distance, shadowing the valley the soldiers now crossed.

  “All of those men have families, wives, and children at home they may not return to. I don’t relish knowing I’ve sent dozens, probably hundreds, of those men to their deaths. But then I think of the women and children who have suffered at the hands of the rebels, and I can’t ignore the situation any longer.”

  Rowena placed her hand on his arm—the first time she’d allowed herself to touch him. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me, Talin. Your decision is the lesser of two evils. Those men, your soldiers, have spent their lives training for war. They are willing to sacrifice their lives to protect the lives of those wives and children you mentioned.”

  He wanted to say more, but he was tongue-tied. She had summed it up quite nicely. They agreed on something at last. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

  “Thank you, Rowena.”

  Her calm face soothed him. It was enough to know she understood the struggle he faced.

  His advisor approached and softly cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, Your Highness, but the council awaits.”

  Talin nodded to let Collin know he’d heard. The older man flashed a smile and withdrew, taking Hugh’s arm and leading him away as well. The lad seemed reluctant to go, but his grandfather towed him away as quietly as possible.

  Talin smothered a grin. Collin’s attempt to be a matchmaker was plainly apparent.

  Rowena watched them go, consternation written across her face. Talin reached out to grasp a strand of hair that had fallen against her cheek and pushed it behind her ear. His fingers brushed the satiny skin of her neck, and she drew in an audible breath.

  So she felt something as well.

  The overwhelming attraction to this woman was driving him insane. He wanted her with a visceral hunger, the one woman determined to prove she did not want him.

  Why did one always want what one couldn’t have? Deep inside, he knew he could have her. It wouldn’t take much to sweep her off her feet. She was weakening, but he didn’t want to seduce her into his bed. He wanted her to come willingly. All of his normal methods of seduction didn’t sit well with him when he thought of Rowena.

  “I should go.” His voice was husky. The sensual tone wasn’t his intention, but that is how it came out.

  Her lashes fluttered, veiling her gorgeous eyes for a moment. “Of course.”

  She gathered her skirts with one hand and turned to leave, but he placed a hand on her elbow to stop her. He was reluctant
to let her leave his side.

  She gave him a questioning glance over her shoulder. “What is it, my lord?”

  “I shall walk with you.”

  She softly laughed. “Afraid I will escape since my escort has left me?”

  “I would follow you,” he swore.

  It was true. Even without the betrothal contract, he would follow this woman to the ends of the world.

  The tension in the air was palpable as the amusement faded from her face. “Why am I so important to you? What do you plan to do with me?”

  Her words brought forth a pleasant vision of stripping her naked and running his tongue down her body. She would be delicately formed, yet shapely. He couldn’t wait to possess her, to fill her body, and to brand her as his own.

  A fierce jab of desire stabbed him in the groin, and his breeches began to tighten and became painful. He wondered what she would do if he told her in no uncertain terms exactly what he wanted to do to her … and with her. She would probably run screaming from him.

  Or maybe not. She possessed a fiery nature, of that he was sure. If she ever agreed to come to his bed, the experience would consume them both.

  Instead of answering, he offered her his hand to help her down from the dais. She accepted his assistance, and her hand remained in his after she reached the ground, as if she didn’t realize he still held it. Instead of linking their arms, he threaded his fingers with hers and turned to lead her back toward the castle.

  “I don’t know what your plans are for my father, and I don’t expect you will confide in me, but I would ask a favor of you.” She lengthened her strides to keep up with his.

  He nodded as he slowed his pace. “If it is within my power, I will grant whatever you wish.”

  Her gaze turned to steel. “Let me know when you find him.”

  Talin knew he had his answer. There was no love lost between Roarke and his daughter. In fact, Rowena probably hated her father, judging by the contemptuous look in her eyes when she spoke of him.

  He’d been lucky to love both of his parents. Perhaps he loved them too much. Even now, he found it difficult to think of them without a sharp pang of sorrow. He couldn’t imagine going through childhood as she must have.

  It was an easy enough request she made of him, though. “I promise. As soon as we have him located, I will let you know.”

  Relief passed across her features. Talin studied her as they walked. She was hiding something.

  There was a reason she wanted her father found, and he was going to discover it.

  * * * *

  For the next week, Rowena impatiently waited for news of her father. She also abandoned her plans to escape. For one, the prince would find her. Secondly, if she were to leave, she wouldn’t be able to learn when her father was located.

  She wrote letter after letter to Sara to inquire about her welfare, but had not received a response. She was about to go out of her mind with worry. She wished she could confide in the prince about her sister. Perhaps he would have his soldiers bring her to N’ior. She worried her father would reveal himself at last and become angry that she’d disobeyed his orders by taking Sara from Bevelaire. She could not risk it unless Sara’s safety was seriously in danger.

  The only thing that gave her comfort was the doubt that Roarke had fled to their home in Bevelaire. He would’ve been found by Talin’s soldiers. So even though her sister hadn’t written back, Sara was most likely safe.

  Now that she’d stopped trying to escape, her relationship with the prince had warmed considerably. She’d been given leave to move back into her private chambers. She did so with much relief, though it was too late. Her nights were now filled with steamy dreams in which she joined the prince in his bed. It was frightening how much she desired him.

  She caught herself daydreaming about the way a lock of his dark hair fell across his brow, and how the blue of his eyes were as deep as midnight. Even his hands captured her attention. She was transfixed by the way he held his wine glass, the long length of his fingers wrapped around the delicate stem. It wasn’t hard to imagine those very same hands on her.

  Today, as every day since she’d arrived, the prince was secluded in his study with several of his advisors. She knew the men had much to speak of, but she wanted to see him.

  Except for meals, they did not spend much time in each other’s company. She’d begun to come up with reasons to seek him out. Yesterday, she had asked him if she could go shopping for ribbons. The day before, it was a request to get a kitten from a litter in the stables to keep her company.

  The kitten was now curled up asleep on his cushion, his tiny paws clawing at the air as if he were suckling from his mother.

  So much for companionship. Theo, as she’d dubbed the kitten, spent far more hours napping than he did awake.

  Try as she might, she couldn’t come up with a reason to interrupt him today. She may as well resign herself to another boring day spent in the gardens or library.

  She fetched her cloak and headed downstairs. The grand hall was almost deserted, but she was seen by one of the prince’s guards, and he immediately assigned an escort for the day. D’Arcy was unavailable, so she made do with another recruit, one who was not as talkative.

  She sat in the garden and sketched under the watchful eye of the recruit. She possessed no natural talent for sketching, but there was nothing else to do except sew. She was worse at needlework, so drawing was the lesser evil.

  She drew a dark slash of eyebrows and outlined a face. A strong nose and a sensually curved mouth appeared on the page. It was a rough attempt, but anyone could see the drawing was of Talin. She groaned as she folded the piece of vellum and put it in her pocket. She would burn it later that night.

  She supposed it was natural to be preoccupied with thoughts of her betrothed. Any bride would wonder about the man she was to marry. She was not a normal bride, though. She’d fought the betrothal from the moment it was arranged. Even though her heart had softened toward him, too many obstacles stood in their way of a happy marriage. Her father must be found and proven once and for all to be the enemy they all suspected him to be.

  She took out a clean sheet and focused on sketching the fountain in the center of the garden. The circular structure was built entirely of gray stone. It was a peaceful spot to sit, and she enjoyed listening to the tinkle of water. Bees flitted about, drawn by the scent of roses in bloom.

  A couple of hours later, it began to rain, and she retreated back into the castle.

  The day dragged on forever. Just when she thought she would scream from boredom, she finally caught sight of Talin. She was returning a book to the library when he came out of his study. The two rooms stood on opposite ends of the hall. She refused to admit she spent so much time in the library in the hope she would encounter him.

  Talin pulled up short at the sight of her, and sketched a gentle bow in her direction. “Good afternoon, my lady.”

  “Your Highness.” She curtsied, conscious of the fire that licked through her veins from being in his presence. Would she ever get used to his attractiveness?

  “I hope your day has been well.”

  She grimaced. “It has been long, my lord.”

  “Ah.” His eyes gleamed with understanding. “You are bored.”

  “D’Arcy was unavailable to escort me. I have no one to talk to.”

  “And are we not talking?”

  She gave a small smile. “Yes, but you have been busy as well.”

  “What about your ladies?”

  Rowena sighed. She liked the women he chose to replace her ladies, but they had not warmed to her. “They went to visit their families today, my lord.”

  “I am sorry, Rowena.” A rueful smile crossed his face. “I am not used to entertaining ladies at the castle.”

  She laughed aloud at his statement. “Pardon?”

  His deep gaze turned sensual in an instant. “Ladies of your nature, my lady.”

  “What exactly is my na
ture?” She cocked her head to the side.

  Dear God, was she flirting with him?

  He came closer, stopping a couple of feet from her. “When you first came here, you appeared haughty and cold. You’re not though. I suspect there is warmth beneath your prickly nature.” His eyes slid across her face. “Do not hide your true self from me, Rowena. There is nothing to be afraid of.”

  She lifted her chin. “I am not afraid.”

  His lips curved into a smirk. “I knew you would say that.”

  She opened her mouth to make a retort, but he leaned over and silenced her with a soft kiss. It was over as soon as it began, nothing more than a mere brushing of lips. He pulled away and waited for her reaction.

  She was not sure how to react. On one hand, she was angry he got past her guard and snuck a kiss again. He had done so before, and she retaliated by attempting to poison him. On the other hand, it was only a kiss. If she were honest with herself, she longed for much more. Unable to reply, she merely stared.

  She’d known Talin for several months, and yet his handsome features never failed to stun her. There was an aura about him, a sort of mystery that tempted her to learn more about his life. She knew the basics—that his parents had died and he’d taken over Noventia at a young age. He had a younger brother who was the prince of Isidor. She wanted to know more about Talin as a person.

  For all that he pretended to be an open book, she knew it wasn’t so. He had secrets. Of course, everyone did, but she wanted to know his.

  She drew closer, until mere steps separated them. “Have you had any word about my father?”

  He looked weary. “Not yet. My men are searching Bevelaire. They believe he may be hiding in the eastern portion, so they are heading there to investigate.”

  Her heart leaped at the news. If her father was in the eastern side, that meant he was far away from Sara.

  Their home resided on the westernmost portion of Bevelaire. It was a cold, damp place, and she was glad to be gone from there. The only thing that kept her from being truly happy was the fact her father hadn’t allowed Sara to come to N’ior with her. Sara was his guarantee she would do as he wanted, so the girl was left behind.