Charming, Volume 2 by Jack Heckel Read Free Book Online Page B

Rapunzel was bidding goodbye to the King, and Will was helping to move Elle’s luggage from the carriage to one of the packhorses, they both realized that their moment was slipping away.
    Something had to be done.
    After mounting her horse, Elle screwed up her courage, favored Will with a glance, and dropped her lace handkerchief in such a way that he was bound to see it fluttering to the ground. Unfortunately, Will took this moment to look down at the dirt between his feet and chew on his thumb. Elle cursed under her breath, but anything else she might do would be wanton and make her appear desperate. In defeat, she pulled her hood into position over her head, turned her horse toward home and spurred it to a slow walk.
    By the time Will had figured out the words he wanted to say to her, Rapunzel and her servants were turning around a bend in the road. He felt his heart sink into his stomach. She hadn’t even said goodbye. He had a sure feeling that he had missed his opportunity.
    The King leaned out of the carriage and pointed to a speck of delicate white cloth. “Lord Protector, I believe Lady Rapunzel dropped her handkerchief. Would you return it to her?”
    Before Will could say yes, the King signaled the driver and the borrowed carriage continued its journey to Castle White. As it rolled away, Will could clearly hear the King inside muttering something about “young idiots.” Silently agreeing, he sprinted across the road, plucked the handkerchief from the ground, and jumped on his horse.
    â€œLady Rapunzel! Lady Rapunzel!”
    A thrill of relief rushed through Elle as she heard Will’s voice. She reined her horse to a stop. Will brought his mount beside hers. She briefly bowed her head and then looked up into his eyes. She let her gaze linger.
    They both waited for the other to speak.
    â€œLord Protector . . .”
    â€œLady Rapunzel . . .”
    They both said together, “Please you go first.”
    Another silence followed.
    Will wanted to tell her that being in her company the last few days had been like a fairy tale—­even if it had been a fairy tale with an insufferably overbearing Royal Herald as the narrator—­and that he hoped the fairy tale would go on and on to its inevitable happily ever after. When he finally spoke all he managed was, “I . . . I . . .”
    Elle wanted to tell him that she liked his company, was worried about him, and wanted to go on worrying about him if he would let her. Instead, she said, “I am sorry that we didn’t have a chance to talk alone. Perhaps we can when I return to Castle White with your sister.”
    â€œYes,” he said. “I suppose.” She waited a moment to see if he would say more, but his eyes seemed to be frozen on the reins in his hands. She moved as if to turn her horse away, but as she did Will put out his hand. “Lady Rapunzel . . . Elle, wait.”
    In the past Will might have let the moment pass, or he would not have even noticed it passing. But this time, a sudden strength of resolve surged through him, and he took her hand in his and placed the tips of her fingers gently to his lips. She thrilled at his touch and felt her breath catch, this time in pleasure, as he kissed her hand.
    His eyes locked on hers and he murmured into her palm, “What I mean to say, what I want to say, is that you have captured my heart, Lady Rapunzel. And though, given my recent infatuation with Princess Gwendolyn, I might be exposing myself as inconstant and fickle—­if you allow, I shall do all in my power to prove myself to you.”
    Rapunzel’s face flushed as she was stunned to silence. Then her color cleared and a smile, a beautiful radiant smile, rose in her face. She bent forward, closed her eyes, and rested her lips on his fingers in return. “I will allow, Lord William.”
    â€œYou will?”
    â€œOf course,” she said and her eyes