How to Pursue a Princess by Karen Hawkins Read Free Book Online Page B

her surprise, his chin came to rest on her head.
    They continued on thus for a few moments, comfortseeping through her, the first since she’d left her home.
    “Moya, I must tell you—”
    She looked up. “My name is not Moya, but Lily.”
    His eyes glinted with humor. “I like Moya better.”
    “What does it mean?”
    His gaze flickered to her hair and she grimaced. “It means ‘red,’ doesn’t it? I hate that!”
    He chuckled, the sound warm in his chest. “You dislike being called Red? Why? It is what you are. Just as what I am is a prince with no fortune.” His gaze met hers. “We must accept who we are.”
    She was silent a moment. “You’re dreadfully poor? You said you’d just bought a house.”
    “A cottage. It has a thatched roof and one large room, but with a good fireplace. I will make stew for you. I make good stew.”
    It sounded delightful; far more fun than the rides, picnics, dinner parties, and other activities the duchess had promised. “I like stew, but I’m afraid that I can’t visit your cottage. It would be improper.” Furthermore, she didn’t dare prolong her time with such a devastatingly handsome, but poor, prince. She had to save all of her feelings so that she could fall in love with the man who would save Papa.
    Wulf’s brows had lowered. “But you would come to my cottage if I had a fortune, nyet ?”
    Regret flooded her and she tightened her hold about his neck. “I have no choice; I must marry formoney. I don’t know why I admitted that to you, but it is a sad fact of my life and I cannot pretend otherwise. My family is depending on me.”
    He seemed to consider this, some of the sternness leaving his gaze. After a moment he nodded. “It is noble that you are willing to sacrifice yourself for your family.”
    “Sacrifice? I was hoping it wouldn’t feel so . . . oh, I don’t know. It’s possible that I might find someone I could care for.”
    “You wish to fall in love with a rich man. As my babushka likes to tell me, life is not always so accommodating.”
    “Yes, but it’s possible. I’ve never been in love before, so I’m a blank slate. The duchess is helping me, too, and she’s excellent at making just such matches. She’s invited several gentlemen for me to meet—”
    “All wealthy.”
    “Of course. She is especially hopeful of the Earl of Huntley, and so am I.” Lily looked away, not wishing to see the disappointment in his gaze yet again.
    Silence reigned and she savored the warmth of his arms about her. At one time, a wealthy gentleman had seemed enough. Now, she wished she could ask for a not-wealthy prince. One like this, who carried her so gently and whose eyes gleamed with humor beneath the fall of his black hair. But it was not to be.
    She bit back a strong desire to explain things to him, to tell him exactly why she needed to marry a wealthy man, but she knew it wouldn’t make any difference.As he’d said, he was who he was, and she was who she was. There was no way for either of them to change things, even if they wished to, so it would be better for them both if they accepted those facts and continued on.
    For now, though, she had these few moments. With that thought in mind, she sighed and rested her head against his broad shoulder. This will have to be enough.

Five
    From the Diary of the Duchess of Roxburghe I knew I shouldn’t have invited that prince from Oxenburg, polite or no. Lily has been here but two days and already he’s orchestrated a rescue, and the poor girl has yet to meet the Earl of Huntley. How is Huntley to match such an entrance? Damn that prince! If he weren’t so unfashionable and ill-kempt, I would be worried.
    “Och, lassie, ye’ve hardly touched yer tea.” Mrs. Cairness shook her head.
    “I’m sorry.” Lily allowed the housekeeper to pour her now-cold cup of tea back into the pot and refill her cup with warmer tea.
    “Drink that, miss. Ye’ll feel much better.”
    “Thank you.” Lily obediently