Midnight Pearls by Debbie Viguié Read Free Book Online Page A

want, I’m lucky my father even took my feelings into consideration.”
    She burst into tears, unable to contain her frustration and anger any longer. She sank down upon the sand, and he dropped down beside her. They sat for several minutes, her crying and him letting her. When at last her tears began to dry, he put a hand under her chin and pulled her head up. When she met his eyes, she saw tears in them.
    “Pearl. It is not so easy for royalty, either. Last night my father told me he wanted me to marry. He suggested a princess I barely know and cannot much tolerate. Still, it would be a good political alliance for Aster. He has not said that I must marry her, but he has made it clear that I must marry quickly, I think he wants to see a grandson before he dies.”
    Pearl’s heart sank as a fresh wave of tears burst forth. James reached out and gripped her hand with his. His fingers entwined with hers, and the intimacy of the touch startled her and sent ripples of shock through her and stemmed the flow of tears. “Pray that God gives me wisdom, and I shall pray to discover how I might help you,” he whispered.
    Pearl could only nod, her mouth having gone dry. His thumb was tracing a path across the back of her hand.
    With his free hand he reached out and touched the pearl around her neck. His fingers brushed against her skin, “You are incredibly special, Pearl. Do not agree to marry the blacksmith.”
    She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
    He took a deep breath, “We should both get back before we’re missed. Do you need me to walk you home?”
    She didn’t know what to say. James had never before offered to walk her home. For one brief moment she wondered what her parents would think if she showed up on the arm of the prince. They would probably be appalled to find out about our clandestine meetings conducted without the benefit of a chaperone.
    “No, I can manage,” she muttered.
    They rose to their feet, he still clasping her hand. “Pearl, everything will be all right.”
    “For you as well.”
    His fingers lingered on hers as they pulled away from each other. She watched him walk quickly away until he was lost to her sight. She stood, rubbing wonderingly the hand that he had held. Ten years and he had never held her hand like that. What made him start now?

    In the morning Pearl had trouble meeting Mary’s eyes across the table. She had barely slept, her emotions being in such turmoil. She wasn’t very hungry, and the aroma of boiling fish was making her nauseated.
    “Hello in there!” a voice called from outside the cabin. Pearl jumped as Mary and Finneas looked at each other in bewilderment. They rarely received visitors, and none this early.
    “Hello, yourself!” Finneas boomed as he started to stand.
    A figure darkened the doorway, and Pearl caught her breath as she recognized James. He was without his finery, wearing only the simple clothes he normally did for their walks on the beach.
    “I hope I have not disturbed the house,” James said.
    His face was a study in innocence as he said it. It was a ridiculous sentiment, though. Given the time of morning it would have been impossible for a peasant not to disturb the house, let alone the prince of Aster. For a moment there was shocked silence as Finneas and Mary realized who he was.
    “Your Highness!” Mary gasped, rising and curtsying.
    Finneas bowed deeply. “You honor us with your presence. Would you care to sit, milord?”
    Pearl felt an urge to start laughing. It was unreal seeing him standing there in her home in front of her parents. All the times she had agonized over wanting to tell them about her friendship with him, and yet she had always felt compelled to keep silent. Now he strode in as nonchalant as though he had breakfast there every morning.
    Mary suddenly noticed that Pearl hadn’t risen to pay respect to their prince. “Pearl,” she hissed. “Greet our guest.”
    A smile twisting her face, Pearl complied. She rose to