The Prince's Bride (25 page)

“Very well then.” He could scarcely argue with her. He’d been traveling in one manner or another for nearly a week now and he was, in truth, close to exhaustion.

“Besides.” Thomas drew his brows together thoughtfully. “We can’t just go off without due consideration. We need a plan.”

Marianne rolled her eyes toward the ceiling.

“He’s right.” Richard nodded, obviously forgetting that Thomas’s plans were notorious for being rarely successful.

“Thank you,” Thomas said with satisfaction. “First of all, I think ...”

The conversation eddied about him but aside from an occasional nod or offhand muttering, Rand paid little notice. His own thoughts demanded attention.

He was determined to trust her. Determined to disregard any semblance of doubt. He suspected he would go mad otherwise. He hadn’t completely trusted anyone for a long time and he’d never loved before.

Even so, it was difficult to ignore the unanswered questions preying on his mind. Jocelyn’s departure was obviously planned; her behavior on their last night and morning together clearly indicated that.

There was no struggle involved, nothing amiss, according to Chesney when Jocelyn left. How had Alexei forced her to accompany him?

No matter how far apart we may be, know that I will always, always love you.

Jocelyn’s comment as well as her ring were a message to him as surely if she had written it in her own hand. A message to let him know that she did not leave willingly. That she did not betray him with another man. That she loved him. Of that he was certain.

He’d promised to slay dragons for her and climb mountains and catch stars. And he would no matter what the cost.

And she’d promised to do ... what for him?

Whatever I must.
Had she? And at what cost? He didn’t know, wouldn’t know, until he found her. At the moment, the answers scarcely mattered.

Still, there was one question, and one question alone, he couldn’t get past.

What if he was wrong?

How long had she been cooped up in this blasted coach?

Jocelyn shifted on the leather seat and tried to find a comfortable position, which was next to impossible after four long days of confinement. At least at this point she was alone.

Until yesterday she’d shared the coach with an exceptionally nervous lady-in-waiting who Jocelyn couldn’t help but think of, if only to herself, as Lady Insipid. The woman was assigned to accompany her, probably to give a semblance of propriety to what Jocelyn had decided was nothing less than kidnapping.

Hers was one of three coaches escorted by half a dozen armed men on horseback in what amounted to a royal caravan. There were a few other ladies along and several gentlemen she assumed were royal advisers although she hadn’t actually met any of them. Even so, she was informed that most of the prince’s party and a substantial amount of their luggage would follow later. It was a question of speed, and indeed they scarcely ever stopped for anything other than to change horses, continuing to press onward even at night. This trip was no better than the one she’d shared with Rand and Alexei and not nearly as amusing.

Thus far Alexei had left her quite alone. She suspected his absence was partially due to that pale, frightened lady she’d been trapped with in there, who undoubtedly reported back to Alexei whenever possible that Jocelyn was not being at all pleasant.

Jocelyn snorted in disdain. Pleasant was not part of the arrangement. Besides, she’d never done a thing to Lady Insipid. Not really. Oh, certainly she’d snapped at the cowering creature whenever she’d opened her mouth to attempt useless chatter. And there had been a bit of a rant on Jocelyn’s part when the other woman mentioned offhandedly how kind and generous Alexei was. And there was that one moment when Jocelyn could take no more of her insistent attempts at conversation and had tried to throw her bodily out of the carriage. For goodness sakes, they weren’t moving all that fast and the lady probably would have suffered no more than a few bruises if she’d rolled when she hit the ground. Still, Jocelyn did give her credit for being surprisingly strong and rather agile as well for such a weak-willed little thing.

Jocelyn blew a long breath and gazed out the window, trying, as she had so often since leaving London, to see the road behind them. To catch any sight of a lone pursuing rider silhouetted against the setting sun. So far she’d seen nothing of any significance. She refused to consider the possibility that Rand would not come after her. He loved her and trusted her and he would not fail her. Still, ignoring the doubts that plagued her when she least expected them was not easy.

What she did not ignore, what indeed she held on to, was the anger that grew with every passing mile and endless day. Anger directed at Alexei, of course, but at herself as well.

How could she have been so stupid as to take Alexei’s threats without question? She should have told Rand at once and she certainly should never have left him. Her husband could protect himself if he knew he was in danger. Surely Rand would have been able to deal with Alexei. Surely ...

She rested her head against the seat back and heaved a heartfelt sigh. She’d been all over this a hundred times or more and in the end, it all came down to the same thing. Given the same circumstances, right or wrong, she would do exactly as she had.

The coach rumbled to a halt. She did hope the stop meant someone would bring her a food basket; she was rather hungry. There was something about being on the open road that left her famished. They’d eaten all their meals while moving thus far, and while she didn’t especially mind it, she’d just as soon consume one meal without the constant lurching and rocking of the coach.

The coach door opened and a basket appeared, carried by Alexei.

“Hungry, my dear?” Alexei climbed into the coach and settled in the seat across from her.

“I was but I find I have quite lost my appetite.” She pointedly turned away.

“Pity.” He opened the basket and the mouth-watering scent of roasted meat and some kind of pie and who knew what other lovely things filled the air. Lady Insipid had proudly explained that the party had a horseman ride ahead to the next inn to ensure food was ready when the rest of the group arrived. Jocelyn had promptly told her what she could do with her food.

“I shall have to eat it all myself then.”

“Not in here you won’t,” she snapped.

“Oh, but I will,” Alexei said firmly.

The carriage lurched forward and they were once again on their way. Alexei obviously planned on staying for a while. She clenched her teeth and resisted the impulse to scream in frustration.

“How could I possibly pass up the opportunity to dine with such a charming companion, even if your behavior thus far has not been particularly charming?” His voice was casual and he rummaged in the basket while he talked. “Poor, dear Countess Lenosky refuses to come anywhere near you.”

“Countess Lenosky?”
Lady Insipid.
Jocelyn tried and failed to ignore a sharp stab of guilt. She sighed. “Please offer her my apologies. I was inexcusably—”

“Rude? Ill-tempered?”

“I was going to say peevish,” she muttered.

“Disagreeable? Ill-mannered?”

“That’s enough.”

“In point of fact,” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken, “it isn’t. She is a very nice woman and you have been extremely unpleasant.”

“Have I really?” She widened her eyes in feigned surprise. “And what could possibly have caused that?”

“I have no idea,” he said mildly.

“No? Well, then, let me prod your memory.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “I’m here against my will and you’ve threatened to kill my husband. Why, you’re right, Your Highness. Nothing at all has happened that would make me less than gracious.”

“Here.” He thrust a cloth-wrapped bundle at her.

“What is it?” she said suspiciously, knowing full well it was something delicious.

“I have no idea but it smells quite tasty. However, if you’d prefer—” He started to pull the packet away.

“I’ll take it,” she said quickly and grabbed the offering. After all, she did have to eat. She simply didn’t want to eat with him. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

She unfolded the cloth to find chunks of roasted meat and potatoes, with a wonderful crusty bread. They ate in silence, he apparently as hungry as she. It was just as good as it smelled and wonderfully satisfying. At last she sat back and studied him.

“I don’t suppose—”

He pulled a jug of wine and two glasses from the basket at his feet. She raised a brow. Those horsemen of his certainly were efficient. He poured a glass and handed it to her.

She took a sip. It was red and rich and quite appealing. “You are prepared, aren’t you?”

“Not at all.” He filled a second glass for himself, then settled back in the seat. “None of this”—he swept a wave at their surroundings—“was planned.”

“Why did you do it?”

“I told you. I did not locate the Heavens and my cousin is the next best thing.”

She sipped at her wine and considered him. “There’s more to it than that, I think.”

He laughed. “Isn’t saving a crown enough?”

“Perhaps.” She paused thoughtfully. “You are an interesting combination, you and your cousin.”

“Oh?”

“I watched the two of you together on our trip from Worthington Castle and there were moments, granted not many, but a few when you weren’t sniping at one another, when I thought you actually enjoyed each other’s company.”

“I doubt that.” Alexei drew a swallow of his wine. “He doesn’t like me very much.”

“And that bothers you.”

“Not particularly.” He shrugged.

“It does. I can see it in your eyes.” She leaned forward curiously. “Why is that? It strikes me that there are any number of people who dislike you, up to and including those who would prefer to see you dead. I personally am not especially fond of you.”

“My cousin’s like or dislike of me is of absolutely no consequence,” he said loftily. “Nor is yours.”

An odd idea was forming in her mind.

“I don’t believe you. Furthermore, I wonder ...”

“What?”

“Why you would truly want Rand in Avalonia.”

Alexei heaved an annoyed sigh. “I have explained—”

She waved aside his words. “Yes, yes, I know. Third branch of the royal family and all that. But you have other family besides that nasty Valentina creature.”

“Of course.” He nodded. “I have a brother and a sister.”

She couldn’t possibly be right.

“But they’re younger and you’re the one everything falls upon. Saving your country and all that. You’re the one who will someday be king unless one of those people who doesn’t like you does you in first.”

“I had almost forgotten that for a moment.” He raised his glass to her. “I am grateful for the reminder.”

She ignored his sarcasm, trying to refine the vague thought that had occurred to her. “You and Rand are about the same age. You admire him. You’ve said as much yourself. You ...” She narrowed her eyes. “You even trust him.”

“He’s an honorable man.”

Ridiculous of course, yet...

“You don’t just need Rand’s help; you need ... Of course.” She straightened in her seat. “That’s it. You need an ally. A friend—”

“That’s absurd.” His laugh had a bitter edge. “I have no need for friends.”

She studied him for a long moment, realization dawning even as she looked at him. Her anger vanished. Her voice was soft. “It must be terribly lonely in those high, lofty places where princes live all by themselves.”

“I am not lonely. I have no need for friends or allies or...” He clenched his jaw. Perhaps it was the intimacy of the closed coach. Or the strain of recent days. Or he might just have long needed a confidant. A friend. He met her gaze defiantly. “Very well. You win. I confess. Yes, I would like my cousin to join me permanently. To be by my side and help me rule this tiny country that is my life, my blood, my very soul. And whether he admits it or not, it is part of him as well.” He shook his head. “The world is changing, Jocelyn. Empires crumble, new ones form, and kingdoms like Avalonia vanish every day, absorbed into greater powers without so much as a by-your-leave.

“A hundred years from now, even fifty years from now, I don’t want my country to be nothing more than a footnote in history. I owe my family and my people more than that.

“When I conceived this idea of using you to lure Rand to Avalonia, I knew the possibility that he would choose to stay would be nonexistent. I do not expect that. I can only hope he will help me stabilize the current situation and in the process come to know the land of his ancestors and, with luck, even care about it. There now.” Alexei glared. “Are you quite happy?”

“You were never going to kill him, were you?”

“You do refuse to let go of even the most insignificant of matters.” Alexei heaved an irritated sigh. “Probably not.”

“Probably?”

“Probably,” he said firmly. “That’s the best I will do. Damnation, Jocelyn, I am a prince. I wield a great deal of power. You would be wise to remember that. I can indeed have someone killed if I so wish.”

“But you don’t wish to have someone killed.” She tried and failed to hold back a grin. “And I would wager that you never have.”

He glowered.

“I am getting extremely close.”

He reached up and rapped on the roof of the coach. It stopped almost at once.

“You’re leaving?” She was surprised and the tiniest bit disappointed.

“I am indeed.” He nodded firmly and opened the coach door. “I have had more than enough of your comprehensive assessment of my needs and my nature. If I stay a moment longer, you will no doubt wish to evaluate the rest of my life. My passion for fine art and the reasons I have not yet found a bride who would suit me.”

“Well, you could have had me,” she teased.

He snorted. “Then I would surely insist on someone’s demise. No doubt, whoever introduced me to you.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“Oh, but I do.” His voice was resolute. “I will admit, however, that in those rare moments when your mouth is shut, you would have made a lovely queen. But...” He stepped down and turned back with a wicked grin. “You would have been a magnificent mistress.” He slammed the door before she could so much as gasp. Or, in this case, grin.

She settled back in her seat and considered their odd meeting and the radical change in her perception of him.

It was clear that Alexei never would have had Rand killed. And while his methods were somewhat wicked, and she might never forgive him for letting Rand worry about Nigel, she now had difficulty faulting his purpose. He was as passionate about his country, and his place in it, as Rand was about his. In that the cousins were very similar. After all, Rand had been willing to do whatever he had to for his country. How could she condemn Alexei for the same devotion?

Jocelyn very much suspected Alexei was rather more noble and even good than she’d ever thought. Ruthless when necessary, perhaps, but good nonetheless.

She should still be furious with him for the terror he’d caused her if nothing else, but she wasn’t anymore. It was the look in his eyes when he’d talked about Avalonia and the flash of vulnerability when he’d spoken of needing help to rule. She’d only ever thought of the pleasures of being a prince or princess and never considered the awesome responsibilities the position entails. Wouldn’t anyone in that position do whatever was necessary to protect the country and the people placed in his charge? How could she fault Alexei for that? How could Rand?