The Princess, the Pea, and the Night of Passion (Passion-Filled Fairy Tales Book 1) by Rosetta Bloom

Author:Rosetta Bloom [Bloom, Rosetta]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: InBloom Romance Press
Published: 2014-12-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Adara was still deep in the haze of sleep when she felt Richard’s hand gently shaking her. “Wake up, sleeping beauty,” he whispered.

She shook her head, refusing to open her eyes. “I’m too exhausted to wake up,” she said slowly.

He laughed. The sound, hearty and deep, caused her to open her eyes. Richard was dressed already, and sunshine was streaming in through the windows. She sat up. “They can’t find us like this,” she said, panic setting in. “The whole point was to protect my virtue. If your mother finds us, or, my God, if she tells my father’s men.”

Richard knelt beside her on the feather bed, putting a calming hand on her shoulder. “Relax. It’s still early. No one will know if we move this mattress and get you in that,” he looked toward the pile of mattresses, “that thing my mother had the servants create.”

Adara looked at him and laughed. “So, that thing isn’t normal?”

Richard shook his head. “No,” he said. “I haven’t a clue why my mother would instruct the servants to create such a bed, unless maybe she was hoping you’d fall and break your neck.”

Adara playfully slapped his arm, but she was a little miffed. “She really doesn’t like me, does she?”

Richard shrugged. “I think she likes you well enough,” he said. “It’s just that she’s obsessed with princesses. I suspect Lionel nurtured the seed of doubt about whether you’re actually a princess. It probably didn’t help that you were interesting, intelligent and vivacious, when every other princess she’s seen has been dull, boring, and bordering on stupid.”

Adara frowned. “I thought we agreed you shouldn’t hold it against them that their families don’t teach them to be interesting or encourage intelligence.”

“The way your family taught you?” he asked, a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his lips.

“Don’t tease me,” she said, feeling embarrassed.

His smile faded, and he shook his head. “But, I’m not. You are the bravest, wisest, kindest woman I’ve ever met. Much more so than those princesses. And smart. So smart to escape your country and survive on your own for months.”

Adara blushed. He was too kind, too flattering, and she suspected he believed every word, which made it all the harder knowing what would happen when her father’s men showed up. Only, his thinking she was brave and wise was a mistake. Adara had not been wise in coming to the castle and admitting the truth. “We survived until the cold, icy rain and winds showed up, and then I spilled my biggest secret, like a fool.”

“Not like a fool,” Richard retorted, stroking Adara’s cheek. “Lionel would never have let in a beggar. Only a princess. You were wise to tell him the truth. And wise to trust me. I’m going to help you get away from your father’s men.”

Adara stared at him. Last night, he said he’d help, but she’d thought it a promise made in the heat of passion. Now, here in the light of day, he was promising her yet again, and he seemed deadly serious.

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