The Wrong Prince by Crowe Veronica

Author:Crowe, Veronica
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2021-02-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

The real Prince Charming…

Richard walked into his father’s bedchamber with a bitter taste in his mouth. He was not in the least bit proud of confronting Jeremy. He had looked forward to seeing his friend and resuming their friendship after his long sojourn in Europe, but now it seemed their abrupt dispute could put a wedge between them.

“Ah, there you are,” his father beckoned from the bed.

Sitting on a chair by his bedside, Cassie looked up from the book she was reading to him.

Richard took in the domestic scene, delighting in the fact that she had kept up her visits to his father during his absence. They had always been fond of each other—an unusual inclination for the usually somber duke.

“How are you today, Father?” Richard leaned over the side of the bed to kiss the top of his head. His handsome countenance was gone, replaced by the haggard face of a man who had gradually deteriorated over the years.

His robust and proud physique had become decrepit, and his hair had turned silver, making him look much older than he was. The guilt of having defied his father for so many years over his wishes for him to marry Desiree nagged at his conscience. He was too young back then; he was not ready. His father’s heavy-handedness at managing his life had angered him and caused him to rebel. Now, he could see his father had the best intentions for him. He had never meant to alienate his son. The duke had made what he believed was an excellent match to secure his future after he was gone.

Richard blinked back the sudden sting of tears. After his mother died just as he turned thirteen, his father had never stopped mourning her. But unlike other men, his father had withdrawn into himself, carrying the shadow of lingering sadness on his shoulders for over a decade until it finally consumed him.

“I feel wonderful,” his father replied with a rare smile.

Richard sat on the edge of the bed and regarded him thoughtfully. His father’s bright eyes had faded with age, as had the zest for life.

Ah, his parents were so devoted to each other, so happy and so in love—an extraordinary love-match. Growing up, he had watched their affection and faithfulness to each other, the warmth of which spilled over to him, their only son. He remembered thinking he wanted that same kind of life—to love and be loved with such great devotion by the woman he would marry someday. His gaze wandered to Cassie.

The corners of her mouth lifted as her eyes met his. She was looking at him the way his mother used to look at his father from across the room. He smiled in return, stifling the sudden urge to reach over and hold her hand in his.

It had been such a long time since he had experienced the liveliness of her company, the laughter and camaraderie that came with her friendship, and the joy of spending time together doing the simple things they both loved.

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