Read Online Princess in Love by Julianne MacLean - Free Book Online
Authors: Julianne MacLean
Ads: Link
needed to do was cut all contact with Rose completely and stay away from
the royal court in Petersbourg. He had to stop fighting and try to grow accustomed
to a normal life.
“Please, Leopold,” his mother said. “She is betrothed to the future emperor of Austria.”
The mere thought of the man caused Leopold’s hands to curl into fists.
“But it’s not too late,” he found himself saying. “I am released from my own obligations
now, and they are not yet man and wife. A woman can change her mind.”
His mother sighed in frustration. “There are political issues to consider. If you
truly wish to be a loyal subject to your king, you will not interfere with such an
important national alliance.”
Leo’s gut turned over. He wished life were simpler—that he was a common man, and Rose
a common woman, so that he would not be forced to give her up. All he wanted to do
was straddle a horse this instant and gallop into the city proper, break down the
door to her private apartments, kiss her senseless until she couldn’t breathe, then
carry her away to his bed.
Bloody hell.
A note would not suffice. It would never suffice. He desired her too much. His passions were never going to burn out.
So what next? Charge headlong into battle? He didn’t see any other choice. He was
a soldier born to fight and he didn’t like to lose.
Damn. What the devil should he do?
* * *
Rose fell asleep at her father’s bedside. She was dreaming about slow waves on the
ocean when a throat cleared beside her. Groggily she lifted her head from the cradle
of her arms on the edge of the mattress and peered up at a footman. “Yes? What is
it?”
Standing with one hand behind his back, he offered up a silver salver. “A letter for
you, Your Royal Highness.”
She blinked a few times to clear the sleep from her eyes, glanced at her father who
was resting comfortably, then picked up the letter.
“Thank you. You may go, but could you inform Mrs. Hartford that I would like a supper
tray sent up? I do not wish to leave my father’s side tonight.”
“Yes, madam.”
She waited for him to leave the chamber before she rose from her chair and moved to
the upholstered window seat to break the seal and unfold the letter. Of course, she
knew who it was from. She had known the moment she saw the Hapsburg seal.
My darling Rose,
I write this to you knowing you are still abroad in England and it may be weeks before
you receive it, but I decided it should not matter that you are on the other side
of the sea.
I trust your visit is proceeding as planned and that Randolph is making good progress
with the shipbuilding campaign.
You must write to me as soon as you are able and tell me about your journey. What
is the weather like abroad? It has been a warm, dry summer here in Austria. We expect
a cold winter. After that, will an early spring wedding suit you? My sister believes
we should wait until the summer when the roses are in bloom, but that is a whole year
from now and I grow impatient to see you again and have you for my own.
I hope this letter finds you well.
Joseph
Rose looked up from the letter and rested her weary head upon the glass windowpane.
Clearly her fiancé did not know about her father’s worsened condition when he wrote
this. She found herself frustrated by the distance that separated them, for it made
her feel terribly disconnected when she needed him now more than ever.
Her father was dying and a part of her was dying, too. She needed to know that there
would be happiness in her future—new beginnings instead of mournful endings.
She and Joseph had been apart for too long. Though she carried a miniature portrait
of him, it was not the best likeness, and it had become a challenge to remember all
the details of his face. Sometimes she had to shut her eyes and work hard to summon
his image in her mind when another less welcome face continued to
the royal court in Petersbourg. He had to stop fighting and try to grow accustomed
to a normal life.
“Please, Leopold,” his mother said. “She is betrothed to the future emperor of Austria.”
The mere thought of the man caused Leopold’s hands to curl into fists.
“But it’s not too late,” he found himself saying. “I am released from my own obligations
now, and they are not yet man and wife. A woman can change her mind.”
His mother sighed in frustration. “There are political issues to consider. If you
truly wish to be a loyal subject to your king, you will not interfere with such an
important national alliance.”
Leo’s gut turned over. He wished life were simpler—that he was a common man, and Rose
a common woman, so that he would not be forced to give her up. All he wanted to do
was straddle a horse this instant and gallop into the city proper, break down the
door to her private apartments, kiss her senseless until she couldn’t breathe, then
carry her away to his bed.
Bloody hell.
A note would not suffice. It would never suffice. He desired her too much. His passions were never going to burn out.
So what next? Charge headlong into battle? He didn’t see any other choice. He was
a soldier born to fight and he didn’t like to lose.
Damn. What the devil should he do?
* * *
Rose fell asleep at her father’s bedside. She was dreaming about slow waves on the
ocean when a throat cleared beside her. Groggily she lifted her head from the cradle
of her arms on the edge of the mattress and peered up at a footman. “Yes? What is
it?”
Standing with one hand behind his back, he offered up a silver salver. “A letter for
you, Your Royal Highness.”
She blinked a few times to clear the sleep from her eyes, glanced at her father who
was resting comfortably, then picked up the letter.
“Thank you. You may go, but could you inform Mrs. Hartford that I would like a supper
tray sent up? I do not wish to leave my father’s side tonight.”
“Yes, madam.”
She waited for him to leave the chamber before she rose from her chair and moved to
the upholstered window seat to break the seal and unfold the letter. Of course, she
knew who it was from. She had known the moment she saw the Hapsburg seal.
My darling Rose,
I write this to you knowing you are still abroad in England and it may be weeks before
you receive it, but I decided it should not matter that you are on the other side
of the sea.
I trust your visit is proceeding as planned and that Randolph is making good progress
with the shipbuilding campaign.
You must write to me as soon as you are able and tell me about your journey. What
is the weather like abroad? It has been a warm, dry summer here in Austria. We expect
a cold winter. After that, will an early spring wedding suit you? My sister believes
we should wait until the summer when the roses are in bloom, but that is a whole year
from now and I grow impatient to see you again and have you for my own.
I hope this letter finds you well.
Joseph
Rose looked up from the letter and rested her weary head upon the glass windowpane.
Clearly her fiancé did not know about her father’s worsened condition when he wrote
this. She found herself frustrated by the distance that separated them, for it made
her feel terribly disconnected when she needed him now more than ever.
Her father was dying and a part of her was dying, too. She needed to know that there
would be happiness in her future—new beginnings instead of mournful endings.
She and Joseph had been apart for too long. Though she carried a miniature portrait
of him, it was not the best likeness, and it had become a challenge to remember all
the details of his face. Sometimes she had to shut her eyes and work hard to summon
his image in her mind when another less welcome face continued to
Similar Books
