Read Online Promised to the Crown by Aimie K. Runyan - Free Book Online Page A

with restrained emotion, but she also detected a note of pride as he tested the familiarity of her given name on his tongue.
    â€œThe sooner the better, Gilbert,” Elisabeth replied with a smile. “I don’t need months to know my heart. Name the day, and you will find me at the church.”
    She longed to smooth the wayward lock of hair from his forehead, but did not dare.
    Gilbert kissed her hand, pleasure radiating from his gentle features. “Monday the seventh.”
    â€œYou have a bargain, monsieur.”
    Â 
    â€œThe first of us to marry,” Nicole exclaimed that evening as they climbed into bed, her voice laced with dreaminess. “Are you excited, Elisabeth?”
    â€œI’m the oldest of the lot. It’s only fair that I wed first,” Elisabeth said, tossing a pillow at Nicole’s head. “And yes, I am excited.”
    â€œI’m surprised you picked so quickly,” Rose said. “Monsieur Piaget was hurt.”
    â€œI know.” Elisabeth’s countenance fell for a few seconds as she remembered the unpleasant scene that followed when she announced her proposal to him. “But he wasn’t what I was looking for. Nor was I well suited for him, though he doesn’t see it yet.”
    â€œPerhaps not,” Nicole said. “But he was handsome and well off.”
    â€œAnd utterly boring.” Elisabeth pulled the covers up to her chin and giggled. “Not for me. Gilbert may look somewhat plainer than Monsieur Piaget, and has less money, but he is a good man. With the bakery, I’ll prove a far bigger service to him than I would to Monsieur Piaget. I don’t know the first thing about life on a farm.”
    â€œI think it’s lucky you found one another,” Nicole said. “You seem well matched.”
    â€œI agree,” Elisabeth said. “I hadn’t even the audacity to hope that I might find a baker in need of a wife. Especially one who wants me to help run the shop the way he does. Not many men would welcome a wife as a business partner.”
    â€œHe’s tasted your cakes and pastries,” Rose said, grabbing the spare pillow from Nicole and lobbing it back at Elisabeth. “He’s not missing taste buds, nor is he a fool. You credit him with too much selflessness.”
    The girls erupted in giggles loud enough to elicit a knock on the door from one of the Sisters.
    â€œApologies! We’re going to bed now!” Elisabeth called back in a loud whisper.
    For several minutes the girls tried to quiet their giggles, but each time one sequestered her laughter, another would start, causing the third to erupt again.
    â€œBut seriously, Elisabeth,” Nicole asked when she controlled herself in earnest. “You’ve known him only a few weeks. How do you know he’s the right choice?”
    â€œI don’t,” Elisabeth said, now solemn. “But I don’t think there is such a thing as a right or a wrong choice in matters like these. Just better or worse. I could marry Jacques Piaget tomorrow, be well looked after, have a measure of comfort, and find a reasonable happiness. He could have been a good choice, but I think a future with Gilbert offers more, which makes him a better choice.”
    â€œYou don’t believe each man is destined for one woman? In true love?” Nicole asked, with the mock dreaminess returning to her voice.
    â€œThat’s the question of a girl whose maman told her too many fairy stories as a child.” Elisabeth’s laugh was biting.
    A snort of derision came from Rose as well.
    â€œAnd I suppose your maman never told you any?” Nicole retorted.
    â€œMy mother had no time for stories or games,” Elisabeth said. “Perhaps that’s why I chose Gilbert. One of the reasons, anyway.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Rose asked, turning to her side.
    â€œGilbert seems the type who will play with our children. He’s quick to