Читать книгу The Accidental Prince - Michelle Willingham - Страница 10

The fürst quickened his pace, keeping his hand around her waist. Serena knew it was merely to ensure that she kept up with his stride, yet the warmth of his hand felt too familiar. She tried to move away from him, but his hand only curled around her in a protective grasp.

‘Please,’ she said softly, ‘don’t touch me.’

She expected him to ignore her request; instead, his hand dropped away, his face sobering. He waited for her to say more, but Serena felt her cheeks redden. What could she say? That any kind of touch bothered her, reminding her of the beatings she’d endured? His penetrating gaze pushed down her defences, leaving her to feel desperately uncomfortable.

The prince took the edges of her fichu and parted them, revealing her bruised throat. ‘This was why you left the palace. Wasn’t it?’

He knew.

Serena couldn’t find the right words to answer so she remained silent.

‘Who did this to you and why?’ he demanded.

She flinched at his harsh tone. Without answering, she took the edges of her fichu, and used the lace scarf to cover her neck.

There was a flash of anger in the prince’s eyes before he returned his gaze back to the house. Though he hadn’t pressured her for the answers, she sensed that he was only biding his time.

The prince led her to the back entrance of the house, locking it tightly behind them. As they continued through the maze of rooms, the silence continued. At last, they reached the drawing room.