They continued on thus for a few moments, comfort seeping through her, the first since she"d left her home.
"Moya, I must tell you-"
She looked up. "My name is not Moya, but Lily."
His eyes glinted with humor. "I like Moya better."
"What does it mean?"
His gaze flickered to her hair and she grimaced. "It means "red," doesn"t it? I hate that!"
He chuckled, the sound warm in his chest. "You dislike being called Red? Why? It is what you are. Just as what I am is a prince with no fortune." His gaze met hers. "We must accept who we are."
She was silent a moment. "You"re dreadfully poor? You said you"d just bought a house."
"A cottage. It has a thatched roof and one large room, but with a good fireplace. I will make stew for you. I make good stew."
It sounded delightful; far more fun than the rides, picnics, dinner parties, and other activities the d.u.c.h.ess had promised. "I like stew, but I"m afraid that I can"t visit your cottage. It would be improper." Furthermore, she didn"t dare prolong her time with such a devastatingly handsome, but poor, prince. She had to save all of her feelings so that she could fall in love with the man who would save Papa.
Wulf"s brows had lowered. "But you would come to my cottage if I had a fortune, nyet?"
Regret flooded her and she tightened her hold about his neck. "I have no choice; I must marry for money. I don"t know why I admitted that to you, but it is a sad fact of my life and I cannot pretend otherwise. My family is depending on me."
He seemed to consider this, some of the sternness leaving his gaze. After a moment he nodded. "It is n.o.ble that you are willing to sacrifice yourself for your family."
"Sacrifice? I was hoping it wouldn"t feel so . . . oh, I don"t know. It"s possible that I might find someone I could care for."
"You wish to fall in love with a rich man. As my babushka likes to tell me, life is not always so accommodating."
"Yes, but it"s possible. I"ve never been in love before, so I"m a blank slate. The d.u.c.h.ess is helping me, too, and she"s excellent at making just such matches. She"s invited several gentlemen for me to meet-"
"All wealthy."
"Of course. She is especially hopeful of the Earl of Huntley, and so am I." Lily looked away, not wishing to see the disappointment in his gaze yet again.
Silence reigned and she savored the warmth of his arms about her. At one time, a wealthy gentleman had seemed enough. Now, she wished she could ask for a not-wealthy prince. One like this, who carried her so gently and whose eyes gleamed with humor beneath the fall of his black hair. But it was not to be.
She bit back a strong desire to explain things to him, to tell him exactly why she needed to marry a wealthy man, but she knew it wouldn"t make any difference. As he"d said, he was who he was, and she was who she was. There was no way for either of them to change things, even if they wished to, so it would be better for them both if they accepted those facts and continued on.
For now, though, she had these few moments. With that thought in mind, she sighed and rested her head against his broad shoulder. This will have to be enough.
Michael Cairns.
KAREN HAWKINS is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of many wickedly funny historical romance novels set in Regency Scotland, including the wildly popular MacLean Curse series, the enchanting Hurst Amulet series, and The d.u.c.h.ess Diaries. In addition, Karen is the author of two sa.s.sy contemporary romances set in the little town of Glory, North Carolina. Join her at www.facebook.com/AuthorKarenHawkins to see pictures of Karen chasing a box of donuts; for information on her favorite crush/actor, the incomparable Hugh Jackman; and to enter ridiculously easy contests to win free books and other fabulous prizes! And be sure to also visit Karen"s website at www.karenhawkins.com.
FOR MORE ON THIS AUTHOR: Authors.SimonandSchuster.com/Karen-Hawkins.
DISCOVER MORE GREAT BOOKS AT.
Also by Karen Hawkins.
The d.u.c.h.ess Diaries Series How to Capture a Countess.
How to Pursue a Princess The Hurst Amulet Series One Night in Scotland Scandal in Scotland.
A Most Dangerous Profession The Taming of a Scottish Princess The MacLean Curse Series How to Abduct a Highland Lord To Scotland, With Love.
To Catch a Highlander.
Sleepless in Scotland The Laird Who Loved Me Contemporary Romance.
Talk of the Town Lois Lane Tells All Other Much Ado About Marriage.
Princess in Disguise Available from Pocket Books.
We hope you enjoyed reading this Pocket Books eBook.
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