Clash of Wills (4 page)

“He’s not?”

“No, miss.” The man nodded sheepishly. “The name is Joe, begging your pardon.”

“Our little game is undone, Joe,” Samantha replied. “And neither of you is to speak of this to anyone else…
ever
.”

Mounds of fragrant soapsuds floated on the surface of Samantha’s bathwater. While the princess bathed, Nan perched on a nearby stool, polishing the silver buckles on a pair of elegant satin slippers.

“Prince Wills of Insolitia is a deceitful rogue,” Samantha said. “I can’t believe he tried to pass off his servant as himself. What a nasty, scheming trick.”

Nan’s eyebrows shot up, but she kept her lips firmly compressed.

“On the other hand, the prince could have told my father about my little subterfuge but he’s apparently too much of a gentleman to accuse me. I suppose I should be grateful to him for that.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“It doesn’t really matter. Tomorrow morning, he’ll depart to venture wherever he pleases, and I’ll remain here. Oh, how I envy him his freedom!”

The maid shrugged with an air of resignation. “’Tis a man’s world, no doubt about that. Gentlemen may come and go wherever they like and no one says a word. Footloose and fancy free, they are.”

“True.” Samantha sat straight up in the copper bathtub, sloshing water on the stone floor. “That’s brilliant. I can’t believe I never thought of it before now.”

“Your Highness?”

“Get my green dress ready, Nan. The one with the ribbons on the bodice.”

“His Majesty dislikes that gown, don’t you remember? He says the neckline is scandalously low.”

“I’m not wearing it for
him
.”

Nan looked at her askance. “What are you scheming?”

“A means of escape.”

After he’d washed the grime and dust of the road off, Wills began to feel a bit more human. He donned a robe, and as Joe lathered up shaving soap, his thoughts turned to King Tomas’ daughter.

“The princess wasn’t what I was expecting at all.”

“Nor was her maid.” Joe sighed. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve met such an amiable lass. Nan invited me to dine with her in the servants’ hall tonight.”

“I daresay you’ll enjoy yourself far more than I shall. Her Highness probably wishes I’d dine with the pigs.”

“Mmm.”

“What do you mean by ‘mmm’?”

“Er…nothing, Your Highness.”

“Out with it!”

“There’s a wistful note in your voice I’ve naught heard before. If you don’t mind me saying so.”

“I
do
mind you saying so. You’re imagining things.”

“Perhaps you regret switching places with me this time?”

“I regret we got caught.” Wills closed his eyes and tilted his head back to allow Joe’s razor access to his three day’s growth of beard. He smiled inwardly as he pictured the princess clad in a pair of men’s trousers—the fabric clinging to her shapely legs in a way he couldn’t forget. Her tousled sable hair had been wild and untamed, and the beauty of her face was rendered even more arresting by the intelligence in her green eyes. No, she hadn’t been what he’d expected at all.
All the more reason to leave Paloran as soon as possible.

“I’ll wear my uniform at dinner,” he said.

“Mmm.”

“There you go again with the ‘mmm.’ What’s wrong with the uniform?”

“Nothing at all, sir. In fact, the cut of the jacket makes the most of your broad shoulders and trim figure. It’s exactly the thing to excite the admiration of a young woman.”

“Your imagination is running away with you. Don’t forget, my presence here is only by order of my father. Having discharged my duty to king and country, I shall give my compliments to His and Her Majesties, and return to Insolitia with all due haste.”

“And with your bachelorhood intact.”

“You don’t always have to have the last word.”

“Do I not?”

An hour later, Wills was enjoying a glass of wine before dinner with King Tomas and Queen Helena. As they waited for Samantha in the drawing room, Wills and Tomas discussed horsemanship and bloodlines. When the princess sailed into the room, Wills’ voice trailed off. In contrast to her earlier attire, Samantha was at present clad in a fetching emerald frock perfectly designed to display her considerable feminine charms. Her gleaming waist-length hair was held away from her face by jeweled combs, and cascaded freely down her back. Although he’d never admit it to Joe, Wills suddenly regretted the afternoon’s charade whole-heartedly.
I don’t wish to marry, but I’d rather this beautiful woman not think ill of me.

To his surprise, Samantha was flirtatious and warm. “Good evening. I’m so looking forward to knowing you, Prince Wills. I have the feeling we’ll become the best of friends.”

The princess’ welcoming demeanor contradicted her earlier conduct so thoroughly, Wills was put on his guard.
She couldn’t have changed toward me so quickly unless something crafty is afoot.

Dinner was a cordial affair, with succulent roasts, plentiful salads, and freshly baked bread. Samantha engaged Wills in conversation about the beauties of his kingdom by the sea, and encouraged her father to reminisce about his friendship with Wills’ father, King Ewan. The evening was so convivial, Wills’ shoulder muscles relaxed and his laughter became genuine.

Over a tangy dessert of fresh berries and clotted cream, Samantha asked Wills about the roads between their two kingdoms. “Tell me sir, did you encounter any difficulties on your journey here?”

“I wish I could report an exciting clash with a troll or a band of highwaymen, but my travels were quite uneventful,” he replied. “Comfortable inns line the roads, and it took but three days altogether.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Samantha turned a beaming smile on the king. “Oh, Father, I’d dearly love to visit Insolitia. Might I have permission to accompany the prince on his return home?”

“What?” Startled, Wills spilled wine down the front of his uniform. Footmen hastened to his aid.

“Nan can chaperone,” Samantha continued, “and I’m certain Prince Wills and his manservant will provide ample protection.”

Although Wills’ mouth opened, no sound would come out.
Surely her father will refuse his permission!

“What a capital idea, Tomas,” the queen said. “Samantha will adore the ocean.”

“Why not, indeed?” Tomas nodded his approval. “It might do Samantha good to see a bit of the world—if Prince Wills agrees to the undertaking, of course.”

Wills twisted in the wind, but he had little choice but to be gracious. “It would alleviate the boredom of my travels greatly,” he managed.
The wretched girl has outfoxed me…but to what end?

“Marvelous,” Samantha said. “I’ll pack lightly so we can travel on horseback. Let’s depart after breakfast.”

The prospect of being practically alone with the princess for three days was daunting.
Father mentioned her elder brother, Julian. He would balance the party admirably.
“Er…is Prince Julian in residence? Perhaps he could travel with us,” Wills blurted out. “I understand he’s a man of magic.”

The period of pregnant silence stretching across the table puzzled him.
Did I say something wrong?

“Are you also a man of magic?” Tomas’ tone was cool.

What sort of question is that?
“No, not at all.”

“My son is dead,” the king said.

Wills felt the blood leave his face. “I’m
so
sorry; I hadn’t heard.”

“Quite understandable. We kept the sad event extremely private.” King Tomas stood. “Please excuse me.”

After her husband left, the queen stared straight ahead with a haunted expression.

“I believe I’m a little tired as well.” She rose from her chair. “Good night.”

Wills hastened to stand. “Good night, Your Majesty.” When he and Samantha were alone, he sank back into his chair, aghast. “I’m mortified.”

“Don’t be. You had no way to know the topic of my brother and magic is forbidden in this castle.”

“Julian—or magic?”

“Both, but particularly if mentioned in the same breath. I’ll explain tomorrow, when we’re on the road.”

Wills leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Speaking of which, what are you playing at? If our first meeting was any indication, neither of us wants anything to do with the other.”

Her dazzling smile was disarming. “On the contrary, sir, you’ve grown on me. You’re terribly handsome, as you’re well aware, and probably very accomplished. How can you doubt my sincerity?”

Her flattery fell short. “Having known you for a short period of time, it’s really quite easy.” He bowed and took his leave. “Until tomorrow, then.”

As Wills mounted the staircase on the way to his room, his emotions were conflicted. Although he resented his father’s bald attempts at matchmaking with every fiber of his being, he was genuinely attracted to the princess. Samantha had a sharp tongue, admittedly, but it was outweighed by the sharpness of her wit. Her attempt to pass a servant off as herself would have been insulting if he hadn’t also been guilty of the same thing.
Perhaps this journey will give me the rare opportunity to learn more about this woman, away from the prying eyes and machinations of our parents. I think I’m looking forward to it after all.

Chapter Three

Steel or Salamanders

I
N
T
HE
M
ORNING
, Samantha dressed in a tunic, breeches and boots. Over Nan’s strong objections, she’d cut her waist-length tresses to her shoulders, pulled the top half back and knotted it with a leather tie. It was very similar to the way Prince Wills wore his own dark hair. Before she left her room, she examined herself in the mirror one last time.
I could be mistaken for the prince’s younger brother—if one doesn’t look too closely.

Wills and her parents had already assembled for the morning meal in the dining room. Samantha draped her bulging saddlebags across an empty chair, and slid into her regular spot. “Good morning.”