Crowns And A Cradle. Valerie Parv
threaded her fingers through the bars of Christophe’s crib as an anchor. “I’m not looking for a connection, as you put it. I want to take my child and go home.”
“You would deny your son his birthright because yours was denied to you?”
“I’m not doing any such thing.” At least she hoped that wasn’t her motivation. She made a sweeping gesture around the lavishly furnished suite. “None of this has anything to do with us. I’m half-American, remember? If what you tell me is true, Christophe has less Carramer blood in his veins than I do.”
“Are you running away from his heritage, or from me?”
The prince’s question stopped her in her tracks. “I don’t know what you mean.”
His dark gaze caught and held her. “Don’t you? You deny feeling any connection between us, but it is there. I think you’re afraid if you acknowledge it, you’ll lose your head the way your mother did.”
Sarah could hardly breathe for the emotions swirling through her. “It didn’t work out all that well for her.”
His hand came up and touched the side of her face. “Then consider this your chance to rewrite history.”
She had to fight to resist the urge to turn her face into his hand. “You’re assuming I want to.”
“Oh, you want to.”
How did he know, when she could barely explain her feelings to herself? Was such arrogant assurance a part of his royal heritage? If so, why didn’t she feel as sure of herself? “Are you sure I’m a real princess?” she asked.
He looked mystified. “I guarantee it.”
“Then let me issue my first decree. Take your royal hand off me now.”
Chapter Three
Josquin took his hand away slowly, making it obvious that it was his choice rather than in response to her decree. “You’re tired. You should rest.”
“Rest won’t change anything.” Especially not the confused way she felt around him. “I want to go home.”
“You are home, although I can understand if it hasn’t sunk in yet. If you won’t rest, come for a walk with me. I’ll show you around the grounds of the château.”
Going anywhere with him wasn’t on her agenda, but she saw the sense in taking a walk. The long flight coupled with the shock of discovering who she really was had taken a toll. She wouldn’t be able to sleep for hours. A walk might clear her head. She glanced at the sleeping baby. “I can’t leave Christophe alone.”
“Marie will stay with him. Tomorrow I will appoint more staff to take over his care, and yours.”
Her chin came up. “I don’t want my child cared for by staff, even if he is a prince. I prefer to look after him myself.”
“You may not find it so easy to do everything yourself, now you are part of the royal household.”
“I may be staying in one for the moment, but as for living here…”
He held up a restraining hand. “Tomorrow is soon enough to plan your future. Let’s walk first.”
Icy fingers caressed her spine. The prince’s attitude reminded her uncomfortably of her adoptive father who invariably thought he knew what was best for her. “I do have some say in this,” she reminded Josquin.
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