Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 285: Violet: What I Can Offer

That evening’s dinner was an anxiety ridden affair. Prince Leo again acted as if Violet didn’t exist. He danced with one lady after another, almost as if he knew that was the way to make her nerves fray.

He danced song after song not only with Ilse but with several other nobodies. He even danced once with Kathryn Danner, who couldn’t have looked more pathetically grateful if the Archangel Michael himself had asked her to dance.

Violet sat in her chair and watched, barely moving and taut with tension. Had the little fool Alexei passed her message on to Leo incorrectly? Or had he forgotten to share it altogether?

Maybe the worst had occurred - he’d given Leo her message correctly and the prince just wasn’t interested. Violet felt a cold sweat dampen her back at the mere thought. She looked fixedly at the marble floor tiles, trying to calm her wild thoughts.

Suddenly, a pair of polished boots appeared within her view. Looking up quickly, Violet found herself gazing into a pair of laughing blue eyes.

"Good evening, my lady. I don’t suppose you can spare me a dance or two?"

Violet forced herself to smile placidly, even though she really wanted to shriek in relief and elation. She placed her hand in Leo’s and rose elegantly to her feet.

She allowed herself to be lead to the dance floor, walking slowly as if she were about to dance with someone of no great importance. When Violet placed her hand lightly on Prince Leo’s shoulder and he started moving her in time to the musicians’ ballad, she stared up at him with cool detachment.

She was determined not to speak first. It was his responsibility to break the silence between them. He needed to put in some goddamn effort if he wanted to have what she was offering.

Leo gave her the smile of a charming rogue. "You’re very quiet tonight."

Violet gave a tiny shrug. "I didn’t think you’d notice or mind, my lord. After all, you’ve been merrily ignoring me for days now. Why would it trouble you if I stay quiet while we dance?"

With a hoot of sly laughter, he spun her around gracefully, then drew her close again. "Were you worried I’d forgotten all about you?"

"Hmmm, I don’t know. Had you?"

"Quite the opposite. I’ve been taking the time to consider your very intriguing offer." His eyes bored into hers. "I had to dance with others as a distraction so that no one would suspect I was thinking only about you."

"I’m not sure I believe that." Violet responded archly even though in the darkest corner of her heart, she was thrilled at the idea of being the centre of the prince’s thoughts.

"I don’t lie about such things. Besides, I find you a rather fascinating creature, Lady Violet. You’re not like any other lady under this castle roof." His smile grew wider. "Not in the public eye and certainly not behind closed doors."

Violet felt her face heat up to almost boiling point at his suggestive compliment. She was thinking, as she knew he was, of all the lewd, sinful acts she’d performed at his instruction. Of how her deep shame had only been eclipsed by her arousal when she did some of those acts.

Lord forgive her but she’d found herself wanting the man badly for weeks now. His expert touch, his burning stare, the way he made her scream with sheer, wicked ecstasy.

"You’ve surprised me greatly. And now I can’t stop thinking about the things you’ve done." The prince’s voice was a low, rough whisper.

"Shhh, my lord!" Violet glanced around in slight panic. She knew several ladies would be watching her that very moment and wondering why she was blushing so badly. The last thing she wanted was Leo’s lustful expression feeding their curiosity even more.

Undeterred, Leo whispered, "Don’t you think about them too? About those hours of pleasure we shared? And how freeing it felt to just let your deepest desires have full rein?"

Violet nodded slightly, sternly telling herself not to look too eager. The prince’s ego was enormous enough already.

"What you’ve experienced so far is quite the privilege, don’t you think? Most women will never even taste the delicious freedom you’ve enjoyed." Leo’s hand briefly stroked her back through the thin silk of her gown.

That’s because most women can’t just cast aside their reputations without any concerns, Violet thought sourly. But then, why would she expect him of all people to understand that? A future king will always be a future king, no matter how promiscuous or badly behaved he is.

If only the bastard’s touch didn’t affect her like it did, she lamented silently. He’d been the one to set a match to her desire, made her feel and crave things she’d never imagined were possible. And now that she knew, there was no going back and unknowing such things.

Even the light brush of his fingers at the small of her back as they danced was making her feel weak at the knees.

"So now that you’ve taken the time to consider my very intriguing offer, what conclusions have you reached, Your Grace?" Violet asked, sounding very prim and polite.

"I think I’ll have to take you up on it." he whispered, his breath a tickle against the shell of her ear.

"I see." Violet looked up at him as if he’d said something dry and boring. "What are you suggesting then, my lord?"

"I’ve been thinking...you’re aware the court sets off on progress in only four days’ time?" he asked.

"Yes, of course." Only an imbecile would be unaware of that, she said to herself.

"Well, I happen to know where we’ll be spending each of the nights before we reach Westerhaven. One of those nights the court will be staying at the Earl of Rhie’s estate."

"Really? Why’s that of any interest? Is it a particularly lovely estate?" she blinked innocently at him.

"It’s lovely enough in that the manor is large and it’ll be easy for you to slip away unnoticed for a few hours." Leo’s gaze was tinged with raw hunger. "Perhaps you can meet me in my bedchamber that afternoon."

"Yes. Perhaps." Violet smiled back as if she were considering his offer. It was a farce, of course. They both knew she wouldn’t turn down his invitation. She’d have to be mad to not seize her chance to spend an afternoon, and maybe even an evening too, with the most eligible man in the country.

How could she lust so badly after a man she didn’t especially like? It made no sense! But she loved their conversations when their words were rich with teasing and double meanings. She enjoyed the battle of wits they engaged in.

Most of all, Violet loved the dizzying sensation of power in her veins when she’d seen the Crown Prince of Islia almost weeping with lust as he watched her. It was the only time in her seventeen years that she’d ever felt remotely powerful, like she could control her own fate instead of being merely pushed along by other forces.

"I’ll arrange it all and have my page show you where to find my bedchamber that day. Are we in agreement then?" Another low whisper in her ear. Another graze of hot fingers on her waist.

"I suppose we are, Your Grace." Violet said languidly. "I can only hope you’ll make it worth my while."

"I think I can, my lady. In fact, I’m quite sure of it."

- - -

She returned to her seat after the ballad ended, trying to keep her face a blank mask even though the cleft between her legs was throbbing with heat.

It was no use. The questions from the other ladies flew at her like arrows.

What had her and the prince been talking about so secretively? What did he whisper in her ear that had made her blush? Why was she still blushing?

Violet dismissed all the questions with an airy wave of her hand. "We had a pleasant conversation. His Grace says he enjoys my spirit and wit very much. That’s all that you ladies need to know."

Ilse was one of those seated at the table. She’d stayed quiet while the others questioned her twin, looking away as if the entire conversation was irrelevant to her. But there was something unsettled in the quick glance she aimed at Violet. Ilse had almost looked nervous.

Violet stared back at her for a long moment, a silent challenge in her eyes. Perhaps Ilse was now seeing her sister as a credible threat for men’s attention. She had probably always taken it for granted that she’d succeed over Violet.

Well, that stops now, Violet told herself. I’m going to show Ilse and everyone else at this shallow, pompous court that victory belongs to those who are prepared to work hard for it.

No one here works and schemes harder than me.