“This belongs to both of us.” His head moved from side to side and she tracked his gaze. He appeared to be seeking a way through the maze over to where she stood.
“Can you and I please talk somewhere else? There is not enough room in here. If you like I can meet you in the dining room,” he said.
Erika followed Christian out of the cramped sitting room and down the hall. Once inside the relatively spacious dining room, she dropped into a chair. The instant she took the weight off her knee, she sighed with relief.
“Long day?” he enquired.
“Yes. The baroness is nothing if not thorough in her work. Of course, I am most appreciative to have someone to assist me, especially one who has married off her three eldest daughters and knows all the things that a future bride requires,” she replied.
She wasn’t going to make mention of the fact that no wedding was going to take place. In the days since their betrothal had been made public, Erika had decided it was wise to go along with the lie as best she could. At least when they were in public.
“I will write to King Charles and make sure that the baroness gets the recognition she deserves for her valuable contribution. But that is not why I wanted to speak to you,” said Christian.
He came and stood alongside where she sat at the table, then to her surprise he went down on one knee. She took his offered hand, perplexed as to what he was doing.
He can’t be asking me . . . no that’s silly.
“Erika, I know things are unconventional in this engagement, but there are some aspects of it which need to be kept proper.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a small box. It was covered in dark blue velvet and bore the three gold crowns of Sweden’s royal insignia on the top.
From the box he produced a gold ring. In the center of the ring was an oval-shaped piece of tiger’s eye. Erika recognized the ring in an instant. It had once been worn by the Dowager Queen, Sophia Magdalena.
“I would like you to have this. Tiger’s eye is said to gift the wearer with courage. I thought you might like it to remind you of just how brave you are, Erika,” he said.
She stared at the ring as he slipped it onto the fourth finger of her left hand. It was too big and slid back along her finger and onto his palm.
Erika picked the ring up and placed it on her middle finger, where it sat comfortably. “Thank you. It’s a thoughtful gift, Christian.”
He frowned. “I could have it resized so that it fits on your other finger. The English wear their rings like that.”
She shook her head. It wasn’t as if it was a betrothal ring. Just a kind trinket from a friend. “It’s fine where it is. It will serve as a reminder of what we are trying to achieve. As I recall, Queen Sophia went through enough challenges in her life. Besides, we are not English.”
She ignored the soft ‘oh’ of disappointment which escaped his lips. He couldn’t expect her to be acting the part of a lovestruck fiancée while she was at home.
“I was thinking I could go to one of the London jewelers and pick you out a better ring,” he said.
“This is fine, Christian . . . Just leave it as it is,” she replied.
He got to his feet. For a moment she thought he was going to say something more—he appeared to be having an argument with himself, but he turned away and started for the door.
She glanced down at the ring. It wasn’t the usual piece of jewelry for an engagement ring, but it was a family heirloom. A piece of their shared Swedish heritage.
Christian stopped in the doorway, then came back to Erika’s side. “I feel we should discuss some of the details of our arrangement. I mean, how we are to interact with one another in public? You have made it clear that I am not to offer up public declarations of love, and considering how staid the English are, that is probably not a bad thing. But if we are going to sell the story of us being a young, wonderful couple, we have to make people believe it.”
She stiffened as he slipped his hand around her waist and drew her close.
“See, now? We cannot have you looking uncomfortable with me. There has to be a casual relaxed ambiance about us. The romantics will want to see a happy future bride and an attentive fiancé,” he said.
Erika pulled back, trying to escape Christian’s embrace, but he held tight. She finally took in a deep lungful of air, unable to hold her breath any longer. Her senses reeled at the heady scent of him that was pure desire.
“Perhaps we should spend more time alone, just to become better acquainted,” he murmured.
His offer was tempting, almost irresistible. How easy it would be to allow herself to give into desire. To take this fantasy and plunge with it fully into a world of make believe. A world where Christian and she were lovers. That when he touched her body, she would know only the burning heat of his soul-deep aching need for her.
No. No. This was madness.
She put a hand to his chest and pushed, all the while praying he would finally understand how difficult this was for her. He might well be able to play this role, an actor on the stage who had a part learned by heart, but she could not. Every moment spent with Christian was one of torture.
“I think they will buy the tale of two star-crossed lovers without us having to make much of an effort. I promise to smile at you when required, even laugh at your jests. However, I draw the line at us spending time alone together,” she replied.
