Tomorrow, Erika and her father would be on board a ship bound for England.
He had lost any chance he might have had with her, and he had no one else to blame but himself.
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Chapter Three
The following morning, Erika stood out the front of her home in Storgatan waiting for the last of the travel trunks to be loaded onto the cart and taken down to the docks. She leaned against the brick wall just to one side of the front door, her swollen and injured knee unable to bear weight for too long.
“Are you ready to leave?” asked Count Magnus Jansson.
She turned from her quiet study of the goings-on out in the street and gave him a short nod. It was difficult to find much more than that in her heart, everything was becoming all too real. Within hours, they would be well on their way to Denmark, after which they would sail on to England.
When will I see the blue skies of Stockholm again?
“Yes, Pappa. I just have to get my travel bag,” she replied.
He slipped an arm around her shoulder before dropping a kiss on her forehead. Today was a momentous day for them both. For Magnus, it was the beginning of a long-held ambition to serve the King as a foreign diplomat; for Erika, it was the time to say goodbye to childhood friends and the only home she had ever known.
“Prince Gustav sent word that he is coming down to the ship to see you off. Isn’t that wonderful news?” said Magnus.
Erika mustered a second nod for his benefit. “He didn’t have to. I did say goodbye to both him and Prince Christian last night at the farewell dinner.”
Her father leaned in close and met her gaze. He gave Erika one of his paternalI know what’s best for you, looks.
“Don’t talkdumheter. You know it is only proper that he does. When we return to Sweden in four years’ time, his father and I are both hoping that you and he will become reacquainted. A royal connection through marriage would open many doors for the both of us,” he said.
Erika fixed a tight smile to her lips. Now she understood what Magnus and Prince Stefan had been discussing last night. For several hours they had sat at one end of the grand table and conducted a long conversation, much of which had included a great deal of nodding and smiles on the part of both men.
But Pappa, the only doors Prince Gustav is interested in are the ones which lead to your country estate. He doesn’t care about me—he just wants to inherit property. And now you are trying to play matchmaker and marry me off to him.
She held his gaze. Pale blue eyes the exact same shade as hers stared back. “I know you would love nothing more than for me to become a princess, but please, Pappa, don’t give Prince Gustav any sort of encouragement.”
He frowned. “Why ever not?”
Erika paused for a moment. How was she to put this into words that wouldn’t alarm her father? He was currently in favor with King Charles and also Prince Stefan, so insulting a member of the royal family would not be a wise move. “Because he and I may not make a good match. We do not have much in common, nor have we spoken of shared affection,” she replied.
Simple. Plain. And hopefully unoffensive.
Magnus’s gaze fell on one of the household servants carrying his leather document satchel to their carriage. Once the footman had moved out of earshot, he leaned in and spoke clear and low. “Perhaps this time away from Prince Gustav might help you to see things differently. To understand that love is not all that marriage has to involve. When it comes to people like us, we need to think strategically, not with our hearts.”
Erika understood her father perfectly. He was moving her into place to solidify his own power base. A royal daughter would open many doors for him, and grant Magnus favors beyond his current rank. But she was determined not to accept anything as being a fait accompli, especially not when she had time on her side. “Of course. I shall give Prince Gustav a fond farewell when we leave, but I will not be making any promises. Who knows what the next few years have in store for all of us? In that time, Gustav may find himself a pretty bride and forget all about me.”
She could only hope so.
The last thing she wished was to be placed in a position where others would expect her to marry Prince Gustav. Refusing a royal proposal of marriage—now that would surely cause offense. And her father would likely never speak to her again.
You have four years in which to make your own fate. Try not to waste them.
“I don’t see the need for you to also come here today. I could have seen them off myself,” snapped Gustav.
Christian continued watching the sailors on the Northern Lion as they busied themselves about the deck hauling luggage and goods on board. He was not going to take the bait and start yet another argument with his brother. Nor was he about to do as his brother wished and leave before saying goodbye to Erika.
“You said your farewells last night,” Gustav continued.
Christian nodded. “Yes, and Erika was still in discomfort when I did. It was my fault she had to spend her last night at the palace laid up on a low sofa and not seated at the table. I want to make sure Erika is alright. It will be four years until I see her again—have a heart. She is my friend as well as yours.”
Gustav and his petty jealousy could go hang.
