She was tired. So fucking exhausted by life and her family and this annoying prince who wouldn’t leave her alone.
“Get out. Everyone,” she added with a pointed glance at him. Then, without waiting for a response, she climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her head, sealing the world out.
She could hear whispers but didn’t acknowledge them.
Didn’t care anymore what the prince was doing.
Didn’t care anymore what Diana was telling him.
She just didn’t have it in her to care anymore. Not now, not this second, when no one was caring for her in return.
When she heard her door click, she was tempted to look but didn’t. Eventually, someone sat on the bed and she could tell from the weight it was Gabriel. Had Diana left?
A hand went to her back and gently rubbed it. Even though his hand was above the covers, she could still feel the warmth of it. She wanted to curl into it, intohim, and that was a dangerous thought to have.
She couldn’t depend on him, on anyone but herself.
He whispered softly, his hand stilling low on her back. “Genevieve?”
She shook her head, the covers shifting slightly, so she wasn’t sure he saw it.
“Genevieve, I’m…well, I like you. Truly.”
That forced her to peek out from beneath the covers. She had to know if he was being sincere or just trying to get a reaction from her.
When she glanced at his face, he wasn’t smiling or joking. He had a serious, maybe even resigned, expression.
He reached up and brushed a loose lock of her hair back, his hand caressing her head in the process.
That felt nice too. Really nice.
As he pulled his hand away, he took a deep breath. “I really like you, Genevieve. Perhaps you don’t want me to, perhaps it’s a bad idea, but I can’t help wanting you.”
She lowered the covers and shifted to sitting. “I don’t know what you’d like me to say to that. I don’t even know what Iwantto say to that.”
“I understand. Truly I do.” He gestured around the room. “You’re in a sort of cage here, aren’t you? Stuck with a cruel mother and at least one apathetic sister. I’ve got a cage of my own, but marriage won’t allow me to escape it. I can’t escape it and, it may be surprising to hear, but I actually don’t want to, not anymore. I want someone who will step into that cage with me, and build a life and country to be proud of.”
She pressed her lips together. She’d never thought she and Gabriel would have anything in common, but she could see now they did.
“There’s a lot for someone to consider before marrying me, or even dating me. Trust me, I’m aware of it. But I want someone who will help me carry that responsibility. I know it would mean giving up some dreams, maybe all of them, but there will be new dreams. And, contrary to what people think, it’s not a completelyconfining way of life and there is a loving family in the middle of it.”
Feeling another cough coming on, she reached for her water and bought time by taking a few sips before she spoke. “We barely know each other. Maybe sneaking in here gave you a glimpse into my life, but I know nothing about yours. You say you want me, but I still don’t believe you. I think you’re intrigued by me, because I don’t put up with your bullshit like everyone else does.”
He smiled at that, his teeth peeking out from under his mustache. She had a fleeting reminder of how that mustache had felt when he was kissing her thigh, but pushed the memory away.
“I’m sick of being a doll.”
He stopped smiling.
“Sick of being on display, pretending to be rich while, in reality, our house is crumbling around us. Sick of being hurt by people who are supposed to love me. Sick of being sick basically on my own. I just want some fucking peace. Maybe that’s selfish. Maybe it’s?—”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “It’s not selfish. I do understand.”
Outside, there was a long whistle, followed by two short ones. Gabriel stiffened and turned his head towards the window, then sighed and turned back to her.
“I need to go. But I’d like you to consider something before we meet again.”
At her raised eyebrows, he smiled.
