Promised to the Swedish Prince - Sasha Cottman Page 0,16

is exactly how I am feeling at this very moment. Shocked, but utterly delighted to see you.”

Her voice sounded different. There was a hint of something else in Erika’s accent. She spoke a lot faster than what Christian remembered her ever doing. He found himself struggling to keep up. His mind was awhirl with all the emotions that seeing her once more stirred within him.

Her long blonde hair. Blue eyes that made his knees go weak. And that smile.

So utterly captivating.

How many nights had he lain awake and thought of those lips? Of her soft gentle laughter? And now he was finally here, and she was right in front of him, and all he wanted to do was to haul her into his arms and kiss her senseless.

Calm down. She hasn’t seen or heard from you in over two years.

“I take it the baron is not aware of your coming to England? He hasn’t mentioned anything,” she said.

“No one knew I was coming. His Majesty decided that diplomatic matters required my urgent attention. It happened all rather quickly I barely had time to pack before I had to get on board the ship,” he replied.

They followed behind Christian’s luggage as it was taken to Erika’s carriage. Their progress was slow due to Freya stopping every two or three feet in order to sniff the ground and mark her territory.

“How did she cope with the sea voyage?” asked Erika.

“The short sail to Denmark wasn’t too bad as we hugged the coastline. However, as soon as we sailed into the North Sea, poor Freya took ill. I sat outside on a water barrel placed in the middle of the deck and held her in my arms for much of the time. Fortunately, she got her sea legs in a couple of days, after which she was happy to take lots of turns around the deck,” he replied.

At the carriage, Christian opened the door and helped Erika climb aboard. The plain black conveyance was much smaller than what he was used to traveling in at home. London was fast proving an odd mix of contrasting sizes to Stockholm.

It was his first reminder that while he was still a prince, he was also a foreigner in this country. He would have to pay his way while in England.

He took the seat opposite her and pulled the dog onto his lap. From the constant wagging of her tail, it was clear Freya was as pleased as Christian to finally be away from the ship. “I must say I was surprised to see you at the dockside today. Since King Charles hadn’t had time to send word of my impending journey, I wasn’t expecting anyone to meet me.”

“We always meet the Northern Lion. The diplomatic bag is of vital importance. I was also expecting a box, but I didn’t see one come ashore. That’s disappointing. I wonder what could have happened,” she replied.

Oh, no. Of course. She was expecting the package from Gustav. He’s probably been sending her things all along. How naïve could I have been?

Christian’s happy mood darkened. Erika’s disappointment at not seeing the box stung.

Had matters between his brother and Erika moved to a point where marriage was the only likely outcome? It would be a bitter thought if his hopes for seeing her and trying to press his own suit had already been laid to dust.

“I have the box with me. It is in my trunk. Gustav was most insistent that I pack it in my luggage and not allow it out of my sight,” he replied.

Erika gave the briefest of nods in response to his mention of the gift from Gustav, then sighed. “I expect he did. Thank you for bringing it all the way here. I hope it wasn’t too much trouble,” she replied.

I thought she wanted the box. I don’t understand.

As the carriage drew away from the dockside, Christian let the matter lay. Erika had clearly been expecting something from his brother, and once he was unpacked and settled in at Baron von Rehausen’s residence, he would hand Gustav’s gift over to her.

If things between them are settled, then you must set aside your feelings for her as best as possible and focus on your other reason for coming to England—to establish yourself as a diplomat. You always knew that there was a risk that Erika’s feelings for Gustav might change.

“How has your stay in London been so far?” he asked.

Erika stirred from silently staring at Freya and gave