Promised to the Swedish Prince - Sasha Cottman Page 0,33

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.

“Why?”

She had few weapons at her disposal to keep Christian at bay, and she was determined to use them only if necessary. This moment called for her to wield one of them. “Because when this is all said and done, in all likelihood I will be going back to Sweden to an uncertain future. Your brother may not want me anymore. So, I beg of you, don’t put me in a position where you spoil any chance that I may have in finding happiness with another man.”

Christian released his hold and stepped back. The pained look on his face couldn’t have been worse if she had struck him. “Believe me, Erika, there is not a day that goes by when I am not reminded that you are not destined to be mine.”

Chapter Seventeen

Erika nodded in silent response to Christian’s worried frown. They were both nervous. This was a big night for them. Her father and Baron von Rehausen had been received by the Prince Regent on only the rarest of occasions.