Chapter 2
I was "invited" back to Hastings Manor by Edward's people.
They called it politely, but honestly, it was straight-up kidnapping.
Samuel ran after the carriage, yelling himself hoarse, but nobody even glanced his way.
I sat in the swaying carriage, mentally cursing up a storm.
I came to see the show. How did I end up getting caught up in all this?
When we arrived at Hastings Manor, I was led to a quiet, refined guest house tucked away from the main estate.
A middle-aged man who looked like the butler treated me with a decent amount of respect.
"Miss, His Highness has instructed that you'll be living here from now on," he said. "If you need anything, let the servants know."
I looked around this so-called gilded cage.
Sure, the place was nice enough, but with two muscle-bound guards posted at the door, it was obvious I was being watched.
Great. I was under house arrest.
I asked the butler, "Where's Prince Edward?"
The butler bowed and replied, "He is in the front yard taking care of some important business. He'll come see you later."
I nodded and didn't bother asking anything else.
I'd roll with it since I was already here.
Anyway, I was a nobody who got dropped into this story. It didn't really matter where I ended up.
As long as Edward didn't try anything funny, I could get used to being a pampered freeloader around here.
I had the maid bring me some hot water and fresh clothes.
Once I'd scrubbed off all the mess, I slipped into a plain dress.
Sitting in front of the mirror, I stared at the unfamiliar face looking back at me.
It was cute enough, but honestly, nothing close to drop-dead gorgeous.
What on earth did Edward see in me?
Was this how ancient alpha males picked their women? Their taste was unique.
Just as I was lost in thought, footsteps echoed outside the door.
The maids all said in unison, "Greetings, Prince Edward."
My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly stood up.
Edward strode in from the hallway, his presence filling the room.
He'd swapped his formal suit for a dark, casual outfit. It was less intimidating, more relaxed, but still every bit the lord of the manor.
But the way he looked at me hadn't changed; his gaze was as intense, almost predatory.
He waved his hand, dismissing the servants with a single gesture.
Now, it was just the two of us left in the room.
Edward kept staring at me, his gaze so intense it made my skin crawl.
I couldn't take it anymore and blurted out, "Your Highness, are you sure you haven't got the wrong person? I'm not..."
"Not what?" Edward interrupted. "Not the woman Samuel's lost his mind over?"
He stepped right up to me, leaning in a bit. "I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears. How could I be mistaken?"
Which eye of yours saw me seducing your nephew? We were like siblings, okay?
Edward replied, "I don't care what tricks you used to get Samuel wrapped around your finger..."
His voice dropped low, laced with a warning. "From now on, forget about him. Stay in my manor and be mine. Or else..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the threat hanging in the air was crystal clear.
I couldn't help but laugh, more out of exasperation than anything.
"Your Highness, is this your idea of snatching up a random girl?" I shot back.
"Random girl?" Edward echoed, as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world.
"You make my hopeless nephew willing to throw away everything. Do you really think you are some ordinary girl?" Edward scoffed.
He reached out, his hand aiming for my cheek.
I jerked my head away, dodging him at the last second.
His hand hung in the air, and the temperature in the room seemed to plummet.