Part 33 (1/2)

They continued on thus for a few moments, comfort seeping through her, the first since she'd left her home.

”Moya, I must tell you-”

She looked up. ”My name is not Moya, but Lily.”

His eyes glinted with humor. ”I like Moya better.”

”What does it mean?”

His gaze flickered to her hair and she grimaced. ”It means 'red,' doesn't it? I hate that!”

He chuckled, the sound warm in his chest. ”You dislike being called Red? Why? It is what you are. Just as what I am is a prince with no fortune.” His gaze met hers. ”We must accept who we are.”

She was silent a moment. ”You're dreadfully poor? You said you'd just bought a house.”

”A cottage. It has a thatched roof and one large room, but with a good fireplace. I will make stew for you. I make good stew.”

It sounded delightful; far more fun than the rides, picnics, dinner parties, and other activities the d.u.c.h.ess had promised. ”I like stew, but I'm afraid that I can't visit your cottage. It would be improper.” Furthermore, she didn't dare prolong her time with such a devastatingly handsome, but poor, prince. She had to save all of her feelings so that she could fall in love with the man who would save Papa.

Wulf's brows had lowered. ”But you would come to my cottage if I had a fortune, nyet?”

Regret flooded her and she tightened her hold about his neck. ”I have no choice; I must marry for money. I don't know why I admitted that to you, but it is a sad fact of my life and I cannot pretend otherwise. My family is depending on me.”

He seemed to consider this, some of the sternness leaving his gaze. After a moment he nodded. ”It is n.o.ble that you are willing to sacrifice yourself for your family.”

”Sacrifice? I was hoping it wouldn't feel so . . . oh, I don't know. It's possible that I might find someone I could care for.”

”You wish to fall in love with a rich man. As my babushka likes to tell me, life is not always so accommodating.”

”Yes, but it's possible. I've never been in love before, so I'm a blank slate. The d.u.c.h.ess is helping me, too, and she's excellent at making just such matches. She's invited several gentlemen for me to meet-”

”All wealthy.”

”Of course. She is especially hopeful of the Earl of Huntley, and so am I.” Lily looked away, not wis.h.i.+ng to see the disappointment in his gaze yet again.