Protecting The Princess - Nadine Millard Page 0,11

bustling after him.

“If you’ll follow me, sir, miss.” He grinned at them both before leading the way through the lively crowd to a small wooden door.

He swung open the door then stepped back to allow Harriet inside the room.

She couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief when she walked through to the small, private dining room.

There was a fire crackling in the hearth in front of which stood a highly polished table and four chairs.

“I thought you’d be more comfortable in here.” Mr. Lauer smiled at her before turning to the landlord. “My wife and I are awaiting the coach,” he announced, and Harriet felt her jaw drop. His wife? “If you could bring a tea tray, some breads, cheeses, and cold meats, I’d be much obliged. And quickly, please. We don’t have much time.”

With a bow, the landlord moved to do Mr. Lauer’s bidding, leaving them quite alone.

“Your wife?” Harriet asked tartly.

His answering grin seemed vaguely familiar, but Harriet couldn’t concentrate enough to wonder why. She was too distracted. The man had dimples, for heaven’s sake! As if he needed dimples to add to his handsomeness.

“I didn’t think it appropriate to have him know you were dining alone with a man you’d only just met,” he answered smoothly.

“Oh. Y-yes, of course,” she stammered. She really should have thought of that herself. In truth, Harriet had never had to do much thinking for herself. Or been allowed to. Even when she and Alex had travelled to England and hidden the fact that they were royals, she’d been under Alex’s protection for the duration.

“Come, make yourself comfortable, Miss Royal. It will be twenty minutes yet before the coach arrives. Plenty of time to eat and relax.”

“Thank you,” Harriet said primly, removing her stolen cloak and bonnet, desperately hoping that he wouldn’t recognise her.

She stood awkwardly holding them before he reached out and plucked them from her grip, resting them on a bench against the wall before moving to hold out a chair for her.

She smiled her thanks before sitting and nervously wringing her hands.

“You have nothing to worry about, Miss Royal,” he announced, taking a seat across from her. “I only want to see you comfortable before you make the trip to—wherever it is you’re going.”

His smile seemed genuine, his countenance innocent. And his shockingly blue eyes gave no indication of recognition. Harriet could see no reason not to trust that what he said was true.

“Why should you care for the comfort of a stranger?” she asked.

“Because it is the gentlemanly thing to do,” he said smoothly before his mouth curled up in a wicked grin. “The fact that the stranger is such a beautiful one is merely a bonus,” he continued, right as the door opened and a maid bustled in with a tray.

Jacob could have kicked himself as he watched a delicate blush stain Princess Harriet’s cheeks. But he found himself in the unusual position of being distracted whilst on a mission, and it had slipped out before he’d quite known what he was about.

He took the time whilst the maid set the tray down and began to unload the teapot, cups, and plates of food, to get a hold of himself.

Yes, he was distracted by Princess Harriet. By those eyes, that hair, the unusual mix of strength and vulnerability in her. Though he considered a princess running off alone the height of folly, he knew it took a certain amount of courage to do so.

She had wit, too. Her choice of name proved that.

But none of that was relevant to the job at hand.

His job was to keep her safe, not admire her beauty or spirit.

Princes Harriet set about pouring tea whilst Jacob filled a plate and pushed it toward her before filling his own.

“So.” He kept his tone casual as the maid took her leave and left them alone. “Are you from Gant, or just visiting?”

Her eyes shot up to his, and once again a delicate blush blossomed on her cheeks.

“Oh, I – uh. I live there.”

Jacob nearly smirked. She wasn’t very good at this. She’d never actually told him where she was going. But his guess, as it turned out, had obviously been right. And an imp of devilment awoke in him.

“How wonderful. I shall be sure to call on you then, since I intend to stay awhile in the village.”

“No!” she blurted. “I – that is you – well, I, I don’t live there. I mean, I did live there. Once. Before. But now,