Protecting The Princess - Nadine Millard Page 0,14

sleeping.

In truth, he was very much awake and aware of everything. He’d been aware of the man who tried to get into the seat beside the princess. And aware of the other man whose eyes were alert and hostile, leading Jacob to believe he was an opportunistic thief.

And he was all too aware of the floral, springtime scent that surrounded the princess, just as he was all too aware of the way her dark, almost sable curls had loosened as the day wore on, with some now falling to brush against her shoulders. Aware, too, of the flecks of bronze in her wide, brown eyes.

Jacob’s thoughts screeched to a halt as he felt the sudden drop of a head to his shoulder, and his senses were overwhelmed with that floral scent that had been driving him to distraction.

His eyes snapped open and he looked down as much as he could without disturbing her. He saw nothing past the monstrosity of a bonnet that she wore in an effort to disguise herself.

But the simple action of putting her head on his shoulder affected Jacob in ways that shocked him.

The overwhelming feeling of protectiveness that surged within him went beyond mere duty to his assignment, and even to the Crown.

It was all about the woman on his shoulder, and wanting, nay needing her to be safe.

His blood ran cold as he thought for the hundredth time of what could have befallen her had she taken this journey alone.

Still, she wasn’t alone, he reminded himself as his heartbeat picked up in the oddest way.

He was here. And he was determined that she’d be safe. From her own impulsiveness as well as from whatever or whoever was threatening the royal family.

The carriage hit a bump, and Harriet jolted slightly but instead of waking, she merely sighed and snuggled closer into his shoulder.

Jacob swallowed past a sudden lump in his throat as his heartbeat skittered even more.

And he knew, if he wasn’t careful, he could be in trouble.

Chapter Seven

Harriet slowly became aware of a bright light behind her eyelids, of unfamiliar sounds surrounding her. For a moment, she forgot where she was.

Where was her satin pillow? Where was her soft, luxurious bedding? And what on earth was that wonderful smell?

She turned her head into the warm, smooth skin pressed against her lips and inhaled deeply, relishing the feel of the corded muscles at her mouth.

Her stomach knotted as desire, potent and unfamiliar, heated her veins.

She was just getting ready to push herself closer to the rock-solid warmth pressed against her when a door by the side of her was thrown wide and a shout rent the air.

Harriet bolted upright, the haze of sleep departing and reality swooping in. And with it, the knowledge that she had just been sniffing the neck of Mr. Lauer.

Harriet felt her cheeks scald with shame, and she refused, simply refused to look at him.

“Good morning, Miss Royal.”

His voice sounded brightly beside her, the trace of amusement evident. “I trust you slept well?”

“Uh – thank you, yes,” she stammered, acutely aware that she’d awoken not only with her mouth pressed against his neck, but the rest of her snuggled into him, too. For shame!

“Good. Well, I think we need to get you out of the coach and fed as soon as possible.”

His words made so little sense that she frowned up at him in confusion.

“Fed?” she asked, wondering if her stomach had been grumbling loudly, causing even further embarrassment.

“Indeed,” he answered gravely, his blue eyes boring into her own. “After all, if the door hadn’t opened when it did, I’m quite certain you would have eaten me alive. I was in fear for my life, Miss Royal. Or at least my neck. Clearly, it smelled good to you.”

Harriet felt her mouth drop open as unequivocal shame swept through her, bringing with it a healthy measure of anger. At herself for acting thus, and at the blighter now grinning wickedly down at her for being ill-mannered enough to bring it up.

“I didn’t – I wasn’t—” She was so embarrassed she could barely get the words out.

“Don’t trouble yourself, Miss Royal. I rather enjoyed the experience.”

Harriet opened her mouth to deliver a scathing set down. But she couldn’t find the words. She could barely even see past the red mist of anger and embarrassment.

Opening and closing her mouth like a demented fish, she finally settled on a strangled sort of scream of frustration before turning her head away from his amused smirk and