Protecting The Princess - Nadine Millard Page 0,28
his stare.
Jacob wondered at the question and her reaction to it.
“I’m going to stay outside. Just for tonight,” he assured her hurriedly. “Once I check your head in the morning, I will leave you in peace.”
She didn’t need to know that he’d be close by. He could keep her safe and remain undetected for as long as necessary.
“Oh.” She was still blushing, and her nerves seemed to have returned in spades, if the hand wringing was anything to go by. Jacob wished he knew what she was thinking.
But he was rather enjoying the ceasefire and had no wish to anger her again.
He went over and added some more hastily gathered sticks and twigs to the fire. Tomorrow, he’d make sure to get her some proper firewood.
Turning back to face her, Jacob felt more awkward than he should.
He was one of Aldonia’s best, most sophisticated agents.
Why then was he acting like a green lad at a brothel?
“If you need me, I’ll be right outside,” he said softly into the ever-growing tension.
“T-thank you,” she mumbled, dropping her gaze to his rumpled cravat.
“Well, goodnight then, Miss Royal.”
He waited but she didn’t respond, so he turned and walked to the door.
Just as he turned the handle, however, she called out.
“Mr. Lauer?”
Jacob turned his head back, his heart twisting as he took in the sight of her standing in the firelight.
She didn’t speak further, so he raised a brow and waited.
“You—” Her tongue darted out to wet her lips, and Jacob’s gut clenched in reaction.
He had to get the hell out of there. Fast.
“You will be just outside?”
And then Jacob realised.
She wanted him here.
Rationally, he knew it was likely because she’d never been completely alone before. And because the forest in the dark was a frightening place. Especially when one only had a rickety old cottage for shelter.
Yet, this awareness still didn’t stop the burst of pleasure he felt at knowing she wanted him around.
“Just outside,” he confirmed softly.
Her smile had him clenching his fists against emotions he had no business feeling.
Jacob sketched a quick bow then moved swiftly outside before he did something irredeemably foolish.
But he couldn’t keep the smile from his face.
Chapter Thirteen
“Good morning.”
Harriet screeched in fright as the door swung open with a bang and sunlight poured into the darkened room.
She leapt from the bed then immediately regretted it when her head began to swim.
Sitting back down with a thump, she managed to scowl in Mr. Lauer’s direction.
All night she’d been unable to sleep, thinking about him being outside.
Though she was loath to admit it, even to herself, the knowledge that he was out there watching over her had made Harriet feel safe and secure.
She knew that with those broad shoulders and that aura of power, he would be able to take care of anyone and anything he set his mind to.
But along with the safety came the uncertainty.
The feelings he evoked in her—aside from anger, irritation, and exasperation—were confusing. New and dangerous and most inconvenient.
That was why she’d tossed and turned on the surprisingly comfortable cot. Why she’d been unable to sleep until the sounds outside the cottage told her dawn was breaking.
Even when she’d slept, she’d dreamt of a golden-haired Adonis with a charming grin and an interfering nature.
And now here he was, bursting into her solitude and looking far better than anyone had a right to at this hour of the morning.
“I didn’t wake you, did I?” he asked, all joviality.
She felt like scratching his eyes out.
“Yes, you did, as it happens.”
Her tart response only seemed to amuse him, and that dimpled grin that had sent her brain scrambling the day before made an appearance.
“You’re not a morning person, Miss Royal?” he quipped.
Harriet chose to ignore him.
She stood up carefully, waiting to make sure the room didn’t tilt.
Mr. Lauer seemed to notice her hesitance and immediately, all traces of joking were gone. His bright blue eyes darkened with concern, as did his expression.
“Are you well, Miss Royal? Is it your head?”
“I’m quite well,” she responded, trying and failing to stifle a yawn. “I just didn’t sleep very well and wasn’t expecting to be woken so loudly.”
The grin reappeared.
“My, my. Aren’t we grumpy in the morning?”
Harriet barely supressed a growl.
How could she have been dreaming of those eyes as they’d sparkled down at her? Those hands as he’d caressed her face while tending to her cut?
He was the most exasperating person she’d ever met.
“Did you want something?” she asked piously, refusing to be goaded into losing her temper.
To Harriet’s surprise,