Protecting The Princess - Nadine Millard Page 0,31
both sat at the table.
It was unusually intimate and domesticated, and Jacob wasn’t entirely happy about that.
Clearing his throat, he determined to re-erect the border between the princess being a job, and being someone who was far too attractive for his peace of mind.
“So, Miss Royal.” He watched as she poured tea, every inch the Society lady. She should have looked out of place in such modest surroundings. Even without a crown she was the epitome of regal. Yet she seemed just as comfortable in a rundown cabin on a rickety chair as she was sure to be in a gilded hall on a golden throne. “How do you manage to survive out here then, if you refuse to let me help you, and you insist on staying hidden?”
She blinked at him, her wide, chocolate eyes doing their best to affect him. But he was strong. He was a spy, for God’s sake. He could withstand a pair of eyes.
She was quiet for a moment, nibbling distractedly on her bottom lip before she tilted her chin.
“I’ll live off the land,” she sniffed, and Jacob had to work to keep a straight face.
He knew she’d be spitting mad if he allowed his grin to break free.
“Live off the land,” he repeated. “How?”
“Well, you know,” she stuttered. “I’ll fish and—and hunt, and—” She cleared her throat nervously, looking less sure of herself with every passing second. “Forage for berries and such.”
Jacob quirked a brow, earning one of her scowls.
“I don’t know why I was worried,” he drawled sarcastically. “Clearly, you’re an expert in all things survival.”
That earned him an eye roll and a long-suffering sigh.
“And I suppose you are?” she snapped.
“I am, as it happens,” he answered. “And I know with absolute certainty that if you go “foraging for berries” you don’t recognise, you’ll be dead within two days.”
Her cheeks paled and he felt a momentary guilt at having been so harsh. But she needed to know there were limits to what she could do.
And it would make Jacob’s job a hell of a lot easier if the princess actually wanted him around.
He thought back to last night, when he suspected she’d wanted him there.
Perhaps if reason wouldn’t work, her own fears might.
“I’ll go if you want me to, of course.” He kept his tone even as he cut a piece of cheese from his own modest portion. “I just hope nobody else finds you out here.”
Chapter Fourteen
Harriet studied Mr. Lauer’s face to see if he was trying to trick her or scare her. But his expression was open and polite. No mischief in his blue eyes that she could see.
He might not have meant to scare her with his words, but he had done so.
She was very aware of the threat to her family and now that she’d run away, she had no way of knowing if Christopher had taken care of it. She was inclined to think he had because that was Christopher, capable and efficient in all things.
But what if he hadn’t handled it? What if there was an army of assassins out there trying to kill her entire family? Trying to kill her?
With dawning horror and panic, Harriet faced up to the reality of her situation.
If someone came looking for her, she was out here exposed. All because she wasn’t willing to spend time with Althea Furberg.
Worse, she had isolated herself so that she wouldn’t be privy to any information about Christopher, or her parents, or anything else.
The bread that she’d been chewing on stuck in her throat, and she lifted her teacup with an unsteady hand.
“Miss Royal?”
Harriet looked up at the gentle voice. Mr. Lauer was studying her with something akin to concern stamped on his handsome face.
Their meeting had been unconventional to say the least. And he annoyed her more than any other living creature she’d ever met.
Yet he’d helped her when he didn’t have to.
Had slept outside and tended to her injury.
And, she was rather selfishly just realising, he hadn’t even completed his own journey since he’d stayed with her.
“I’ve kept you from your plans,” she blurted, worry for her family and shame at her self-interest making her voice wobbly. “I am sorry for that, Mr. Lauer.”
He studied her intently, and Harriet wondered what he saw in her face.
His expression gentled and Harriet’s heart fluttered.
“That’s quite all right, Miss Royal,” he said softly. “I had no fixed plans. And I’m rather enjoying my little adventure in the woods.”
His grin was so incorrigible that Harriet found