Protecting The Princess - Nadine Millard Page 0,53

hug.

Next, Prince Alexander stepped forward and hugged her more freely but just as fiercely.

Jacob wanted so much to be the next to take her in his arms, yet he kept his distance. For what else could he do?

A footman arrived to inform His Royal Highness that the carriage was prepared, as was the food, as requested by His Highness.

“Come, Harriet.” Prince Alexander took Harriet’s hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. “I cannot wait to get back to Chillington Abbey and tell Lydia all about this. It’s like something from one of her books.”

Jacob watched helplessly as she was swept from the room with only the briefest of glances in his direction.

“Gentlemen, I would like to close out this matter as soon as possible. Mr. Maylt, can I trust that you will remain here and take care of this? I’ll see you in my office in two weeks hence to discuss any loose ends.”

Hans dutifully nodded.

The prince turned and walked swiftly to the door.

Before he stepped through it, however, he turned and looked directly at Jacob, his expression guarded and watchful.

“Lauer, I’d like to speak to you alone. Once you can leave this in Maylt’s hands, see me directly. At the palace.”

It wasn’t a request, yet Jacob nodded all the same.

He’d known when he’d insisted on being the one to rescue the princess that he was opening himself up to this.

He didn’t regret it, however.

Though arguing in the garden in the middle of her rescue hadn’t exactly been his plan, Harriet was safe.

And at least he’d gotten to kiss her one last time.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Harriet stood in her favourite spot of the palace, watching the goings on of palace life through the glass of her tunnel.

The courtyard was bustling as it ever was.

And there were Mother and Father, safely strolling in their garden once more.

Christopher would be in his office, she knew.

And Alex had left just that morning for the docks, anxious to get back to Lydia in time to see the babe.

Harriet had promised to come and stay just as soon as news arrived of the baby. She didn’t mind travelling to see them as long as it was of her own free will!

“Your Highness,” Ansel’s voice sounded behind her. “Here you are again.”

Harriet turned slightly to smile at the butler before turning her attention to the courtyard once more.

She knew that Ansel was growing concerned for her. It was evident in his constant presence, and in the gentle tone he had taken to using when speaking to her.

“I’ll leave shortly, Ansel,” she assured him without turning back. “I’m just—”

A flash of movement caught her eye, and she looked to the side.

There he was.

Jacob strode purposefully through the courtyard, his blonde hair glinting in the spring sunshine, even under the beaver hat atop his head.

Her mind flashed back to when she’d been a girl and she’d watched him arrive late to military training.

Who would ever have thought that their paths would lead them back to each other, and then away again?

It was Fate. But it was cruel.

Jacob was an agent for Christopher. It was his job to travel throughout Europe, and possibly further, at the prince’s bidding.

And even if he wasn’t, he was the second son of the Count of Dresbonne. A good family name, but not an heir. Her father would never agree to a match.

Could Harriet do what her aunt had done before her? Give all of this up to be with the man she loved?

Already she knew the answer was a resounding yes.

Never had she been happier than those short, blissful weeks she’d spent with him in her tumbledown cottage. She knew that she could live anywhere, be anywhere, and be happy. As long as she was with him.

But they’d been home some days now, and this was the first she’d seen of him.

If he’d wanted to marry her, wouldn’t he have come to her?

If he loved her as he said he did, wouldn’t he have asked her to be his?

Jacob was nearing the edge of the courtyard, and Harriet resisted the urge to press her face against the glass, all the better to see him.

It wouldn’t do, she knew, for the Crown Princess to be pressing herself against windowpanes.

Before he stepped through the doors leading to the royal offices, however, Jacob stopped.

He spun around and looked up at her tunnel of glass, his eyes searching until they found her.

Taking off his hat, he bowed low, that irresistible grin lighting his face. Yet even