Protecting The Princess - Nadine Millard Page 0,56
or not.”
Harriet could barely breathe with him standing so close.
She could smell the sandalwood scent that drove her wild, could see the flecks of silver in his eyes.
“And I know you well enough to know you’ll put yourself in mortal danger trying to leave.”
His scowl of disapproval was enough to make her almost feel sheepish. Almost.
“But of course, you cannot travel for weeks on end with a male guard for company. What would people think?”
She didn’t give a hoot what people thought, though of course, she knew she should.
“No, after careful consideration your brother and I—and even your father—are in agreement.”
“You are?” she asked carefully.
“We are.” He nodded. “The only way this will possibly work will be if I come with you, not as your guard—”
He paused, and Harriet felt her stomach clench in anticipation.
“But as your husband.”
His words turned her knees to liquid. It was a very good thing that he chose that moment to wrap her in his arms, for she wasn’t sure she’d have stayed upright otherwise.
“M-my husband?” she stuttered.
“Indeed. Prince Christopher thought it was for the best, given the circumstances.”
“And you?” she asked, hardly believing this was real.
“Me? Oh, I thought it was for the best, since I love you so much the mere thought of not being with you is excruciating. I’d walk through the fires of Hell to be your husband, sweetheart. Crossing an ocean will be child’s play.”
A burst of elation so intense, so pure, exploded within Harriet that she could do nothing but throw her arms around him and hold on as he lifted her from the floor and held her impossibly close.
“Does this mean you agree to your brother’s terms?” he asked, his voice muffled against her hair.
Harriet pulled back so they were eye-to-eye.
“I do.” She grinned. “If only because it saves me having a guard.”
She laughed at his growl.
“And because I love you, too, Jacob. With all my heart.”
At her words, his eyes lit with as intense a love as she’d seen before he bent his head and took her mouth in an explosive kiss.
Indeed, anyone who saw them from the courtyard below was sure to be scandalised. Yet Harriet could not bring herself to care.
When she became lightheaded, he let her up for air, placing her on her feet yet keeping her deliciously close.
“You know, this is to be my last foreign mission. Or mission of any kind, really,” he said, smiling down at her.
“It is?” She couldn’t keep the smile of delight from her face. “But what will you do?”
“You are looking at the new head of Prince Christopher’s special service agents,” he said. “Based right here in the palace. Or wherever else you want to be.”
“I want to be wherever you are,” she answered promptly, earning herself another swift yet fierce kiss.
“So, this is your last assignment?” she asked. “Taking me to England.”
“My last assignment,” he confirmed. “Protecting the princess. And the only assignment I’ll ever care about from here on? Being your husband and spending every day showing you just how much I love my wife.”
“Now that assignment, I’ll allow.” She grinned before reaching up to press her lips once more against his own.
Epilogue
The ballroom sparkled with thousands of candles as the state of Aldonia celebrated the wedding of their beloved princess.
Though there had been speculation amongst the subjects that the next royal to marry after Prince Alexander would be Prince Christopher, there was nothing but joy when Princess Harriet’s betrothal was announced.
And only months later, the wedding occurred.
For the first time since Prince Alexander’s wedding celebration, the entire royal family were in attendance, including Prince Alexander and Princess Lydia, who had arrived with their firstborn, the newest member of Aldonian royalty, Prince Frederick.
Outside the palace, the streets were alive with dancing and music and laughter.
Inside the palace walls, the mood was a little more sedate, but no less happy.
Harriet couldn’t keep the smile from her face as she danced in the arms of her husband.
Though the ballroom was packed with royalty and dignitaries from all over Europe, she felt as though they were the only two people in the world.
“What are you thinking?” she asked her husband. Husband! How wonderful that sounded.
He stared down at her, looking so besotted that she felt herself blush.
“I’m just wondering how I got to be so lucky,” he answered, his eyes smoldering.
“And well you might,” she answered tartly. “You were really the most impossible man. I don’t know how I put up with you.”
“Me?” he exclaimed. “You were the