Protecting The Princess - Nadine Millard Page 0,6

huffed out an impatient sigh and cast her gaze around the busy courtyard of the inn.

She took in the building, the people bustling about, and—

Her eyes skidded to a halt as she realised, with no small amount of dread, that she seemed to have drawn the attention of the most unsavoury looking man she’d ever seen.

“Oh, no,” she whispered, fear making her clutch her reticule tighter.

Harriet turned her head away, but she could sense that he was still watching her.

She’d known, of course, that it was going to be risky making this journey alone. But she wasn’t even out of the city yet!

“What’s a pretty little thing like you doing all alone?”

Harriet felt a jolt of fear shoot through her as she realised the man had made his way closer.

Even with her back turned, she could smell the alcohol mixed with unwashed clothing and sweat emanating from the man.

Should she ignore him? Turn to face him?

Harriet had no idea how to deal with such behaviour. Barring one or two lascivious glances from visiting dignitaries, she’d never been exposed to unpleasant male behaviour. In point of fact, she’d never been much exposed to males at all. Kept at a distance befitting the Crown Princess, the only time she’d felt anything close to normal was when she and Alex had visited England and hidden their royal status.

Even then they’d travelled in private, relative luxury, and with a small retinue of servants.

And much as she’d envied the young women of Aldonia who lived a non-royal, freer existence than she, this part of things she really could have done without.

Mustering her courage and considerable diplomatic skills, Harriet turned to face her unwanted companion, hoping that a cool but pleasant smile and a request to be left alone would suffice to send him on his way.

But her smile stiffened then died as she turned and saw that he was watching her in a way that could only be described as predatory.

“Don’t you talk then?” he slurred.

“I – I do,” she stumbled, tightening her grip on the reticule that held her only coin. Coin she desperately needed.

“Where you off to all alone?” the man repeated, his eyes taking in the two bags at her feet.

“That’s not really any of your business,” Harriet answered with a boldness she didn’t feel.

The bloodshot eyes that were studying her filled with an ominous menace.

“I can make it my business,” he threatened softly, putting the fear of God into her.

“Sir,” Harriet could hear the accent she’d tried to adopt slipping, could hear that she was sounding more imperious by the second. “I suggest you take yourself elsewhere. I have no interest in speaking to you further.”

She watched in horror and no small amount of trepidation as the blackguard raked an insolent gaze over her then promptly burst into a peal of laughter, spittle flying from a mouth absent of several teeth.

“Sounds like you could do with learning some manners, my lady,” he sneered, the moniker clearly meant as a jeer.

“I—”

Whatever Harriet had been about to say was cut off with her outraged gasp as the man suddenly reached out and grabbed her arm.

Harriet didn’t know what to do. Screaming for help would draw too much attention to her, and her efforts to drag herself from the drunkard’s grasp weren’t doing any good.

“Sir, if you do not release me, I’ll—”

Suddenly he leaned forward, and Harriet almost wretched from the stench radiating from him.

“You’ll do what?” he smirked.

“Ah, there you are, sweetling. Please, forgive my delay in joining you. Made a new friend, have you?”

Harriet spun around at the sudden sound of a jovial voice behind her.

There stood the handsomest man she’d ever seen. Though his clothing was simple, it was well made and clean, leading her to believe that he was a merchant of means or perhaps a modest gentleman.

She could only stare at him, taking in the golden blonde hair, the shockingly blue eyes.

Something about him was familiar, though she knew they’d never met before. She would have remembered.

So distracted by his chiselled jaw was Harriet, that it took a moment for his words to sink in, and when they did, she was more confused than ever.

Was everyone in Aldonia mad?

Between the blackguard accosting her and the handsome stranger acting as though they were—well, that she was his sweetling, Harriet was fit to scream and run back to the safety of the palace.

She turned her gaze to the drunk’s and saw that his own was now darting warily between Harriet and