Page 36 of The Miracle of Love
“You killed two and left two surviving. Was there a reason? Were they not all coming at you with weapons drawn?”
“Yes, but the first two agents were working for the foreign monarchy and they have orders to deliver you safely to their king who will hold you in his protection. The other two agents were working for the opposition faction, and I do not know what they would have done to you if ever they abducted you. They are ruthless and brutal.”
“Oh, I see. They would have killed me after I had outlived my usefulness.”
Or worse, used her in other ways he dared not mention to her. “I’m fairly certain the two factions have formed an unholy alliance for the purpose of abducting you. They think they’ll stand a better chance of defeating me if they work together. Now, it is a matter of waiting for another opportunity to present itself.”
“Under cover of darkness? You said this is when they are most likely to strike.”
“They can wait all they want, but none of them will ever get their hands on you. I am not giving you up under any circumstances.”
He realized he’d frightened her.
While he wanted her to understand the dangers, he had not meant to terrify her.
He cast her a wry smile and caressed her check. “You have the prettiest eyes. Has anyone ever told you that? Come on, let’s return to our bedchamber and plot our escape.”
She blushed. “It is notourbedchamber. Please, don’t call it that.”
“All right. Too intimate for you?”
She blushed again.
“Grace, you need to get used to me and my blunt manner. We cannot be arguing while on the run. I may say things that upset your delicate sensibilities…I will say things, but you must take them in stride.”
“About me and my family?”
“Not about you. Can you not see that you are someone special to me? I am not as immune to your charms as I ought to be. It irritates me, and I seem to be taking it out on you by goading you.”
“Do you really find me charming?”
He cast her a wry smile. “Yes, Grace. Unfortunately, I do. Liking you is not a good thing. It makes my assignment harder. I lose the advantage if feelings slip into the equation. Keeping you safe requires cold calculation and nothing had better interfere with that.”
“I have a solution.” She returned his smile with an impish one of her own. “I’ll make myself as irritating to you as possible.”
He laughed. “I’m afraid it isn’t going to work. I was not kissing you earlier because I am a brash arse and simply felt like it. Well, I certainly am an arse.”
“Brash, too.”
He nodded. “But I really do like you, Grace.”
She reached up on tiptoes and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “I’m glad someone does.”
“Hellfire, are you going to cry now? Don’t you dare.” He had no weapon to defend himself against her tears.
Why did she have to feel so perfect for him?
“I won’t shed a single tear, for I have none left in me. I’ve felt so low and awful ever since my family’s downfall, I’ve forgotten how to feel good about myself.”
She made his head spin.
He would be lost if she ever actually attempted to seduce him.
Fortunately, she was too prim to ever try.
She thought too little of herself to ever try.
“Perhaps you are only being kind to me to encourage my cooperation,” she said, her lips once more puckered in thought. “You needn’t bother. I have every intention of helping you recover the crown.”
