From Kiss to Queen by Janet Chapman

Author:Janet Chapman
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2016-05-16T11:15:50+00:00

* * *

She’s limping more than usual,” Sergei whispered to Mark. “Is her foot paining her? We should have carried her.”

Mark smiled at his concerned brother. “She would have punched you in the nose, had you tried. She isn’t wearing her brace.”

“She has a brace?”

Mark nodded, watching his angel limp into the pantry, her robe trailing in billows around her, her hair a tangle of knots. He didn’t doubt that Jane had charmed Cook into joining her for these late-night visits, as what person alive, man or woman, could resist such a beautifully disheveled wood-sprite?

“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Sergei commented, his thoughts obviously running along the same vein. “And she’s courageous and compassionate, if that little scene in the streets is any indication. But she’s also shy and unsure. I’m trying to figure her out, and I can’t.”

Mark crossed his arms, leaned back against the counter, and grinned at his brother. “And you never will. Nor will I. Jane is . . . Jane.”

“She’s an orphan.”

“Not anymore.”

Sergei nodded agreement. “But you’re going to have to curb her willfulness.”

Mark shook his head. “I doubt that’s possible.”

“You’ll never get her to the altar unless you do.”

“I’ll get her there. She may be bound and gagged, but she’ll be there.”

Sergei raised a brow.

“I was pursuing that very end tonight when I found you blocking my path,” Mark growled. “Tell Father to stay out of it.”

“He can’t. None of us can.”

“Why the hell not?”

“Dad’s also fallen in love with her. We all have. Her happiness is as important to us as yours is.”

Mark snorted.

“You can’t force her.”

“I can’t seem to reason with her, either,” Mark said on a weary sigh. “It’s like hitting my head against a stone wall. She gives herself no importance. How am I supposed to counter that?”

“By making her part of this family. Part of this country.” Sergei ran a hand through his hair. “She’s an intelligent woman. And she’s caring. So make her care about us.”

Mark stilled, then suddenly straightened away from the counter. “Go wake Dmitri and Alexi and bring them to Father’s room.”

“What do you intend?” Sergei asked, looking skeptical.

“You’re right. Jane is intelligent and caring. Maybe it’s time we all stop trying to order her around and explain why we’re so concerned for her safety. And maybe we can get her to start worrying about our safety.”

“How?”

“If Jane understands the threat against this family, maybe she’ll become just as determined as we are to help Shelkova break into the world market. And maybe once that little temper of hers is directed at something besides me, I can sneak up when she’s not looking and have her wed before she knows it.”

Muttering and shaking his head and looking skeptical, Sergei went off to wake his family for a midnight conference.

“Include Aunt Irina,” Mark called after him.

Sergei’s muttering increased in color and volume.

Jane came out of the pantry, her good arm laden with cocoa, marshmallows, and cookies. She stopped when she saw Mark taking down another pan and pouring more milk into it.

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