Princess Charming by Nicole Jordan

Author:Nicole Jordan [Jordan, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780345525284
Publisher: Random House, Inc.
Published: 2012-01-31T00:00:00+00:00

Maura’s enchantment lasted through the night as she slept in the bed, wrapped in Ash’s arms. Her frustration, however, returned by morning. A chill drizzling rain was still coming down, making the conditions for travel unpleasant if not actually precarious.

After a breakfast of poached eggs and cold beef, Ash visited the stables and reported back that the stallion’s shoe had been replaced, but he was still favoring his left fore despite a poultice. Ash also unearthed a two-day-old newspaper and brought Maura a novel that a passing traveler had left behind. Yet she kept vigil at the window, fretting over the dreary weather and watching the occasional activity in the inn yard below.

It was clear that Ash felt none of her urgency.

“Stop pacing, Maura,” he exhorted for the second time that morning. “You are wearing a groove in the floorboards.”

“I am worried that Deering’s minions are on my trail. He doubtless has them searching for me.”

“His minions will be looking for a lone Miss Collyer, not the wife of a nobleman.”

At least they looked more the part of husband and wife this morning, since Ash had retrieved her traveling dress from her saddlebags and had donned his own dry, superbly tailored garments.

Maura did cease her pacing, but when she wouldn’t leave her window post, Ash returned to his familiar refrain. “You know, love, it is still not too late to call off this misadventure.”

“I am not letting my horse fall into Deering’s clutches ever again.”

“Nor will I. In fact, I have a viable solution to your dilemma. I can stable Emperor at my country estate. Neither Deering nor his minions would be able to touch him there. And you and I could return to London with no one the wiser to your theft.”

Maura’s brow furrowed as she considered his generous offer, but then she shook her head. “I could never be certain Emperor would be safe at Beauvoir, so close to Deering. Scotland is a much better hiding place. Besides, as I’ve told you before, I don’t want to drag you into my battles.”

“You have not dragged me. I flung myself in willingly.”

Before she could reply, she heard the sound of hoofbeats in the inn yard. When she peered out the window again, a sudden chill ran down her spine.

“What is it?” Ash asked when Maura jumped back from the window to avoid being seen.

“There are two riders down there,” she breathed hoarsely. “They could be Deering’s men.…”

Rising, Ash came to stand beside her. “They are not Deering’s men. They are mine.”

“Yours?” Bewildered, Maura inched closer to the window. The two sodden riders dismounted and tethered their equally sodden horses to the hitching post in front and made for the entrance door.

“They are Bow Street Runners,” Ash explained mildly.

She turned to stare at him in disbelief. “You kn-knew they were coming?”

“Yes. I summoned them from London yesterday shortly after we arrived here.”

Shock and fear ran through Maura so strongly she could scarcely breathe. “You. Summoned. Them. You summoned the law.”

“Yes, but you needn’t worry, darling.

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