Revelations 0f A Secret Princess (HQR Presents) by Annie West

Author:Annie West [West, Annie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Mother, Sensual Story Theme, Hearts Desire, Multicultural & International, The Princess, Hidden Identity, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Beautiful & Feisty, Love-Family & Forever, Foreign Country, Action & Adventure, Family & Domestic Life-Stolen Infant At Birth, Nanny Masquerade
Publisher: Harlequin Presents; Original Edition
Published: 2020-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

JAKE WAS KNOWN for his self-control. For an early responder in disaster zones it had been a quality almost as important as his skills at organisation and saving lives.

Yet tonight sorely tested him.

She tested him. Waltzing by on the arm of the man who’d held her possessively in that photo.

The simmering heat in Jake’s gut rose in a seething flood of impatience. His plans to confront her in a quiet anteroom had been foiled by the press of people, all wanting to speak to her or him. Then there was the sheer formality of the proceedings. Her first dance had already been allocated and, short of hauling her away in front of a fascinated audience, he’d had no choice but to relinquish her.

He gritted his teeth, berating himself for the spurt of fury that had propelled him to the palace. He should have waited and chosen his venue better but his blood was up and for the first time in years he’d acted rashly. Goaded by the smiling redhead in the dark violet dress.

Simply watching her did excruciating things to his self-control. Jake told himself it was wrath but there was an edge to his anger that felt like more.

Like want.

Worse, like disappointment, because he’d felt something for her.

Except the person he’d begun to know was a mirage, constructed by the duplicitous woman now swanning around the dance floor. Her long skirt belled around her legs, calling attention to that tiny waist and acres of creamy skin bared by a dress that hung off both shoulders.

Jake’s blood pounded in counterpoint to the beat of the waltz. Colours blurred and faces flashed by but still he had no difficulty keeping her in focus. Caro Rivage aka Princess Carolina. She moved with a grace that despite his anger evoked raw hunger in the pit of his belly. Or maybe it was the smile she gave her partner, bending to murmur in her ear.

They swept past and for a second violet eyes caught Jake’s. Wide, impossibly beautiful and, if he didn’t know better, scared.

No, this woman wasn’t scared. Disconcerted perhaps but she’d brazened it out, introducing him to guests as if they really were simply acquaintances. Keeping up a flow of small talk that made him want to muffle her mouth with his till she was so breathless, speech was beyond her.

With difficulty Jake slowed his breathing, searching for calm. They needed to talk. He needed confirmation of what he’d learned. Needed her to admit it. Then he’d inform her she had no hope of getting Ariane.

Sanity resurfaced. He told himself to wait till tomorrow when he could see her alone.

Except that would give her time to regroup. He’d find her surrounded by lawyers and royal officials who’d try to deflect him. This was between the pair of them. He wasn’t in the mood to wait.

The music ended and her skirts spilled onto the gleaming floor as she curtseyed to her bowing partner. He was Prince of Tarentia, Jake had learned. Brother to the woman whose betrothal they were celebrating.

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