The Accidental Princess by Willingham Michelle

Author:Willingham, Michelle [Willingham, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: American Light Romantic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance - Historical, Fiction, Romance, Romance: Historical, Love Stories, Historical, American Historical Fiction, General, Fiction - Romance
ISBN: 9780373295852
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-03-01T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Outside on the upper deck, the ship rose and fell with the waves. The darkness was broken only by a handful of scattered oil lamps. Several deck hands adjusted the sails while the dull noise of the steam engine droned on.

Michael kept Hannah’s hand firmly in his, wondering why he’d agreed to this. There was no reason to bring her with him, where her presence would be noticeably out of place. It was irrational and dangerous.

But he didn’t want to leave her alone. Not after he’d been attacked tonight. And especially not after what had just happened between them.

It had taken an act of the greatest restraint not to seduce her. He didn’t doubt for a moment that he could have. Her body responded to him with a passion he’d never expected. More than anything, he’d wanted to strip off her remaining undergarments, joining their bodies together.

The sensual image of her legs wrapped around his waist while he buried himself deep within was like a fire igniting his lust. She was a lady, not a woman to be trifled with. Softhearted, stubborn and highly intelligent, everything about her captivated him.

And yet he couldn’t bring himself to dishonour her. If he took her innocence, she would pay the price. And he couldn’t destroy her chance to make a strong marriage, no matter how much he might want her.

The thought of another man being intimate with Hannah made him clench his fists. At dinner tonight he’d seen the way the gentlemen watched her. He had no right to feel possessive towards her. Not then, and not now.

He gripped her hand, studying the area for any sign of Mrs Turner. When they passed by one of the sailors, he drew Hannah closer, both to protect her from the rocking of the ship and to send an unmistakable warning to the other sailors.

The bo’sun stepped forward and intercepted them. ‘Pardon me, m’lord, but passengers aren’t allowed on deck at this hour. Best be returnin’ to your cabin. Captain’s orders.’

Michael wasn’t surprised to hear it, but he didn’t give a damn what the Captain’s orders were. Whenever Mrs Turner had one of her spells, there was no telling what she’d do. He didn’t want her to fall into the sea and drown, if her madness tempted her to do something rash. Abigail Turner was the only family he had left, and he would keep her safe at all costs.

He faced the bo’sun and drew upon his officer’s hauteur. Had they been in the Army, he would outrank this man. ‘One of Lady Hannah’s servants has disappeared.’ He nodded to the bo’sun, adding, ‘We believe she may be lost.’

The bo’sun shrugged. ‘Haven’t seen her. She might’ve gone to meet someone.’ His disrespectful leer suggested that he suspected Hannah and Michael had done exactly that.

Michael sent the man a blistering look. He was well aware of the implications of bringing Hannah with him, but he wasn’t about to let anyone insult her. The sailor straightened, his smirk disappearing at once.

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