To Please a Princess by Cara Maxwell

Author:Cara Maxwell [Maxwell, Cara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cara Maxwell
Published: 2022-02-27T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

“Calling this a farm is more than generous,” Alexandra observed wryly as they tethered their horses in a grove of aspens a hundred yards from the Tittlebury farm.

Or what remained of it: a small stone cottage without a roof – fire damage evident, what must have at some point been a fence, and a tumbledown barn.

It was truly tumbled down on one side. There might have been a doorway there, but now it was impassable.

“It looks deserted,” Alexandra continued.

Sam was conspicuously silent, his eyes scanning the scene back and forth methodically.

“Is it even habitable? Could someone be tending a horse in there?”

“Hush.” Sam shot her a look. Alexandra resisted the urge to poke him in the ribs. She peered through the trees, trying to see what fascinated him so.

“There’s plenty of room for a horse in there. Maybe even two or three. Horses are social, they like company. I’d wager someone is in there, be it beast or man.”

“Or beastly man.”

Sam rolled his eyes. “Stay here. I shall go have a closer look.”

“Like hell.”

“Alexandra –”

“Samuel.”

“It could be dangerous.”

“We’re doing this together.”

Sam growled. Alexandra stood firm.

“Fine.” He was relatively sure there was no one inside. Otherwise, he would have found a way to keep her back. Even if it meant tying the willful Princess to a tree. He could picture it in his mind ... her breasts struggling against the dotted fabric of her gown as she tried to wriggle free ...

He banished the thoughts. Focus! He chastised himself.

Sam held his finger to his lips to indicate quiet as they crossed the overgrown meadow separating them from the barn. Alexandra walked softly, the rustling of her skirts indistinguishable from the breeze swishing through the long meadow grasses. As they got close, Sam held out his hand. They stood for two long minutes, listening.

Then they heard it.

The soft whicker of a horse from inside the barn.

Their eyes met.

Stay here.

No way.

A sigh.

A smile.

Then they moved in unison around the side of the barn to the remaining intact door.

Sam pushed lightly, afraid too much force would bring the whole structure down. The bottom half of the split door swung open. He nudged the top with his shoulder and it gave way as well.

It was brighter than most stables. Once inside, they could see the huge hole in the roof, letting in shafts of bright June sunlight. The hayloft above their heads wasn’t much more than a few boards, and those looked questionable.

Sam stepped inside, Alexandra right behind him. A dark head popped out over the second stall. Alexandra grabbed Samuel.

The horse whickered again, shaking her head. She was happy to see them.

“Isn’t Gladiator a bay?” Alexandra asked softly, offering her hand to the black horse.

“Yes.” Sam wasn’t looking at the horse. His eyes were surveying the rest of the barn.

Three more stalls and then the aisle was obstructed where the front half of the barn had collapsed in on itself. A small wagon was stashed against the wall across from the stalls. But unlike everything else in the barn, it was in solid, useable condition.

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