Her Majesty My Love (The Vault Collection) by Maya Banks

Author:Maya Banks [Banks, Maya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance
Publisher: Maya Banks
Published: 2019-07-14T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Isabella gazed out at the ship with a mixture of hope and joy. Around her, preparations were under way as cargo was loaded and men hustled back and forth down the gangplank.

“Your Highness, you must hurry,” the captain hissed. “You mustn’t be seen.”

She was startled into action and quickly climbed into the large crate. As she settled down, the lid closed above her and she felt a moment’s panic. For several seconds, she breathed heavily, convinced she had no air. Then she felt a cool draft and relaxed.

The crate surged upward as it was hoisted, and she swayed and rocked as the men loaded it onto the ship. The captain had explained that the crates she and Merrick had hidden in would be loaded first so that other cargo would be placed on top. Only after the ship was well at sea would the crew dig them out.

Once again she offered a silent prayer that they sailed from Dover unmolested. She closed her eyes tightly and called up the faces of her beloved family and the vivid images of her homeland. Soon, if all went well, she would be back on Leaudorian soil. And then she would seek justice for the crimes against her loved ones.

The entire crate shook as it hit the ground, jarring her uncomfortably. Excitement curled in her stomach. She was aboard the ship. Using every ounce of self control, she willed herself to relax in the darkness and wait.

An eternity later, she felt the floor beneath her surge. The increased rocking motion signaled their departure. They were underway.

She closed her eyes and a single tear escaped down her cheek. She was on her way home. The creaking and groaning in the boards around her comforted her and lulled her closer to sleep.

How long she dozed she wasn’t certain. Her eyes fluttered open, awareness creeping over her. She blinked rapidly and strained her ears for the source of her alarm.

Then she heard scraping and banging, loud thumps getting closer and closer. Surely it wasn’t time for the captain to release her and Merrick yet.

She held her breath, trying to hear the distant voices. They became louder until finally she was able to make out what they were saying.

“I’m sure the captain will have no objection to our searching his cargo,” an unfamiliar voice said.

“I certainly do,” the captain huffed. “What’s the meaning of this? You said you merely wanted to inspect the cargo hold.”

“I do, my good captain, but in order to ascertain whether smuggled goods are aboard, it is necessary to inspect the crates as well.”

“I must protest. Under whose authority do you commit such a search?”

“His Highness, the Prince Regent,” the man replied.

She jumped when she heard a crack above her. More splintering of wood and the sound of the crates sliding over the tops of one another. She pressed a knuckled fist to her mouth, trying desperately to remain calm.

“What’s the meaning of this, Captain?” the man demanded. “The crates are empty.”

“Aye, they are,” the captain said with a chuckle.

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