Protecting the Princess (The Royals of Aldonia Book 2) Page 12

  But if Christopher had sent Jacob to watch Harriet, why had he sent Althea now?

  “Why don’t we go and have a nice cup of tea?” Lady Althea spoke as though they were lifelong friends, and it was annoying in the extreme. “And I’ll instruct the driver to prepare the horses.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  Jacob’s voice was pleasant enough, but Harriet heard the thread of steel in it, and she was sure Lady Althea could hear it, too.

  Althea raised a brow at Jacob.

  “And you are?” she sniffed.

  “The Honourable Mr. Jacob Lauer, son of the Count of Dresbonne, at your service my lady.”

  Jacob was polite and gentlemanly, bowing to Lady Althea, but Harriet saw the glint of mischief in the blue depths of his eyes, and knew he was enjoying subtly putting the lady in her place.

  “Oh, h-how nice to make your acquaintance, Mr. Lauer,” Althea said weakly. “And what are you doing here with our dear Princess Harriet alone?”

  Harriet heard the emphasis on the word alone and knew what Althea was implying; that there was something of an intimate nature between Harriet and Jacob.

  The kicker was that Harriet had thought so, too. As it turned out, Jacob was just a consummate actor, and good at his job.

  This sharp reminder of Harriet’s foolishness and humiliation at Jacob’s hands fuelled her resentment once more.

  “I am escorting the princess back to the palace and to Prince Christopher,” Jacob answered smoothly.

  “And why is that? You just happened upon her, did you?” Althea sneered.

  Jacob didn’t answer, merely watched the lady closely.

  “Well, I’m sure the princess will feel more comfortable in the company of a lady,” Lady Althea said. “Someone she trusts.”

  Jacob’s jaw clenched in reaction to Althea’s words, and he turned his cobalt gaze on Harriet.

  She knew, without him even speaking, that he was waiting for her to argue. To say she wanted to stay with him.

  And because that was true, she needed to leave.

  “Thank you, Mr. Lauer. But your assistance is no longer required,” she mumbled miserably, refusing to meet his gaze. “Lady Althea is right. I would rather go with someone I trust.”

  She didn’t look into his eyes, and she didn’t give him a chance to respond.

  Leaving her bags in the gig, Harriet simply turned and walked away.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Your Highness, do wake up. Honestly, I thought you’d be far more interesting company than this.”

  Harriet was roughly shaken awake, and she sat up with a jolt, wondering for a moment where she was.

  It all came flooding back to her within seconds, however. And at the same time, Lady Althea’s words registered.

  Harriet could only stare in shock at the other woman’s audacity.

  “I beg your pardon?” she gasped.

  Lady Althea smiled. But rather than it be the fawning smile she used in Court, and especially around Christopher, it was cold and calculated and didn’t reach her eyes.

  “What exactly is going on here?” Harriet demanded.

  Something didn’t feel right about this.

  She looked out the carriage window, surprised to see that it was dark. Wherever they were, they’d been travelling for some time.

  “Why, I’m taking you somewhere safe, Princess.”

  “I don’t think so.” Harriet sat up fully, wide awake now. “I’m going home.”

  “Not just yet, Your Highness. There is work to be done first.”

  Althea’s tone sent a slither of apprehension down Harriet’s spine.

  “What is the meaning of this?” she asked, pleased that her voice sounded steady even if her heart was racing.

  Immediately, Harriet’s mind went to Jacob, and she wished he were here. Wished she’d never left him. Regardless of anything else that had gone on between them, she’d always felt safe.

  “Don’t worry, Your Highness,” Althea said in lieu of answering Harriet’s question. “Your cousin just needs to have a little chat with you.”

  Now Harriet was really confused.

  “My cousin?” she repeated with a frown.

  “Indeed.”

  “What cousin?” she asked in bewilderment.

  “Why, the Duke of Tallenburg, of course.”

  “The Duke of—”

  “Tallenburg.”

  “I know who he is,” Harriet gritted out.

  The cousin who’d inherited his title from Harriet’s uncle. The cousin who had restarted an old feud in the Wesselbach family. The cousin with whom Christopher had been negotiating when the attempt was made to assassinate the king and queen, her parents.

  “Why are you taking me to Augustus?” Harriet asked, her confusion growing by the second. “Why would Christopher send me to him?”

  Althea’s tinkling laugh grated on Harriet’s already taut nerves. This was too much to deal with.

  First, Jacob’s betrayal and now this?

  “Oh, Princess. You really don’t understand the world around you, do you?”

  Harriet only frowned.

  Althea was older than her, true. But not by enough to be so terribly patronising.

  “Augustus just needs to make sure that the prince will be more amenable to his requests.”

  “His requests?”

  Harriet felt like an idiot and for a moment, her long-held resentment burst forth.

  If Father, and Christopher, and even Alex hadn’t treated her like a doll, an empty vessel who shouldn’t know anything about the world around her, maybe she could guess at what Althea could mean.

  Althea sighed.

  “You really have no idea, do you? Augustus just wants to reason with one member of the royal family. I don’t think it’s too much to ask. When the assassination attempt on your father didn’t create the distraction that he needed, we thought perhaps a simple trade agreement would suffice.”

  “We?” Harriet repeated, her mind spinning from everything Althea was revealing. “I don’t understand. You and Christopher—I thought—”

  “You thought that I was so desperately in love with your brother that I hung around him desperately hoping for a proposal,” Althea said bluntly. “Well, you’re not entirely wrong. In my youth, I would have done anything to marry your brother. And my parents certainly want it. But two years ago, I spent a summer in Tallenburg and met Augustus.” Harriet was amazed to see a blush stain Lady Althea’s cheeks. “In Aldonia, I might have been queen one day but with a man who would never truly care for me. But with Augustus—well, you haven’t yet fallen in love, Princess. But when you do, you’ll understand.”

  Harriet very much doubted it. For she had fallen in love, and she still didn’t understand what was going on.

  “Yet Christopher sent you to find me?”

  Lady Althea smirked. “Not exactly. Ah, here we are.”

  The carriage drew to a stop and the door was opened before Harriet had time to catch her breath, let alone ask Lady Althea any more questions.

  Standing before her was a tall, slender man with the most chilling eyes Harriet had ever seen.

  “Harriet. We meet at last.”

  “I assume you’re my cousin?” Harriet made her voice as haughty as she could manage. “We might be related, but you are still only the duke of a small, insignificant duchy. You will address me as Your Highness.”

  That was only the second time in her entire life that Harriet had insisted someone use her title. And whereas she’d done it with Jacob to cover her hurt, now it was in an effort not to appear intimidated by this cold, dark stranger.

  His black eyes flashed with anger, but he maintained the small, insincere smile nonetheless.

  “Of course, Your Highness.” He bowed deferentially, confusing Harriet even more.

  Holding out a hand, he helped Lady Althea from the carriage first before turning to help Harriet.

  Harriet didn’t miss that while Althea g
azed adoringly at the duke, he barely even glanced in her direction.

  “And what am I doing here?” Harriet continued in the condescending tone she’d adopted. “And where exactly is here?”

  “I will answer all of your questions, of course. I must assure you that you are not in any danger, Princess. As long as everything goes as it should, this whole business should be done with in a matter of days.”

  “This business being?”

  His hand was still outstretched to assist her, but Harriet refused to move.

  “The Royal family owns mines in Tallenburg, Princess Harriet. Very lucrative mines. My father bowed to pressure and refused to fight to get them back.”

  He smiled again, baring his teeth.

  “I am not my father.”

  Harriet remembered talks of relations worsening with Tallenburg again. It was why Christopher had spent so much time away.

  Clearly, negotiations had not gone well.

  “So, this has what to do with me, exactly?”

  “Nothing,” he answered swiftly. “And you will be returned to the palace and the welcoming arms of your big brother.” He sneered.

  Suddenly, his expression changed, and Harriet recoiled slightly.

  “Just as soon as he hands over the deeds to the mines.”

  Harriet’s heart skipped a beat, and she wished quite desperately that Jacob were here.

  “You mean—”

  “I mean,” he answered and this time, he reached in and pulled her bodily from the conveyance, only just stopping her from tumbling to the ground. “Prince Christopher has a decision to make. You or the mines.”

  Jacob sighed as he extracted himself from the overly friendly hands of the serving wench in the inn at Gant.

  He should have gone back to the palace the second Harriet left with that God-awful woman. He knew that.

  Yet he’d sat here wallowing in self-pity all day and all evening.

  Now, it was too late to travel anywhere, and he’d have to wait until tomorrow.

  “If you’re lonely, I don’t mind keeping you company, sir.”

  The wench placed another tankard of ale on the table in front of Jacob, displaying her considerable assets with a distinct lack of shame.

  Perhaps a few weeks ago he might have even taken her up on her less-than-subtle offer.

  He’d always managed to enjoy himself on assignment before.

  Perhaps, if he hadn’t been ruined for every other female by a pair of huge brown eyes and a smart mouth, he’d be enjoying more than a tankard of ale right now.

  But the truth was, he missed the princess who wanted nothing more to do with him. Missed the feel of her body against his, the touch of her lips, but more—he missed her witty mind and her sharp tongue and her mischievous laugh.

  “She’s ruined me,” he muttered into his ale.

  “What was that?”

  He’d forgotten that the lady was awaiting some sort of answer.

  Smiling in what he hoped was a polite and not at all flirtatious manner at the chit, he shook his head.

  “I’m quite happy as I am, thank you.”

  Shrugging her shoulders and sending the top of her gown lower still, she moved off into the lap of a much more willing patron.

  Jacob barely noticed.

  Something was niggling at him about Harriet leaving with Lady Althea.

  It wasn’t just that he wanted to snatch her back and keep her with him.

  Why would Prince Christopher send a lady to bring back his sister when he’d assigned Jacob to the task of taking care of her?

  And why, when they’d been communicating through post left at the inn since Jacob had first informed the prince of where they were, had he sent someone without even a communication?

  It didn’t feel right.

  An uneasiness clawed at Jacob.

  He’d been so preoccupied with his feelings that he’d ignored his instincts.

  And instinct told him that something was wrong with this whole situation.

  Night-time be damned.

  He’d wasted enough time, and he wasn’t going to waste any more.

  He no longer wanted to wait until tomorrow, he just wanted to get the hell out of here. Back to the palace, and work to keep the princess safe.

  Just as Jacob marched toward the door, it banged open and a messenger rushed in.

  A messenger in the distinctive livery of the Royal Family.

  Jacob rushed over to the man and without a word, took him by the arm and dragged him back outside.

  The last thing Harriet’s reputation needed was a furore around her being here. And if the locals began to question why a royal messenger was running around at this time of night, it wouldn’t be long before gossip spread like wildfire.

  “Unhand me, sir,” the messenger, a mere boy, shouted.

  Jacob let go of him as soon as they were outside in the relative privacy of the courtyard.

  “Whatever message you have is for me,” he said, urgency and a sense of foreboding making his voice harsh.

  “I am to deliver this to—”

  “To me,” Jacob finished and bent to snatch the missive from the boy’s hand.

  Prince Christopher’s insignia. Just as he’d thought.

  Breaking the wax seal, Jacob unfolded the sheaf of paper, cursing as he read the contents.

  Assassin apprehended. It was as we suspected. Bring her home.

  Bring her home.

  Jacob’s entire body filled with icy dread.

  Bring her home?

  The prince hadn’t sent Lady Althea to retrieve Harriet.

  And if she’d known to come here, that meant she was the informant in the palace.

  They’d always known, or at least suspected, that Tallenburg was behind the attempt. It made sense.

  He was mercenary in the extreme and driven by a vendetta against the Wesselbachs that went back a century.

  The assassination would have been an attempt to throw Aldonia into chaos, force Prince Christopher to focus more on the politics of home and less on the lucrative business interests of the royal family in Tallenburg.

  But they hadn’t been able to figure out how the duke was getting his information before Jacob had been sent after Princess Harriet.

  But now he knew—it was Althea Furberg. And he also knew that Prince Christopher could have no idea, for he hadn’t mentioned it.

  “I need a fast horse,” he said to the messenger, who was standing mutely beside him. Jacob knew the gelding he’d bought from the farmer would be less than useless at anything more than a slow trot.

  The young man merely stared back.

  “Where’s your horse, dammit?” Jacob yelled.

  He knew he needed to calm down. Knew he was on the verge of panic.

  But he couldn’t help himself.

  Lady Althea was obviously in league with the duke. And they had Harriet.

  Chapter Twenty

  As far as kidnappings went, this was one of the most boring Harriet had ever heard of.

  Her cousin, the duke, was a disappointing villain. In all of Harriet’s gothic novels there were tales of debauchery, and sword fights, and crazed men locking poor, unsuspecting heroines up left and right.

  But this? This was nothing like that.

  Her cousin was treating her—well, like royalty.

  She wasn’t locked in a tower. She wasn’t being starved or beaten or left in a dank dungeon.

  In fact, if she wasn’t here against her will, and if she didn’t have to suffer the company of her cousin and the traitorous Lady Althea, it might be quite pleasant.

  There was, however, the small matter of her being unable to leave.

  Augustus had guards around both the modest country house in which she was being kept and the rather sizeable grounds.

  He’d informed Harriet during one of the dinners he forced her to attend that the house had been a recent purchase. A base from which to carry out his plan.

  She wasn’t allo
wed out onto the grounds. She wasn’t allowed to even spend more than a few minutes alone.

  Even now, she only had this time to herself because she’d dashed to the library when Lady Althea wasn’t looking and had been hiding behind a heavy brocade curtain ever since.

  But Althea would find her, of course.

  Harriet felt a now-familiar spurt of anger when she thought of the other lady.

  She’d never wanted Christopher to marry Althea. She’d never thought the statuesque woman was good for Christopher.

  But what if he’d loved her? He wasn’t given to displays of emotion, but still—he’d trusted her, of that Harriet was certain.

  Althea had spent days now bragging to Harriet about how she’d managed to get information of Harriet’s whereabouts from the prince.

  It would appear that the lady had moved from simply sending messages to her lover, to blatantly stealing Christopher’s private correspondence.

  Which is how she’d found out about Harriet’s presence here.

  Harriet knew she should be worried about her safety.

  She knew she should be worried about relations between Aldonia and Tallenburg, and how far her cousin would go to get what he wanted.

  But now that she knew her family was relatively safe, she couldn’t help but worry more about Christopher than anything else.

  Had his heart been engaged with Lady Althea? Would he be heartbroken?

  With Alex happily married, was it the destiny of the other two siblings to be miserable when it came to love?

  Christopher had been about to propose to Althea—a lady who betrayed him, not only as a man but as a prince.

  And Harriet—Harriet had had her heart broken by a man who had pretended to care for her just so he could stay close and do his job.

  A white-hot anger, swift and furious suddenly rose up in her.

  Anger was better than sadness. Gritted teeth better than tears.

  How dare ghastly Althea Furberg treat Christopher thusly? Harriet simply wouldn’t stand for it.

  Althea had such grand plans. She hung on Augustus’ every word, convinced that Christopher would immediately hand over the deeds to every mine Aldonia owned in Tallenburg. Convinced that she and Augustus would run off together and be blissfully happy spending Aldonian money in Tallenburg.