Protecting the Princess (The Royals of Aldonia Book 2) Page 16
“That’s a two-day journey,” he said huskily.
“Yes, but this time we can take a luxurious carriage” she promised. “With no other passengers except us two.”
Jacob had a lot to learn about being a royal, Harriet supposed. One of which being that it was quite frowned upon to leave one’s own wedding, dragging one’s wife along as though the hounds of Hell were closing in fast.
But when they finally reached the privacy of their rooms, and he locked the door with a decisive click, she found that she preferred his way of doing things after all.
The End.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Protecting the Princess! I hope you enjoyed Jacob and Harriet’s journey to happily ever after. If you enjoyed this story please leave a quick review on your favorite book retailer. Reviews help other readers determine to try my books or not, and I love reading what you thought! If you want to learn about my new releases, or when my books go on sale, please follow me on BookBub, or subscribe to my newsletter.
Keep reading for a special preview of Redeeming a Royal, coming May/June 2020!
Redeeming A Royal
Nadine Millard
Heavy is the heart that wears the crown…
Prologue
“Christopher, are you listening?”
Christopher Emmanuelle Farago Wesselbach dragged his gaze from the window and back to his father who was looming over him looking less than please.
The king never liked it when people got distracted in his presence. Least of all his own son.
And especially when it was his eldest son and therefore heir to the throne of Aldonia.
Christopher’s father wasn’t unkind or cruel. He was just king first, father second. That was how it needed to be. That was how Christopher himself would need to be when he ascended to the throne to rule their country.
As a boy of twelve, he knew this. Had known since he’d old enough to begin his lessons.
Crown and country first. Everything else second. Just as it should be.
Outside his father’s personal study, a study that would one day belong to Christopher, his siblings Alexander and Harriet played noisily, their screeches and laughter floating on the summer breeze.
Christopher felt a pang of envy as he listened to them.
They sounded like they were having great fun. While he was stuck in here. Again.
When he’d been younger, his mother had tried to convince the king that Christopher should be given time to just be a boy, just be a child. But the king wouldn’t hear of it.
“I had to learn. My father had to learn before me. And now, Christopher will learn. Duty to the crown must begin now.”
And so, every day when the nannies and governesses and tutors took Alex and Hari on nature walks, and fishing expeditions, when they played in the garden, or swam in the lake, Christopher stayed inside the palace. Learning his duty. Preparing for his future.
“Later today we will meet with the captain of the guard,” his father droned on, unaware of the direction that Christopher’s self-pitying thoughts. “It won’t be long before you will join the regiment. And the crown prince will be expected to know his role well.”
“Yes, father,” Christopher dutifully answered.
A sudden knock on the door sounded and his father’s personal assistant hurried in with a silver tray carrying a single letter.
“A missive from the Duke of Tallenburg, sire,” the man said with a bow.
Relations with the Tallenburg side of the family were strained. Even hostile. And Christopher, while not privy to the conversations just yet, was aware of it. One of the things he’d need to learn, his father had warned him, was how to deal with hostility in a calm and astute manner.
A good king ruled through respect, not fear, his father had said.
A great king honoured the privilege of his position while all the while remembering that he was there as a servant to the people. He worked for them, not the other way around.
Yes, his father was a wise and wonderful king. And Christopher always worried that he’d fall short when his turn came.
The king opened the letter, his eyes scanning the missive.
His face gave nothing away. No matter the task, no matter the challenge, his father’s stoicism could always be relied upon.
It made him slightly cold, but always dependable.
“This will need to be addressed with some urgency,” his father spoke to the assistant who hovered with the tray. “Arrange a meeting and make preparations for a short trip.”
The servant bowed deferentially before swiftly exiting the office.
“I’m afraid that we shall have to reschedule our meeting with the captain, Christopher.”
“Of course, father,” he answered at once.
The king studied him before his face suddenly softened into a rare smile.
“Why don’t you spend the afternoon with your brother and sister?”
Christopher wanted to grin. Wanted to leap to his feet and rush from the room.
But he knew better.
He stood slowly, issuing a perfectly respectable bow to his father. The king.
“Thank you, father,” he said sombrely before walking at a sedate pace out of the office and into the corridor outside.
It was only when he reached the staircase that Christopher allowed himself to smile.
He dashed down the stairs and ran full pelt for the gardens.
Perhaps he’d join whatever game Alex was playing with Hari.
Christopher didn’t have the bond with his siblings that they had with each other. He’d been kept too distant from them. He’d been too busy learning to be a king to ever really get the chance to be a brother and a play mate. And much as he tried not to feel envious of their relationship, sometimes he wished that he was included in it, too.
Now, with his unexpected freedom, he would play the rambunctious sword games that Alex favoured. And he would chase Harriet until she squealed and laughed like she did with Alex.
Christopher reached the garden, a grin on his face.
But as he watched, Alex and Harriet were led back to the palace by their nannies.
His smile faded as the garden emptied and Christopher stood in the middle of it. All alone.
He felt his eyes fill with childish tears and refused to let them fall.
He was the crown prince. Heir to the throne. One day, he would be king.
He didn’t need play time in the garden. He didn’t need the company of his brother, or sister, or anyone else.
He just needed to stay focused so that one day, he’d be a good and just ruler.
Crown and country came first. Everything else came second.
If you enjoyed this, look for Redeeming a Royal, set to release May/June 2020! To learn about my new releases, please follow me on BookBub, or subscribe to my newsletter.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to my wonderful readers first and foremost for continuing on this journey with me! It’s a wild ride and I never want it to stop.
Thanks to my husband and children who are the reason I do everything. Your support and pride in me is what keeps me going.
To my parents, my sisters, and all my friends and family who never fail to support me and keep my spirits up! And the authors who always have my back.
Finally a huge thank you to my editor, Julie—the best partner a girl could have, and everyone at Aurora Publicity for making something great from my chaos!
Also by Nadine Millard
International Best-Seller
The Ranford Series
An Unlikely Duchess
Seeking Scandal
Mysterious Miss Channing
The Revenge Series
Highway Revenge
The Spy’s Revenge
The Captain’s Revenge
The Saints & Sinners Series
The Monster of Montvale Hall
The Angel of Avondale Abbey
The Devil
of Dashford Manor
The Saint of St. Giles
Standalone Romances
A Winter Wish (Forbidden – A Regency Collection)
A Christmas Seduction
Christmas At Brentwood Abbey
Beauty and the Duke
The Hidden Prince
His Yuletide Bride
Fortune Favors Miss Gold
Coming Soon!
Redeeming a Royal
The Cowboy’s Wager
Lady Holly’s Jolly Christmas
Her Accidental Groom
A Country Christmas
A Lord For All Seasons
Springtime Scandal
Midsummer Madness
Forgotten Fall
A Winter Wedding
About Nadine Millard
Nadine Millard is a bestselling writer hailing from Dublin, Ireland.
When she’s not writing historical romance, she’s managing her chaotic household of three children, a husband and a very spoiled dog!
She’s a big fan of coffee and wine with a good book and will often be found at her laptop at 2am when a book idea strikes.
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