by Romancing the Crown Series (13-in-1 bundle) (v1. 0) (lit)
"Yes, but..."
"Why are you so afraid to love me?"
"I'm not," she wailed.
But she knew it was a lie even as she said it. And by now she knew Dominic Chiara well enough to know that there was nothing he hated more than deceit. That look of caution was still on his face, and now, as she studied the expression, it struck her as bordering on fear.
Poor Nick, she thought. He was sitting there trying to be patient, trying to understand her feelings, and at the same time he was scared to death that she was talking herself right out of his bed and his life and his heart.
It suddenly dawned on Sarah that as much as she was afraid of getting hurt herself, she had it in her power to hurt Nick just as much. He knew it. And now she realized it, too. She could read the fear in his dark eyes. And yet it didn't keep him from taking the risk. It didn't prevent him from putting his heart in her hands and trusting it to her care. Come what may.
Whatever defenses remained inside her, Sarah could almost feel them tumbling down. But instead of leaving her empty, as she had always feared, love moved in to take their place. Love and trust and unspeakable joy.
She swallowed the lump that was gathering in her throat, and spoke as clearly as her trembling lips would allow.
"I was afraid, Nick. Oh, God, I was so afraid to risk my heart. To risk me. But I'm not anymore. I'm not."
Then she rushed into his arms, laughing and crying at the same time, saying "I love you, Nick Chiara. I love you. I love you. I love you" over and over again.
Neither one of them got a wink of sleep that night, so it didn't come as much of a surprise to Nick that, when he and Sarah stopped by the hospital on the way to the airport, his aunt took one look at them, rolled her pale blue eyes melodramatically and muttered something about the wisdom of moderation.
Nick stood in the doorway and laughed. "It's all your fault, you know, you wicked gypsy."
"Pish tosh." She waved them in with a fully ringed hand. "Don't just dawdle on the threshold. Come in. Come in. Might I suggest a small wedding on the terrace? Sarah, dear, how much notice will your family require? It would be delightful if we could arrange this before the weather turns in November."
"We'll probably elope," Nick told her. "Sorry to disappoint you, darling."
She rolled her eyes again. "You sound just like your father."
"We've got wonderful news for you, Lady Satherwaite," Sarah told her as Nick cleared a path for her through the jungle of balloons. "News about Leo."
Her gypsy expression turned serious and she sat up straighter in the high bed. "He's speaking! Oh, please, please, tell me he's speaking again."
"Well, not yet," Sarah said, edging a hip onto the bed. "But he will. I can almost certainly promise you that. We found out yesterday that Estella had been sneaking out to meet her boyfriend with Leo in tow."
While she continued to explain about the nanny and Bruno and the late Desmond, Nick settled into a chair by the window, closed his eyes, and listened to the voices of the two women he loved. He'd never known a woman as forthright and honest as Sarah Hunter.
Even before they'd made love the first time yesterday, she'd jumped up from his bed, paced the room for a moment, and then blurted out all in a single breath, "There's something you need to know, Nick. I was supposed to marry a man named Warren Dill, only I've broken our engagement. He just doesn't know it yet."
The first thing she'd done this morning—well, actually the second thing—was place a call to her erstwhile fiance" in San Francisco to give him the bad news. Then, after a brief, blunt conversation, she'd hung up laughing.
"What's so funny?" Nick had asked.
"Warren." Still chuckling, she'd shaken her head. "I couldn't tell if he was devastated or not. All he said was that I ought to be very, very sure of this decision, especially considering the tax consequences of living in Montebello."
"We'll live anywhere you want, Sarah," Nick had told her. "Here. San Francisco. Anywhere."
"It doesn't matter. As long as I'm with you. With you and Leo." And then her pretty face had lit up like an American Fourth of July, and she'd exclaimed, "Oh, Nick! I'm going to be a mother."
He looked at his watch. It was time to leave for the airport to meet his son's plane. Nick couldn't wait to give him the good news.
One advantage to living in Montebello, Sarah thought as she followed Nick through a private security entrance at the airport, was that she'd never have to wait in line at an airport again. Being close to royalty wasn't such a bad deal, really.
Being close to her knight was the best deal in the world. She linked her arm through his as they turned down the wide corridor of the terminal. Because she'd arrived on the Sebastiani's private plane, she hadn't seen this part of the airport before.
Up ahead, through a wide sweep of window, she could see an airliner taxiing up to a jetway.
"He's on time," Nick said, walking a little faster.
Sarah's heart edged up into her throat. This time when she looked at Leo, she'd be seeing her soon-to-be, very own son. Nick couldn't wait to tell him the news, but suddenly Sarah felt that, on top of everything else, it might overwhelm the poor kid.
"Nick." She slowed down. "Let's wait a little while before we say anything about us. Let's wait until we get a better handle on this Desmond thing. Maybe even until Leo starts talking again. I know you can't wait to tell him, but don't do it right now. Please. Trust me on this."
"If you think so." He sounded disappointed, even as he agreed.
They stood so close, awaiting Leo's arrival, that Sarah was pretty sure, whether they told the boy or not, they wouldn't fool him for a second. Children knew when people were in love, sometimes even before adults caught on.
"There he is," Nick said just as Leo's dark mop of hair and sweet, smiling face appeared in the jet-way.
He started running toward them, but after a few steps the boy stopped dead in his tracks and his eyes grew huge with fear.
Sarah's heart lurched. "Oh, Nick. Something's wrong."
Then Leo screamed and pointed. "There she is! I see her! I see her! It's the bad lady who hurt my friend."
Chapter 15
Nick turned immediately in the direction his son was pointing to see a woman quickly disappearing through the moving tide of passengers. He glimpsed her profile, got a fleeting impression of her face as she blended in with the crowd. Her hair was blond and wavy. He guessed she was a little over five feet tall and weighed about one hundred fifteen pounds. In her thirties, probably. And he thought she looked vaguely familiar somehow.
Although he longed to embrace his son, Nick sensed that it was crucial right now to prevent the suspect from getting away, and since Leo was in Sarah's capable and loving hands, he shouldered his way through the crowd in pursuit.
Her blonde head appeared and then disappeared among the tide of passengers. He was afraid he was losing her. If she managed to get aboard a plane, what then?
Nick grabbed the first uniformed shoulder he saw. He described the woman to the airport security guard, who said he would alert his superiors. A moment later the P.A. system blared the suspect's description, asking everyone to report it immediately if they spotted her. Uniformed officers began swarming through the terminal.
Feeling he'd done the best he could under the circumstances, Nick headed back to the gate.
Sarah was kneeling beside Leo, her voice soft and reassuring over the sound of his sobbing. "Oh, it's all right, sweetheart. You're safe. She isn't going to hurt you."
Leo looked up. "Papa!"
He nearly leapt into his father's arms, and Nick couldn't hold him close enough, couldn't kiss the boy's wet face enough, couldn't tell him he was loved and safe enough. His voice was clogged with emotion when he said again and again, "I love you, Leo. Papa loves you. You're safe, son. It's all right."
A moment later, Sarah put her hand on his arm. "I just talked to the woman who flew with him from Paris. She'll take the next plane back. Let'
s get him out of here, Nick. Let's go home."
On the drive back to the palace from the airport, Leo sat on Sarah's lap and it wasn't long before his tears stopped. Thank God five-year-olds were easy to distract.
And this five-year-old, now that he'd started speaking again, sounded as if he'd never quit.
"Tell me all about Disneyland," Sarah had said, and the little boy launched into a ten minute monologue about Mickey and Goofy and every single one of the Seven Dwarfs.
Behind the steering wheel, Nick just grinned. "I'd almost forgotten the sound of his voice after all this time. Or the breadth of his vocabulary."
Just that moment Leo said, "Actually, I liked Sneezy best. Actually, I like you, too, Sarah."
She laughed and hugged him. "Actually, I like you, too, Leo."
"Will you always be my nanny?" he asked.
"Yes, sweetheart." She longed to tell him that she would be so much more than just his nanny, but Sarah knew it was best to wait with that amazing bit of news.
By the time they reached the palace, Leo was fast asleep on Sarah's lap.
Nick carried him inside and tucked him into bed.
"Let's leave the light on," Sarah said. "I wouldn't want him to wake up later in the dark and not know where he is. Poor baby."
After they tiptoed out, Nick immediately called the police, who insisted he come to headquarters to provide them with a description of the woman Leo had seen.
While he was gone, Sarah called the hospital to tell Lady Satherwaite what had happened.
"Oh, my dear. That's the best news I've heard all day," Nick's aunt exclaimed. "I can't wait to put my arms around the child. When Nicky's done with the police, Sarah dear, have him come and sign me out of here, will you?"
"I'll be happy to. It'll be nice to have everybody home."
"Indeed. And I've been thinking about that. Didn't you tell me your father owns some property on the coast north of San Sebastian?"
"Yes. At least I believe it's north. Several acres, if I remember correctly."
"Isn't that divine?" Lady Satherwaite sighed. "I must call your parents and tell them what a perfectly wonderful wedding gift that will be for you and Nicky. Then we'll meet with Emilio Mira, the architect who did the latest addition to the palace. He's brilliant even if he is a bit deaf. Oh, Sarah. We're going to have such fun."
Actually, Sarah thought, it did sound like fun. Lady Satherwaite was still going on about architects and landscaping and interior design when Nick got back from the police station.
"Who are you talking to?" he asked, lowering himself wearily onto the sofa beside her.
Sarah didn't answer. She merely held out the phone and listened as Honoria Satherwaite's chatter filled the space between them. "Now I know where Leo gets it," she said with a laugh, handing Nick the phone.
"Hello, darling," he said, and then "No, I'm not sending a car to collect you this evening. I'll pick you up myself tomorrow. Why? Because Leo's asleep and I'm about to take Sarah to bed. That's why." He grinned. "Yes, I thought you'd see the sense in that. I'll see you tomorrow, love."
He broke the connection and tossed the phone aside, then pulled Sarah into his arms. "It's been a long day," he said with a deep sigh.
"What happened with the police?" she asked, maneuvering one arm so she could massage his neck.
"We came up with a police sketch of the woman. I believe Leo pointed to at the airport. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but when the police brought it to the palace, Prince Lucas actually thought the woman looked familiar. The police are going to publicize the picture, see if anyone turns her in. They'll want Leo to look at it, but I got them to agree to wait until tomorrow."
"I'll see to it that they make it as quick and painless as possible for him," Sarah said.
She nestled more closely against him. "He's so young, Nick. You know, there's a very good chance he won't remember any of this in a few years. And, if he does, I'll be here to help him handle it. Your aunt, by the way, already has us living on my parents' retirement property north of the city."
He sighed again. "Will you mind, my love, sharing a home with a wicked old gypsy until her time runs out?"
Sarah shook her head and smiled. "No more than I'll mind sharing a home with the son of a pirate who also happens to be a knight."
"Did you say Leo was still asleep?" he asked.
"I did. Did you say something about taking me to bed?"
"I did indeed, my love."
* * * THE END * * *
Under the King's Command
INGRID WEAVER
ROMANCING THE CROWN
The royal family of Montebello rejoices in the discovery of their newest member, yet a dark cloud hovers over the kingdom. Danger and desire clash once more as the hunt for the baby's kidnapper continues...
Lieutenant Sam Coburn: The tough SEAL'S friends always suspected a woman was behind his hardened heart. Now he's found the woman who stole it - and he's determined to get it back at all costs.
Lieutenant Kate Mulvaney: This cool officer has walled off her emotions for years - but it only takes one look at a certain SEAL to prove the wall is made of straw and the heat between her and Sam is an open flame...
Dear Reader,
I' ve always had a tremendous respect for people who serve their country in uniform. One of my earliest memories is of scaling a bookshelf in our living room in order to view close up the model of the plane my father flew in combat. When my editor invited me to write Under the King's Command, I was thrilled at the opportunity to tell the story of Sam Coburn and Kate Mulvaney, two courageous naval officers who are as dedicated to their duty as they are to each other.
For half this year, the ROMANCING THE CROWN continuity series has been whisking readers into a realm of romance and mystery. I feel privileged to take part in this project with such a talented group of authors and editors. In my book, the hunt for a murderer draws Sam and Kate to the beautiful island kingdom of Montebello. While intrigue unfolds around them, they are led to the secret in their own past.. .and the greatest adventure of all: love!
Sincerely yours,
Ingrid Weaver
Chapter 1
When Kate first heard the baby cry, she wanted to keep running. It was probably just a seagull in the harbor, nothing out of the ordinary. She had already passed the halfway point and was heading back. She needed a shower, she needed sleep.
But the gulls that wheeled and swooped over Montebello's capital of San Sebastian in the sunlight didn't usually fly at night. The cry couldn't have been from a bird. She slowed, turning her head to listen. All she heard was the slap of her running shoes on cobblestones and the rhythm of her breathing.
Who would take a child out for a stroll at this hour? The night wind was brisk for October in this part of the Mediterranean. Apart from a group of late theatergoers near the market square, Kate hadn't seen anyone for the past ten minutes.
It must have been her sleep-deprived mind imagining things, that's all. At the naval base, anyone not on watch would have the sense to be asleep, but Kate had come to rely on these late-night jogs. It was her time to herself, time to leave the day behind and focus on something blessedly basic, like putting one foot in front of the other.
Perhaps if she ran far enough, she'd be able to outrun not only the day but the past. And then maybe she wouldn't hear phantom babies crying when no one was around—
The cry came again. More distant than before, barely there, it echoed from the walls and skipped along the cobblestones like the shadow of a butterfly.
Despite the perspiration that sheened her skin, Kate felt the hair on her arms rise. There was no mistaking it that time. It had come from her left. For a split second, she wanted to turn right, to keep running to her base, to her bed, to exhaustion-induced oblivion.
Just as she'd been running for five years?
The split second passed. Since when had Lieutenant Kate Mulvaney chosen to take the easy road? She turned left.
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sp; The street narrowed, becoming an alley. Kate stumbled over a flowerpot that flanked a doorway, her shoulder scraping against crumbling brick. The walls that rose on either side of her were centuries old, their windows closed against the autumn night. The homey scents of olive oil and garlic still hung in the air here, remnants of someone's late supper, but no light showed from behind the shutters. By day, these historic alleys were magnets to tourists, but now the houses were simply homes.
Had she overreacted? Could the sound she heard have been that of a fussy baby behind one of those shuttered windows? Could some weary parent be pacing the floor, comforting the child and putting it back to bed with a kiss while Kate raced past like a fool?
No. An ordinary cry wouldn't have set Kate's hair on end. It wouldn't have stirred this instinctive uneasiness deep inside. She reached a crossroads and paused, holding her breath as she strained to listen. In the winding maze of the old quarter, sound traveled in deceptive patterns. The child could be a quarter mile away or it could be in the next alley.
There. Another cry. It seemed closer than before, but it was quickly muffled, as if someone were covering the baby's mouth.
Exhaling hard, Kate chose the middle street. She left the neighborhood of cobblestone alleys and entered a moonlit courtyard ringed by a hedge. There, at the opposite end, a figure moved furtively in the shadows. More cries wafted through the air, rapid and frantic enough to break a stone's heart.
"Hey," Kate called, breaking into a sprint. "Wait."
The figure appeared to be a female carrying a blanket-wrapped bundle the size of an infant in her arms. Instead of stopping, she scurried through a break in the hedge.
Kate followed, emerging on a sloping street that was illuminated by a line of wrought-iron street lamps. She blinked to adjust her eyes to the sudden brightness and spotted a sign for the King Augustus Hospital. The woman was on the opposite side, heading up the hill toward the hospital's back entrance.
Hesitating, Kate wondered if the woman might be taking her child for medical care. Was that the reason for her haste?