“I’m sorry if you are shocked, because believe me, it is not easy to talk of such matters.”
Rose’s eyes bulged. “How do I know you’re not lying?”
The princess replied with a gentle shrug. “You don’t, but I would hope that you believe me because of the high esteem in which I hold your father. I too want to make sure he is safe. That is why I’m telling you this secret. It has been many years since your father and I were…well, since we were together, but Alex still holds a very special place in my heart.”
“What has this…past got to do with my father’s kidnapping now?”
“I believe it is linked to the safety of my country.”
“But he is honorable. He would not do anything to hurt anyone.”
“No, not him, but others who have much to gain.”
“Like who?” Nathan pushed up from the sofa. “Your Highness, with all due respect, we don’t have much time.”
“I know, I’m sorry. This has caught me rather off guard. Sit down, Mr. Hawk, and I will tell you all I know.”
Nathan sat again, his thigh brushing against Rose’s. Rose felt the heat of him but did not shift away. Just that tiny touch gave her some semblance of sanity in a world that had been tipped upside down and shockingly shaken.
Then he did something rather lovely. He took her hand and linked his fingers with hers. She didn’t pull away.
“As I have told you, your father carried great favor in royal circles in Zarrenburg, not only for his craftsmanship, but because he was genuinely a nice man, honest and forthright. Though my family was only distantly related to the royal family of Zarrenburg, I had been cloistered within the confines of my country all my life. Your father had traveled, his workmanship courted by royalty and the wealthy alike. We met when my father requested he craft a necklace. Little did I realize it was to be a wedding gift. My wedding. Your father and I, we talked and laughed. We spent many hours together…and, well, talk led to…” Her gaze dropped as her words stalled, cheeks no longer alabaster but a delicate shade of pink. “Then my father found out. He was furious. He had been arranging what he considered a marriage coup. I protested, but it was no use. I was royal, and your father was not.”
For Rose, it was as if the princess spoke of someone else, not her father. “Was that why my father came to England?”
The princess nodded. “Yes. We tried together to convince my father, but he wouldn’t listen. He threw Alex out, and your father was forced to flee the country for safety. Shortly after, I was obligated to marry a distant cousin. Prince Johan was heir to the throne of Zarrenburg, and our marriage would be a political and family coup for my father. I had no way out.” The princess offered a sad smile. “We were happy, mostly. And I have my son, the heir to the throne.”
“Prince Stefan,” Nathan interjected.
“Yes. He will be a good ruler for Zarrenburg.” The princess suddenly shot to her feet. “You must find the diamond. It is imperative. My country’s legacy is at risk without it.”
“But it is only a diamond.”
“No. It has had a hold on Zarrenburg from the moment my ancestor traveled to far-off lands and brought the Pasha Star to our tiny principality.”
“But I don’t understand.” Rose stood, Nathan too.
“The princess is right. This is the first time the Pasha Star has been allowed out of Zarrenburg.”
“That’s true,” the princess said. “So you do know some history of my country, Mr. Hawk.”
“I like to know with whom I’m dealing.”
“Just as I do. I trusted you.”
“And you still can, Your Highness.”
“Make certain of it.” She turned to Rose. “What your friend says is true. The diamond has never been out of Zarrenburg. In order for the prince to rule our country, the diamond must be in his hands.”
Rose gasped as the reality hit.
The princess’s lips thinned. “I see you understand. Times in Europe are changing, Miss Valetta. There is great unrest both politically and educationally. It has been a long time coming and, in fact, long overdue. Zarrenburg has been lucky, as we have led the way with these changes. We do not want our people to remain peasants or stay under our thumbs as is the case in other nations. But even with these powerful changes, our country is still steeped in tradition, and whoever has the diamond rules Zarrenburg.”
Without thinking, Rose reached for the princess’s hands, taking them in hers. “We will find it, Your Highness.”
“I hope so. However, time is of the essence. I received a letter just yesterday. That is why I was not so very surprised when you stole in here, though I did think it would have been Alex. Wished it, in fact.” She sighed. “It has been a long time since I saw my old friend. The diamond must be found, Rose. He must be found too. There is a scandal threatening. The anonymous writer of the letter hints at my secret with your father. They also suggest that Stefan is not the son of my husband, and the writer has threatened to reveal their lies, implying that my son is not, in fact, Zarrenburg’s legitimate heir.”
Face stricken by panic, the princess pulled her hands free and wrapped her arms around herself as if chilled to the bone. Tears glistened in her eyes, but she blinked them away, the stoic demeanor of royalty firmly back in place. “I tell you this, that it is not true. Stefan is my husband’s son. I need the diamond. Zarrenburg needs it. Stefan is my heir, and next week, I intend to hand over the ruling of Zarrenburg to him, but without the diamond, that is impossible.”
Princess Mary pointed to the scrap of paper with the royal crest. “You were right to come here. That is the envelope which contained a letter that I wrote to Alex.”
Rose asked, “You wrote to him? Why?”
The royal’s concern shifted to a genuine smile that lit up her face. “He is still and will always be my friend, despite the years. Whoever is behind this plot has deliberately struck outside of my country to create a smoke-and-mirrors effect, choosing a time when our small country is undergoing political change. With me here in London, it leaves both my country and my son vulnerable. In effect, these criminals are holding me for ransom, as well as your father, forcing me to step down and declare Randolph the next ruler of Zarrenburg.”
“Randolph?”
“My brother-in-law. He is my husband’s younger twin, born only a few minutes after his brother. It is my suspicion that he is behind this.”
“Is he in London?”
“I’m not sure. He has a house here, a rather grand affair by all accounts, but he keeps his whereabouts a secret. However, I suspect he is in London for the exhibition, and he would have much to gain by stealing the diamond.”
For a moment, the princess was silent, lost in thought. “I am sorry for this trouble, Rose. It is my utmost wish that you find your father. I have told you this secret of ours because it is necessary you know why this is happening. What you do with it is up to you, for I cannot be seen to help you. But please keep safe. Your father would never forgive me if something happened to you.”
Nathan wrapped an arm across Rose’s shoulder. “No chance of that. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Pardon?” Rose glanced at him. “If I’m correct, it was me who saved you from being beaten up.”
“A diversion, that’s all.”
Rose snorted.
A tiny bubble of laughter came from the smiling Princess. “Oh, it does my heart good to hear such lovers’ banter. You are definitely your father’s daughter, Rose.”
“Oh no, we’re not, not…” Rose stumbled across the words, while Nathan pulled abruptly away from her.
“As if!” he said. “It’d be like tangling with a tiger every day.”
“Rather fun, I would think, Mr. Hawk.”
Just then, the echo of voices sounded from outside the door. The princess held a finger to her lips, and Nathan pushed Ro
se behind him. An uncensored squeal burst from her lips. Horror surged in her gut.
The voices increased. Two men for sure. Guards?
The door handle turned downward.
“Whatever you do, squirt, say nothing.” He leaned toward the princess. “We’ll get the diamond.” He grabbed at the royal, clutching her in an arm lock around the throat. “I’m sorry, but needs must.”
Chapter Ten
Two men walked into the room, shock registering on their faces in an instant, and the princess’s complexion bleached of color. “Randolph! I didn’t know you were here.”
Her brother-in-law?
The man’s eyes were black as pitch and narrowed, his fingers seeking the short sword at the side of his regal uniform. “What is going on?” His gaze switched to Nathan. “Let her go.”
Nathan snatched up a letter opener from a nearby desk and held it up against the princess’s throat. “Stay back, and she won’t get hurt.”
The prince stepped forward. “You cannot get away. The palace is crawling with guards.”
Nathan tugged the princess back. “Don’t come any closer. I’m not joking.”
The second man stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Nathan. “Long time no see, Hawk.”
“Hello, Tommy. You’ve come up in the world, it seems. Who would have thought you’d be mixing with royalty.”
The prince looked sideways at his companion. “You know him?”
“Rather well, though it’s been years since we’ve had the pleasure of meeting, and I never imagined it would be under these circumstances. Are you back to take up your moniker?”
“Long-gone days, Tommy.”
“Not according to the gossip, and look, here you are back amongst us.”
Rose tugged on Nathan’s arm. “Tommy? The same Tommy you thought you saw before?”
Nathan barely looked at her. “The very same.”
“So he wasn’t an illusion.”
His old friend offered a smooth smile. “Oh, I’m never that, Miss Valetta.”
“You have an unusual mix of friends, Nathaniel Hawk.”
“It’s all in the past, Rosie.”
Rose harrumphed. “Well, it seems your past has caught up to you again.”
“Yes, yes, very nice to meet old friends, but who are you and what do you want?” Resplendent in gold braid and a sash in the colors of Zarrenburg’s flag across his chest, held in place with a gold-and-ruby brooch with the country’s crest, Prince Randolph stepped forward. “I’ll call the guards.”
“No. Not yet, Randolph.” The princess held up a hand to stall him. “I’m sure I can soothe the situation.”
The man sneered. “You and your soothing. Just like you try to do at home. Soothe and play word games with the people.”
“Better that than using military force.”
Randolph snorted his disgust. “They need to learn who is their leader, not be soft-soaped into these bloody reforms you’re so hell-bent on introducing.”
“It’s for the country.”
“You are the country, though what the hell Johan saw in secondhand goods, I will never know. I warned him against you. He should have listened. The crown should…” Prince Randolph’s rant ceased as abruptly as it started, and, coughing, he swiped a hand across his face.
“We all know what you think, Randolph, but it does not matter. I am the ruler of Zarrenburg, and my son its heir.”
A low growl curled up from deep inside the prince’s chest, his face turning scarlet as he fisted and unfisted his hands.
Nathan edged back a few steps. “Well, this has been all rather informative, but I’m sorry we cannot stay.”
“Guards! Guards!” Prince Randolph’s shout echoed. Nathan darted a glance over his shoulder. “The window.”
Rose scrambled over its ledge, Nathan following, dragging the princess with him. “Sorry, for the inconvenience, but we need to make haste.” He shoved the princess forward as gently as he could, and she tumbled into the two men, giving Nathan a few seconds to propel himself out the window.
Rose shot out, falling in a heap at the bottom, Nathan landing on his backside on the cobbled pavement beside her.
Crawling upright, she stood over him, hands on her hips. “Are you going to lie around all day?”
He scrambled to his feet as a posse of guards raced out of the Zarrenburg residence and into their alley. As one, they looked toward her and Nathan.
“Come on.” She held her hand out to him, and they charged down the alley. A few feet later, Rose realized her mistake. “It’s a dead end.” She came up hard against the brick wall. “We can’t get out. They’re closing in. We’ll need to give up or they’ll shoot.”
“There’s no way am I bloody giving up. Up you go.” Nathan grabbed her around the waist and literally threw her upwards. “Grab the wall, squirt. Come on. Hold on.”
Hands flailing, she grabbed at the wall. Her fingers scraped across the brickwork. “I can’t. There’s no handhold.”
“Try harder.”
Panic skyrocketing, Rose glanced over her shoulder. The guards were closing in, aiming their pistols. She snatched at the wall again. Her left hand slid over a metal hook and held on fast. She searched for another handhold, grateful when she found its partner.
“Excuse me.” Nathan cupped her bottom and hoisted her higher. With all her might, she hauled herself up, up and finally over the wall. Nathan followed her in an instant.
A gunshot rang out and pinged against the wall. Rose automatically ducked.
“It’s okay. It’s on the other side,” Nathan said.
“But for how long?” She straightened, though still aware of the feel of Nathan’s hands on her derriere. “Where to?”
“No idea, just away from here.”
The sound of huffing alerted Rose, and she glanced back to the wall. “They’re coming.”
“Shit.” Nathan grabbed her hand and yanked her roughly after him. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
They charged for the end of the next alley. Nathan came to an abrupt halt at the exit. Rose slammed into his back. “Why are you stopping? They’re coming, Nathan!”
“And we need to check they’re not out in front too.” Nathan leaned out, peering in both directions. “Okay, all clear. Let’s make for the park. We can hopefully get cover from the trees.”
Out in the open, they sprinted across the thoroughfare, darting between the horse carts parading various wares in front of the local households. Once through the park’s wrought iron gates, Nathan quickly locked them. “That should stall them a moment, at least.” He grabbed her hand again, and Rose hitched up her skirts to keep pace with him. “This is why I need men’s trousers,” she wheezed.
“Aye, it is an advantage, but then you’d garner a lot more notice, which we can’t afford.”
At last, they took cover in the depths of a copse of oak. Rose fell against a tree trunk, bending double as she sucked in a lungful of air and tried to gather enough oxygen to steady her ragged breathing.
Nathan rested a hand on her back. “You okay?”
“Nothing that peace and solitude for several hours won’t fix.”
“Not possible, I’m afraid.” He glanced between the leafy branches toward the path they’d taken. “At least there’s no sign of them.”
“Do you think they’ve given up?”
“No idea. Randolph knows we’re onto him, and he won’t like it one little bit.”
“But surely the princess will do something to delay them and give us more time.”
“Let’s hope so.”
“What did that man mean back there?”
“What man?”
“Nathan, don’t be obtuse, you know exactly who I mean. The man with Prince Randolph. He’s from your past, isn’t he?”
&
nbsp; “He’s from a life I no longer live. Come on, we need to keep moving.”
He went to take her hand, but she sidestepped him. “What is it you’re hiding?”
“Something I’m not proud of.”
“Illegal?”
Nathan’s gaze shifted away from her, and disappointment soured in Rose’s gut. “It is, isn’t it?”
“Not now, Rosie. I promise you I’ll tell you.”
“When?”
“Soon, just let’s get clear of those guards first, find your father and the diamond, and then I’ll tell you everything. Let’s go.”
But Rose held firm, holding her arms at her sides, ignoring his outstretched hand. “I can manage on my own.”
Nathan’s hand dropped and his lips quirked. He looked at her again, and Rose had the distinct impression he was summing her up. “Yes, you probably can, but the question is, do you want to?” With that, he turned from her and began to weave his way through the trees.
For a moment, she simply stared at his back. His strong, broad-shouldered back. Did she want to go this path alone?
She could. She knew she had the strength and determination to fight anything on her own. But now Nathan was back.
What difference does his return make?
Actually, it meant a great deal, but she didn’t want to even contemplate such a complication.
Shoving those thoughts aside, she stepped out after him. She would, however, not let it rest. She wanted the truth from him. And soon.
With Nathan’s stride being longer than hers, she had to jog a few steps to keep up. Nathan remained silent, not even acknowledging her presence.
After what seemed ages of enforced solitude, the silence got the better of her. “So where are we heading?”
He glanced at her, his expression grim, eyes shrouded by his long dark lashes. “Back to the Cock and Hen. If anyone knows any more of what is going on, Harry will. They’ll put us up, and we can go over what we know and work out our next move.”
“Surely it’s better if we just keep going.”
Nathan halted, faced her, his shoulders slumped. “I don’t know about you, squirt, but I’m exhausted. I’ve been beaten up, kidnapped, chased by soldiers on horseback, and shot at.”
To Love a Thief (Steel Hawk) Page 11