She shook her head. “My mission is here in London.”
“Or,” he replied, “you could use whatever you need from the intelligence I’ve already collected and be done by the time our coach is readied.”
“I am perfectly capable of conducting my own research,” Kuni said sharply. She hadexplainedthis. “I do not need your help to do my job.”
He shrugged. “Well, I won’t mind if you help me with mine. I wish we could get one of our princes’ signatures on the petition. The more important the names on the paper, the faster the bill will fly through Parliament.”
“How long will it take?”
He made a face. “The MPs might take action on the first day, or they could form committees and take weeks to debate every detail. Faircliffe and Philippa’s father will do their best to hurry things along, but it is not as simple as ‘Abracadabra.’”
Kuni had no idea what an “abracadabra” was, but she didn’t doubt the Wynchesters could do it.
“I hope they pass the law before I leave,” she said. “I would like to be here when you and the Goodnights celebrate your victory.”
Graham’s fingers touched hers. “I would like that, too.”
His voice had gone husky.
Kuni could pull her arm away from his soft touch…if she wished to.
It was the last thing she wanted.
The sparks between them had returned in full force. She longed to splay her fingers on his strong chest, to feel the hardness of his taut muscles, the breadth of his shoulders. And then lock her hands behind his neck and kiss him.
Not because he’d rescued her. But because he was letting her decide if she wanted to be rescued.
“I’ll return in six or seven days.” His heated gaze held hers. “Just in time for a romantic supper for two, if you’re interested.”
“Six or seven days?” she echoed in dismay.
Kuni only had four weeks left in England. She had looked forward to stealing a few moments of his company when she returned from her reconnaissance each day. Spending even a day of it without him would cast a long shadow. Though she liked the sound of a romantic supper.
“You can come with me, princess,” he coaxed, his eyes twinkling. “If there’s no room on the seat, you can sit on my lap.”
His voice was teasing, but Kuni had never been more tempted. Not just by the novelty of being included in something actually important…but the thought of being that close to Graham.
Touchably close.
Kissably close.
She licked her lips, then forced herself to shake her head. “I shall not distract you from your mission.”
The corner of his mouth curved. “Or allow me to distract you from yours.”
He perhaps understood her better than she’d guessed.
Like Kuni, Graham’s priorities were things outside of himself. His role was to watch over those who most needed to be guarded. Was there anything more noble?
She touched a fingertip to his lapel, then jerked her hand away.
It didn’t matter how much she liked their flirtations. How much she likedhimand his odd, utterly delightful family.
Her future was in the Royal Guard.
She would be stationed in Balcovia…hundreds of kilometers away.
13
