And now here he was. Hiding in a dark hollow of a shadowy castle, dressed in evening attire almost fit for a royal outing—save for the leather satchel draped across one shoulder. Not that it detracted. He looked rakish and dangerous, and delicious enough to lick. Either her memory had not done him justice or absence had made the charming rogue even handsomer.
“What are you doing here?” she asked again.
“We’re on a rescue mission,” he answered.
“For poor little Ralphie, who is counting on us.” Even in the dim light of a sconce, Jacob’s gaze looked distant and tortured. “He should never have been taken from his home. He’s barely three years old and must be confused and frightened. Wehaveto transport him somewhere safe.”
Kuni didn’t realize until she’d heard their explanation that a silly little part of her had hoped Graham had come in search ofher. Of course he hadn’t. The Tower guards didn’t even know she was here. How would Graham? He was so freshly bathed, his hair was still damp. They must have come straight here after arriving home to find another client waiting for them.
Leave it to a Wynchester not to pause for a moment’s rest between a week of battling the country’s laws and rescuing a small child in danger.
But Graham’s eyes were only for her. “What areyoudoing here, Princess?”
“Testing the Tower’s security. I entered through the Jewel House behind a group of visitors eager to see the Crown Jewels. Your guards should all be replaced. They should not have let me wander off.”
“Were there multiple guards?” he asked with interest. “Usually there’s only one.”
“Exactly. How is he to keep a proper eye on anything? He could scarcely keep the crowd back from the jewels. Did you know that insubstantial little rail has only recently been installed? Three years ago, someone just walked up and calmly destroyed the State Crown!”
“I did know,” Graham said. “I conducted an extensive interview with the woman who did it. She wasn’t the least bit calm.”
Jacob sent his brother a pointed look. “We’re on a rescue mission. Not a teatime chat.”
“Right.” Graham’s eyes sparkled at Kuni. “Want to help?”
Her breath caught. Or perhaps that was from the intoxicating scent of his freshly bathed body, scant centimeters before her. She yearned to touch the silk of his waistcoat, to feel his hard muscles beneath the soft superfine covering his arms and shoulders.
And…shedidwant to help. More than anything. She yearned to be an important asset, but was never asked to be part of the team—until Graham. He made her feel valued. With him, she didn’t have to prove herself. He wanted her fighting by his side. Was fully confident anything he could do, she could learn to do, too.
This time, she had no excuse to reject the offer to join him. She’d already confirmed what she had long suspected: British security was horrid. If Kuni could sneak off through the tower, so could a villain. Or a stampede of wild bison. She’d watched from an arrow-slit as the guard closed the gate and left. He wasn’t evenlookingfor a missing guest.
“Well?” Graham asked softly. “Do you want to be part of the team, if only just this once?”
Her heart galloped beneath her hidden epaulet. “I do. Very much. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Follow me.” Jacob stepped out of the alcove and turned down the stone corridor.
Kuni didn’t move.
Neither did Graham.
This felt like the moment they’d shared before, when they might’ve kissed goodbye. It felt like a second chance.
Kuni bit her lip. “Before your brother turns back or we get interrupted again…”
How could she possibly resist him?
He saw her. He invited her. He wanted her, even if he didn’t need her. He found her capable…and desirable.
She flung her arms about his neck and kissed him.
His strong arms enveloped her at once, pulling her even more snugly against him. A thick leather strap ran crosswise over his chest, and the starchy explosion of linen at his throat crumpled against her, but she had never felt more at ease than in his arms.
No matter how much her brain warned her that this infatuation could go nowhere, she felt as though she’d rather the fortress tumble down around them than end this sweet kiss.
It was Graham who pulled away, with clear reluctance. “We have to follow Jacob. I don’t know what they’ve done to Ralphie.”
“You? Not know something?” she teased, her heart beating far too fast.
