Her lip curled. “Perhaps you should ask your own government.”
He gazed balefully at her. “Surely you aren’t suggesting that England had anything to do with such a heinous attack.”
She pressed her lips together and stared mutinously ahead, refusing to say anything further.
He stood and began pacing. The little chit was good. Very good. She had managed to bait him in one area she had to know he would bite. He almost smiled. Feisty creature she was.
He stopped and looked at her once more. It was time to level with her and forego the sidestepping. “I am offering my help, Your Highness. My protection and that of my country. I was appalled by the travesty that occurred both in Leaudor and on our own shores.”
He moved closer to the bed. “Of course, I am concerned with the ramifications of what happened and what it could mean for England, but I would never condone such a senseless act of violence no matter who it was meted out on. And you have my word as an Englishman that I mean you no harm and will do everything in my power to find out who is responsible for killing your family.”
“And not your word as a nobleman?” she asked pointedly.
“My word as an Englishman is worth far more than my word as the Earl of Merrick,” he said darkly.
A flicker of uncertainty flashed across her face, the first glimmer of anything that denoted vulnerability.
“Your sentiment is appreciated, my lord, but if you were in my place would you so easily trust the first man to pledge his protection?”
“I suppose not,” he said grudgingly.
“I’ve reason to distrust England,” she said in a low voice. “And I cannot afford to make the mistake of entrusting my country’s future to her again.”
“What do you speak of?” he asked sharply. The vague hints were beginning to annoy him. If there was reason for her to distrust his government, he damn well wanted to hear about it.
Genuine regret flashed across her face before she once again masked her response. “As much as the idea of being able to confide in someone appeals to me, there is simply too much at risk for me to do so. I appreciate your generosity, but I must take my leave of you. If you are truly ignorant of what I am speaking of, then I would be placing you in danger by remaining here.”
Simon gritted his teeth, ready to explode. It was all he could do not to shake her. What was she doing to him? After so many years of being the cool, unflappable agent, a mere slip of a woman had him ready to abandon professionalism and howl in frustration.
“Perhaps after you’ve rested, you will see things differently,” he said in a clipped tone. He turned and stalked to the door. Her boots, removed by Mrs. Turnbull, no doubt, rested beside the door. He bent and picked them up.Let her try escaping barefooted. Before he exited the room, he chanced a glance back at the princess. She wasn’t even looking at him.
With a muttered curse, he closed the door behind him, locking it and slipping the key into his pocket. This time he felt no remorse for barring the door.
Downstairs, he called for Timmons. “Post a footman outside my bedroom window and one outside my door as well. Under no circumstances is anyone to go in or out of that room.” He shoved Isabella’s boots at Timmons. “Dry these by the fire. They’re quite damp.”
Timmons nodded. “Will there be anything else, my lord?”
“Summon my carriage.”
* * *
“I cannot put off the prince any longer,” Kirk said. “He wishes to see the princess in the morning in his private meeting room.”
Simon slammed his fist on the desk. “There’s something not right about this whole situation, and I can’t get a word out of the princess. I’ve seen clams with looser mouths.”
“Perhaps she will relate what troubles her to the prince.”
“I doubt it,” Simon said grimly. “She fears going to the crown. She won’t tell me why though.”
“Let the regent deal with the matter,” Kirk advised. “You’ve done all that you can.”
“I know, but there is something she isn’t telling me. Something important I suspect.”
“As much as I know how you hate the idea of forcing her hand, it would seem you have no other choice. You must deliver up the princess in the morning.”
That gave Simon no time to try and gain her trust. And his taking her against her will to the palace would only cement the idea that he was acting against her best interests. Devil take it. His job rarely presented him the conundrum he was tormented with at present.
“Don’t plague yourself, Merrick. His Majesty asked me to convey his gratitude for the speed in which you located the princess. He was quite concerned over the consequences of a new ruler taking over Leaudor should there be no remaining members of the Chastaine ruling family.”
