Page 68 of A Problem Princess

She didn’t believe that for a moment—more likely he feared she’d flay herself—yet she slid onto her chair without argument. She was too happy to be insulted. She’d cooked! Well, she’dwarmedat least, and that by itself was a feat. Perhaps he wouldn’t think her completely worthless after all.

As if realizing her fledgling kitchen skills had come to a decisive end, he poured water into a large pot himself, hung it on a hook, and swung it out over the flames to heat. Then he snatched up two mugs and a corked bottle from the dresser and joined her at the table. He cut up the chicken and handed her a slice from the tip of the knife. She took it and watched him, waiting for him to try the first bite.

“Delicious,” he said around the piece of chicken in his mouth.

She covered her pleased smile by nibbling a bite herself. Oh, itwasdelicious! She nearly laughed.

He cut up the apple and placed half on her plate, followed by half of the small loaf of bread. He didn’t look at her as he reached for the chunk of cheese and asked casually, “Why was it so important to you to cook tonight? I could have heated it for us if you didn’t want to eat it cold.”

“I wanted to do something productive. I’m enough of a burden to you already.” She gestured a hand at the cottage around them to indicate…well, to indicateeverythingabout their situation. “You’re doing all this because of me, and I can’t even cook you dinner in appreciation.”

He set down the knife and leaned back in his chair. “You’re not a burden.” He pulled out the cork from the bottle and splashed the golden liquid into the two mugs. “You faced down two sets of attackers who wanted to kill you and you didn’t scream. Not once.” He lifted his mug in a toast to her and murmured, “You’re the bravest woman I know.”

A warm blush spread up from the back of her neck and across her cheeks.

His eyes sparkled mischievously. “But if you want to become domestic, tomorrow I’ll let you wash my clothes.” He winked. “You’ll love it.”

With a scowl, she threw a piece of cheese at him. He caught it and popped it into his mouth.

His low chuckle faded, and he repeated solemnly, “You’re not a burden.”

“Then I’m a duty.”

His eyes locked with hers. In that moment’s pause, she desperately wanted him to deny that, too. Her heart wanted to be far more to him than an obligation.

Instead, he answered, “You’re one of the most important people I’ve ever met.”

Her heart sank at that clever dodge. She didn’t press for the truth. At that moment, she couldn’t have borne it.

“We’ll stay here for a few days,” he told her. “Just until I’m certain I can ensure your safe return. We should have a message back from Justice Rivers by tomorrow afternoon.”

She nodded absently and studied him as she nibbled on a slice of apple.

“We’ll be able to make plans then.”

“You mean, you’ll return me to London,” she corrected quietly. “To the palace.”

And I’ll never see you again.

She had no idea how she would bear it. In the few days they’d been together, he’d captured her heart and made her yearn for so much more than a royal life could ever provide. Now she wanted a true home, one in which her husband would consider her an equal partner and not just a vessel to bear heirs, and children who would be cherished, every last one of them and not just the oldest male.

Most of all, she wanted love.Will I ever have that?

“You’re a princess.” His eyes locked solemnly with hers. “You belong in a palace.”

A palace was the very last place she wanted to be! “But what if…what if I don’t want to be a princess anymore?”

He shook his head. “God’s anointed, remember? You were born a princess and you always will be.”

Before she could protest, he shoved back from the table and tossed more logs onto the fire. He snatched up the lantern and set it in front of her on the table.

“We should turn in for the night.” He nodded from the lantern to the stairway door. “You’ll be safe upstairs.”

Her chest tightened. Safe…but alone. “All right.”

“We both could use a good night’s rest.” He hesitated. “You don’t need help undressing, do you?”

Forcing a smile, she slipped off her chair and picked up the lantern. “Not at all.”