Capturing the Crown Bundle. Nina Bruhns

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СКАЧАТЬ but I’m starving. The rain’s letting up. How about we go outside and forage for some breakfast?”

      “What?” he stared at her as if he thought she’d lost her mind. “It’s barely dawn.”

      “I’m pregnant,” she said crossly, then smiled to soften the sting of her tone. “Not only am I changing the subject, but I really am hungry.”

      Crossing his arms, he swallowed. “You know, I keep forgetting you’re pregnant.”

      One deep breath, then another. Soon, maybe her erratic heartbeat would slow down to normal. “It’s too soon for me to show.” Patting her still-flat abdomen, she grimaced. “Give it a few months. I’ve had so little time to actually enjoy my pregnancy. Every little girl dreams of the day when she’ll be pregnant and become a mommy.”

      “Even a princess?”

      She could see him relaxing in stages. “Yes, even a princess. I wanted to be able to luxuriate in it, wallow in it, you know? Instead, I’m trapped on an island with little food and no—”

      “Luxuries.” He sounded so hard and so certain, she blinked.

      “That’s not what I was going to say. I was thinking more of people. Friends that care.”

      The look he gave her was skeptical. “Don’t tell me you don’t miss the life you had in Naessa. You made the papers often, you know. Your lifestyle was no secret. I saw your townhouse on the coast on that TV show. You lived like royalty.”

      If only he knew. She’d filled her home with beautiful things, trying to fill the emptiness inside her. She’d been lonely more often than not, especially when she wasn’t traveling with the symphony.

      But he didn’t know that. No one did. “I confess to missing some of it, yes.”

      “What?” His voice was fierce, and his hazel eyes darkened. “Which do you miss most? The Egyptian cotton sheets? The fine restaurants? Or the chance to have Frost and French design your maternity clothes?”

      “You know about them?”

      “I’m in public relations. I have to keep up with the trends. Answer my question. Which do you miss the most?” He took a step closer, his face intent.

      Heart caught in her throat, she stared at him.

      He leaned close, and for one heart-stopping moment she thought he was going to kiss her. Worse, she knew if he did, this time she wouldn’t pull away.

      Chapter 5

      Luckily for both of them, he caught himself in time.

      Clearing her throat, she searched desperately for something to say to pretend she hadn’t noticed. Outside, the rain had slowed to a light patter on their metal roof.

      “I really do miss my friends,” she said, inanely. “What about you?”

      He shrugged.

      “Since your business takes you out and about, I imagine you must have a large circle of friends.”

      “Not really.” He rolled his shoulders before snagging his own shirt and slipping it on. Apparently he was as eager as she to act as if nothing had happened. “My job consumes most of my day. I have little time to maintain friendships outside of my work. However, my coworkers and I get along well, and of course, there’s always my family. Your turn.”

      For a second she didn’t understand, eyeing him blankly.

      “Are you close to your family?” He stepped into his shorts.

      Her mouth went dry. Averting her eyes, she attempted to swallow while listening to the rasp of the denim. “My family?”

      “Yes.”

      “No.” She shook her head, trying to focus on the question. The only family she had was her mother, which equaled no family at all. “I’m not. I assume you are?”

      “Oh, yeah. My parents live near the west coast of Silvershire, in their dream retirement home. My brothers and sisters are all married and have children. We all get together several times a year.”

      Finally, she regained her senses, though the entire conversation still seemed surreal. “I always wished for a big family.”

      “I read you’re an only child.”

      “Yes.” Since her mother had felt having Sydney had ruined her life, the woman had taken steps to ensure she didn’t have any more children. “But I made a lot of friends in the symphony.”

      At her mention of her job, Chase grimaced. “I bet you’re glad now that you left your cello in the hotel. That thing wouldn’t have survived the crash. At least this way, you have a chance of getting it back.”

      “True. If it’s still there.”

      “That was a five-star hotel. I’m sure they have your instrument in their lost and found department.”

      “As long as no one realizes it’s a Strad, it’s probably okay. Otherwise, they’d sell it on the black market.” She gave him a tentative smile, finally feeling normal. “Right about now I should be back in Naessa, getting ready for Silvershire’s Founder’s Day celebration. We rehearse every night for a month. This will be my third performance for your king.”

      At the mention of the celebration, Chase frowned. “Given the bad blood between your father and King Weston, I’m surprised Naessa’s symphony was invited this year.”

      Lifting her chin, she forced her mouth to curve in what she hoped resembled a smile. “I’ve always heard the fish bite better at dawn. Is there any truth to that?”

      “Changing the subject?”

      “Yes,” she said, her voice mild. “I’m still hungry.”

      He gave a half bow. “Which would you prefer? Fish or rabbit?”

      “Do the fish bite better at dawn?”

      “Maybe. I guess I’ll go out there and find out. I take it you’d like fish for breakfast?”

      Her lower back ached. Absently, she rubbed it while she pondered his question. “We had rabbit last night.” She had to smile at her words.

      “What?” Chase caught the smile.

      “Listen to us, talking about eating wild game as though discussing the menu at Chez Niablo.” She sighed. “I need protein, lots of it, for the baby. I feel the need for fish.”

      “Then fish it is. Catch.” He tossed her the lighter. “Why don’t you see about making a fire while I get our breakfast?” Then, without a backward glance, he left.

      Surprised she’d caught the lighter since she’d lifted her hand in reflex, Sydney closed her fist over it. The silver metal felt both foreign and reassuringly normal. She turned to the small pile of wood he’d brought inside the shelter and gathered an armful before stepping cautiously outside.

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