Capturing the Crown Bundle. Nina Bruhns

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      Gleaming floors, walls and ceiling crafted of warm oak, she had an impression of granite and wood and steel, skillfully melded into a welcoming warmth that could have won design awards. This place was the stuff of glossy magazines, reminding her of her mother’s penthouse condo.

      As she took it all in, she spied a familiar black instrument case leaning against one wall.

      “My cello!” She crossed the room, trailing her fingers over the black case reverently. “How did you locate it?”

      “We had it flown in.” William smiled as both she and Chase turned to stare at him in surprise. “Rest assured, it wasn’t damaged in the shooting. The hotel was holding it in their lost-and-found department, along with your suitcase full of clothing. We’ve put that in your room.”

      Chase shot her a look that said I told you so.

      No matter. Sydney sighed with pleasure. Now all she needed was a clean bill of health for her baby and a way home. Then her life would be just about perfect. Even if her baby would never have a father.

      A man who could have only been the butler cleared his throat. “May I show you to your room?”

      She swung round to eye Chase. “I’d prefer to see the doctor first.”

      “Get settled and freshen up.” Despite his size, or maybe because of it, Chase looked at home in the deliberately rugged yet opulent surroundings. He stood out from the other men like a rare coin among wooden currency. “I’ll send someone for you when the doctor is ready.”

      Nodding, she turned to follow the butler and realized her misgivings were because she didn’t want to leave Chase—proving once again that she wasn’t herself since the plane crash. Despite feeling mortified, she couldn’t stop herself from looking at him over her shoulder.

      “You’ll be fine.” The kindness in his voice told her that somehow he must have understood.

      Her room was, like the rest of the lodge, luxuriously comfortable. Everything, from the oversized bed covered with a cream-colored, exquisitely soft, down comforter, to the well-made, gleaming oak furniture, was of the highest quality. The room had the feel of an ultraprivate, ultraluxurious, resort for the very pampered ultrarich.

      Feet sinking into the thick carpet, Sydney padded over to the windows and pulled the heavy lined drapes open.

      She gasped out loud at the view. Her room overlooked the lake. It spread out below her like a liquid sapphire, shimmering in the sunlight. Whitecap waves dotted the surface, along with sailboats and the occasional yacht. She could make out other homes dotting the countryside, all large and luxurious, though none matched this one for sheer magnificence.

      Since she’d showered earlier, she had nothing to do but wait.

      “The doctor’s here.”

      Startled, Sydney turned to find a smiling young woman in a maid’s uniform hovering in the doorway. Evidently, she’d once again forgotten to close her door.

      “If you’ll follow me, please?”

      Eagerness warring with nervousness, Sydney went.

      Chapter 8

      Once the examination was complete, Sydney waited, her heartbeat booming in her ears. Dr. Kallan had confirmed Sydney’s suspicion that only an ultrasound examination and a complete blood workup would tell if her baby was all right. The equipment to do this test was, of course, only available at a hospital. The nearest facility was in the next town inland, a good thirty-minute drive on winding roads. Dr. Kallan had gone to tell Chase and the others.

      A moment later, the doctor returned. He smiled reassuringly as he patted Sydney’s hand. “They’ve agreed to take you into town. The car is being brought around now. I’ll meet you at the emergency room there.”

      A grim-faced Chase and his three stooges waited for her in the great room.

      “Ready?” His cool gaze gave away nothing.

      Schooling her own expression to match his, Sydney nodded.

      Though they left by unmarked car, someone must have tipped off the reporters. When their black Mercedes pulled up to the emergency-room entrance, a cluster of photographers eagerly awaited their arrival.

      “Keep driving,” Chase instructed the driver. “This isn’t an emergency. Go around to the back.”

      “They’ve probably got people stationed there, as well.” Sydney kept her tone calm. “If so, take me back to the emergency room. Dr. Kallan said he’d be waiting for me there.”

      “It doesn’t look like we’re going to be able to avoid the reporters.” William sounded energized.

      “I’ll be fine.” Sydney sighed. “I’ve been dealing with them off and on for most of my life.”

      “Don’t speak to the press.” Chase met her gaze. “Let us handle them.”

      “Don’t worry. I have nothing to say to them.”

      Scowling, he glared at her. “They think you married the prince.”

      “I know.”

      “Wishing it was true?”

      She only shrugged off his sharp-edged question. At least if she had, her baby would be acknowledged. Legitimate.

      On the other hand, her child would be heir to the throne. He or she would never have a normal life. Thinking of her half-brothers and-sisters and the rarefied air they lived in, she’d already decided she didn’t want that for her own child, not if she could help it. She’d planned to discuss alternatives with Reginald.

      But since he’d refused even to speak to her, that talk had never happened. Now it was all up to her to take care of her baby.

      Chase eyed her, his sharp gaze missing nothing. “I’ve got people setting up an official press conference for you this afternoon, so you can set the record straight. Once it’s known you’re not carrying the next official heir, maybe the death threats will cease.”

      She sighed. “I was hoping hiding out here would take care of that.”

      “Until we know more about that car that tried to run us off the road, I’m taking no chances. Plus, with all the reporters here,” he gestured at the waiting crowd, “whoever is after you will know exactly where you are.”

      She peered through the tinted glass, eyeing the eager faces, the microphones and cameras. Somehow, without intending to, she’d managed to achieve what her mother had always craved. She was in the spotlight.

      All Sydney wanted to do was return home to Naessa and her life of relative anonymity. She wanted to lick her wounds in private and prepare for the upcoming birth of her child.

      “Coming here might have been a big mistake.” William leaned forward. “They’ll make the connection between this town and the royal lodge. Before long they’ll be camped outside the gates.”

      “I needed to have tests run.” СКАЧАТЬ