Page 53 of Tabloid Princess

There was no press here and I breathed a sigh of relief as he opened the door to a black Sedan and I slipped inside.

My shaking took on epic proportions.

I lifted jittery fingers to my face, holding it almost in shock.

“What on earth…?” I talked mainly to myself, but Bill, who had jumped into the driver’s seat glanced back at me.

“I’ve been there all evening. You didn’t notice?”

“But why?” I think this had to be the question to ask, although there were many to choose from. I lifted my hands to my cheeks only to find wet skin.

Definitely shock.

“I just do what I’m told.”

The car cruised through the streets; it wasn’t far home from the pub, not really.

Why on earth had Bill been sent to guard me?

“I’m glad you were there.”

He nodded his head and I slunk into the leather seat. My skin prickled with goose bumps as a deep chill settled over me.

“How did they know I’d be there?” I couldn’t stop talking. Maybe that was also shock.

“It doesn’t take much for someone to make a call. You’d be amazed at how many people want to earn easy money.”

“Rescued many women on behalf of the prince, have you?” Even in complete shock I managed to come up with a barbed comment. I should be relieved I hadn’t lost my touch.

Bill didn’t say anything, but I thought I could see his cheeks lifting.

The car pulled over, although I had no idea where we were. The streets were dark now, shadows in doorways.

When the rear passenger door opposite to where I sat opened, I gave a wild shriek.

A tall, dark-haired figure slipped inside the luxurious confines of the car. My heart all but gave up.

Breathing became a secondary concern.

“Leia.” His sharp gaze sought mine in the dim shadows as the car pulled away from the curb.

“What are you doing here?” I gasped.

His lips gave an involuntary twitch. “Do you know how many times you’ve said that to me this week?”

“And every time has been a totally valid question.” I wiped my hands along my jeans. The tatty crap ones I’d flung on earlier when I thought I’d just be meeting Molly for a quick drink in the pub.

Almost against my will, my gaze slid over him. He still had on smart trousers and a fine cotton shirt undone at the neck. My gaze lingered on the pulse in his throat.

“I’m sorry about the last couple of days,” he said, his voice low and careful. I glanced at Bill who seemed to be overly pre-occupied by the quiet evening streets. But then I guess he did have the future king in the back of his car, maybe it was an intense business. Actually, I could vouch for that.

“Thank you for calling the press off the house. That was hard work getting Daisy to school.”

He nodded but didn’t answer immediately.

“I don’t understand why Bill was in the same pub as me?” I couldn’t ignore it any longer. “Why would you do that?”

He sighed and briefly shut his eyes. I took the moment to greedily memorise his face. “It’s difficult for me to talk about.”