Page 24 of Trapped with the Undercover Prince

“Of course. And finger sandwiches.” He squeezed her hand. “It won’t be scary, I promise.”

She blew out a breath. “Okay. Tea with the queen. I can do this.”

Someone in the front seat chuckled.

They arrived at a different train station thirty minutes later. This one was much smaller than the one she’d been in yesterday. Its architecture looked older, too. There was only one problem—it was so crowded with people, there were lines going out the doors and down the street.

They drove past the entrance and around the building to a much smaller one guarded by trees and stone walls on either side. The cars stopped, and someone in a train uniform met Jean Paul. After a moment, he turned and waved.

Zar got out, then again held out his hand for her like it was second nature for him. He’d probably had good manners drilled into him from the cradle.

She slid out, and Zar took her hand and led her into the building. It turned out to be a tiny, exquisite train platform.

“What is this place?”

“At one time, this platform was used exclusively by heads of state, royalty, and other very important persons. It hasn’t been used much at all in the last ten years since the new train station was built, but with it out of commission, the train company decided to put it to use again.”

“We’re boarding here? Just us?”

“Yes, in the special royal train car my mother insists I use for this return trip.”

“She’s probably very worried about your safety.”

“Which was why I didn’t resist in any way. She has enough on her mind.”

“Running a country doesn’t sound like a job I’d ever want.”

“No?”

“I like working with a team small enough that I know everyone personally, understand their strengths and their weaknesses.”

“If the country is small enough...?”

“Lerasia isn’t that small.”

They were taken to a train car that sat on its own in front of the platform. They boarded with Zar’s men. The interior was richly decorated in hardwood, brass, and crystal. The seating was composed of comfortable-looking armchairs and love seats, far nicer than in any train she’d seen before.

“Wow, this is opulent.”

Zar looked around. “I suppose it is.”

“But you’re used to it.”

“I suppose I am.”

She grinned. “I should take you camping in the Montana Rocky Mountains. It’s opulent in a different way.”

“How so?”

“Nature. Green growing things, birds, deer, and few people.”

“If it wouldn’t give Jean Paul a heart attack, I think I’d like that.”

“You could bring a couple of friends. More people means less chance of being bothered by bears or mountain lions.”

Jean Paul, having heard his name, approached them. “What’s this? Bears and lions?”

Zar gave his friend a crooked smile. “Anna has invited us to go camping in the mountains of Montana where the majority of animals we might see get around on wings or four feet rather than two.”

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