Page 57 of Revelations of A Secret Princess

Any thought Jake had of revealing his presence died as Caro turned parchment-pale. She wouldn’t thank him for witnessing this.

Besides, it could be his chance to discover whether she’d told him the truth.

‘Or perhaps the Australian you spent the night with. We could turn your scandalous behaviour to advantage, put pressure on him to come up to scratch. His fortune is huge.’

Jake was absorbing that when Caro stepped up to the desk. She slapped her hands down and leaned forward.

‘Make your plans for my brothers, not me. I wash my hands of you.’ She drew a deep breath and Jake, seeing the light glinting on her bright hair, realised she was shaking. ‘I know what you did. The lies you told, the laws you broke.’

For a moment the King said nothing. When he spoke his voice was venomous. ‘Careful, Carolina. I’ve let you go your own way for years but I can bring you to heel like that.’ He snapped his fingers.

Slowly she shook her head. ‘Not this time. Not any more.’ She straightened, her hands clenched. ‘You stole my child. You had her illegally adopted without my consent.’

Jake’s hand closed so hard on the door frame that pain shot from his palm up his arm.

It was true. Unbelievably it was true.

His mind boggled and his stomach dropped.

He’d got her so wrong.

The things he’d said last night!

Jake rocked back as guilt and horror filled him.

‘There was never any question of you keeping it.’

‘Her. I had a girl.’

‘A bastard.’ Her father shrugged. ‘As if I’d allow that blot on the family name. I did what I did for the family. You should be grateful—’

‘Grateful? Hardly. I know where she is and I’m going to get her. We’re going to live together. I’m going to raise my daughter the way a childshouldbe raised and—’

‘You’ll do no such thing. Put the idea from your head right now. Unless you’d like another year living under guard till you see sense?’

Jake couldn’t take any more. He rapped on the window frame, feigning a smile as they whipped round towards him.

‘Good morning, Your Majesty... Carolina. I hope I’m not interrupting.’ He paused, looking from one to the other, willing Caro to follow his lead. She looked pale, her features drawn.

He’d heard enough to suspect that, with only a little more provocation, her father would have her clapped in a dungeon or a tower, guarded by sentries. Jake recalled her bleak expression when she’d spoken of being held against her will by the King’s security men. Until he could get her out of St Ancilla, she wouldn’t be safe.

Jake didn’t question his determination to get her away. She’d told the truth. He owed her more than an apology for last night’s scathing words.

‘Not at all.’ The King recovered first, stretching his mouth into a smile like a hungry shark’s.

‘I’m so glad.’ Jake stepped into the room, standing beside Caro and planting his palm reassuringly at her back. She shivered and he had to bite back the words he longed to fling at her father. Instead he made himself smile. ‘Carolina promised to show me something of the countryside today, didn’t you, darling?’

She blinked, her brow furrowing at his words. Before she could speak Jake ploughed on.

‘I must thank you, Your Highness, for the invitation to last night’s event. It was spectacular. I’m honoured to have been invited.’ He smiled as if his one aim in life were to hang out with pampered aristocrats, then added the bait. ‘Especially as I understand there are some interesting investment opportunities in your country.’

Ignoring Caro’s scowl, he watched the King and saw his ruse had worked. Perhaps Neil was right and the royal coffers weren’t as plump as they used to be. He’d noticed a number of high-profile financiers attending last night, including a few involved in his latest project. It wouldn’t hurt if the King thought he planned to stay and look at business options.

‘It was our pleasure to have you here.’ No sign of a scowl now on that crimson face. ‘You must accept our hospitality for the rest of your visit.’

‘You’re most kind, Your Highness.’ Jake slipped his hand from Caro’s back to capture her hand. He squeezed it reassuringly. ‘I’d hoped to make an early start on our sightseeing. Unless...’

He let his words trail off as he gave Caro a melting smile. Best if her father thought he was unaware of the dark undercurrents in the room.

---