Page 9 of Stranded with His Runaway Bride

Violetta’s hand floated up to the medal bar that held the jingling rack of honours. Suspiciously, the pin came away easily. She carefully placed the bar on the chaise behind them. His intense blue eyes watched her every move.

‘Don’t do that.’

‘Do what?’ he asked, all innocence.

‘Stare at me like that.’ It was making her hot, much hotter than she already was in this tight-fitting, heavy-skirted dress.

‘You said I’d never properly seen you before. I’m making up for it. I’ll stop if it’s making you uncomfortable.’ His gaze lifted to fix on the room behind her. ‘Is that better?’

She missed those blue eyes on her, but hell would freeze over before she’d admit to it. She reached for the sash traversing his chest, her hands caught the edge then lifted upwards. He dipped his head allowing her to lift it from him. Her wrist brushed the top of his hair. Soft and silken and feeling so ridiculously intimate.

She was being foolish. It was just hair, but her fingers trembled as she carefully placed the sash with the medals.

He sighed in relief as he slipped the jacket from his shoulders. The scent of his cologne and sweat filled the air. Violetta dipped her head, but still it invaded her senses.

‘Thank you,’ he said, undoing the top buttons on his collarless white shirt, rolling back his shirt sleeves.

Violetta blinked.

In full uniform he’d looked dashing, too handsome. Now, in braces and black trousers with the narrow scarlet stripe down the side, with rolled-back sleeves and part-unbuttoned shirt, he was gorgeous.

A flicker of movement from the gardens snapped her attention away.

‘There’s someone out there.’

Leo was instantly on guard, swinging round to place himself between her and the window.

Oh, chivalry!

Protected only by those paid to do so, and never truly valued by her family. Genuine chivalry had been in short supply in Violetta’s life. How nice to experience it from this big, vital, handsome man. Her heart gave a most annoying squeeze.

‘Where?’ he demanded.

‘In the treeline. Just beyond the wildflowers on the lawn.’

His eyes narrowed. ‘I see nothing.’

‘Maybe you were followed here after all.’

‘Unlikely. Only my team saw me leave the cathedral and if anyone else had spotted me in the city they’d have assumed I was simply a guardsman tasked with returning the Ferrari to the castle.’

‘Maybe there was someone already here when we arrived? A burglar or someone. Shouldn’t we at least go and investigate?’

‘If it makes you feel better I’ll go and check. Wait here.’ He started for the door. Violetta followed him.

‘I’m not staying in here by myself. What if there’s an accomplice already in the house?’

He looked down at her. ‘Was the place locked when you arrived?’

‘Yes, I retrieved the spare keys from the key safe where your grandmother kept them.’

‘And all the shutters were still closed?’

‘Yes, I opened this one so I had light in the room.’

‘Well, then. How did this mysterious accomplice get into the house? Down the chimney?’

But she stared stubbornly back.

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