The Accidental Heir Read Free

start.
    ‘Why don’t you begin by stirring these beans?’ he suggested. ‘Try not to let them burn.’
    So...that went well. Karl was charm personified. He was also red-hot and built like a gladiator without the sweat. She kept sneaking looks at him as he left her side to arrange their sleeping bags. Thank goodness he was putting space between them. She wouldn’t want to sleep close to that. Much.
    ‘I said, don’t burn the beans,’ he gently scolded, taking over bean patrol. ‘Can I trust you to put a hot-water bottle in your sleeping bag? You’ll find them in my pack.’
    ‘You’ll need one,’ he insisted when she hesitated. Just do it, Princess.’
    Well, as he wasn’t going to warm her. No chance of that, Astrid mused wryly, flashing a glance at Karl’s powerful back before setting to the task at hand.
    ‘How long does it take to pour water into a bottle, Princess?’
    ‘Just doing it,’ she huffed back.
    As Karl dished up the beans, she filled said bottle. In fairness, it would be nice to have a hot-water bottle to cuddle up to. Especially in the absence of anything else....
    ‘So,’ Karl began as they sat opposite each other, eating quietly, ‘this is how it’s going to work. You’ll get washed first. There’s a curtain,’ he explained, glancing across the tent at the ‘bathroom.’ ‘Then it’s bedtime. Early night and early start, Princess.’
    ‘That’s fine with me.’ Just a curtain? What about...?
    Would he whistle?
    So she’d go outside to do anything more than take a wash. No big deal. She’d be quick. It wouldn’t be a problem.
    The water was hot and soothing, just as Karl had promised. She waited until he was behind the curtain before creeping outside the tent to complete her ablutions before settling down for the night.
    ‘ What the...?’ Karl’s next words were definitely censored. Covering her naked backside with his huge bulk, he dragged her back into the tent. ‘Do you really want frostbite on your butt, princess? What the hell were you thinking? You could have killed yourself.’
    All this time Karl was rubbing her vigorously—and not in the way she might have fantasised about back at the palace, but roughly and, okay, effectively. But her teeth were still chattering as if she’d never get warm.
    ‘Strip down to your thermals,’ he commanded, ‘and give me those wet clothes.’ Flinging a blanket around her shoulders, he left her side to make her a drink.
    ‘Here.’ Karl’s voice was brusque as he held the cup to her chattering lips. ‘It’s only lukewarm, but you’re chilled through, so it might feel hot. It won’t burn you, Princess. Just take your time. And while you’re drinking, let’s recap: inside the tent: good. Outside the tent: bad. Unless I’m with you,’ he roared. ‘Is that clear now? I’m going to be watching you every second from now on.’
    Oh, great.
    Sadly, it was impossible to scowl while her face was flash-frozen. Or complain when Karl wrapped her in a bear hug the moment she had finished her drink.
    ‘Don’t get any ideas, Princess,’ he warned as she wriggled closer into him, enjoying the sensation of his arms around her and her cheek on his chest. ‘This is the fastest way I know to get you warm.’
    Charming. Just charming. And she was holding out for a hero? Note to self: don’t hold your breath!
    ‘That’s better,’ Karl said finally, holding her in front of him to stare into her face. ‘You look warmer.’
    Warm? Try white-hot, Astrid mused as she stared without expression into Karl’s steely eyes.
    ‘If you’re really that self-conscious, I’ll whistle next time you’re behind the curtain, but please don’t go outside the tent again.’
    ‘Just so you know, I am not self-conscious around you. We’re only here because you’re supposed to be teaching me about my northern territories. So—’
    ‘So thank you wouldn’t go amiss?’ Karl suggested, the beginnings of a smile on his mouth.
    Maybe he had saved