The Playboy Prince Read Free Page A

any tension around the table. She had answered when spoken to and nursed one glass of wine throughout the meal.
    He would have wished her back to England a dozen times if he hadn’t seen how good she actually was for Eve. His sister-in-law was three months pregnant with her second child and didn’t need the additional strain of talk of Deboque. Two years before she’d nearly been killed protecting Alexander. If Lady Hannah could keep Eve’s mind off Deboque, even for a few hours a day, it would be worth the inconvenience of having her in the palace.
    He needed to talk with Reeve. Bennett drove his balled fists into his pockets. Reeve MacGee was more than his sister’s husband. As head of security, he would have some answers. And Bennett certainly had the questions—dozens of them. More was being done than the placing of extra guards. Bennett refused to go through the next weeks blindly while others worked to protect him and his family.
    Swearing softly, he looked up at the sky. The moon was cloudless and half full. Another time, with the scents of the garden wafting around him, he would have itched for a woman to watch the sky with. Now, filled with frustration, he preferred the solitude.
    When he heard the dogs bark, his body stiffened. He’d thought himself alone; he’d even been sure of it. In any case, his aging hounds never barked at family or familiar servants. Half-hoping for a confrontation, Bennett moved quietly toward the sound.
    He heard her laugh and the sound surprised him. It wasn’t quiet and prim, but rich and delighted. As he watched, Hannah leaned down to stroke the dogs, which pressed against her legs.
    “There now, what a lovely pair you are.” Smiling she bent farther still to nuzzle. The moonlight slanted over her face and throat.
    Instantly, Bennett’s eyes narrowed. She hardly looked plain and subdued at the moment. The moonlight accented the hollows and contours of her face, enriching the soft English skin and deepening the already deep green eyes. He would have sworn that he saw both strength and passion there. And he was a man who recognized both in a woman. Her laughter floated out again, as rich as sunlight, as sultry as fog.
    “No, you mustn’t jump,” she cautioned the dogs as they circled her. “You’ll have mud all over me and how would I explain that?”
    “It’s usually best not to explain at all.”
    She snapped her head up as Bennett spoke. He saw surprise, or thought he did, but it passed quickly. When she straightened, she was the calm, unremarkable Lady Hannah again. He chalked up the passion he’d thought he’d seen to a trick of the light.
    “Good evening, Your Highness.” Hannah took only a moment to curse herself for being caught unaware.
    “I didn’t know anyone else was in the garden.”
    “Nor did I.” And she should have. “I beg your pardon.”
    “Don’t.” He smiled to put her at ease. “I’ve always felt the gardens aren’t enjoyed nearly enough. Couldn’t you sleep?”
    “No, sir. I’m always restless when I travel.” The dogs had deserted her for Bennett. She stood beside the flowering jasmine and watched him stroke them with strong, capable hands. She was well aware that numerous ladies had enjoyed the same easy touch. “I’d seen the gardens from my window and thought I might walk awhile.” In truth, it had been their scent, exotic and alluring, that had urged her to loiter after she’d noted the layout of the space.
    “I prefer them at night myself. Things often look different at night,” he continued, studying her again.“Don’t you think?”
    “Naturally.” She linked her hands together just below the waist. He was marvelous to look at, sun or moon. When he’d strode into his father’s office that afternoon she’d thought that riding clothes suited him best. The dogs came back to press their noses against her joined hands.
    “They like you.”
    “I’ve always been fond of animals.” She unlinked her hands to stroke.