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“Sweet, if you come anywhere near me again, I won’t be responsible for what happens.” His body weight settled on his side of the bed. “I’d suggest you stay over there, if you want any sleep at all.”

She smiled in the darkness and huddled beneath the coverlet. Was he truly serious about being unable to resist her?

A moment later, a hand nudged at her cheek. “You’re on my side,” he said.

“I’m on the edge of the bed!” she protested. “If I move any further, I’ll fall off.”

His leg tangled up with hers, beneath the pillow barricade. “You’re still on my side.”

When she realized that his long leg was sprawled all the way across the bed, hanging off the end, she started to laugh. “If you had your way, this entire bed would be your side.”

“Maybe.” He withdrew his leg, his hand reaching for hers.

Lying on her back with their palms entwined, Hannah released the laughter building up. “You don’t like to share, do you?”

“Not at all. And I’ll never share you.” His hand moved up to caress her face with his knuckles. And when at last, she heard the quiet sounds of his breathing, her heartbeat wouldn’t calm at all.

For this was the sort of marriage she’d dreamed of. A handsome husband, teasing her. Making her feel beloved. Lying beside him at night, whispering secrets in the dark.

Please don’t let him be the prince , she prayed. For if he was, he was as good as lost.

Michael rose before the sun came up, letting Hannah sleep.

She was curled up on her side, her palm slightly open.

He dressed in silence, slipping outside the door.

He reached into his pocket and found the ring, still there.

At first, he’d planned to return it to the jeweler’s.

But after last night, he wasn’t certain.

He didn’t know what had come over Hannah, why she had given herself to him. She’d refused to accept a ring from him, telling him that she would want it to mean something else.

Was she saying she wanted to marry a man like him?

It was foolish to consider the possibility. He was better off living on his own. He couldn’t take care of her in the manner she deserved.

Grimly, he thought of their impending visit to the Schloss. The cynical side to him didn’t believe it would accomplish anything. A man like him...becoming a prince? He simply couldn’t believe it could ever be true. They would take one look at him and toss him out.

But if he were a prince, he’d have the means to take care of Hannah. He could make her a princess.

You’re not capable of protecting a wife. Don’t even consider such a thing.

Being with Hannah last night had changed everything. He’d become her lover, and it had been better than anything he’d ever imagined. Sweet, fiery and passionate, she’d swept him away. He’d been conscious of her every move, her every sigh.

He fingered the ring in his pocket and continued walking downstairs to find the innkeeper. He’d thought of hiring a maid to help Hannah dress, but in truth, he wanted another excuse to touch her again. Instead, he ordered a tray of food to be sent up for their breakfast.

While the innkeeper’s wife went to prepare the food, the innkeeper paused. In halting English, he offered, “Lieutenant Thorpe, some men arrived last night. They were searching the inn for a man of your description. I thought you should know.”

He suspected it was the Graf’s men. But it could also be the men who had attacked their coaches. There was no way to be sure. Nonetheless, it was not safe for them to remain here any longer. Michael thanked the innkeeper and went upstairs with the tray of food.

Hannah was already awake and struggling to dress herself. “Good morning,” she said, offering a hesitant smile. “Could you help me with this?”

“Of course.” He set down the tray and came up behind her, his hands grazing her shoulders. With both hands gripping the corset strings, he tightened her stays.

“Why in the name of God do women torture themselves this way?” he grumbled. He’d worried about hurting her, but Hannah had only laughed and told him to pull it tighter.

He’d much rather have unlaced her, baring her soft, pale skin. As it was, he stole another kiss, trying to quench the need for her body. Her mouth molded to his, her arms wrapping around his neck.

The dark desire to have her again took control without warning. He wanted to strip her down, making love to her until she trembled with pleasure.

But Hannah broke away from him, her face crimson with embarrassment. “Michael, I’ve been thinking. Last night when we...were together, well... I don’t think we should...do that any more.”

Her sudden refusal bruised his pride. He reached into his pocket, touching the ring. This was her choice, he reminded himself. And perhaps it was better that way.

“You’re right.” He shrugged as if he didn’t care one way or the other.

But he knew he’d become too tangled up with thoughts of her.

Their time together would be short enough, and the more they became involved with one another, the worse it would be to say goodbye.

“Last night was a bad decision for both of us.”

She paled, but nodded her head in agreement. “I had no regrets at the time. But what if...there’s a baby?”

He lost his breath at the very thought. He’d been caught defenseless by her, unable to think beyond the staggering desire. A baby. An innocent child who would look to him as a father, a provider.

Harsh visions struck him down, of a child crying out for food. Of Hannah wearing a threadbare dress, her hands worn from scrubbing floors. Would that be their lives, if he remained a soldier? He couldn’t let that happen.

“If there is a child, I’ll take care of you.” He voiced the words she expected to hear, though the idea of giving her anything less than the life she had was horrifying. He prayed that there would be no child, no lasting consequences of their forbidden night together.

“All right.” But she didn’t look overjoyed by the prospect either.

Michael turned his back, gathering up the edges of his thoughts. “I received word that men are looking for me. We shouldn’t stay here tonight.”

“Where do you want to go?” Hannah moved in front of him for assistance with the buttons running down the back of her dress. Though he fastened them for her, the feel of her skin beneath his hands only ignited his hunger.

“The Schloss. For now, at least. We’ll decide where to stay afterward.” Michael offered her the tray of food, choosing a scone for himself.

Hannah picked at the food, as though she didn’t like that idea. “We have to speak to the king. There’s no other choice. But I can’t shake the feeling that something terrible will happen if we do.”

She pushed her plate aside and donned her pelisse. After putting on her bonnet, she tied the ribbon beneath her chin.

“It’s a risk, yes.” But a necessary one. Michael wanted the answers, if for no other reason than to close this part of his life away. More than ever, he felt on the verge of unlocking the secrets of his past. Perhaps just by visiting the Schloss, he would sense something.

Hannah finished putting on her gloves and regarded him. “Should we wait for the Graf to arrive after all? He knows more than we do about the royal family.”

“True. But at the moment, we have the element of surprise,” he murmured. Finishing his breakfast, he rose and picked up his hat. “We’ll do as Gerda suggested. I’ll ask to speak to the master of the household, or possibly the lord chamberlain.”

“Should I request an audience with the queen, while you do that?” she suggested. “I might be able to find out more.”

“No. We should remain together. Especially if others believe we’re married.” His gaze fell upon her hand.

Hannah saw the direction of his gaze. She let out a shuddering breath and removed her glove. “All right. I’ll wear the ring, but only for a few days. After that, I’m returning it to you.”

Michael withdrew the ring from his pocket and slid it on her finger. He held her hand a moment longer than he should have, but she refused to look at him.

In her eyes he saw the self-flagellation, the anger at herself for breaking so many rules.

He wanted to say something to make her feel better.

But what could he say? He’d been selfish, indulging in the night he’d spent in her arms. Even afterwards, with the shield of pillows between them, he’d needed to be close to her.

Hannah had fallen asleep holding his hand. It had felt nice, watching over her while she dreamed. She was far too good for the likes of him, but it was too late to undo what had transpired between them.

She adjusted the ring on her finger. “I hope you find what you’re looking for today, Michael.”

So do I. And yet, he didn’t know what it would mean for his future.

With her hand in his, he led her down the hallway and toward the stairs. Below, he heard the din of voices gathering. It sounded as if someone important was here. Instinct made him keep Hannah behind him.

When he reached the bottom of the stairs, people seemed to swarm from every angle. A group of soldiers came forward, armed with muskets. They cleared through the crowd, forming a line at the bottom of the stairs.

“His Royal Highness has asked to see you,” the Captain of the Guard announced.

Not the king. The prince.

Michael glanced back at Hannah. He reached back to take her hand, bringing her beside him. “I suppose we’re going to get our audience after all.”