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“I’m sure you’ll lead the way,” Nolan said.
She laughed.
Nolan directed her down the stairs and within minutes, they were on a trail heading through thick trees at a steep incline. The morning air was brisk and the scenery picturesque. The sun rose and danced through the trees. Levi and Sergeant Braxton stayed just behind them. At first it was awkward to converse with her panting for air and the two men close by but not participating. Especially as Levi had come to her home with Chad on several occasions. Would he report back to his major about Chad’s mum flirting with the king? Guards constantly shadowing the king had to be annoying at times.
Eventually the trail mellowed out. She caught her breath and relaxed, and she and Nolan chatted like old friends. They were old friends, but there was a definite spark between them now. She didn’t know what to make of it, or if she dared act on it. She had to slow down and focus on the assignment she’d been sent here to do. Maybe after she cleared his name, she and Nolan could talk about dating. A slow, controlled dating. One date a month to keep things from progressing too quickly like they had with Bradford, and to make it easier on General Ray to provide security. Maybe after a few years, she could let herself fall for him and know she wasn’t simply falling too fast like she had with her husband.
She and Nolan spoke mostly of their children, but they also discussed some of the issues with improving education, offering more advanced degrees at the university, and what her thoughts were on Prime Minister Carrera. She’d been impressed with the man. He seemed level-headed, and she believed he had Augustine’s best interests at heart. She agreed with Nolan that he was ‘no Henry Shule.’ It was hard to imagine anyone could have the rapport with the king, parliament, and the people that former Prime Minister Shule once had. The effects of the Rindlesbachers’ nightmarish schemes would continue to hurt their country for some time. Until Naomi stuck her head out from whatever rock she was hiding and struck again, none of them could really relax.
They were headed back to the castle when Nolan said, “Tell me truthfully, Madeline. Did you believe the accusations of Gustaff and Monaco about me associating with Naomi?”
“Though I usually think the worst of you,” she winked to show she was teasing, and he chuckled, “no, I would never believe that. Chad told me, and I’ve seen on the news, what they’ve put you and your family through. I know you, Nolan …” She paused, and he gave her a heated look. His blue eyes yanked her in. She could get lost in the depths of those eyes for the rest of her life.
She tripped on a protruding root and would’ve gone down if Nolan hadn’t wrapped an arm around her to steady her. They stopped in the middle of the trail. She stared up into his mesmerizing gaze.
“All right then?” he asked softly.
“Yes,” she whispered back.
She heard movement behind them and realized Levi and Sergeant Braxton had caught up to them on the trail and were now backpedaling, trying not to interrupt their moment. They effectively did interrupt, but it was for the best. She couldn’t be having ‘moments’ with the king when she was on a mission for parliament. What was she saying, claiming she ‘knew him?’ She didn’t. Not deeply. Her rational brain needed to step back up to the plate.
She stepped back, and his arm dropped away from her. “Teach me to stare into the king’s blue eyes when I should be walking.”
“You can stare into my eyes anytime.” His voice deepened. “I’ll happily return the favor.” The sincerity in his gaze shook her.
What alternate reality had she entered? Everyone knew Nolan had desperately loved Queen Anne. Madeline didn’t want to step in and try to replace his wife, and she didn’t want to be a shallow substitute for the relationship he’d once had. That was all that would happen if they both fell hard and fast. Shallow, not lasting. The king was too honorable to ditch her like her husband had, but it wouldn’t be a lasting and fulfilling relationship, and that was what she needed. If she ever allowed herself to commit to a man again.
Turning, she hurried down the trail. Nolan caught her easily and kept pace with his longer strides. She was almost jogging.
The silence between them crackled with an uneasy tension. Madeline was losing sight of her purpose here. She’d come as a representative of parliament but also as a friend of the royal family. She wanted to protect Nolan and his children from whatever Gustaff and Monaco tried to throw at them. Not even a day into her task and she was getting lost in the king’s blue eyes. Nobody would believe her report if she acted like a starry-eyed girl smitten by the appealing and powerful yet also benevolent king.
Madeline shook her head and hurried faster, not even appreciating the gorgeous greenery and the perfect summer morning. They reached the castle, and Nolan escorted her up the stairs with the guards following. At her floor, she tried to wave him off. “I’ll see you soon.”
She had no idea his schedule, and she hadn’t really thought out this task of staying by the king’s side at all times. She would not follow him to his suite and wait while he showered. Her face flushed at the thought.
“I’ll walk you to you room,” Nolan said.
She bristled. “Amazingly enough, I’ve been walking myself wherever I need to get for twenty-six years. I think I’ll manage.”
Instead of looking annoyed or put in his place, the king smiled. “I like your spice.”
She stared at him. Did he honestly? “King Nolan?—”
“Oh, no. We are not regressing.” He wrapped his arm around her waist, and she went hot from head to toe. “Captain. Sergeant.” He looked at the two men who had stopped in the stairwell. “Please clear the hallway and Madeline’s suite. I require a private word with her.”
They both nodded. Nolan swept her to the side while the men checked the hallway. Of course they obeyed him. He was so powerful and enticing she had no clue how she was going to resist. Even Russell Crowe had nothing on him.
Nolan said nothing as they waited, but the warmth of his body pressed against her and the strength of his arm around her made her stomach do a happy flip. She glanced up and his piercing blue eyes were fixated on her. How was she supposed to resist those blue eyes?
The guards returned and bowed. “Ms. Prescott’s suite and the hall are clear, King Nolan.”
“Thank you. I’ll be a few minutes.” He glanced down at her and smiled. “Or more.”
She heard Levi chuckle, then cover it. “Yes, sir.”
Madeline’s heart was thumping too quick against her rib cage. What did he mean, or more? He surely wouldn’t kiss her in this hallway and make all of her dreams come true.
Nolan kept his arm around her waist and escorted her down the hall as if she were royalty. As if she were his queen.
