Capturing the Crown Bundle. Nina Bruhns

held up a finger. “Later, okay?”

      Slowly, she nodded.

      “I’ll be right there if you need anything.” He pointed to the other door. “William, Carlos and Jim will stand guard outside.”

      Stand guard? Didn’t anyone else find it odd that Silvershire had a PR department made up of bodyguards? Shaking her head, she grabbed her suitcase and entered the women’s room, locking the door behind her. With a sigh, she peeled off her tattered clothing, dropping it in the trash bin. Then, crossing to the mirror, she studied her image. Nothing had changed. Sydney Conner, cellist, stared back at her. Other than the sunburn and the disheveled mop of hair, she looked much the same as the woman who’d stayed at the Hotel Royale a few days before. She caught sight of her ragged fingernails and grimaced.

      Though externally she could see little signs of the ordeal she’d lived through, inside, her entire world had shifted. It would take more than a simple shower to make her feel normal again.

      Her thoughts wandered to Chase. He seemed to have no problem reverting to the person he’d been before the crash. But then, he didn’t have a baby to worry over.

      Turning the tap on full blast, she stepped into the shower, fighting the urge to hurry so she could get to the doctor. Despite her niggling worry, the soap and shampoo and hot water felt wonderful.

      After toweling off, she eyed her still-flat stomach and wondered. She’d feel it if something were wrong, wouldn’t she? Combing out her wet hair, she muttered a quick prayer for her unborn child, then opened her door to find Chase and the others waiting.

      The sight of him, clean and in a black, Armani T-shirt and pressed khakis, made her mouth go dry. He’d shaved and tied his damp blond hair in a casual ponytail, which made him even more rakishly and elegantly handsome.

      “There you are.” He smiled at her, but his smile didn’t touch his eyes. With a dip of his chin, he gave a signal, and the other men moved to flank them.

      “Ready?”

      She nodded. “I can’t wait to get to a doctor.”

      They stepped outside into the bright sunlight and approached the limo with an almost military precision. William held the back door open. As Sydney climbed inside, Chase got in next to her. William and the other two men took the opposite seat.

      The last time Sydney had ridden in a limo had been the night Reginald had broken up with her. He’d arrived for their date, flowers in hand, though this time instead of the usual red roses, he’d brought her pure white. He’d been unusually quiet, his aristocratic features reflecting his nervousness. He’d fidgeted in the plush seat, while the car took them to downtown Silverton’s finest restaurant.

      That night had felt mystical, magical. Sydney had actually suspected Reginald was going to propose. Instead, over aperitifs, he’d told her their relationship was over and he could no longer see her.

      While the car glided silently along the curving streets, William filled them in on how they’d been located.

      “The plane’s emergency beacon was still working,” he said. “We were surprised to learn you’d crashed on Chawder Island.”

      “Why?”

      “You filed a flight plan to Naessa. Chawder Island is several hundred miles west of the correct route.”

      Chase’s brows rose. “The storm must have blown Franco off course. He and Dell tried to land us safely. They were good men and damn fine pilots.” He shifted restlessly. “This Chawder Island, who does it belong to?”

      “The Lazlo Group is looking into that. Ownership is registered to a corporation whose existence appears to be a front for someone else.”

      Watching the scenery outside the car, Sydney knew a growing feeling of alarm. “This doesn’t look like the road into Silverton. In fact, I’d swear we weren’t even in Silvershire. Where are we?”

      Chase glanced at William. The other man gave her a reassuring smile. “Carringtonshire.”

      Carringtonshire? That was in the northwestern part of Silvershire, a part of the country she’d never visited. The twisting road seemed to be in the remote countryside. Nothing but trees and hills could be seen, no matter how far she looked.

      “Why?” She stared at William, then Chase.

      William tapped his laptop case. “We’re headed for the royal vacation lodge on Lake Lodan.”

      “Vacation lodge?” She turned on Chase. “You promised me a doctor. I want to see a doctor immediately. Before anything else, take me to a hospital.”

      Chase smoothed a wayward hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “Calm down. It’s all been taken care of.”

      William nodded. “Yes, Miss Conner. I’ve taken care of everything. We should arrive at the lodge in twenty minutes, and I’ve arranged to have a top-notch ob-gyn meet us there.”

      “Top-notch?” She squinted at him suspiciously. “This Carringtonshire looks like a country area to me. How’d you manage to find a doctor like that out here in the sticks?”

      “Luckily, Dr. Kallan was on holiday nearby. He’s excellent.” William’s professional tone spoke of one used to making arrangements for others. He regarded her expectantly, making her smile faintly. If not for his beefed-up appearance, he’d be a perfect personal secretary.

      She sighed. “That’s a start, but honestly, I’m going to need more than just an examination. I’ll need blood work and a sonogram. I need a hospital. Then I want to go home to Naessa.”

      William looked at Chase. So did Carlos and Jim.

      “In good time, Sydney. First, we’re going to Lake Lodan.” Chase’s cool, calculating look no longer fooled her. “After that, we’ll take things one at a time.”

      “I don’t understand.” She crossed her arms. The plush interior of the limo was starting to feel like a prison. “No more of this nonsense. Once I’ve seen the doctor and had my tests at a hospital, I want to go home. You can drop me at Silvershire International as soon as possible. I can arrange my own flight.”

      Chase’s expression was closed, remote. “One step at a time, Sydney. One step at a time.”

      Ever-helpful William leaned forward. “Chase thought, in view of the situation, it’d be best to keep you hidden here in Carringtonshire for a little while.”

      “Situation? Hidden?”

      The other men exchanged a look as she stared at them. Chase touched her arm. She was so angry she jerked away, glaring at him. “I think you’d better explain.”

      “You know someone is trying to kill you. Until we learn who and why, better safe than sorry.”

      She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “That’s not your problem.”

      “But it is,” he said smoothly. “You are carrying the prince’s baby. Our employer, the Duke of Carrington, has asked us keep you safe.”

      “Are we back to that again? You were taking me home when—” She inhaled sharply as a horrible thought occurred to her. “You don’t think the plane crash—?”

      “We’re looking into that, ma’am.” William didn’t even glance at her as he spoke. He was too preoccupied downloading information into the smallest, sleekest laptop she’d ever seen.

      “If they caused the jet to crash, they killed those two pilots.”

      “True.” Chase touched her arm lightly. “But I’m thinking hail brought it on. It was an accident.”

      William looked up from his screen. “Do you seriously believe that? It seems awfully convenient.”

      “I was there.” Chase’s sharp voice contained a rebuke.