Capturing the Crown Bundle. Nina Bruhns

know he didn’t want his speculation about the near miss revealed to the driver, a man not in his employ.

      Lights flashing, the police arrived, along with a fire truck and an ambulance. Because of the wreck’s location, only one police cruiser stayed to take the report; the others drove back the way they’d come. There was a public swimming area further north that would give them access to the crash if they drove up the beach.

      Once they’d finished supplying the remaining officer with details, and determined the limousine was still drivable, they climbed back in to resume their journey.

      A few more miles and several more curves in the road later, they pulled up to massive iron gates. Worked into the iron was the royal coat of arms. She sighed, watching as the gates swung slowly open. The Royal Family of Silvershire’s private lake lodge, one of their many vacation hide-aways. This particular one she’d never heard of, though the press had reported on many others. In such a remote location, with no easy access, it seemed even the press hadn’t been able to infiltrate these gated walls. No doubt this was why Chase had chosen it as a hiding place for her.

      After the accident that might not have been an accident, she was beginning to think Chase wasn’t so far from the mark. Until those crazy people were caught, maybe staying here with protection was the best option.

      Inhaling deeply, still shaky, she tried for calm. None of their party had been hurt, but if the other car had merely made a blunder, she felt horrible for them.

      “Chase?”

      He looked at her, his hazel eyes serious. “Yes?”

      “Can we call and check on those people back there? You know, whether they lived or…”

      “Died? We can check with the police department later.” His serious expression told her he was just as affected by what had happened as she.

      “Miss Conner?” William leaned forward. “I think you’ll like it here. The royal family maintains a very sumptuous lifestyle, even at this lake lodge. We have a full-service salon, a masseuse and personal trainer, as well as a fully equipped gym and indoor pool.” He smiled, too brightly, as though he was trying to erase the last hour with his words. “What more could you ask for?”

      What more indeed? A clean bill of health for the baby.

      She turned to look at Chase, startled to find him watching her intently.

      “What?” She asked.

      He shook his head and looked away without answering.

      As the limo drove through, the gates closed behind them with a clank. Sydney let her head sink back against the plush leather and briefly closed her eyes. Deciding to stay was a relief of sorts. She was exhausted and could use a few days of rest and relaxation, especially in such lavish surroundings. No doubt this place had the kind of luxury she rarely got to enjoy anymore, especially when traveling with the symphony.

      But she couldn’t relax until she’d received a clean bill of health both for herself and for her baby. She sat up, eager to see the physician and begin the tests which would, she hoped, relieve all her worries.

      William stowed his laptop and the two other men put away their Palm Pilots. Briefly, she considered asking if the royal PR department issued the devices as standard equipment. Then she caught sight of the “lodge” and forgot all that.

      Perched on the cliff like some massive cedar hawk overlooking the lake, the building looked large enough to easily accommodate one hundred or more guests. Through the two-story window over the door, she could see a wall of windows on the waterside, filling the house with light and a breathtaking view.

      The limo coasted to a stop. The driver got out and opened the door for Sydney. When she stepped into the blinding sunlight, she stumbled. Instantly, Chase was there, offering his arm.

      At first, she wanted to snub him, to show him she was perfectly capable of walking in on her own. But when she saw the massive double doors open and a footman wearing royal livery emerge, she changed her mind.

      Though she might carry the blood of a princess, and, as a child, had often longed to meet her sire, Reginald had been her only exposure to royalty. Quite frankly, she found the prospect intimidating.

      “Come on.” Keeping her arm in his, Chase led her up the stone steps, through the great doors and into the foyer. Their footsteps echoed on the green marble floor.

      He released her arm as the doors closed behind them. Turning slowly, Sydney tried to take it all in, but couldn’t.

      Gleaming floors, walls and ceiling crafted of warm oak, she had an impression of granite and wood and steel, skillfully melded into a welcoming warmth that could have won design awards. This place was the stuff of glossy magazines, reminding her of her mother’s penthouse condo.

      As she took it all in, she spied a familiar black instrument case leaning against one wall.

      “My cello!” She crossed the room, trailing her fingers over the black case reverently. “How did you locate it?”

      “We had it flown in.” William smiled as both she and Chase turned to stare at him in surprise. “Rest assured, it wasn’t damaged in the shooting. The hotel was holding it in their lost-and-found department, along with your suitcase full of clothing. We’ve put that in your room.”

      Chase shot her a look that said I told you so.

      No matter. Sydney sighed with pleasure. Now all she needed was a clean bill of health for her baby and a way home. Then her life would be just about perfect. Even if her baby would never have a father.

      A man who could have only been the butler cleared his throat. “May I show you to your room?”

      She swung round to eye Chase. “I’d prefer to see the doctor first.”

      “Get settled and freshen up.” Despite his size, or maybe because of it, Chase looked at home in the deliberately rugged yet opulent surroundings. He stood out from the other men like a rare coin among wooden currency. “I’ll send someone for you when the doctor is ready.”

      Nodding, she turned to follow the butler and realized her misgivings were because she didn’t want to leave Chase—proving once again that she wasn’t herself since the plane crash. Despite feeling mortified, she couldn’t stop herself from looking at him over her shoulder.

      “You’ll be fine.” The kindness in his voice told her that somehow he must have understood.

      Her room was, like the rest of the lodge, luxuriously comfortable. Everything, from the oversized bed covered with a cream-colored, exquisitely soft, down comforter, to the well-made, gleaming oak furniture, was of the highest quality. The room had the feel of an ultraprivate, ultraluxurious, resort for the very pampered ultrarich.

      Feet sinking into the thick carpet, Sydney padded over to the windows and pulled the heavy lined drapes open.

      She gasped out loud at the view. Her room overlooked the lake. It spread out below her like a liquid sapphire, shimmering in the sunlight. Whitecap waves dotted the surface, along with sailboats and the occasional yacht. She could make out other homes dotting the countryside, all large and luxurious, though none matched this one for sheer magnificence.

      Since she’d showered earlier, she had nothing to do but wait.

      “The doctor’s here.”

      Startled, Sydney turned to find a smiling young woman in a maid’s uniform hovering in the doorway. Evidently, she’d once again forgotten to close her door.

      “If you’ll follow me, please?”

      Eagerness warring with nervousness, Sydney went.

      Chapter 8

      Once the examination was complete, Sydney waited, her heartbeat booming in her ears. Dr. Kallan had confirmed Sydney’s suspicion that only an ultrasound examination and a complete blood workup would tell if her baby was all