“Who’re you?,” I stammer, struggling to keep up my composure. “What are you doing right here?”

“Simply somebody who’s ready for you,” he replies, his voice dripping with want. “I have been watching you, Jane. You’ve got captured my consideration in methods I by no means thought attainable.”

My cheeks flush at his phrases, the warmth between us rising like a wildfire. I can not assist however be drawn to him, regardless of the hazard that lies in succumbing to his attract.

“I don’t even know who you might be,” I whisper, my resolve wavering underneath the burden of his gaze.

“It doesn’t matter who I’m,” he insists, closing the space between us. The air crackles with rigidity, our unstated wishes palpable. “You haven’t any concept how a lot I crave your contact, Jane.”

“Please,” I plead, my thoughts reeling from the depth of our attraction. “It’s not honest that you realize my title, but I don’t know yours.”

“Does it actually matter?” he asks, his eyes locked onto mine. “Proper now, we’re simply two individuals, alone on this room. Our titles imply nothing.”

I can really feel my resolve crumbling. His phrases maintain me captive, igniting a fireplace inside me that I’ve by no means skilled earlier than.

I shake my head, attempting to clear my muddled ideas.

His voice is strained with restraint. “Inform me you don’t need this, Jane. Inform me you do not really feel the identical want coursing by way of your veins.”

My physique betrays me, craving his contact regardless of the results. The strain between us reaches its peak, our unstated wishes hanging within the air as our hearts beat as one.

However then out of the blue, his eyes turn out to be pained with a flicker of battle, a flash of…guilt? “Forgive me, Jane,” he whispers, his voice stuffed with each longing and remorse. With that, he activates his heel and leaves, leaving me standing alone within the darkened chamber, confused and trembling from the depth of what may have been.

CHAPTER

SIX

Henry

The moon casts an eerie glow over the fort grounds as I watch her over my digicam feed. Her auburn hair dances within the wind like a crimson flame, and my coronary heart burns with a forbidden want that threatens to devour me. Jane Pinkerton, the orphaned maid who has captured my consideration, She is totally unaware of the hearth she ignites inside me.

My jaw hardens although when somebody approaches her. A person. He’s strolling towards Jane—my Jane.

I seize my laptop and do a fast search of the employees since I can’t recall his title.

Edward Langley, a steward. Putting inexperienced eyes. Good-looking jackal. My fingers tighten across the edges of my desk as I grip the wooden so arduous I’m shocked I don’t splinter it.

So, he is seen her too. A harmful and unwelcome thought enters my thoughts—a possible rival for Jane’s affections. The concept fills me with a gnawing dread, figuring out that at any second, I may lose her to somebody extra suited to her, someon of her station. The thought gnaws at me.

“Jane,” I whisper her title into the chilly evening air, permitting it to hold the burden of my longing. However I need to stay sturdy. For my kingdom, for my individuals, and for her. The world calls for I marry somebody of lineage, somebody who can bear me heirs and strengthen alliances. Responsibility calls, and I need to reply. However my coronary heart…my coronary heart belongs to Jane Pinkerton, the woman who has unknowingly ensnared a king.

I will hold my distance, preserve a façade of indifference. It is the one manner.

And as for Edward Langley…if he dares pursue her, he’ll study simply how far I am prepared to go to guard what’s mine. It’s egocentric, I do know. I won’t can have her, however I’ll be damned if I let one other have her both.

This fort might quickly turn out to be a battleground. Let the video games start.

Jane

“Jane, do you could have any plans after work at present?” Edward’s voice slides into my ears like silk, making a shiver run down my backbone. I look up from the pile of linens I am folding, assembly his hanging inexperienced eyes.

“Um, no. Why?” I ask, attempting to sound informal whereas my coronary heart races. Edward is thought to be a charmer. I like him nicely sufficient as a buddy, however that’s all, however I concern that recently he’s taken a romantic curiosity in me. I can’t assist purchase discover the best way he seems at me, and let’s face it. Edward solely talks to ladies he’s chasing.

And I refuse to be simply one other notch in his belt.

Moreover, I’ve my thriller man, whoever he’s. I blush at simply the considered him.

“Would you wish to accompany me to the village tonight? There is a small pageant occurring, and I believed it could be enjoyable for us to go collectively,” he says, his disarming smile lighting up his face.

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