Anticipation coiled in his belly. He acted for the country, but this plan promised personal satisfaction.
Alaric drew on his gloves and glanced at the leaden tint just visible on the horizon. The sooner they left the better, or the forecast snowstorm would catch them too soon. He refused to endanger Tamsin.
If he were alone he’d revel in pitting his strength against the elements. Seeking out danger was one of his few pleasures. Action for the thrill of it. For the breathless affirmation of life in a world of bleak uncertainty.
Or perhaps, he realised in a sombre flash of awareness, in the expectation that eventually his luck would run out?
A death wish?
He gazed up at the bright bowl of the sky, vivid against the mountains, and felt the sizzle of expectation in his veins as he waited for Tamsin.
No. Despite the demons that hounded him, today he could truly say that given the chance he’d choose life.
‘Your Highness?’
He swung round to see one of his security staff. ‘Yes?’
‘I have the report you requested several hours ago. It’s only cursory. We’ll have more in a day or two.’
At last! Information on this tiresome Patrick who’d rung Tamsin. And on the journo who’d hung on her every word.
He caught movement from the corner of his eye.
Tamsin emerged into the courtyard in a padded anorak and thick trousers. Gone was the glamorous woman who’d entranced him last night. Yet in the sharp light of a winter’s morning her beauty defied the handicap of her bulky garments. Her face glowed in the crisp air. Unmarred by heavy glasses her clean, classic bone structure drew his appreciative gaze. Her eyes shone and the lush bow of her lips reminded him of last night’s heady pleasure.
Even the way she walked, an easy stride that spoke of supple limbs and natural athleticism, fired his blood.
Besides, he’d discovered at the ball he preferred she hide her luscious body from all male eyes except his.
He was rather fond now of her shapeless outfits. He enjoyed picturing the hidden curves beneath. Especially as he had every intention of stripping those garments away for his pleasure very soon.
Alaric couldn’t remember any woman getting so deeply under his skin. And he hadn’t even slept with her!
‘Your Highness?’
He swung back to the man patiently waiting.
‘Thank you.’ He nodded and took the envelope. No time now to satisfy his curiosity with Tamsin approaching. He stuffed the envelope into a pocket and rezipped his all-weather jacket. ‘That’s all for now. If anything urgent comes up I have my mobile phone.’
The other man bowed and stepped away as Tamsin reached him. Alaric turned, reminding himself not to touch, not yet, lest his brittle control snap.
Looking down into her bright eyes he realised this felt right. She felt right.
He smiled. Not a deliberate ploy to entice her but because for the first time in recent memory genuine happiness flared. He’d almost forgotten how good it felt.
‘Where are we going?’ They were the first words Tamsin had spoken in twenty minutes.
She’d been tongue-tied by the enormity of her feelings and the potency of what she saw in Alaric’s eyes. When he looked at her, his gaze smoky and possessive, tendrils of awareness curled through her, spiralling tighter. Just the graze of his gloved hand on hers as he helped her take her seat had made her breathless.
Once they were under way disbelief, delight and sheer joy had kept her silent as she watched the forest slide past. Never in her wildest dreams had she envisaged a horse-drawn sleigh ride across pristine powder snow! It was a romantic fantasy.
They threaded their way through dense forest, emerging now and then into glades where the brilliant blue sky dazzled as it shone on diamond bright snow.
‘We’re visiting a small hunting lodge in the mountains. The road is impassable and the only way in is by sleigh.’
It sounded thrillingly intimate.
Alaric turned from guiding the horses and bestowed a single, lingering look. Instantly, despite the chill air, heat blazed through Tamsin. Beneath the layers of heavy blankets he’d tucked around her she was burning up.
‘We’ll be uninterrupted there.’
‘I see.’ Was that her voice, husky and low?
One black eyebrow arched and a crease arrowed down his cheek as he smiled. ‘I knew you would.’ His rich velvet voice held a hum of anticipation that matched hers. ‘I’ve left orders that the lodge is absolutely off limits.’
His grin worked magic, loosening the final constricting ties of doubt. Under that look Tamsin felt buoyantly alive and strong, as if she could do anything. Dare anything.
Why be nervous? They were two adults. They both wanted this. Still her heart thudded against her ribs.