Chapter 1



Carly fought the arms around her all the way to the limo and, even as she was dropped unceremoniously into it, she continued to do so, kicking at the locked door to the amusement of the man across from her, "Come, now, you should know that that won't work. These men are trained much better than your husband's guards," he said causing her to turn to him, anger blazing in her eyes in recognition.


"YOU? What. . . Let me out of this car, damnit!" she exclaimed as she punched the soft seat beneath her and blew her bangs out of her eyes.


"Now, now, that is no way for a woman of your standing to be talking."


"And you should know better than to try to pull something like this on me. I will have your post!" she countered as she straightened in the sat and continued to glare at him.

The man laughed at the threat he had heard many a time before, "Perhaps, but this was all a means to an end. You're needed back at home."

Carly shook her head, "I have no reason to return there."

"They're in turmoil."

"And my presence will help?"

"You've always been a calming presence on your brothers. . ."

Carly laughed at that, "You mean I was the one who could get them to call a truce the quickest. . . well at least till the blonde idiot showed up. How is Katherine doing by the way?"

"Are you so out of the loop of the political world that you think that is an appropriate question?"

"I'm not stupid. I know my brother finally got rid of the insipid twit, for her sister I understand. However, that does not mean I don't see her hand in this. She always had away of alienating them from each other."

"And yourself. I believe her presence was what made you take off."

Carly only shrugged, "She was ruining my family and decided to try to say that Ed and I were a threat to the heir because I found out she was planning on taking off with him!"

"Do you really think your brother would have believed her?"

"He believed Ed was planning a coup, and without ever knowing the real reasons. The plans for his safety. For Jonathan's. She was bent on destroying the crown. . . yes, I do believe he would have believed her over us."

The man only nodded sadly, "The fact remains that you are needed back there."

"I am no longer suited for that life."

"But. . ."

"Do you expect me to believe that you've found me, know who I'm married to, but not the things I've done over the years? I am not the girl I once was. I could only make things worse."

"There will be no need for the commonality to know."

"And my brothers?"

"That will be up to you to decide," he paused. "You are needed. It is your duty to return. To help return order to the crown. To stop the monarchy from crumbling."

"I walked away from duty a long time ago."

"And your family? What about their destruction?"

Carly stared out the window. "I can't. . ."

"You won't follow your duty, but you will live in constant danger? Do you know what losing you will do to your brothers? Do you think I cannot tell them what I know? Of the danger you are in?"

Her head spun around at his words, "You wouldn't. . ."

"Try me. I made a promise years ago to make sure you are protected, I can't here, your Highness. They wouldn't allow it." Carly fought the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes. "And how do you suppose your husband would feel to lose you because his staff is inadequate? Your brothers would do everything in their power to make him pay. . ."

"You don't play fair," she muttered as she looked back at him. "Fine, I'll return. I'll fix things. I'll suffer your protection until the threat of Sorrel is over. But then. . .then I return home."

"As you wish, Your Highness. Shall I make the arrangements for yourself and Prince Michael's journey home?"

Carly only nodded as she wondered how she had let herself get talked into this.