The Playboy Prince by Nora Roberts Read Free Book Online Page B

no idea you were looking for Prince Dorian.”
    “I admire a good liar,” Bennett murmured as he moved closer. For the second time he caught her chin in his hand. But for the first time, she saw all of the arrogance he was capable of and felt all of its attraction. “And I grow only more intrigued.”
    “Lady Hannah can do a double Round the World.”
    “Fascinating.” Bennett slid his hand away slowly as he turned back to his nephew. If he’d listened for it, he might have heard Hannah’s slow sigh of relief. “I thought we had an agreement, Dorian.”
    Dorian’s head drooped, but Hannah didn’t notice that the light in his eyes dimmed in the least. “I only wanted to see it. I’m sorry, Uncle Bennett.”
    “Sure you are.” Bennett hauled him up by the armpits, scowled, then kissed him soundly. “Your mother’s downstairs. Don’t slide in the halls on the way to the drawing room.”
    “All right.” On his feet again, Dorian bowed to Hannah. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Lady Hannah.”
    “And you, sir.”
    He sent her a gap-toothed grin before he dashed off.
    “Sweet talker,” Bennett muttered. “Oh, you might think he’s all charm, but he has a black heart.”
    “Strangely enough I was reminded of you.”
    With one brow lifted, Bennett rocked back on his heels. “Indeed, my lady, that is strange.”
    “He’s a scoundrel, without question. And you love him.”
    “That’s beside the point.” Bennett stuck his hand in his pocket. “As to the matter of the yo-yo.”
    “Yes, sir?”
    “Try to wait until I’m five feet away before you laugh in my face.”
    “As you wish, Your Highness.”
    “It was a gift from my mother when I was ill one summer. I’ve bought the little devil a dozen of them, but he keeps stealing mine. He knows if I don’t get a son of my own by the time he’s ten I’ll make him a gift of it.”
    “I have a redheaded doll my mother gave me when I broke my wrist in a fall. I kept it when I outgrew all the others.”
    It wasn’t until he’d taken her hand that she realized she’d told him something he didn’t need to know, something she’d never told anyone else. Even as she warned herself such lapses were dangerous, his lips brushed her fingers.
    “You, Lady Hannah, have a kind heart as well as a clever tongue. Come, walk downstairs with me and meet the rest of my family.”
    *   *   *
    Reeve MacGee would be a formidable obstacle. Hannah had thought so before, but seeing him with his family, she was sure of it. She knew his background from the time he’d entered the police force as a rookie through his less publicized work for the United States government.
    His involvement with Cordina and the Royal Family had the ring of romance, but Reeve was no poet. He’d come out of a self-imposed retirement at Prince Armand’s request when Gabriella had been kidnapped. Though she’d escaped, her time in captivity had left its mark. Amnesia had plagued her and Reeve had been enlisted to protect her, and to investigate.
    There had been no doubt that Deboque had been pushing the buttons, but though his lover had beencaptured and imprisoned, she’d never implicated him. Like other powerful men, Deboque inspired loyalty. Or fear.
    During the time that Gabriella was struggling to regain her memory, she and Reeve had fallen in love. Although Reeve had refused to accept a title when they married, he’d agreed to head security in Cordina. Even with Reeve’s experience and skill, the palace had been infiltrated once again.
    Two years ago, Alexander had nearly been assassinated. Since that time, Reeve had managed to block any and all attempts on members of the Royal Family. But Deboque was about to walk out of prison. With freedom would come more power.
    Hannah watched Reeve now, seeing a quiet, introspective man who plainly adored his wife and children. He would use everything available to protect them from harm. So much the better.
    With her hands folded and her skirts