lake spread out like a glistening blue jewel.
“Christ!” The driver swore. Directly ahead of them, a car swung wide around a sharp curve. Moving fast, the other driver headed directly toward them on the wrong side of the road.
“Hold on.” The limo driver wrenched the wheel. The large vehicle, not made for precise turns, swung and began to skid toward the rocky cliffs. If they went over, they’d be killed.
At the last instant the other car switched lanes, again coming directly at them.
“He’s trying to hit us!” William screamed, one second before the other vehicle slammed into them.
The impact spun the limo the other way. Luckily for them their rear fender barely touched the guardrail, not enough to slow their reverse sideways motion.
The other car, having hit them in the rear quarter panel, ricocheted the opposite way. It took out the guardrail, hanging on the edge for one awful moment before vanishing over the side of the cliff.
After careening left, then right, and hitting a huge boulder, the limo came to a stop. They all looked at each other. Chase held Sydney in place, while the other men shot out of the car, guns drawn.
“All clear,” William said.
“Come on.” Chase got out first, extending his hand to Sydney. Shakily, she climbed from the backseat.
“That was no random accident,” Chase shook his head, his expression grim. “I’m thinking that was another attempt to take you out of the picture.”
“No way,” she scoffed. “It had to be an accident, a drunk driver or something. First off, how would they even know where we are? Second, I still don’t know why anyone would want to kill me.”
“You’re carrying the prince’s only child.” He caught her arm. “That might be reason enough for some people.”
William and the other two men peered over the rail. The limo driver was on his cell phone, no doubt calling in the accident.
“I want to see.” Sydney shook off his hand and went to the edge of the cliff. The other car had come to rest at the bottom of the rock wall, a crumpled heap of twisted metal. “I hope you called for an ambulance,” she told William.
“I called the police. They’ll dispatch medical assistance.”
“If they survived.” Again, Chase spoke almost in her ear. Still dazed, Sydney fought the urge to turn her face into his chest for comfort.
Looking shaken, their driver walked over. His short, black hair was mussed, as if he’d run his fingers through it in agitation. His face drained of color, he shook his head. “They were either drunk or…”
“Something,” Chase put in smoothly. The warning look he gave Sydney let her 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
