Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“There’s a fox…killing our chickens. I thought I’d kill it or at least scare it away,” Hugo mumbled, feeling so very inadequate under the harsh gaze of so many soldiers.
Everand’s smile softened until he heard a ripple of snickers from the guards surrounding Hugo, and his expression froze. It was as if his features were carved from ice.
“Enough, Captain. Call off your men. Mr. Baker is a friend of mine and is no threat to me or the kingdom,” the prince snapped.
The captain of the guard barked out orders while Everand climbed down from his mount. The guards all lowered their weapons and relaxed.
“You can lower your hands now, Hugo,” Everand stated, amusement bubbling in his voice.
“Oh, yes.” Hugo dropped his hands to his sides, embarrassment continuing to burn through him. As thought returned to his brain, he realized he was standing before the prince, and he’d not bowed to him yet. “Your Highness,” he gasped and bowed.
Everand’s warm chuckle washed over him, and a hand squeezed his shoulder, pushing him straight again. “No need for that. We were the ones who startled you. Have you had any luck in finding your fox?”
Hugo shook his head. “Not yet, but I fear I have little experience in hunting.”
“I thought people used dogs to help protect their chickens. Our Hunt Master also keeps a pack of them to flush out our quarry.”
A wry grin twisted Hugo’s lips. “I’m sorry to say that Lucy is twelve years old and sleeps soundly through the night. She’s not quite the watchdog she used to be and is much slower now when it comes to the chase. My brother Dorian keeps her too well fed to want to bother with a fox. However, one of our neighbor’s dogs just had a litter of beagle puppies. They’re too young now to help with the fox, but we’ve been promised one after they’ve grown a bit.” Hugo bit his tongue to rein in his babbling mouth. It was a struggle to keep from slapping his hand across his lips out of embarrassment. Who dared to babble at the prince?
But instead of the same bored expression Everand had worn during their ill-fated luncheon, the prince’s eyes lit up. “I bet they are adorable.”
“Incredibly adorable,” Hugo gushed, his tongue escaping from his teeth. “I visited the puppies a few days ago, and they’re still awkward on their feet, tumbling over everything.”
“I always wanted a dog, but Mother said dogs didn’t belong in the palace chewing on the furniture. We have dogs for hunting parties…”
“But you want one for a companion,” Hugo finished softly for him.
“Yes.”
The single word sparked something inside Hugo, and his breath caught in his throat. Was it possible that he’d been wrong about Prince Everand? Had he met him at a bad time? It felt like he wasn’t even the same person now. Sure, he was still the flirty rogue, but there was something vulnerable and soft hidden away that Hugo longed to get to know.
Yet, even as that thought crossed his mind, the captain of the guards cleared his throat. Hugo and the prince jumped, breaking the stare that had trapped them.
Prince Everand straightened and took a step back. “You should return home. It’s too dangerous for you to be out here. Bandits have been spotted in the woods. We’ve come to get rid of them, but there’s a chance they could find you before we find them.”
“Bandits?” Hugo choked out. That was the first he’d heard of any bandits or cutthroats in the area, and news traveled fast through Buckleford. He needed to get home to protect his family. Their home was outside of town and surrounded by woods, making it an easy target.
“Of course. Thank you for that information.”
Prince Everand bent and picked up Hugo’s rifle. Their fingers brushed as Hugo reached to take it from him, and Hugo cursed the hot flush that washed through him.
“Be careful,” Prince Everand admonished.
“You too, Your Highness.”
Hugo took one step away from the prince, eager to put some distance between them so he could start thinking clearly. Except guards on horseback surrounded him. Not that it mattered. Beyond them were endless woods that appeared all the same no matter which way he turned.
He was lost.
“Um…Your Highness,” Hugo began and paused to swallow hard. “Did you and your men enter the woods by way of the main road? I seem to have gotten turned around.”
Everand’s deep laughter cut through the forest, and Hugo couldn’t help chuckling at the sound. Even if he was the butt of the joke, it was amusing. What were the chances of them meeting in the woods today? And of course, Hugo found himself in trouble yet again.
“Come.” The prince waved him over to his horse. “You can ride with me. I’ll get you at least pointed in the right direction prior to leaving you.”