The Accidental Heir Read Online Free Page B

view melting glaciers, where Astrid saw for herself the reasons for concern about the territories. They even found themselves close to a polar bear mother and her cubs when the matriarch heaved herself unexpectedly onto the ice. Astrid had remained completely still as he asked her to until this precious but dangerous group of predators walked on by. Following that extraordinary event Astrid had bombarded him with questions about the different species that might need protecting in her territories, prompting him to suggest that she get back in touch with her old friend Britt Skavanga, who was now heavily involved in conservation with her sisters at the Skavanga diamond mine. When she agreed to do this and he stared into her thoughtful face, he had felt a solid punch in his solar plexus. Astrid really was quite special, and for the first time he got an inkling of what a special princess she would make.
    But now his time with Astrid was almost at an end, and though this was the last thing he had expected when he set out on this trip, he only wished they had longer. He would have to broach the subject of leaving before they packed up to go.
    As it happened, Astrid raised the subject first. ‘This has been an amazing trip, Karl,’ she told him in a wistful tone, as if she could sense impending change. ‘I can’t thank you enough.’
    ‘You don’t need to thank me. And yes, it has,’ he agreed.
    ‘Will I be seeing you again?’ she asked casually, but he saw the truth in her eyes.
    ‘I’ve got a trip to make, but then? Who knows? Dammit! Do we have to do this?’
    ‘Do what?’ she asked as he grabbed hold of her and brought her in front of him.
    ‘Must we dance around each other—pretend we don’t care one way or the other if we never see each other again? The facts are these: I’m going to be away for three months on a trip I can’t cancel now, but of course I want to see you again. You know I do.’
    ‘Do I?’
    ‘You should.’ He kissed her deeply.
    ‘Who the hell knows where life will take us?’ he said, releasing her at last.
    This was true enough. His personal plans had been unformed before this trip, but one night with Astrid could never be enough for him, and he hoped she would play a part in any future plans he made.
    But would Astrid include him in her plans?

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Four months later ...
    ‘Prince Karl is here to see you, Your Royal Highness.’
    ‘Wonderful!’ Astrid paled with excitement, regret and a whole explosion of feelings. If only she’d had the courage to tell Karl her news in any of their correspondence over the past few months. She never shrank from anything, but she found herself fearing how he would react.
    ‘Please show him in.’
    Instinctively, she ran a hand over her stomach. Her pregnancy wasn’t obvious yet, which would give her a chance to explain—
    ‘Karl.’
    Her heart lurched at the sight of him. She couldn’t stop her breath from quickening or her feet from flying across the floor as she ran to greet him. He had a physical presence that spoke to every pheromone in her body and a depth of character that spoke directly to her heart. He had been on another of his dangerous expeditions, and though they’d kept in touch, it was an indescribable relief to see him return safely. They had communicated by email while he’d been away—light-hearted exchanges that had most definitely not included the mention of an impending royal birth.
    She stopped abruptly in front of him. Remembering their respective positions in life, she collected herself and tucked her hands safely behind her back, when all she really wanted to do was throw her arms around him, come clean, share her news and welcome him back with all her heart. But there were people watching—as the ruler of this land she was never truly alone. There were servants walking back and forth bringing afternoon tea for them, and soldiers standing guard at the door. She would never be able to live a normal life again