The Princess Has Amnesia! (Crown & Glory Book 5)

by Patricia Thayer

  He could picture her with a baby in her arms, suckling at her breast. Whoa…lose that picture. Then it dawned on him that Ana could already have a child.

  “You think you have me all figured out, don’t you?” she questioned him. “You’re so sure that I have someone waiting for me to come home.” She looked thoughtful and he knew she was trying to remember something. “I don’t feel that way at all.”

  “I have to commend you. For someone who survived a crash and doesn’t even know her name, you’ve handled it well.”

  “I have no choice.”

  “I know it seems you’ve been here forever, but the rain will stop. A rescue team will come looking for the plane.”

  She smiled. “I don’t mind staying here. The only thing I’ve ever minded was…”

  “Me,” Jake finished. “I know I’ve been difficult. I’ll try and do better.”

  She nodded and pushed her empty plate away. “So you’re going to turn into the perfect cabin mate.”

  “That’s a stretch, but I’ll try.”

  “Oh, my, I don’t know if I can stand it. Now, if only the rain would stop, life would be perfect.”

  “That’s one thing I can’t do anything about.”

  She looked indignant. “Then what use are you to me?”

  “I’m a pretty good poker player.”

  “Poker? I not sure I know what that is?”

  He grinned. “Wow…could I take advantage of this.” He stood and crossed the room to the desk by the fireplace, opened a drawer and took out a deck of cards. “It’s a card game. I take it you’ve never heard of it.”

  “Can I guess that you’re going to teach me?”

  “Unless, you want to do something else all day.”

  She looked down at her hands. “I could stand a manicure and a bath—a nice long bubble bath. But they can wait. Okay, Mr. Sanderstone, ante up.”

  “Oh, no, I think I’m being had?”

  “Only if you want to be,” she said and stood to clear the table.

  “Hey, stop doing my job.” He covered her hand with his and sparks shot through him.

  Ana pulled back. “I’ll do the dishes and you can bring in some more wood. The cabin is a little cool.”

  Hell, he was burning up. Ana had that effect on him. And worse, he liked it.

  “I have two pairs,” Ana said, with a straight face.

  Jake cursed under his breath and tossed his cards on the table. “I think you’ve been lying to me, chère. This isn’t the first time you’ve played this game.”

  She shrugged innocently. “How would I know? I have no memory.”

  “You’ve also won the last three hands. If I didn’t know better I’d think you’re cheating.”

  She gasped. “Why, Jake, what a terrible thing to accuse a person of. I’m insulted.”

  “Yeah, right. Now tell me, how are you doing it?”

  Ana didn’t know herself, but there was something familiar about this game. “Truly, I’ve just been lucky,” she said as she scooted the wooden matches to her side of the table. “I probably played before, but I don’t remember.” She brushed her hair from her face. Some strands had come loose from the rubber band that held it. She groaned at the annoyance. “This hair is so annoying and filthy. If it’s not too much trouble, may I wash it tonight?”

  “No problem. We’ll just heat some water.”

  “I don’t know how you stand it without running water.”

  “It’s not a problem for me.”

  “Not if you don’t like to bathe.”

  “I bathe, in the creek.”

  The erotic picture of Jake standing naked in the stream sent her pulse racing. “I could stand in the front of cabin and do that, but I’m not crazy about cold showers.”

  “How about a metal tub with heated water?”

  Her mouth gaped open. “You mean, inside here where it’s warm and I can use soap and shampoo?”

  “I don’t have any of that flowery scented soap.”

  “I don’t care, I just want to be able to submerge my body in water.” The only washing she’d done in the past week had been out of a small basin.

  “Okay, after supper I’ll bring in the tub and we’ll heat some water.” He raised an eyebrow. “Is this going to get me off breakfast duty tomorrow?”

  She smiled back and teased. “If I get a hot bath, you can have anything.”

  Jake managed to empty the rainwater out of the large metal tub on the porch. Easy job. The thing was heavy, but on its side, he managed to roll it into the cabin. The warmest spot in the room was next to the fire, but by the stove he had heat and it wasn’t far from the water.

  Pushing aside the table, he placed the barrel there. It wasn’t as big as he’d liked, but Ana could fit. He flashed to a picture of her slender naked body…

  Jake shook away the wayward thought, then turned to the sink, set a bucket under the spigot and began to pump. Twenty minutes later, he filled half the tub with cold water, while Ana supervised the hot water. All four burners were going and every pot in the place was being used for the job. By the time they dumped the hot in, steam rose from the tub, forming beads of sweat on their faces.

  “I think that’s enough,” Jake said. “We don’t want it to overflow.”

  “It’s perfect.” Ana looked around the room. “Except, it’s a little out in the open and I hate to send you outside.”

  “Got an idea.” He went over by the door and uncoiled a thin rope attached to the wall. “It’s a clothesline.” He took one end and walked across to the cupboard and wrapped it around the knob. Then from the bedroom, he retrieved a sheet and draped it over the line. “How’s that?”

  “Oh, Jake. It’s perfect.”

  He opened the cupboard and took out a bar of soap and a towel. “It’s not the Ritz, but I think it will work.”

  She took the items from him. “I guess I better get on with it before the water turns cold.”

  That was his cue to get lost. “Take all the time you need.”

  He walked across the small room to the hearth. Needing to keep the place warm, he tossed several more logs on the fire. A rustling sound from behind the sheet drew his curiosity and he turned around. His throat suddenly went dry. The oil lamp on the counter threw enough light for him to see through the sheet. Ana’s silhouette taunted him with what he couldn’t have. He averted his gaze and stared out the window at the nice cold rain.

  “Oh, Jake. This is heaven.”

  That didn’t help. He heard her splash water in the tub. He pictured Ana scooping it up in her hands and letting it run over her body. When she sighed in pleasure, his body sprang to life. He closed his eyes, fighting the desire he’d been so expert at controlling. For years he’d honed the ability to reveal nothing, especially his feelings. It was his preservation, his survival. With Ana around, he was losing the battle.

  It was the simplest of comforts, but Ana would never take a bath for granted again. She wet her hair first, poured a small amount of shampoo in her hand then massaged it into her hair. After rinsing from the pail on the floor, she wrung out the excess water, then leaned back to enjoy her bath.

  “Have I told you what a nice man you are, Jake Sanderstone?”

  “Having a good time?” She could hear the smile in his voice.

  “Oh, my, yes. Who would have thought a simple bath could feel this wonderful.” She slid down as far as she could go in the metal vessel, then rested her head against the cabinet door. Raising one leg, she wished for a razor. She started to voice her request, then thought better of it. Jake had done enough. Besides kissing her senseless, the man could cook, and now, given her her heart’s desire. If only he would give in to his own desires.

  Last night he had…for a while. A shiver went down her spine. He’d wanted more than a kiss, and so had she. She closed her eyes and recalled his touch, his lips coaxing hers to open for him. Remembering the feel of his body pressed against hers, she stifled a moan. There couldn’t be an
other man in her life. Not when she wanted Jake so badly. Although stubborn, she’d come to care for him. And if he wasn’t so noble, he would admit he wanted her, too. Their time together would end soon, and she’d never see him again. Sadness overcame her, and she realized she was thinking about leaving the man she’d come to love.

  Jake gritted his teeth. Before he went crazy, he had to get Ana out of the bath, and dressed. “Hey, you about finished?”

  “I should be,” she said grudgingly. “I’m about to turn into a prune. Not very attractive.”

  “A person could only hope,” he muttered.

  “Did you say something?”

  “No,” he answered.

  Hearing the water slosh, Jake looked up just as Ana rose from the tub. His heart tripped as he watched her lift her long arms over her head to brush back her hair. She turned sideways, showing off her full breasts and his body went rigid. Every movement she made only added to the fire simmering in him.

  She reached for a towel and wrapped it around her body. Slowly, deliberately, she drew the sheet back and stepped out clad only in a towel. All hope of figuring out this woman fled.

  “Ana…” he said, but he couldn’t form another word.

  She gave him a shy smile. “I can’t tell you how wonderful I feel,” she said, then boldly walked across the room finally stopping in front of him. She reached out and touched his face, then her hands moved down to his chest and even through his shirt, her heat burned his skin.

  “Maybe…it would be a good idea if you get dressed.”

  She shook her head. “Bad idea, Jake. And if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll admit you don’t want me to be dressed, either.”

  “What I want isn’t relevant here.” His voice sounded strange even to him. “It’s the best and the safest way to stay out of trouble. And to avoid any regrets.”

  Ana’s hands were shaking. This feeling, the unbearable ache was something she wouldn’t forget. “I don’t want safe, Jake. And I won’t have any regrets…”

  When he tried to disagree, she placed a finger over his lips. “I want to feel,” she went on. “To feel like I did last night. I want to be in your arms, I want you to hold me.” She closed her eyes. “I don’t want to be alone anymore. Jake…I need—”

  His resistance melted and he pulled her into his arms. Holding her close, he nuzzled the side of her neck. “God, woman, you’re too damn tempting for your own good.”

  “Thank you. You’re tempting, too.” She raised her arms to circle his neck, her towel dropping dangerously low.

  His hands caressed her back, sending new and wondrous sensations through her. Not to mention what his thighs did every time they brushed against her bare legs.

  He raised his head and looked at her with those deep-set dark eyes. “You know we’re both in over our heads. But you have me so crazy I can’t think anymore. I want you, Ana.” When his mouth closed over hers in a searing kiss, her legs gave out, but he caught her and held her tight.

  His tongue touched her lips, seeking entry. When she yielded, his breath caught and his hold tightened. Immediately the kiss changed and heated as he teased and coaxed her. He wrenched his mouth away to trail a line of kisses down her jaw to the top of her breasts.

  Ana moaned softly as his day-old beard scraped against her sensitized skin. She wanted more. One by one, she managed to undo the buttons of his shirt until his chest was gloriously bare, except for a swirl of dark hair. Bravely, she ran her fingertips over his skin, feeling him shudder, reveling in the fact she had caused it. She watched his face as she pushed his shirt off, then took the time to admire the breadth of his shoulders and the power of his arms. His eyes blazed down at her and she could feel his control slipping away.

  With a growl, he captured her mouth in another heated kiss, then scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the couch. He laid her down and feasted on her mouth as his hand tugged at the towel.

  “I want you, Ana,” he breathed. “From the moment I saw you I wanted you like this.”

  She swallowed hard. “I want you too, Jake.”

  The towel came free and her breasts were exposed to him. “Beautiful,” he whispered, trying to hold on to the last of his control. He reached out and cupped her in his hand, then he bent his head and took the nipple into his mouth. Her quickened breath urged him on as he paid homage to the other one, circling the puckered bud with his tongue.

  “Jake,” she cried. Her fingers combed through his hair, holding him against her.

  The sweet urgency in her voice nearly drove Jake over the edge. No other woman had gotten to him this way. No other woman had made him so reckless, he couldn’t think about anything except how desperately he wanted her. He stretched out beside her on the couch, fitting her perfectly against his body, enjoying the wild sensation of her breasts rubbing along his chest. A sense of rightness settled over him. For a short time he would live the fantasy, believing that she would be his.

  “Oh, please,” Ana begged, unable to get close enough to ease the ache. Something inside her coiled tighter and tighter. Her lips met Jake’s and she tried to relay her hunger. What she wanted. Him. She raised her body, feeling his heat, but needing more. She closed her eyes, as his hands moved over her, making her tingle, making her crazy.

  Then it happened. A picture flashed behind her eyelids. A face. It flashed again. A child—no children. There were three of them. They were all happy and laughing.

  She gasped and sat up.

  “Ana, what’s wrong?” Jake asked as he rolled away, giving her room.

  She closed her eyes again, but the scene was gone. “I saw something.”

  “What?”

  Shaking her head, she gripped the towel and covered herself. “I’m not sure. I saw a child’s face, then another. There were three of them. But I didn’t recognize any of them.” Ana felt the tears coming, but she couldn’t let them fall.

  As much as she tried to hang on to him, Ana could feel Jake withdraw. Standing, he went to the other side of the room. He picked up his shirt on the way.

  “Jake…” She needed him so desperately, but she couldn’t help but feel guilty. Were the children hers?

  He raised a hand. “I don’t think anything you say right now will help this situation.” He paced around, looking edgy, as if he wanted to hit something.

  “Jake, please talk to me.”

  “What do you want me to say?” He stared at her, unbelieving. “Okay, then I’ll say it. Those were your children you saw. And we just nearly made a huge mistake.”

  Chapter Seven

  “How soon before the search planes can go back out?” Colonel Prescott asked the captain.

  “Sometime within the next forty-eight hours. The weather bureau says the storm will be moving out of the area by then.”

  “Bloody hell, she would be dead by then,” Pierce said. “If the princess survived the damn crash to begin with, she is up there in weather conditions that could kill the best trained SEALs. There has to be some way to get in. What about the locals?”

  “Sir, they’ve been combing the terrain on foot, but the area is pretty treacherous. They were making headway until the storm moved in again. The good news is we’re getting a weak signal from the plane’s ELT.” The captain went to the map on the wall and pointed to a region in the upper range of the Cambrian Mountains. “So we’re concentrating our efforts here.”

  “That not good enough, Captain.”

  Both men turned around to discover that Queen Marissa had come into the room. Pierce along with the Captain bowed from the waist.

  “Your Majesty,” he said, then walked across the room to greet her. She offered her hand and he escorted her to the chair in front of his desk.

  Queen Marissa was strikingly beautiful with her dark hair and blue eyes. Dressed in a taupe-colored business suit, she graced a briefing room as well as she did a ballroom. Born to privilege, she carried the title of queen with grace and ease. Even during the trials of late,
she’d been composed and carried on her duties without complaint. She was also mother to his sweet Meredith.

  “How is the search going?”

  Pierce dismissed the captain and closed the door. He motioned to the other chair and waited for the queen’s nodded permission to join her.

  “Please, have a seat.” She folded her hands together in her lap. “Just tell me how you plan to bring my daughter home.”

  “Your Majesty, we are doing everything humanly possible to find Anastasia. But I feel I should prepare you for the possibility…”

  The queen shook her head. “No, Pierce, she is alive. I would know if something had happened to my child. In my heart, I know she’s out there. We just have to find her before danger reaches her.” Before he could answer, the desk phone rang. He excused himself and picked it up.

  “Prescott, here,” he announced.

  “Pierce, it’s Cole. I was told Queen Marissa was with you. May I speak with her?”

  Certainly.” He held out the receiver to the Queen, knowing she awaited news about the investigation of the American twins, possible heirs to the throne. “It’s Cole Everson from Chicago.”

  She nodded and leaned back in the chair. “Please, put him on the speakerphone.”

  He pressed the button and hung up the receiver. “Go ahead.”

  “Your Majesty,” Cole said.

  “Yes, Mr. Everson. What do you have to report?”

  “I’m afraid it’s not the news we hoped for,” Cole said.

  “As head of the Royal Intelligence, Mr. Everson, I would think you could do this job. If not, I’m sure I can find someone else…”

  “No, Your Majesty, I have located one of the American twins, Marcus Cordello. I just haven’t been able to get to meet with me.”

  Pierce’s jaw clenched. He would like nothing better than to get his hands on Broderick Penwyck. Pierce didn’t care if he was the king’s brother, the bastard, had wreaked havoc on this country for far too long. Years ago, Broderick had masterminded a plot to switch the twins at birth to be raised by a rich American family. He then arranged for the King’s newborns to be replaced with two other fraternal twin boys. The queen discovered the plan and stopped it, but she never told the King. But she would like to find the suspected heirs in America. She had located Marcus Cordello.