The baron led her away from the house, and with each step, her headache worsened. When they neared the stables, Hannah had endured enough. “Lord Belgrave, give me my diamond necklace, if you please.”

And go away. Where were her father and brothers when she needed them most?

Belgrave’s hawkish face appeared fierce in the moonlight. Diamonds or not, she’d made a terrible mistake in approaching him. She took a step backwards, wondering if she dared flee.

The baron retrieved the necklace from his pocket and held the diamonds in his hand, stroking the gems. “I overheard you speaking to your father about me.”

Hannah’s heartbeat quickened, and she cast a glance around the garden, searching for another escape. “Wh-what did you overhear?”

“You lied to me.” Cold anger edged his voice. “You led me to believe you wanted my courtship.”

“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings,” she explained. His anger made her uncomfortable, and she was ready to get away from him. The necklace be hanged. Her safety was far more important than a strand of diamonds. With an apologetic look, she added, “I’ll send a servant to collect my necklace from you.”

“What’s the matter? Are you afraid of me?” he murmured.

Hannah ignored the question and picked up her skirts, striding toward the house. Before she could reach the terrace, a firm hand clamped over her upper arm.

“I haven’t finished our conversation.”

“We weren’t having one,” she corrected. “And I’ll ask you to remove your hand from my arm.”

“You think you’re better than me, don’t you? Because your father is a marquess and I, a mere baron.” He bent closer, and her stomach wrenched, the pressure in her head rising higher.

Dear heaven, she felt like fainting. The headache was like a dagger grinding into her skull.

She opened her mouth to call for help, but Lord Belgrave cut off her scream. She struggled against his grip, but he pinched her nose. With the lack of air, the headache roared into a fury. Dizzy and sick, she stopped fighting, and he dragged her across the gravel. Nausea gripped her, and the agony in her head was so intense, it nearly brought her to her knees. It couldn’t have come at a worse time.

The baron lowered his voice. “You said that any woman would be fortunate to wed me.” He drew so close, Hannah could see the vengeance in his eyes. “It looks like you’re about to become very fortunate indeed.”

If you enjoyed the excerpt of The Accidental Princess, order it now!

Also By Michelle Willingham

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(Medieval Ireland)

Her Warrior Captive ( formerlyHer Warrior Slave)

“The Viking’s Forbidden Captive” (novella, formerly “The Viking’s Forbidden Love-Slave”)

Her Warrior King

Her Irish Warrior

The Warrior’s Touch

Taming Her Irish Warrior

“The Warrior’s Forbidden Virgin” (novella)

“Voyage of an Irish Warrior” (novella)