Trouble With Harry Read online

  “But…but…” Julia waved a hand in one of her vague gestures of mild distress.

  Dagmar took pity on her. “Is this man doing any harm?”

  “No, but he’s lying right out in the open, where anyone who ventures into the garden might see him.”

  Dagmar dismissed him from her thoughts. It wasn’t as if she didn’t have more pressing concerns than some silly man who had imbibed too much and stumbled into their garden. “Don’t let it distress you. He’s probably sleeping off a night at the tavern and will leave once he wakes up.”

  “But he might be injured or worse!”

  “What’s worse than injured?” Dagmar asked absently, wondering how best to put her situation before her blighter of a cousin.

  “Dead!”

  “Ah. Excellent point. Why don’t you go check and see if he’s dead while I finish this?”

  A blissful silence followed Julia’s departure. Dagmar dipped her quill and continued.

  —destitute and orphaned cousins who are due your protection, but if you want to spurn God right to his face and damn your eternal soul, then that’s your choice. I, as an innocent and did I mention destitute and orphaned young princess of your own blood, albeit one that is somewhat distant relationship-wise if Dearest Papa’s genealogical chart is correct, will simply have to throw myself on the mercy of the king, your father, our beloved monarch and supreme ruler. I’m sure he will not turn his back on his own family and throw me out of the only home I’ve ever known, especially since I am still in mourning for Dearest Papa.

  All too quickly, Julia was back. “He’s not dead.”

  “Good, good.”

  “He refuses to wake up, however.”

  “Ah.”

  Julia wrung her hands for a few seconds. “Oughtn’t you to come see him for yourself?”

  “I’ve never really found high entertainment value in gazing upon insensible drunkards, so I believe I will stay here and finish this. How do you spell ‘misanthrope’?”

  “I would feel better if you did assess the situation for yourself.”

  “Why?” Dagmar looked up from where she had been adding a word or two to the letter.

  More vague hand gestures followed. “Well…he might not meet with your satisfaction.”

  Dagmar tried very hard not to laugh. “I assure you most sincerely that I will have no undue expectations of this poor soul.”

  “And then there’s the fact that he’s just lying out in the garden. He might hurt himself in his stupor. Or someone might trip over him. Or wolves might devour him while he is without his senses. I would feel much better if you were to view the situation.”

  Dagmar set down the quill. “You’re not going to let me finish until I do, are you?”

  “I would never presume—”

  Dagmar stood, knowing the sooner she went out and viewed the man, the sooner she could return to pleading with her cousin. “Very well, let us view this new addition to the garden.”

  About Katie

  For as long as she can remember, Katie MacAlister has loved reading. Growing up in a family where a weekly visit to the library was a given, Katie spent much of her time with her nose buried in a book. Despite her love for novels, she didn’t think of writing them until she was contracted to write a nonfiction book about software. Since her editor refused to allow her to include either witty dialogue or love scenes in the software book, Katie swiftly resolved to switch to fiction, where she could indulge in world building, tormenting characters, and falling madly in love with all her heroes.

  Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books later, her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and are regulars on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell.

  Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.