In Pursuit of a Princess

In Pursuit of a Princess
Lenora Worth

Princess Lara Kincade returned home to New Orleans to continue her late husband’s humanitarian work. She also hopes to force his killer out of hiding.But a priceless painting has put her plans—and life—at risk. Embroiled in a deadly art scandal, Lara must depend on handsome photojournalist Gabriel Murdock to help her expose a murderer. Gabriel’s determination to keep her safe has softened her heart to love’s possibilities again. Somewhere among his photos lies the identity of the murderer, but can they uncover the killer before this heist turns deadly?

A PICTURE-PERFECT CRIME

Princess Lara Kincade returned home to New Orleans to continue her late husband’s humanitarian work. She also hopes to force his killer out of hiding. But a priceless painting has put her plans—and life—at risk. Embroiled in a deadly art scandal, Lara must depend on handsome photojournalist Gabriel Murdock to help her expose a murderer. Gabriel’s determination to keep her safe has softened her heart to love’s possibilities again. Somewhere among his photos lies the identity of the murderer, but can they uncover the killer before this heist turns deadly?

“You’ve got me right where you want me, Princess.

And you know I can’t walk away.”

“You mean, not without your story?”

Gabriel got up and came around the table, then lifted her out of her chair. “No, Princess, I can’t leave because of you.”

He saw a new kind of fear in her eyes. A fear of having loved and lost. “I don’t know what you mean.”

He tugged her close. “Yes, you do. You’re a smart woman. Surely you can see it?”

She lowered her gaze. “See what?”

“This,” he said, his fingers lifting her chin. “This, Lara.”

LENORA WORTH

has written more than forty books for three different publishers. Her career with Love Inspired Books spans close to fifteen years. In February 2011 her Love Inspired Suspense novel Body of Evidence made the New York Times bestseller list. Her very first Love Inspired title, The Wedding Quilt, won Affaire de Coeur’s Best Inspirational for 1997, and Logan’s Child won an RT Book Reviews Best Love Inspired for 1998. With millions of books in print, Lenora continues to write for the Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense lines. Lenora also wrote a weekly opinion column for the local paper and worked freelance for years with a local magazine. She has now turned to full-time fiction writing and enjoying adventures with her retired husband, Don. Married for thirty-six years, they have two grown children. Lenora enjoys writing, reading and shopping…especially shoe shopping.

In Pursuit of a Princess

Lenora Worth

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

What is my trespass? What is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?

—Genesis 31:36

To Lavender and Landry—two special princesses!

Contents

CHAPTER ONE (#u58cf2973-f84c-5bfc-a472-5491563e7277)

CHAPTER TWO (#u08015dcb-3d8a-574f-ad21-7c5ebaf329ea)

CHAPTER THREE (#u90f4cf28-ab53-5408-b7ff-148dfae3b0ba)

CHAPTER FOUR (#u2ba50871-a644-5215-b597-d075c74b556e)

CHAPTER FIVE (#u2c2a5209-e422-5ece-b76d-47138ce538b7)

CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINETEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWENTY (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE (#litres_trial_promo)

DEAR READER (#litres_trial_promo)

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION (#litres_trial_promo)

EXCERPT (#litres_trial_promo)

ONE

“You’ll probably get bored following me around, Mr. Murdock.”

Gabriel managed a smile, his gaze traveling over the regal woman standing in front of him. “I can’t imagine that, Princess Lara. Many men would give their eye teeth to have my job right now.”

The princess stiffened at that comment. “I’m well aware of the paparazzi camped out down near the front gate, Mr. Murdock. Those photographers are more than willing to sell their souls—and mine—for a picture of me. Why, I’ll never comprehend. I’ve accepted that, but I don’t have to like it. However, having a photojournalist follow me around day by day is going to be a bit daunting. And as I said, you’ll get bored. My life is not as exciting as the tabloids seem to think.”

Gabriel didn’t want to feel sorry for the beautiful woman standing by the fireplace, but the grief and doubt on her face did look real. And she had suffered a great loss. “I’m sorry,” he said, wondering why he felt the need, “about your husband. In spite of my being a skeptic of the worst kind, I do believe you two were the real deal.”