Page 2 of Always a Princess

She stood out like Cleopatra in a sea of gray-haired matrons.

“What a waste indeed.”

CHAPTER 2

Thea could feel attention resting on her, and she did not believe it was her imagination. She refocused her gaze on the girls. Her worst fear was losing track of one of them. She was well aware what could happen if a persuasive suitor took an innocent girl for a stroll in a dark garden. Instant ruin. She was determined that no such thing would happen on her watch. Not to her cousins.

She had loved them like they were her own since they had been eight years old. When her heart had been shattered by grief, those precocious twins had saved her. Now, because of her uncle’s refusal to hire a more matronly companion for them, it was up to her to shepherd them through their debut season with the hopes of finding each of them a suitable husband.

Why in the world do I feel so many eyes on me? Thea wondered as she dared glance around to see the men staring openly at her when their gazes should’ve been firmly fixed on the marriageable females instead.

It wasn’t their first soiree or even their first ball. Thea knew she had attracted some attention when the season kicked off, but the dark color and conservative cut of her gown were meant to make it clear that she was not in any way, shape, or form to be noticed or remembered.

“Miss Templebourne, if you would do me the honor, I wish to share the next dance with you.” The man’s voice, accented and cultured, came from just beyond where her gaze was resting on Louisa and Sophia.

Thea glanced at the man for a beat before trying to refix her attention on the twins. But the glance she’d intended to be short caught on the most unexpected individual.

He is beautiful. Thea tried to tear her gaze away, but his formal dark green uniform with its medals and gold epaulettes accented his thick blond mane and exotic face. He is no English dandy.

“Excuse me?” Thea replied, glancing around him to make certain Louisa and Sophia were still in the formation of the dance.

The other chaperones tittered around her as they leaned closer to listen.

“I know this is a breach of protocol, but I have no one to manage the introductions at this moment. I am Prince Alexander Nicholas Karalovy of Russia.”

All the chaperones were straining forward, and Thea was dumbfounded. First, to be asked to dance at all was simply outrageous. Second, for the invitation to come from a Russian prince was insanity.

“Sir—I mean, Your Highness, I … I cannot. Thank you. I am here to chaperone. I cannot abandon my duty.”

“I’d say yes,” said Fanny Humphries, a sought-after chaperone.

“Me too.” The Dowager Duchess of D’Avonley laughed.

They are not helping, Thea thought as she craned her neck to watch Louisa and Sophia twirl about on the floor with their respective partners.

“He is too bold,” said the proper Mrs. Chartres, proving to be the voice of reason.

“It would be my honor, my lady,” the prince said as he bowed to the elderly duchess.

Thea’s gaze darted between him and her charges as she did her best to continue her duties under the oddest circumstances she’d ever experienced.

“That’s Your Grace, young man,” the dowager corrected him.

“My deepest apologies, Your Grace.” He bowed deeper as he continued, “I am a stranger in a strange land, and your customs are still new to me. In Russia, the most beautiful women are wise as well as stunning—and none are forbidden from dancing, not even the grandmothers.”

“Sounds like we should go to Russia,” Fanny said.

The music ended, and the dancers moved toward the edges of the room.

“My charges return, Your Highness,” Thea said as she stood. She felt the need to be nearer to eye level with him, although as she rose, she realized he was still nearly a head taller than her.

“May I call on you, Miss Templebourne?” he asked.

His boldness was disconcerting, but the warmth in his blue gaze was strangely inviting.

Thea forced herself to look away and focus on the twins.

“Thea? Is everything okay?” Sophia asked as she joined her.