Page 19 of Always a Princess

When it was Thea’s turn, her gaze glittered. “And you, Miss Templebourne, I hear you have attracted the attention of a prince. Which means all eyes will be on you. And that, if you excuse my bluntness, is good for my business. For you, we will make dresses fit for a princess. Understated elegance with detailed craftsmanship and exquisite fabrics.”

“That sounds expensive.” Thea knew her uncle would not welcome the extra expense for her.

“Lord Templebourne will never know the difference. We will make sure of it in the billing. That is my gift to you. Now, when is the next ball where we can make a statement with the three of you?”

“A fortnight. The Cavendish ball,” Louisa said. “It is said to be the largest and most grand of the season.”

“Done. You will each have something new and stunning. Now, we must go to work.” Madam Celine nodded at them and then whirled out of the room with her assistants following behind her.

Thea already knew the next two weeks would pass slowly. She had also realized that she was in deeper trouble than she had previously grasped when, as they made their way to the dressmaker’s shop this afternoon, she gazed out the window, looking for a glimpse of the man riding in the park.

As they exited the shop onto the sidewalk, where their carriage waited beyond, a sharp, high-pitched voice caught Thea’s attention.

“Do you think new dresses will help your prospects? Doubtful.”

She turned to see one of the other debutantes speaking to the girls, and Thea was almost certain this was the one Sophia didn’t particularly like.

“Lady Gilbert, it is lovely to see you as well,” Louisa said with a sugary-sweet tone that Thea mentally applauded.

The young girl turned her glare on Thea. “I don’t get it.”

“Good day, Lady Gilbert,” Thea said.

“Why does he look at an old woman and not me?”

Thea’s head jerked back at the venomous tone from the viper in virginal white lace.

“Excuse me?”

“The Duke of Carlton is mine. Don’t get in my way.”

Relief swept through Thea as she realized Lady Gilbert wasn’t speaking of the prince.

“I wish you the very best of luck in your pursuits, my lady,” Thea replied with a genuine smile.

The she-beast blinked. “Really?”

“My word of honor. Carlton is all yours. You have nothing to fear from me.”

Her gaze narrowed. “As if I ever would. You’re old.”

Thea couldn’t help but giggle. “Thank you, my lady. We must be on our way.”

The young girl scowled at them.

“How can you be so polite to her? She’s dreadful,” Sophia said.

“She can’t help it. She’s just being what she is.”

“Dreadful? I know,” Sophia replied.

“Poor Carlton. Can you imagine? I pray he is wiser than she is cunning, for his own future happiness,” Louisa said.

Thea looked at the girls. “I am going to share something with both of you that more life experience has taught me. Men do not think like us. They do not see what we see when we look at women. They see through a completely different lens. Fear not for the Duke of Carlton. He is no doubt used to being the prey of women like that.”

“What do men see when they look at me?” Louisa asked with curiosity in her tone as they climbed into the carriage.

“I am not a man, so I cannot tell you. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”