Page 36 of Always a Princess

“That could’ve been arranged.”

“I must go. The consequences if I am caught … are unthinkable.”

“You know how to reach me. If you need me, simply send word.”

“Will you be at the Westin ball?”

“If you will be there, then of course.”

“I will see you then. Three days.”

“A lifetime, my lady.”

She pressed another kiss to his lips. “I have to go. Soon.”

“Soon,” he repeated. “Go. Before I change my mind.”

With one last look at his handsome face, she slipped out of the ornate carriage and darted for the hedges and reentered the back garden.

The candle was still burning in the window.

Thank goodness.

With the hood of the cloak covering her messy hair, she tiptoed to the rear kitchen entrance.

One hoped for love once in one’s life. For that love to be given by a prince was like living a fairy tale. To find love again was a miracle. And for that second love to also be a prince … it seemed utterly impossible. And yet Thea was living it.

She practically floated through the kitchen and up the back stairs. It wasn’t until she entered her room that her reverie was broken.

“Where the hell have you been?” Her uncle’s voice came from a dark corner that lightened every moment as he turned up the lamp beside him.

“You look like a harlot. Hair falling down around your face. What are you wearing? Where have you been?” His voice grew angrier and louder with each question that he didn’t let her answer.

“Uncle, I … I … didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Doubtless. Now answer me. Where have you been?” His booming voice would surely wake the whole house.

But it didn’t matter how loudly he asked the question. Something within Thea knew she would never tell him.

“Your silence speaks volumes. Is this what you do at night? Sneak out like a whore?”

“No!”

“Then what is this? Where were you? Who were you with? Your face says it all, Thea. You think a man doesn’t know what it looks like you’ve been doing? The wagers and rumors tell me everything I need to know.”

“Wagers? What rumors? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You, Thea. They’re all about you.”

He stood, and Thea took a step back.

“You’ve got nowhere to run, girl. Wait, that’s not true, is it? From what I learned tonight, you’ve got a veritable lineup of men wanting to make arrangements with you.”

“What are you talking about?” Thea’s heart pounded.

He couldn’t already know …

“The duke, for starters.” Confusion poured through Thea as he continued, “He was the one who sent me the note.”