Page 44 of Always a Princess
“Hurry.”
“What’s with all the banging?” Hudson sounded annoyed, and Alexander didn’t care.
“I need directions.”
“Before dawn?” Hudson grumbled as he held the door open wider.
“It’s after nine.”
“Uncivilized Russian.”
“Where can I find the Duke of Carlton?”
“How the bloody hell would I know? Probably sleeping in his bed, like any reasonable person at this hour.”
“Think, Hudson.”
“He’s on the square. Grosvenor. Big bloody mansion. Giant stone wall. Can’t miss it. My footman knows it, no doubt.”
“He’s coming with us.”
“Fine. Fine. Just return him at a reasonable hour.” Hudson yelled over his shoulder, “Darvy, you know the Duke of Carlton’s?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Take His Highness there.”
“Yes, of course.”
Alexander turned to leave.
“Alex,” Hudson said.
“Yes.”
“Try to avoid causing an international incident, would ya? No one wants another bloody war.”
Alexander would have laughed if he wasn’t prepared to do just that. “No promises.”
“Without an appointment, I cannot let you in, sir. We have visiting hours tomorrow afternoon.” The butler was dismissive.
“I am Prince Alexander Nicholas Karalovy of the Empire of Russia. I demand to speak to the duke immediately.”
The butler’s eyes grew wide. “Your Highness, I apologize, but the duke is from home.”
“Where is he?”
“I am not at liberty to say, Your Highness, even if I knew.”
“Is she here?”
“Is who here?”
Alexander didn’t want to say her name and ruin her reputation. “A young woman, with the duke.”
“My lord—Your Highness, I mean. I daresay not. The duchess lives here. And the duke would never—”
“Ludwig, what is the commotion?” An elderly woman’s voice came from beyond the entry hall.
