Page 5 of Always a Princess

She tried to keep her gaze on her charges, but his shining blue eyes were striking. Captivating. They danced with mirth, full of life, and invited her to take what he no doubt believed would be the greatest risk of her lifetime.

“Your Highness …” she began.

“Just say yes, dearie. I’ll watch those twins.” That came from Fanny.

Part of her wanted to. Badly. The ache to be held by a man after so long rose within Thea as she stared into the pools of icy blue. She could practically see herself taking his hand and rising to cross the dance floor.

“I am afraid I did not wear dancing slippers, Your Highness.”

“What a shame, my lady. Although I suspect it is more than your footwear that keeps you from accepting my offer.”

The hairs on her neck rose at the feeling of being watched. The attention upon them was palpable.

“I am not afraid. I will have you know that.”

“Just foolish,” said the dowager duchess.

“Nor lacking in good sense,” Thea clarified.

“I would never suggest such a thing,” Prince Alexander said with a warm smile. “Nor is your courage in question.”

“Perhaps another time, Your Highness.”

“I will hold you to it, Miss Templebourne,” he said, his deep, accented words curling around her, sending warmth and chills through her body at the same time.

He bowed again with a flourish before departing.

“Foolish girl,” said the dowager.

“Life is short,” said Fanny. “Next time, I am accepting on your behalf. After all, it is the opportunities you do not take that you regret the most.”

“And what of the gossip?” Thea said quietly. “What of its effect on my charges?”

The dowager looked at her and said plainly, “You think the gossip isn’t already spreading simply from him asking you twice? I say, give them something to talk about.”

Thea couldn’t believe she was having this conversation. “I am thirty years old. Too old to be swayed by a handsome man.”

Even proper Mrs. Chartres joined the older women as they burst into laughter.

“You’re never too old to be swayed by a handsome man,” Fanny said.

“I gave birth to my son when I was older than you. Youth is truly wasted on the young,” the dowager said with a shake of her regal gray coiffure.

“We are not discussing this,” Thea said, and she hoped her tone would put an end to the topic.

“It is the most interesting thing that has happened all season, dearie.” Fanny tapped Thea’s knee with her fan.

“If I were to dance with him, Templebourne would find out within hours and likely kill me.”

“As oblivious as that man is, it would take days,” Mrs. Chartres said, and Thea’s gaze cut to her in shock.

Is she encouraging this now too?

“Pishposh,” Fanny said with a wave of her fan. “The worst he could do is pack you off without a reference.”

And that was Thea’s other worst nightmare. She loved her nieces more than anyone else in the world. “I am here to shepherd the girls through their first season and help them find suitable matches. I didn’t come to dance with a prince.”

“There’s no rule saying you can’t do both,” the dowager replied.