Page 8 of Always a Princess

“Your future matches are of much greater importance than one⁠—”

Sophia cut Thea off, “Says who?”

“I agree,” added Louisa. “We’ll sit out the dance. We will chaperone you.”

“And you have the perfect dress,” Sophia told her. “The emerald-green one.”

“Oh, yes. She looks like a princess in that one,” Louisa agreed with a bobbing head.

She looked from one girl to the other, and a pang of longing for a past that no longer existed shot through Thea.

“Out of the question,” she replied rather more harshly than she’d intended, and it showed on the twins’ faces. “Your father would be appalled.”

“We would tell him it was our idea if he found out,” Sophia said. “He couldn’t be mad then.”

Thea laughed at her naivete. “Telling him I took your idea to dance with a prince would be even worse.”

“I dare you,” Sophia said. “If you wear the slippers and accept his invitation⁠—”

Thea held up a hand to silence her and replied, “If he were to make another such invitation, which is by no means a certainty⁠—”

“He sent you slippers. The man will surely wish to see if you are bold and courageous enough to wear them,” Sophia said.

“I agree. He’ll be there. He can’t not be,” Louisa added. “I’ll make you a deal, Thea.” Louisa stood taller and crossed her arms over her chest. “If he does and you dance with him, I will seriously consider finding a husband. Otherwise, I plan to be an artist and never marry.”

Sophia and Thea both stared at Louisa.

“You’re serious, aren’t you?” her twin said.

“Never marry? Where did that come from?” Thea asked the girl.

Louisa had sounded much too resolute for her liking.

“She’s never wanted to marry,” Sophia said. “How have you missed that for ten years?”

“Those were childish fancies,” Thea replied.

“Not anymore,” Louisa countered.

“Good Lord, help me.” Thea dropped into the chair.

“Be brave, Thea. And if you do”—Louisa smiled—“I will seriously look for a husband. Otherwise, I’m just here for the parties and to enjoy the new dresses.”

Thea stared up at the ceiling. “Where did I go wrong?”

“Wear the emerald-green silk. It’s the most fashionable dress you have,” Louisa said with a smile.

“You’re supposed to be the sensible one,” Thea said with a shake of her head.

“Then what does that make me?” Sophia asked with a giggle.

Somehow, someway, Thea found herself backed into a corner by an eighteen-year-old girl while holding bejeweled slippers from a prince.

Could life get any more unexpected?

CHAPTER 6

“You’re going to ask her again, aren’t you?”