Page 20 of Always a Princess

“I want one who looks at me like the prince and the duke look at you,” said Sophia.

Thea couldn’t help but blush. “Then be your own woman. Know your own value. Place a high worth upon yourself. And refuse to accept anything less than true love and adoration.”

Sophia breathed out a long-suffering sigh and fell against the cushions. “Like that will ever happen for me before I am a spinster.”

“Not with that attitude, it won’t. Seek to be interested, not interesting.”

“I want to be you when I grow up, Thea,” Louisa said. “How do you know so much? And with such authority?”

“Wisdom often comes at a price. Just be yourself, dear. Everything will fall into place. Know that a perfect plan is working out in your favor, always.”

“Yes, everything is always working out perfectly for me,” Louisa said. “I choose to believe that.”

“I choose to believe it’s teatime, and I am famished,” Sophia said.

CHAPTER 12

“Do you think she will like it?”

Hudson stared out over the lawns and gardens beyond the balustrade. “What’s not to like? Fountains, music room, library, ballroom, an orangery, and a hedge maze. She’d be a fool if she didn’t.”

“She strikes me as quite the opposite of a fool.”

“Exactly. I think you’ve got a winner, mate.”

“Excellent,” Alexander said and turned to find the solicitor to tell him he would purchase the estate immediately. Furnished, if possible.

Alexander hadn’t seen Thea in a week, yet it had seemed more like a month. The business of acquiring an estate had taken up much more time than he had anticipated. Viewing every property that met his qualifications had been a more involved process than planned, but now, it was done.

“This is by far the most expensive property we have viewed, Your Highness.”

“The price does not matter. Just get it done. Quickly.”

“Yes, Your Highness. As you wish.”

Alexander nodded, and anticipation flooded his veins. This purchase was entirely for her. He could imagine showing her each room and finally having the privacy he desired with her. Not simply for carnal pleasures, but conversations and adventures. He could tell she hadn’t been indulged in quite some time, but his intuition said she was not a stranger to male attention. At some point in her past, she had been pursued. Alexander didn’t care if he wasn’t the first. It only mattered that he would be the last.

The morning of the ball dawned beautifully, and Thea was jittery with anticipation as she stepped into the breakfast room.

“Uncle, I bid you good morning.”

His paper rustled as he lowered it to glance over at her. “You are in quite a sunny mood this morning. Is today the day one of my daughters finally receives an offer?”

“Their new dresses arrived yesterday. Tonight is the Cavendish ball. It is said to be the event of the season.”

“Excellent. Perhaps I will attend as well.”

Thea’s heart slammed into her ribs. “Y-you? Attend? A ball?”

“Is that so preposterous that you stutter?”

“No, Uncle. Just … surprising.”

“Perhaps it is just what is needed to entice these young bucks to come up to snuff.”

Thea forced herself to slow her breathing and hoped her heartbeat would follow. “If that is what you wish to do, then of course, it is the right answer.”

All thoughts of wearing her vivid new jade gown, delivered by Madam Celine’s courier, melted like butter on toast.