Page 28 of Always a Princess

Thea was dressed for the party they would not attend, wearing the least daring of her new gowns—a deep amethyst frock she hadn’t expected to see among the second delivery, but it was beautiful and welcome.

As she waited in the parlor, seconds ticked on the mantel clock with excruciating slowness. Her uncle checked his pocket watch as nine o’clock approached.

“I have changed my mind. I will attend the ball as well. We will marshal all resources toward finding the twins suitable matches. My club will have to wait.”

Thea smiled, even as she felt herself freezing inside. This is not part of the plan.

At one minute to nine, Sophia’s lady’s maid knocked quietly on the door.

“Miss Templebourne, Lady Sophia is asking for you. She is feeling unwell, my lady.”

“Unwell,” her uncle said. “How so?”

“Her head pains her, my lord.”

“I’ll go check on her, Uncle.”

“Do and make sure Louisa is ready. We depart momentarily.”

With a nod, Thea left the room. Surreptitious meetings were not her forte, nor was subterfuge.

As Thea climbed the stairs, she mentally resigned herself to whatever was to happen this evening. If she couldn’t see him tonight, then so be it. There was nothing she could do to change that. It would be as it was.

When she reached Sophia’s room, Louisa was inside as well.

“So, what did Father say?”

“He wants to go to the ball with Louisa and me.”

“He doesn’t care that I am ill?”

“I am certain he cares. He just doesn’t want to waste time.”

“Well then, I am ill as well,” Louisa said.

“You think he will believe that?”

“Sympathy pains are real for twins.”

“He is going to come up here when I return with that announcement.”

“So be it,” Louisa replied.

“For what it’s worth, I want to point out that this is what comes of lying. It is not wise, nor is the outcome generally what one expects.”

“Forever the governess,” Sophia said.

“Noted, Thea,” replied Louisa.

“I will return.” Thea shut the door and gathered herself for what she hoped wouldn’t be an unpleasant encounter.

But when she reached the parlor, her uncle was absent.

She turned around to ask the butler. “Has my uncle gone?”

“Yes, my lady. He received an urgent message and departed immediately.”

“From whom?”