Page 3 of Always a Princess

“Everything is fine. Prince Karalovy was just leaving.”

“Prince—” Sophia cut herself off. “Your Highness,” she said as she curtsied.

“Next time, perhaps.” He bowed to Thea with the formality and ease of a man who had been doing it for a lifetime. “It was a privilege, Miss Templebourne. Your Grace. My ladies.” He turned and left.

Louisa and her young man returned just as he was striding away. She swung her head to watch him leave. “Who was that?”

“A prince,” said Sophia. “From Russia.”

“A prince?” Louisa’s poor young man was already forgotten as she stared after Prince Karalovy.

Thea couldn’t help but follow his tall, masculine form until he reached the doorway. He glanced back at her, caught her staring, and smiled.

“Oh my heavens, Thea, he just smiled at you.”

“He asked her to dance,” said Fanny.

“Thea?”

“I would’ve said yes,” said the Dowager Duchess of D’Avonley.

“I would’ve too,” added Fanny.

“Girls, I think it is time for us to leave.”

“Okay,” they both said, much to Thea’s surprise, as the ball was not even half over.

But with the heavy weight of so many gazes upon her after the prince’s retreat, Thea didn’t question their instant acceptance. She was ready to leave immediately.

“Your Grace, ladies, enjoy your evening.”

They all grinned at her.

“I’d have said yes,” Fanny said with a grin.

“Me too,” said the dowager with a flick of her fan.

Thea shook her head and ushered the girls ahead of her and in the direction to exit the ballroom.

As they were passing through the arched doorway, Thea was so focused on getting them out as quickly yet as calmly as possible that she accidentally bumped into a man.

“Forgive me. My deepest apologies,” a deep voice said.

Thea glanced up into dark eyes set in a very traditionally handsome British countenance. He was smiling.

“No, I apologize. I was rushing and not paying close enough attention.”

“Leaving so soon, Miss Templebourne?” he asked.

She didn’t understand why his gaze seemed to glitter as it met hers.

“Excuse me. Again, I apologize,” Thea said, lowering her gaze as she curtsied.

As soon as they were away, Louisa whispered, “That was the Duke of Carlton.”

Thea knew the title from those they had studied in her uncle’s library, but this was the first time putting the name with a face.

Why does he know who I am? Why did a prince ask me to dance? What in the world is happening tonight?