Page 40 of Always a Princess

“You will charm him, and he will do anything for you,” Louisa said.

“Perhaps having a husband who secretly adores me from afar will be fun,” Sophia said with a positive note in her voice that was a balm to Thea’s battered heart.

“Everything is going to work out. It always does,” she said.

“Easy for you to say,” Sophia said with a smile. “You’re about to become a princess.”

Thea hugged them both tightly. “You’ll see. Everything will be all right.”

CHAPTER 18

The girls were silent in the foyer as Thea entered with a bag in either hand.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Sophia said.

Thea had already shed her tears, alone in her room, as she packed.

“Everything will work out. You both have a new adventure to look forward to, and so do I. This was always coming to an end upon your marriages. You know that as well as I do.”

“I know. I just didn’t think it would be so soon,” Louisa said.

“That is why we appreciate every moment that comes. We do not know how long it will last or if it will ever come again.”

Louisa threw her arms around Thea. “I will miss you.”

“You’ll be painting your husband nude,” Thea whispered. “You’ll hardly have time to think of me.”

Louisa giggled. “How can I be laughing at a time like this?”

“It is better than crying.”

Louisa wiped her face. “You’re right. New adventures. For all of us.”

She held out an arm to her sister, and the three of them hugged.

“We love you, Thea.”

“And I love you both. Dearly.”

“That’s enough. Her carriage has arrived. It is time to go.”

Thea had thought she had a few more minutes, at the very least, to say goodbye, but it was not to be. She released the girls and looked through the window to see an unmarked black carriage out front.

“I must go. You have everything you need for a wonderful life. Just be yourselves.”

“I will write to you—” Louisa started.

“That’s enough. She’s leaving.”

With her uncle practically pushing her out the front door, Thea smiled at the girls and made her way to the carriage. She was trying her best not to cry, but her eyes misted anyway.

“Miss Templebourne,” the footman said as he opened the door.

“Thank you,” Thea said without looking up. She slipped inside.

Instead of Alexei’s arms to fall into, it was empty. Thea couldn’t help it. She dropped her face into her hands and let the tears flow.

After the carriage pulled away, she swallowed and used her handkerchief to dab her eyes. As she steadied herself with deep breaths, she blinked in confusion. The interior of the carriage was solid black.