Page 31 of Always a Princess

“I love them.”

His smile softened. “They are lucky then.”

“I have cared for them since they were children. I could never abandon them during their time of need. And—” She stopped abruptly, not sure she should continue.

“And what?”

“Can I trust you?”

His eyebrows rose, and he grinned. “You snuck out of your house to enter an unmarked carriage to meet me.”

“Good point.”

“Trust your judgment, more than any man’s words.”

Somehow, his answer was more powerful than giving her the reassurance she had sought.

“I have recently come to believe that my uncle is in financial difficulty. He may owe someone money. Someone … influential … used the phrase ‘impending financial ruin’ just recently to describe my uncle’s situation.”

The prince sat back against the blue silk cushions. “Interesting. I will see what I can learn. But you fear for your future and your cousins’?”

“Not for myself. I will be fine. I can always go live with Great-Aunt Albina. She and Uncle don’t get on, but she has always loved me.”

His lips quirked at that.

“But the girls … I am afraid he will push them to marry wealthy men, whether they want to or not.”

Alexander steepled his fingers. “And you wish to see them marry for love?”

“Of course I do.”

“You have a soft heart, Thea.”

“How can you tell?”

His smile widened. “Trust me when I say, a woman cannot fake that.”

She could only imagine how many women had faked one thing or another in an attempt to ensnare him.

“You see my dilemma.”

“If this is your dilemma, then it isn’t yours alone. It is ours.”

Thea never knew what it felt like to melt before, but his words unleashed a flood of warmth and left her feeling it acutely. How long had it been since someone had cared enough about her to shoulder her burdens?

“I would be a fool to say no to you,” she whispered.

His grin nearly lit up the interior of the carriage. “It is good we both agree on that.”

CHAPTER 16

The carriage rolled through tall gates and came to a stop moments later.

Thea stared out the window. “What did you buy?”

“An estate fit for royalty. Come, let me show you your prospective new home, Thea.”

He climbed out of the carriage, smoothing his jacket, and then reached inside to offer his hand.