Page 46 of Always a Princess

Never in her life had she expected proposals from a prince and a duke in the space of twenty-four hours. But here she was, in her prince’s home, already feeling a bit like a princess again.

She wondered if she should tell him the full truth about Krish.

Before she could consider it further, a maid stuck her head into the room.

“His Highness returns, Miss Templebourne. The carriage is approaching now.”

“Thank you, Anna.”

Thea set her tea on the side table, straightened her dress under the fur, and waited.

She didn’t have to wait long. Alexander burst into the room.

“Thank God you’re here. Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did he touch you? I’ll kill him if he did.”

“I’m fine. All is well.”

He rushed over to her, dropping to his knees in front of her.

“Are you certain? You can tell me. Nothing you could say would make me change my mind.”

“I was married to an Indian prince.” She blurted out the confession that had been on her mind.

“What?” Alexander stared up at her from where he held her hand.

“My first husband was a prince. His father was a raja. I was young and headstrong. I didn’t care who he was or where he was from.”

Alexander’s expression shifted from shock to bemusement. “You were already a princess?” He started to laugh. “As if today could not get any more shocking.”

“I should’ve told you the whole truth last night. I didn’t think it really mattered until my uncle confronted me. He said someone else found out and was spreading rumors that would ruin our family. He found matches for the girls before it did. And then he told me to leave.”

“Thea …” He gripped her hand tighter.

“If you also want me to leave, I will. But I needed you to know the full truth.”

His head dipped, and he pressed a kiss to her hand.

“You do not know me well or else you would never say such a thing. Your past made you into a woman I find utterly captivating in every way. That is the extent to which I care about its contents.”

Thea released the breath she had been holding while waiting for his verdict.

“I wanted to say yes to you last night. I don’t want you to think I am only saying yes because of my uncle’s actions.”

“Your cousins have made matches that please you?”

“Under the circumstances, I think they will actually be quite happy with them. I hope.”

“And I was not your only choice of man to run to today.”

Thea blushed. “I should have realized it was the wrong carriage. I didn’t expect anyone but you.”

“Ah, but the duke … he had his eye on you.”

“And now he knows my heart belongs to another.”

“Does he?”

“Yes.”