Page 35 of Her Royal Houseguest

He felt guilty for making her feel shame but that had not been his intention!

Righteous indignation surged in response to his guilt. How dare she question him! It was not her place!

And then all was smothered by frustration because she was right. His brother deserved decent food and he doubted any part of that mess was edible.

But what to do about it now?

‘Perhaps…’ he offered, his tone apologetic, ‘…it is time to begin our bargain. We can discuss the nuances of my brother’s faith then and compare it to your own. You bear no fault for misunderstanding.’

He hoped she would hear his tone and agree. There was much he needed to learn about the English religion, for that was the heart of a people. He watched anxiously for her reaction but it never came.

She kept her head lowered and her words stopped inside her mouth. But her father heard and immediately interrupted.

‘Bargain? What bargain have you made with my daughter?’

Finally, the man showed appropriate interest in his daughter’s protection.

‘She is in no danger from me,’ he said smoothly.

‘It’s nothing, Papa,’ Lady Anna said quickly. ‘He is going to help me sort through some things, that’s all.’

‘A prince? Help you sort through things? Anna, he has better things to do than your housework!’

‘That’s not what I meant,’ Anna said, her voice strong, but her father wasn’t listening.

‘You can come with me,’ the duke said to Deva. ‘I’m going to my club. Several people want to meet you before the official presentation. You’re quite the sensation.’

‘That would be my pleasure,’ he intoned, ‘But I gave a promise to your daughter. It must be honoured.’

‘Anna doesn’t mind. She shouldn’t have importuned you.’ He pushed aside the newspaper. ‘I’ll have the carriage brought round. We’ll leave as soon as you’re ready.’

What could Deva say to that? He did not know what was or was not appropriate. So he did the best he could.

‘Lady Anna, I shall return as soon as I am able.’

‘You’ll be quite busy,’ said her father. ‘Many introductions. Will take the whole day.’

Deva struggled to find something to say. He wanted to show that he preferred Anna’s company today over her father’s. And that he would never back out of a promise without such pressure from her father. But he had no words to say that.

She responded exactly as a dutiful daughter ought.

‘Papa is right. You have important things to do. I release you from your promise.’

Very gracious and wholly inaccurate.

‘You cannot release me from my obligations. I will do as I promised.’ Then he bowed to her in the English way. Except he could not bring himself to completely lower his head such that it was below hers as that would be a betrayal of his own royalty. So he gave her a partial bow, awkwardly done, only to hear her father snort.

‘Never mind that,’ the duke said. ‘Let me explain who you’ll meet today.’

Deva forced himself to turn from what he wanted—a day with Lady Anna—in favour of what was required. It was something he’d done all his life but this time, it took willpower.

That alarmed him. No woman should take precedence over his duties. Had a few months away from Siam damaged him so much that a mere woman could distract him?

Impossible! And yet it was true.

As he strode from her presence, he resolved to focus on his mission here and leave all thoughts of Lady Anna behind.

Chapter Eleven