Page 81 of Her Royal Houseguest

Then the musicians began, and the ball officially opened.

Deva looked incredibly handsome as he led the queen out onto the floor. He executed the steps perfectly and even drew a smile from the lady. Then the second dance started and everyone expected him to bow over Princess Caroline’s hand.

He did not.

He walked straight up to her and held out his hand.

Anna heard the gasps. She even felt her cheeks heat. But she felt a giddy lightness at his attention. Indeed, she feared she would always feel that whenever he looked at her.

‘Must you insist on this?’ she whispered.

‘Must you insist on denying your own worth?’ he countered.

She smiled. How could she not? A prince was asking her to dance. And not just any prince but Deva. The man who…well, the man who had helped her grow into the woman she was now.

‘I would be honoured, Prince Deva,’ she said as she curtsied deeply to him.

He led her to the dance floor. Others had taken their place. And soon she was fully enjoying her favourite thing: an evening of dancing.

She had no shortage of partners. Prince Deva was the best, of course. But once their dance was finished, everyone else stepped forwards.

Lord Patrick was the most earnest. He understood how badly he’d erred with her on their Hyde Park walk. Tonight, he spoke with her, not to her. He asked about how hard she’d had to work with the Siamese in her home. She knew he was dying to ask more probing questions about the princes but didn’t give him the opportunity. She wanted to see how long his interest in her would last.

Not long.

She was well rid of him, she decided. After experiencing Deva’s genuine interest, she would never settle for anything less. So she devoted herself to dancing with her partners and trying not to be hyper aware of everything Deva did.

She failed in that but since everyone else was watching him, too, she felt at ease with her obsession.

Eventually the set ended. She was determined to find Phoebe then but as soon as she headed for her friend, another one of her old schoolmates caught her.

Mabel—now Lady Rundle—was sweet but she was a terrible gossip. She wasn’t malicious, just talkative. Everything in her mind flowed out of her mouth, especially gossip.

But she would be hurt if Anna cut her. Indeed, Anna knew the woman had a good heart. So Anna stopped and chatted, all while keeping an eye on where Phoebe stood underneath a colonnade. If only she could break from Mabel—

Where was Phoebe going? She’d been there talking with Prince Vaji and apparently not in a pleasant way. They’d kept a civil façade but Anna knew them both well. She could see the strain on their faces.

And then Vaji took hold of Phoebe’s arm and steered her through one of the side doors.

Oh no. That wouldn’t do. Phoebe couldn’t disappear from a ball with a gentleman. Her reputation was already hanging by a thread. And she certainly couldn’t do it with one of the most watched people here.

Anna tried to have faith in her friend. Phoebe was a grown woman, well versed in society. She knew how to act. So Anna decided to trust in her friend, even as she kept an eye on the side door.

Three more people joined Anna and Mabel. It was all very polite. She kept glancing at Prince Deva. Maybe he could intervene. But the man was in conversation with Prinny and could not be disturbed. Even the abbot was busy, speaking to a small group of dowagers and doing very well at it. The older woman seemed charmed, if their laughter was anything to judge by.

Which meant it was up to her. Damnation, why would Phoebe be so foolish?

She had to go look. Anna excused herself from the group but Mabel would not be dislodged.

‘I’ll go with you,’ she said, all but gluing herself to Anna’s hip.

‘No, no. I need a moment to refresh myself.’

‘But…but please, Anna. I have something I would like to discuss in private. You’ve been so busy, we couldn’t speak.’

Guilt ate at her. ‘The Siamese have kept me occupied.’

‘I know but please, couldn’t we talk now?’