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A slow smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “I’m no’ surprised. I warned you fairly that I could be charming under the right circumstances. And I should very much like to dine with you, Your Royal Highness, for the same can be said of you. And if I may, there is the matter of a bet poorly made.”
“Do you mean the bet you made under false pretense?”
“I mean the bet we made about the archery.” His gaze had taken on a sheen that matched the heat in her skin, melting her from the inside. “And we both know you are a woman who is no’ afraid to lose.” He smiled seductively.
Fire, Justine was learning, ran quite deep where William was concerned.
SUPPERWASSERVEDin a small drawing room just as a soft, steady rain had begun to fall. A fire blazed in the hearth, and two windows had been opened to allow the air to circulate.
Justine had changed into a simple dark blue gown and sapphire-and-pearl choker. When she rejoined William, his eyes swept over her, and she felt the bees in her chest begin to buzz again. They were a hive now, distracting her.
They took their seats as a footman quickly whisked the third place setting out of sight. They stared at the empty chair. “I can’t believe he left without a single word,” Justine said, reminded of his disappearance again.
“I have another theory, if you’d like,” William offered.
“Je,tell me.”
“I think it is perhaps because of the way you sucked the lemon like a little heathen at the picnic. I canna imagine how tart it was.”
Justine laughed. “My theory is that he left because you kicked over the honey pot and some spilled onto his shoe.”
“I apologized, did I no’? The bees were swarming the pot and I discovered then and there that I am afraid of them.”
Justine laughed. “I thought your trousers were on fire, you scrambled to your feet so quickly.”
They laughed, recalling that moment.
But now William frowned slightly. “Prince Michel laughed about the bees, aye? He said he had no love for bees, or something similar.”
“I think he did.” She dipped her spoon into the soup. “I am terribly sorry for what happened. I should have been...kinder.”
“I’m the guilty party. I should have allowed you to receive him on your own.”
She dipped her spoon in her soup again, but left it there. “But do you think—” she glanced up “—that he was suitable for a prince consort? I mean, imagine if he disappeared while we entertained a state visitor.”
William cocked his head to one side. “Did I hear something?” he asked, cupping his ear. “I canna be certain but it sounded a wee bit as if you said that I was right.Again.”
She smiled. “Do you recall when I insisted that you not offer even ahintof advice?”
“I think of it every day.”
“What would I have done if you hadn’t?”
“What indeed,” he mused. “I donna mean to disparage Lady Aleksander, but Robuchard could no’ possibly have engaged a worse matchmaker.”
“I must agree.” She picked up her spoon. “I suppose you’ve said as much to your old friend.”
William’s spoon froze halfway to his mouth. “My old friend, is he?”
“Isn’t he?”
He slowly put down his spoon. “May I be completely honest with you?”
She nodded.
“No’ politely honest, Justine.Completelyhonest.”
“Oh dear.Completelyhonest.” She put down her spoon, too. Her stomach gurgled uncomfortably and she steeled herself for bad news. “Has my mother said something to you?”
