AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He bowed. “Your Royal Highness,” he said.
“Lord Douglas. I didn’t know to expect you this evening.” She smiled with delight.
“Life is full of surprises, aye?”
“And what of me?” Princess Amelia asked.
He made himself look at the younger princess. “Your Royal Highness, how good it is to see you returned to your sister’s side.”
“I’ve been in the country,” she said. “All the travel has exhausted me.” She held out her hand for a glass of wine. A footman put one in it.
“May I introduce my husband, Lord Aleksander?” Lady Aleksander asked and introduced him to William. Her husband had a welcoming face and bright, interested green eyes. William liked him instantly.
The wine was served all around, and small talk was made, mostly Beck and his wife rattling on about the child who had stuffed her coat into the garden fountain. William hardly heard the story—he kept looking at Justine, who sat serenely on the edge of her seat, her gloved hands folded on her lap, smiling and laughing politely as Beck embellished his tale.
He wished he could have a moment alone with her. To say hello, to see how she fared. Unfortunately, he could not divine an opportunity before the arrival of the highly desirable American, Mr. Henry Thompson.
The butler announced him as if he was announcing the President of the United States, complete with the tone of a town crier and the bow of a supplicant. Mr. Henry Thompson strode into the room with an air of confidence that even William did not possess. He paused, one long leg extended, one hand on his hip. He was tall and sturdy, his hair blond, his skin tanned by the sun. “Is this the party?” he asked, and his face broke into a grin.
“Mr. Thompson,” Beck said, coming forward. “Welcome to my home. My wife, Lady Iddesleigh.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Lady Iddesleigh. And congratulations on the new addition to your family,” he said and bowed to her belly.
Justine and her sister exchanged a look.
“Lord and Lady Aleksander, whom I believe you know,” Beck said, going around the room.
He did, and the three of them exchanged pleasantries.
“The Marquess of Hamilton and Clydesdale,” Beck said.
Mr. Henry Thompson turned to William and sized him up, his eyes narrowing just slightly. He nodded. “I like a good-size man. You know he is capable of hard work.”
William didn’t know what to say to that. “Aye.”
“Do I detect a bit of an accent?”
“I’m from Scotland.”
“Well, I like you even better now. I’ve known a few Scotsmen. As tough as they come.”
“We are a hardy lot,” William agreed.
“A hardy lot,” Mr. Thompson repeated and laughed.
“And if I may,” Beck said, drawing his attention. “Your Royal Highnesses, may I present Mr. Henry Thompson of America?”
He bowed, then asked, “Now, which one is which?”
The American was brash, that much was certain. William thought Lady Aleksander might have at least described them to the man before now.
“Her Royal Highness, Princess Justine,” Beck said, and nodded to Justine. “And Her Royal Highness, Princess Amelia.”
To William’s eyes, the man’s gaze lingered a moment too long on Princess Amelia. But he quickly proclaimed himself honored to meet them and that he’d never been in the presence of so many princesses, then turned away, taking in the room. “Nice place,” he said to Beck. “Reminds me a little of my father’s home on the shore of Lake Michigan. The rooms in his house are bigger, and the furniture a little newer, but about the same.”
For once, Beck was speechless. Even Lady Aleksander seemed taken aback. She actually laughed.
William caught Justine’s eye. One of her brows rose. He knew what she was thinking without having to hear it from her—she was skeptical at best. Princess Amelia, on the other hand, seemed delighted by this strange man with the flat accent.
