Miss Isobel and the Prince by Catherine Tinley

Author:Catherine Tinley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2024-03-06T14:23:12+00:00

* * *

Claudio looked around surreptitiously, knowing he could not settle until he had established where she was. Thankfully, his friends—who had just been commencing their card games when he had left the club last night—would not be here today. No doubt they would sleep for many more hours yet. Good, for that gave him the opportunity to be himself without their ribbing, which was constant.

It seemed he could not speak to a young lady without being teased about courting her, although that had decreased a little since his fiction about a Prussian princess, which was now, he hoped, suitably vague enough to avoid speculation about her identity. Nor could he speak to a sober-minded gentleman or an older lady without his own set accusing him of being staid and dull. And yet, he enjoyed their company, too, when in the mood.

Why can I not be more than one person? he wondered as he and the queen made the rounds, glad to stretch their legs after the journey out from London. Why can I not be the drunken gambler on occasion, while still remaining my father’s son, with an interest in all sorts of people and activities?

No answer came to him, and so he pushed the conundrum to the back of his mind. The day was bright, Eldon and Hawkins were snoring in their beds, and Miss Isobel was here. He could wish for nothing more.

Isobel remained in a sunny mood. She had managed to spoil the Chorleys’ abhorrent scheme, Lord Ashbourne was on his way to Scotland to offer for Rose, and she was determined to steal a kiss from Prince Claudio before accepting her fate as Mrs Kirby or Mrs Fitch. Having—for now at least—given up fighting her mysterious tendre for the prince, it was astounding how it had spread through her, as if sunlight had penetrated every part of her. It seemed concentrated behind her breastbone, with a fierce glow that made everything in her life seem better.

As the servants laid out the cloths, she kept a subtle eye on the prince, willing him to approach. He had greeted them briefly in the initial melée, but she hoped he would return for a more meaningful conversation. Yes! Finally, he was heading in their direction.

Her heart skipped.

Soon I shall speak to him, and our eyes will meet again, and perhaps I will feel again what I felt in the hallway, when he said my name...

The sun was shining and life was good, and she was determined to avoid thinking of future storms. Today was today, and she would simply enjoy every moment.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.