Pleasuring the Prince by Patricia Grasso

Author:Patricia Grasso [Grasso, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Man-woman relationships, England, Princes, Historical fiction, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Love stories
ISBN: 9780821777114
Publisher: Zebra Books
Published: 2006-03-27T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

“I appreciate the confidence, Your Grace.” Stepan acknowledged the unspoken message. The duke was trusting him to protect his daughter and approving a match between them.

Stepan touched Fancy’s hand, a smile on his lips. “May I have this dance?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Stepan led her onto the dance floor and drew her into his arms. Exuding sophisticated grace, he swirled her around and around the ballroom. His gleaming black gaze held hers in thrall.

“Your beauty shames every woman here.”

Her lips twitched into a smile. “I see you have found no employment.”

Stepan laughed, drawing curious glances from nearby couples. “Loving you is a full-time career.”

Fancy missed a step. “What did you say?”

His words had been a mistake. “Merely a figure of speech, ma petite.”

When she relaxed in his arms, Stepan knew to beware. This particular beauty distrusted men of his ilk, especially those who professed love as her father had.

Stepan suffered the feeling that she would never accept his proposal of marriage. If only he knew how to win her trust, the love would surely follow.

“Princesses Roxanne, Natasia, and Lily Kazanov,” the majordomo announced.

Stepan slid his gaze to the stairs where his brother’s three daughters stood in their nightgowns. Their little faces shone with amazement at the glamourous sight of society in their finest.

“I want you to meet three of my nieces.” Stepan ushered her off the dance floor and headed toward the stairs.

Fancy glanced around and saw most of the guests smiling. Prince Rudolf and Princess Samantha had already reached the stairs. Rudolf held the youngest in his arms while Samantha clutched her older daughters’ hands.

“Uncle,” Lily called.

“Miss Flambeau, I present Princesses Roxanne, Natasia, and Lily,” Stepan introduced them.

Fancy smiled at the three girls. “I am pleased to make your acquaintances. Your uncle has spoken of you.”

Natasia stared at her. “You look like a princess.”

“Uncle said she is not a princess,” Roxanne corrected her sister.

“She’s Cinderella,” Lily exclaimed.

Everyone, including Fancy, laughed at the four-year-old. Lily yawned at their appreciation.

“Say good night,” Rudolf told his daughters.

“We didn’t say hello,” Lily said. “How can we say good night?”

Rudolf glanced at his wife. “This is your daughter.” He looked at his older daughters, asking, “Where is Nanny?”

“We tied her up,” Roxanne answered.

“And gagged her,” Natasia added.

“We tiptoed down the stairs,” Lily finished.

Princess Samantha looked at her husband. “Those are your daughters.”

Natasia turned to Stepan. “Did you tell her, Uncle?”

“No.”

Fancy watched, fascinated, as the prince’s complexion reddened. She wondered what embarrassed him.

“I told you boys were silly,” Roxanne said.

“I want to dance,” Lily said.

“Princess Lily,” Stepan said, “may I have the honor of this dance?”

Lily smiled and nodded, but Roxanne placed her hand on her uncle’s arm. “Darling, the eldest dances first.”

The Duke of Inverary looked at his wife. “She sounds like you.”

The duchess gave him a dimpled smile. “Isn’t darling Roxie the sweetest?”

Stepan escorted the six-year-old onto the dance floor. Roxanne stood on top of his shoes, and their waltz began.

A hand touched Fancy’s arm. She smiled at Natasia.

“Uncle will make you a princess,” the girl said in a loud whisper.

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.