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soldier.”
    Nicholas caught her remark and chuckled. “Randolph was right. You are daring, aren’t you?”
    Oh, heaven help her. She really needed to learn how to control her tongue. Yet she found it a challenge in this man’s presence. “My apologies. I spoke out of turn.”
    “Not at all. I find it refreshing, as does Randolph. You see, we meet so many young women who fumble to say all the right things. They are like shallow pools of rainwater that will disappear when the sun comes out. You, however, seem to have some depth and spirit. At least that’s what Randolph thinks after a very brief first impression. Which was why he asked me to escort you to the dessert table.”
    “To interrogate me further?” she demanded.
    “Yes. Later, he will ask my opinion of you.”
    “And what will you tell him?”
    “I’m not sure. I have not yet made up my mind.”
    She breathed deeply. “Will you interrogate many other women this evening?”
    Alex resisted the urge to look up at him, for she was experiencing a heated flash of displeasure at the idea of him escorting other ladies to the dessert table and doing what he must to draw them out of their shells. Would he whisper close in their ears and make them think they stood a chance with his brother if they behaved a certain way?
    Not that it mattered. It did not. She would not let it. He could do whatever he damn well pleased with those other women.
    “Only a few,” he replied. “Though I haven’t spotted any other potential queens yet. None have caught Randolph’s eye as you have.”
    She should have felt triumphant in that moment but felt something else entirely. She wasn’t quite sure what it was, but it resembled anger, which made no sense.
    Perhaps it was frustration. She felt rather powerless at the moment and did not like the sensation. “I am flattered, sir.” And her heart was thrashing about like a wild thing in her chest. “I must admit, however, that I was concerned after our encounter on the terrace. I feared you might strike me off his list.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I told you about my unfortunate circumstances—that I was here to improve upon them, which is exactly what the prince does not want in a wife. He desires true love, is that not correct?”
    Nicholas faced her squarely. “Isn’t that what you want, too, Lady Alexandra?”
    His voice was soft and intimate, and his eyes burned into hers.
    “Perhaps,” she replied, “but there were other things I revealed to you as well—things I would not have said if I had known you were Randolph’s guardian. Now I am completely at your mercy. I hope you will not use any of that against me, as you could easily do.”
    His blue eyes narrowed. “I suppose I do have you at a disadvantage, but neither you, nor I, can do anything about it now, so we must make the best of it.”
    “And how do you propose we do that?”
    He held out a gloved hand. “Prove that your word can be trusted by honoring me with a dance, as you promised on the terrace.”
    Alexandra hesitated briefly, then set down her glass, for she had no choice in the matter. If she wanted access to the future King of Petersbourg, she was going to have to dance with the devil.
    And his name was Prince Nicholas.

 
    Chapter Four
    On the way home from the ball, Lucille questioned Alexandra tirelessly. “Did Prince Nicholas indicate when his brother might be available for another social engagement? Will we be forced to wait until the ball at Almack’s, or do you think he was taken with you? Is there any chance he might pay a call?”
    “I don’t know, Mama.”
    “I’ve heard he will be visiting the park. If we knew exactly when, we could arrange to be there at the same time, driving or strolling. What is his schedule?”
    “I don’t know that either.”
    “You don’t know? Why did you not think to ask? Mr. Carmichael has been very generous in supporting us for the Season. He has provided us with this fine coach and a prestigious