Be My Prince Read Online Free PDF Page B

into London society, they’d had no shortage of afternoon callers and invitations, mostly due to the fact that Mr. Carmichael had spread news far and wide about Alexandra’s unparalleled beauty and tragic circumstances. She had become somewhat of a novelty.
    “I cannot make anyone out,” she replied, “but it is an impressive vehicle with four horses and a postilion. Wait … someone is getting out.…”
    Would it be Prince Randolph?
    Her heart began to beat wildly in her chest.
    No, it was Nicholas.
    He stepped out of the coach and looked up at the front of the house.
    “It is only the brother,” she casually mentioned, hiding the fact that her body was reeling with alarm, for she had lain awake all night thinking about Nicholas’s flirtatious manner and impossible good looks and had grown increasingly worried about the general impediment of his position as his brother’s gatekeeper. In the coach, she had assured her stepmother that she knew exactly how to handle him, but suddenly she was not the least bit sure of it.
    “Is Randolph with him?” Lucille asked, leaping from her chair and practically tripping over the tea table in order to reach the window.
    “No, I do not believe so,” Alexandra replied. “He appears to be alone. Perhaps he is conveying a message.”
    She truly hoped he was, and that he would deliver it without coming inside.
    They heard the door open and close below. He did not return to his coach. The butler must have let him in.
    Lucille tapped Alex on the shoulder. “Quickly now, go back to your seat and try to look surprised when he is announced!”
    They returned to their chairs and waited while the clock ticked sternly on the mantelpiece.
    A moment later, footsteps tapped up the stairs and the butler announced their gentleman caller. With unshakable confidence, the prince strode into the room and bowed.
    Alexandra and Lucille greeted him with polite courtesies.
    “Your Royal Highness, what a pleasure to see you again,” Lucille said. “Please … sit down, and welcome. May I pour you some tea?”
    With ragged nerves, Alexandra watched him take a seat. Today he wore a dark blue double-breasted tailcoat and fawn breeches with shiny black boots. The collar points of his clean white shirt stood high against his cheeks, and his cravat was tied immaculately at his throat. He looked undeniably handsome, and she had to force herself to look away to avoid staring, for her heart was suddenly racing like a mad monster in her chest, and she despised herself for reacting this way to him.
    “Thank you, Your Grace,” he replied as he chose a spot on the sofa directly across from Alexandra. Lucille offered him tea and a selection of sweetbreads.
    The usual light drawing room conversation ensued while Nicholas spoke to them about his impressions of London since his arrival and described the crossing from Petersbourg, which he declared a smooth and pleasant journey.
    He was the epitome of politeness and gentlemanly behavior, and Alexandra had to remind herself a number of times that he was here to protect Randolph from ambitious social climbers like herself. She realized she must therefore straddle a fine line between her obvious attraction to this infuriating younger brother and her plans to marry the future King of Petersbourg.
    “Will you and Prince Randolph attend the theater while you are visiting London?” Lucille asked, and he revealed their plans to attend a play at Covent Garden the following Tuesday.
    Alex sipped her tea and wondered how easy it would be for Mr. Carmichael to obtain tickets to that performance.
    “I hope you will not deem it too forward of me,” Nicholas said as he set his cup and saucer down on the table, “if I extend an invitation to you both to dine with us at St. James’s Palace this evening. Randolph is aware it is brief notice, but he would welcome your attendance if you are not previously engaged. If you do have other plans, however, he has instructed me to