Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right Read Online Free PDF
Author: Kieran Kramer
what?
Poppy couldn’t help thinking the prince was using strong language. Was he implying she was his ? That all the other men ought to steer clear?
Oh, if so, he was simply adorable, even after all these years. So effortlessly charming. And so … kissable.
Poppy’s schoolgirl crush came roaring back, stronger than ever.
Of course, if any one of her old suitors noticed her affinity for the prince and cared to ask about her Duke of Drummond tonight, she already had an easy reply. The duke had asked her to marry him, and she’d declined.
Who could blame her?
Prince Sergei was obviously a worthy distraction.
While they paraded about the room, Sergei deigned to stop and converse with only two important members of Parliament—although at least five more Very Important People attempted to capture his attention—and then he took Poppy out to the dance floor and swept her into a waltz.
She released a happy sigh. Hadn’t she waited six years for this moment?
Sergei squeezed her hand. “You are pleased, I think, that I’ve arrived. In fact, I see from your expression you feel it has been too long since we’ve last met.”
“It has been too long,” she dared to say.
“Tell me about your life.” He was gorgeous when he arched his brow.
She shook her head. “I’ve been quite busy since I saw you last. In between my studies and my social and charitable obligations, I run the household, planning the menus, conferring with the staff. I only wish I could serve as my father’s hostess, but he won’t entertain, not even his stuffy government colleagues.”
Prince Sergei’s expression was sympathetic. “I’m sorry to hear the news about Lady Derby. She made quite an impression on St. Petersburg society.”
Poppy’s heart warmed to hear the kind words about her cherished mother. “Thank you for saying so.”
“Oh, but it’s true.” He gave her an endearing grin. “I’m equally sure your father can’t have had a better helpmate than you these last six years. He’s a lucky man, although you’re meant for more than serving as the mistress of your father’s household. So much more.” His voice was warm. The look in his eye promised something. And although she wasn’t sure what, it left her breathless.
“Thank you,” she whispered shyly.
Her dream was happening too fast. Then again, she’d waited for a moment like this for a long time. She’d endured how many insipid conversations? Patiently danced with how many men who didn’t make her heart speed up? Bought how many ball gowns for parties where she spent half the night yawning behind her fan?
No doubt tomorrow all of London would be talking about how the prince had arrived at the Grangerford ball and had come directly to her . They would wonder what he meant by his attentions.
So would she.
When the waltz ended, a Russian envoy came running over with a glass of lemonade and handed it to Poppy.
“Why, thank you.” She smiled and took a sip. It was quite nice to be spoiled so.
“And find me a beautiful flower,” Sergei said to the man.
“Yes, Your Highness. But your sister will be unhappy. She likes no one to wear flowers except her.”
“My sister is intolerable,” the prince said in a tight voice.
Poppy couldn’t agree more, but she was shocked to hear the prince say so out loud.
But his face softened when he looked at Poppy. “This pretty lady should always wear flowers in her hair.”
She felt a blush rise up her cheeks. The realization that the prince was here and lavishing her with attention was such a shock that she couldn’t think of a response. She sent him a quick smile, but she felt as if she were watching something extraordinary happening to someone else.
Marrying Sergei had been her dream ever since she’d met him. She dared not think that it could possibly come true. But it might. It just might. She was no green girl—she’d had a dozen proposals already, and she recognized the signs.
Sergei was interested
Poppy couldn’t help thinking the prince was using strong language. Was he implying she was his ? That all the other men ought to steer clear?
Oh, if so, he was simply adorable, even after all these years. So effortlessly charming. And so … kissable.
Poppy’s schoolgirl crush came roaring back, stronger than ever.
Of course, if any one of her old suitors noticed her affinity for the prince and cared to ask about her Duke of Drummond tonight, she already had an easy reply. The duke had asked her to marry him, and she’d declined.
Who could blame her?
Prince Sergei was obviously a worthy distraction.
While they paraded about the room, Sergei deigned to stop and converse with only two important members of Parliament—although at least five more Very Important People attempted to capture his attention—and then he took Poppy out to the dance floor and swept her into a waltz.
She released a happy sigh. Hadn’t she waited six years for this moment?
Sergei squeezed her hand. “You are pleased, I think, that I’ve arrived. In fact, I see from your expression you feel it has been too long since we’ve last met.”
“It has been too long,” she dared to say.
“Tell me about your life.” He was gorgeous when he arched his brow.
She shook her head. “I’ve been quite busy since I saw you last. In between my studies and my social and charitable obligations, I run the household, planning the menus, conferring with the staff. I only wish I could serve as my father’s hostess, but he won’t entertain, not even his stuffy government colleagues.”
Prince Sergei’s expression was sympathetic. “I’m sorry to hear the news about Lady Derby. She made quite an impression on St. Petersburg society.”
Poppy’s heart warmed to hear the kind words about her cherished mother. “Thank you for saying so.”
“Oh, but it’s true.” He gave her an endearing grin. “I’m equally sure your father can’t have had a better helpmate than you these last six years. He’s a lucky man, although you’re meant for more than serving as the mistress of your father’s household. So much more.” His voice was warm. The look in his eye promised something. And although she wasn’t sure what, it left her breathless.
“Thank you,” she whispered shyly.
Her dream was happening too fast. Then again, she’d waited for a moment like this for a long time. She’d endured how many insipid conversations? Patiently danced with how many men who didn’t make her heart speed up? Bought how many ball gowns for parties where she spent half the night yawning behind her fan?
No doubt tomorrow all of London would be talking about how the prince had arrived at the Grangerford ball and had come directly to her . They would wonder what he meant by his attentions.
So would she.
When the waltz ended, a Russian envoy came running over with a glass of lemonade and handed it to Poppy.
“Why, thank you.” She smiled and took a sip. It was quite nice to be spoiled so.
“And find me a beautiful flower,” Sergei said to the man.
“Yes, Your Highness. But your sister will be unhappy. She likes no one to wear flowers except her.”
“My sister is intolerable,” the prince said in a tight voice.
Poppy couldn’t agree more, but she was shocked to hear the prince say so out loud.
But his face softened when he looked at Poppy. “This pretty lady should always wear flowers in her hair.”
She felt a blush rise up her cheeks. The realization that the prince was here and lavishing her with attention was such a shock that she couldn’t think of a response. She sent him a quick smile, but she felt as if she were watching something extraordinary happening to someone else.
Marrying Sergei had been her dream ever since she’d met him. She dared not think that it could possibly come true. But it might. It just might. She was no green girl—she’d had a dozen proposals already, and she recognized the signs.
Sergei was interested