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new stepmother is shockingly young.”
    â€œWe must be the exception,” Frances Hamilton said. “I think our father is only a year older than Mother.”
    â€œYou are lucky. Your parents have a
perfect
marriage. It’s obvious theirs was a love match. I warrant Lady Lu and the duke are
still
in love. That’s the kind of marriage I want!” Anne declared passionately. Ever since Anne met James at Windsor Castle, she always found her mind drifting to thoughts of him. He seemed to embody everything she wanted in a man, unlike anyone else she’d ever met.
Though she hadn’t seen him for three years, an image of her friends’ brother Lord Hamilton came full-blown to her, evoking a wistful sigh. “When will your brother James be home from Ireland?”
    â€œAt the end of August, I believe. He’ll certainly be back before Parliament goes into session. Why don’t the two of us make a trip to the visitors’ gallery?”
    â€œOh, Frances, I would love to attend. That’s so thoughtful of you,” Anne said.
    â€œShe isn’t being thoughtful,” Maud declared. “She wants to look over all the eligible bachelors who are members of Parliament, if I know my sister.”
    â€œExactly!” Frances declared. “By then Anne and I will have been presented to the queen and will be eligible to attend all the balls of the fashionable winter Season.”
    Anne caught her breath, recognizing the opportunity that the ball presented. One that she had been thinking about for quite some time.
Lord James will definitely be in attendance at the Hamiltons’ annual ball. I must find a way to make him partner me in a dance. I shall count the hours until I see him again.
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    Curragh Camp
    Kildare, Ireland
    â€œGood God, James, I’ve been counting the hours until you got back.” Prince Teddy grabbed Hamilton by the shoulders. “Something disastrous has happened. Bloody old Bruce wrote a report to my father and told him about Nellie Clifden. My parents are on their way to Ireland. What in
hellfire
am I going to do?”
    â€œDon’t panic, Your Highness. I’ll think of something.” James opened a letter from his father informing him of Victoria and Albert’s visit.
Better late than never, I warrant.
“I presume Nellie is safely back in Dublin?”
    The look of dismay on Teddy’s face told James that Miss Clifden was still within fucking distance. “The first order of business is to get rid of the evidence, so I’ll take it from here.” James glanced at Carrington and tried to overlook his uselessness.
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    â€œWelcome to Ireland, Your Gracious Majesty.” James Hamilton bowed low before Queen Victoria. Then he shook hands with Prince Albert and bowed his head. “His Highness the Prince of Wales insisted on moving into mess quarters so you would be able to enjoy the best suite of rooms that Curragh Camp has to offer.”
    The queen gave a tight-lipped smile, and Albert said, “Thank you, Lord Hamilton. Bertie should have been here to greet us. Kindly tell him to present himself.”
    James lowered his voice confidentially. “The Prince of Wales was part of the field battery of the Horse Artillery who fired the welcome salute when you arrived.” James noted that Prince Albert failed to look impressed. “I’m sure His Highness will be here the moment his commander dismisses him.” He smiled disarmingly. “I’ll attend him and let him know how pleased you are with the accommodation.”
    James found Prince Teddy watching a horse race. He gave him the unwelcome news that his parents had arrived and were asking to see him. He told him that he had placated his father with the lie about him being part of the welcome salute.
    The prince paled. “I wish I didn’t have to see them! Stay with me,