The Prince of Ravenscar Read Online Free PDF

Roxanne had always thought, and her eyes were the light blue of a cloudless sky. As for her hair, it was a rich, deep brown that would become streaked with sunlight in the summer, since Sophie was a great walker.
    â€œIt’s been two years since I last saw you, Sophie, and look at you, quite the young lady, no longer a girl.”
    â€œI am told by every well-meaning lady of my acquaintance that I have left girlhood well behind. Indeed, according to Mrs. Beaver, our blacksmith’s wife back home, I am fast approaching spinsterhood and must hie myself to the altar before that dreaded fate befalls me.”
    â€œThen with my advanced years I am a spinster indeed, nearly wobbling on my cane.”
    â€œYou don’t have a cane!”
    â€œIt is only a matter of time—a very short time—so the well-meaning ladies of my acquaintance tell me . Now, Sophie, this Season is about you, not me. I have no desire to give myself over to marriage, you’re right about that. Why bother? I can think of not a single reason why a man would be needful to me. I could support myself if the need arose. Nor do I need the protection a husband supposedly provides, since Father taught me all sorts of useful tricks to discourage the most presumptuous of gentlemen.” Roxanne tapped her fingers against her chin. “That is not at all to the point. I am the odd one, so you will disregard what I say about marriage. I foresee you will find an excellent husband.”
    â€œWhat sorts of things did Grandfather teach you?”
    Roxanne hugged her. “Later, Sophie. First we must make plans. Oh, yes, I have received six letters from her grace, Corinne Monroe, the dowager Duchess of Brabante, informing me that since I am basically a nobody from nowhere and don’t know anything, she will assist me to bring you out.”
    Sophie rolled her eyes, then felt guilty. “She and Mama were such good friends. I haven’t seen her since Mama’s funeral. But I remember her voice very clearly; she never stopped talking and laughing. She thinks you’re a nobody? How strange. I hope she will not be overbearing, Roxanne.”
    Of course she will try, as I will try not to shoot her. “I hope she will tell me stories about your mama. I never knew Bethanne all that well, since she was so much older than I was, but I remember whenever our mama said her name— Bethanne —she would nearly sing it.”
    Sophie gulped and quickly ate another apricot tart. “Her grace will doubtless be kind to me because of Mama. She can chaperone me whilst you are dancing your slippers off. Ah, so many gentlemen will want to dance with you, Roxanne, to look close upon your beautiful hair, and wonder what you are thinking, since your eyes never give you away, not like mine do.”
    Roxanne waved that away. “I did not think this through. Gentlemen might not be needful to me in the everlasting sense of the word, but, on the other hand, one cannot waltz alone. Now, you need but a bit of seasoning to learn to hide your thoughts. You will begin tomorrow evening at the Buxted ball. I believe her grace is visiting us tomorrow to make certain you will be presentable.”
    Sophie laughed. “Well done. I swear to be perfectly well behaved. Now, tell me what sorts of things your father taught you, Roxanne.”
    A dark red eyebrow shot up, and Roxanne, grinning wickedly, leaned close. “Well, the first thing he taught me was to carry a stiletto in my sleeve, or slip a small penknife in my glove. Your grandfather has marvelous taste, you know. I always seek his approval before I have any gowns made, so when I showed him several styles that interested me, he remarked that the sleeves were so enormous I could hide a brace of pistols in there as well as a dozen knives.”
    â€œCould I have a knife, Roxanne? Just in case?”
    â€œWhy not? If any gentleman goes over the line, we will discuss which of us should give