To Wed a Wicked Prince by Jane Feather Read Free Book Online

Aurelia said, holding out her hand to the visitor. “Prince Prokov, I’m delighted to make your acquaintance.”
    “The pleasure is all mine, Lady Farnham.” He bowed over her hand, raising it to his lips.
    “Sherry, Prince.” Livia passed him a glass once he’d returned Aurelia’s hand. “Or would you really prefer water?” Her thick black eyebrows lifted and there was a hint of mischief in the gray eyes.
    He decided to ignore the mischief, at least for the moment. “Sherry will do beautifully, thank you,” he said, taking the glass.
    He glanced around the salon, observing, “What a pleasant room.” He strolled across to the magnificent Adam fireplace, trying to appear as if his interest were merely casual. But he was consumed with the desire to see every inch of this house. He had poured over the plans of the house for years and knew the position of every room, even to the box rooms in the attic. And now, finally, he was here.
    He sipped his sherry and looked up at the portrait over the fireplace. A young woman in full court regalia, feathers in her powdered, elaborately coiffed hair, gazed out across the room. Her blue eyes seemed to penetrate every corner, and he could almost fancy that for a moment they saw into his soul.

Chapter Three
    S O WHAT DO YOU THINK of him?” Livia asked Aurelia as she returned to the salon ten minutes later, having escorted the prince to the front door.
    Aurelia hesitated, choosing her words. “Hard to say, really,” she said finally. “He’s charming, suave even, and handsome, no two ways about that.”
    Livia frowned a little. “That sounds like damning with faint praise, Ellie.”
    “He was only here ten minutes,” Aurelia pointed out, rearranging a bowl of heavy-headed chrysanthemums on the sideboard. “Not long enough to form a definitive opinion…certainly it wouldn’t be fair after such a short time.”
    Livia sighed a little. “No, you’re right, of course. And you’re also right that he’s charming and good-looking. He’s also very determined to get his own way.”
    “Why? What happened?” Aurelia shot her a shrewd glance over her shoulder as she worked.
    Livia shrugged and dropped into an armchair. “Well, first it was dancing with me last night, and then this morning…” She told her about the ride. “The strange thing is, Ellie, even while I’m objecting to being somehow manipulated, I don’t really seem to mind, deep down. Now, that’s very odd, you must admit.”
    “Very odd,” her friend agreed. She shook drops of water off her hands. “It sounds to me as if Prince Prokov is pursuing you in a very single-minded fashion.” She dried her hands fastidiously on her lace handkerchief. “You must have made a powerful impression on him at the ball last night…from the first moment he saw you.”
    “But that’s absurd,” Livia said. “A rational man doesn’t take one look at a strange woman in a ballroom and decide instantly that he’s interested in pursuing her.”
    “It has been known,” Aurelia said, smiling. “Anyway, you seem to be enjoying the game, Liv.”
    “I suppose I am,” Livia agreed. “Anyway, it can’t do any harm, and when I’m not enjoying it I shall bring it to an end.” She jumped to her feet. “And that reminds me…now you’re back we can make up a party for the opera and have a small dinner here beforehand. It’s time we repaid some of the hospitality, don’t you agree?”
    “Certainly,” Aurelia consented. “And will we be inviting the prince?”
    “Why not?” Livia said, with that gleam of mischief in her eye again. “I don’t always have to be the mouse…I can be the cat as well.” She left the salon, her step light and eager.
    Aurelia shook her head, a half-smile on her lips but a flicker of doubt in her eyes. Livia had had her share of suitors in the last few months, and Aurelia was certain there had been several offers of marriage, but none Liv had entertained seriously, even though she