The Prince's Bride Read Free

Thomas Effington, the Marquess of Helmsley and son of the duke and duchess, could officially approve of the match.
    Jocelyn and her sisters were staying at Effington House for the season and Thomas was to wed her sister Marianne next week at his family’s country estate. Of course, at eighteen, Jocelyn was of age and well able to make such decisions on her own. After all, hadn’t she already refused two proposals thus far this season without anyone’s opinion but her own? Besides, Alexei was a prince and ordinary rules really didn’t apply to him.
    Alexei leaned closer. “There is a music room here. Far enough from the crowd for private discussion of... delicate matters. I shall be there, alone, in an hour. Join me.”
    “Without a chaperone?” She cast him a teasing smile. “Surely you don’t wish me to indulge in something so improper?”
    “There is no need for chaperones between us. Between Alexei and Jocelyn.” His tone was light but his brown eyes simmered. His fingers tightened around hers. “An hour then.”
    She gently pulled her hand away. It would not do to seem too eager. “We shall see, Your Highness. Alexei.”
    “Will we?” His eyes narrowed slightly. “I warn you, I am not accustomed to refusal.”
    Jocelyn met his gaze firmly. “And I am not accustomed to orders.”
    He considered her for a long moment, and again she wondered if she’d pushed him too far. Still, prince or not, if he was to be her husband he should understand she would not be treated as a mere servant subject to his demands. She would certainly do her duty as a wife, and a princess, but she was neither wife nor princess yet. At last he smiled and nodded with approval. “You shall do, my dear. You shall do very well.”
    He escorted her to the spot where Marianne stood with Thomas and her younger sister, Becky, bowed slightly, and took his leave. But not before his gaze met hers, and she knew he had no doubt that she would indeed meet him.
    If Aunt Louella were here it would be impossible to slip away but she had fallen earlier in the day, injuring her ankle, and was forced to stay at home tonight. Jocelyn watched Alexei’s tall figure stride off into the crowd that parted at his passage, and realized he was right. She would keep their appointment.
    “Well, that was certainly interesting,” Marianne murmured.
    “To nearly everyone in the room,” Becky said dryly.
    Marianne studied Jocelyn carefully. “What on earth did he say to you?”
    “Oh, nothing of any significance.” Jocelyn lifted a shoulder in a casual shrug.
    Becky snorted in a most unladylike way. “Not one of us believes that. Tell us—”
    “I don’t like him,” Thomas cut in. He took a sip from the glass in his hand, his gaze fixed firmly on the prince.
    “You’re being overprotective again, Thomas,” Marianne chided. “The man is really charming.”
    “And he’s a prince. A real prince with his own country and castle and ... and a crown I would imagine.” Becky directed her question to Jocelyn. “Does he have a crown? With jewels and gold and whatever else?”
    “I have no idea,” Jocelyn said loftily. “I would think so.”
    “I would hope so. It would scarcely be worth the effort of being a prince without a crown.” Becky’s gaze shifted back to Alexei. “Of course, even without a crown he is rather dashing.”
    “Quite handsome really.” Marianne too studied the prince.
    “And very wealthy,” Jocelyn said softly. He was, in fact, all she had ever wanted.
    “I don’t like him,” Thomas repeated.
    “Thomas, we heard you the first time.” Marianne’s tone was gentle. “And as much as I hate to point this out to you, you don’t have to like him.”
    “Good.” Thomas huffed. “Because I don’t and I am an excellent judge of character.”
    The sister exchanged long-suffering glances. It was not necessary to mention it aloud. Even Marianne, who loved Thomas with all her heart, was well aware that his assessment of the