Chapter Three
Several cups of punch later, Selina had fully recovered from her fright and humiliation and was back to her old self, laughing and talking with the usual bunch of young ladies as they took turns being whisked around the dance floor.
The Duke of Richmond’s daughter opened the dancing with Prince Magnus, as they were of the highest rank…although, the duke’s daughter was barely fifteen, and the prince treated her as if he were parading the duke’s prize hound…which in a way she was.
Mr Chadwick was unfortunately in deep conversation with Lord Upney, and she hadn’t been able to catch his eye with either her fan or her bosom.
Had she misjudged his interest in her? Possibly.
Which was very disappointing considering how high her hopes had been for an official courtship.
But there was still time, and perhaps Mr Chadwick was as cautious as she was in picking a partner.
If that were true, he was even more desirable to her.
At twenty-six, she was older than most of the young ladies, but thankfully nobody seemed to notice. Possibly because she, like her father, had only risen through the ranks recently. So it wasn’t as if she’d been put on the shelf after years of being ignored. She shivered at the thought!
Becoming friends with Anne two years ago had changed her life and society completely. Her father had spent a short time at the admiralty in Whitehall, and her friendship with Anne had been like a second coming out.
Prior to that she’d lived in Great Yarmouth, and the local gentry had been nice enough, but there’d often been small comments about her looks and her mother that had made her feel like an unwelcome guest in her own home.
No such comments were made now. None of these people had met her mother or knew the sad tale of Selina’s lonely childhood after her death.
When they remarked on her colouring it was only to compliment her, and the ton parties were so much more extravagant and exciting compared to the assembly rooms at home.
Selina’s life had expanded from dull and quiet to an explosion of vibrant colour and excitement.
Her only goal was to ensure this interesting life never came to an end. ‘Do you think Mr Chadwick will ask me to dance with him?’ Selina sighed to no one in particular.
The other ladies shifted awkwardly and were not quick to reassure her about Mr Chadwick’s attentions. ‘His great-aunt is most fierce apparently,’ said Lady Shipley with a sympathetic look.
‘Do you think she won’t approve of him courting me?’
Lady Shipley opened her mouth, but Anne waved her fan dismissively, putting an end to the conversation with a shrug. ‘I doubt he has spoken to her about you.’
Lady Charlotte returned excitedly from a dance with her father.
‘Papa says all of the peers have now been introduced to the princes. And soon they will have to choose their dance partners! Papa is sure His Serene Highness will ask me to dance. All I have to do is be patient.’ At the end of her gasped statement, her copper curls were still bouncing around her ears.
Selina nodded thoughtfully. ‘That must be tedious, having to be introduced to everyone every time you go anywhere.’
‘Not every time, I imagine. Tonight is different, as we’re all staying here. So I suppose it gets all of the introductions to the great and the good done in one go,’ replied Anne confidently.
Lady Shipley nodded. ‘My dear William said much the same. Oh, try to remain calm ladies… I think they’re coming over.’
All of the ladies fussed with their fans or hair while Selina’s stomach jumped for a second time that night. Sure enough, the two princes were being guided towards them by Anne’s father, the earl, and the Duke of Beckton, Charlotte’s father.
The princes were even more dashing up close, and at the sight of Prince Magnus’s white-clad legs striding towards her, she quickly finished her punch and set the glass firmly on the table behind her.
The youngest prince seemed to notice her wise decision and gave her a sly smile.
Selina, who had never had a problem laughing at her own clumsiness, shrugged cheerfully in response.
The sovereign prince of Thrudheim did not seem amused at all by their interaction and gave his brother a disapproving scowl as they came to a stop in front of them.
Introductions were made, and she noticed the slight downturn of Prince Magnus’s luscious mouth when he heard she was the only untitled Miss amongst them.
Perhaps her lack of breeding confirmed his poor opinion of her?
She gave a deep curtsy, careful not to let the several glasses of punch topple her, and resolved to switch to lemonade from now on, as she’d obviously let the excitement of the evening get the better of her.
‘Lady Charlotte, may I have your next dance?’ asked Prince Magnus with a briskness that was quite startling. His voice was deep and crashed against her like a salty wave, his accent reminding her of snowy mountains and crackling fires.
She really would need to switch to lemonade!
Unsure of what to say, Lady Charlotte nodded eagerly before gathering her wits and her dance-card. ‘Yes, Your Serene Highness, I would be delirious.’ Horror flashed across her face, and she quickly corrected herself. ‘Delighted! I would be delighted!’
Selina gave Charlotte a sympathetic look as the prince raised an imperious brow at her stumble and then turned to Anne.
‘Lady Anne, may I have the one after that?’ he asked, and Anne beamed prettily back at him.
‘I would be honoured, Your Serene Highness.’ Anne gave a perfectly poised dip of acceptance.
If she could have, Selina would have given her an encouraging nudge or a wink. But she was wise enough to only smile instead.
The prince of Thrudheim turned to Lady Shipley next, remarking on her husband Lord Shipley’s fine breeding of horses, overlooking Selina entirely.
Honestly, she didn’t mind. The lovely Mr Chadwick and Lord Bartholomew, Charlotte’s brother, usually asked her for the first two dances. Mr Chadwick just hadn’t had a chance to speak with her yet…
Besides, she hadn’t given the best first impression of herself to the prince.
Dropping her punch glass like that, and she wasn’t a titled lady.
So she already knew the prince wouldn’t have asked her to dance, and quite honestly, she didn’t want to be the next princess of Thrudheim anyway.
Yes, the man was blindingly handsome, so much so that she avoided looking at him even now.
But he was also arrogant and frankly…rude.
However, the sympathetic glances from the other women made her feel increasingly uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t even walk away from the conversation either.
One did not walk away from two princes with a little wave and a Oh, look!
There’s Miss Woodward, I haven’t spoken to her in an absolute age! Do excuse me!
Selina spotted Mr Chadwick walking past, and she craned her neck desperately trying to see him around the broad shoulders of the prince.
Finally, when she thought all hope was lost, Mr Chadwick glanced in her direction, her heart leapt, and she fluttered her fan suggestively.
When Mr Chadwick inclined his head with a flirtatious twinkle in his eye, she almost cheered He hasn’t forgotten me!
However, Selina had forgotten about the very people she was standing with, including the princes, and it seemed as if the conversation had shifted into an awkward silence. Anne and the other ladies looked distinctly uncomfortable and were glancing between her and the elder prince.
Surprised, she lifted her head and was startled to see that Prince Magnus, who had only moments before given her the cut direct, was now staring at her with a fiercely intense expression. Surely, he wasn’t offended that she’d become a little distracted?
He hadn’t even been speaking to her, had barely even acknowledged her until now. Why, then, would he look so…enraged?
He definitely hadn’t asked her a question—they’d been having a dull conversation about horses, and she would have heard her name if he’d spoken to her directly. After all, she would never be so overcome by the sight of Mr Chadwick that she would miss her own name.
‘You seem…distracted, Miss Mortimer,’ growled Prince Magnus slowly as if he were the wolf pinned to his chest, opening its jaws ready to take a bite out of her.
The lace of her fan fluttered against her bosom as her hand began to tremble. His deep blue eyes became hooded as his gaze lowered to the movement, lingered for a moment and then drifted up again.
A shiver ran down her spine, but she was her father’s daughter and refused to be intimidated.
She snapped the fan closed and smiled pleasantly at their audience.
‘Not at all. A team of grey mares you say, My Lord. How lovely they must look driving your white barouche.’ She smiled triumphantly at Prince Magnus as Lord Kesgrave pontificated away in agreement.
The prince’s eyes narrowed before shifting away.
Ha!
Except her victory soured when she saw Anne’s look of disapproval, and she lowered her gaze. Dash it all! She could never please everyone all of the time.
‘Miss Mortimer, may I request the next dance?’ asked Prince Hans, startling her with a kindness that was as sweet as a sugared almond.
Selina took out her dance-card and made a great show of considering the blank booklet thoughtfully before cheerfully replying, ‘I think I can squeeze you in, Your Serene Highness.’
To her relief everyone laughed except, of course, Prince Magnus, who raised his chin slightly as if his throat hurt.
The next dance was a waltz, which was still considered a little risqué and was of course Selina’s favourite. The icing on the cake was that she’d be dancing it with an actual prince!