Chapter 19
When she didn’t emerge immediately from the house, Alexander wondered if perhaps they had the wrong address.
He called to the footman. “You are sure this is the correct house?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He flipped his pocket watch open and closed it several times before a young woman came out the front door. She looked like a maid.
Alexander listened as she spoke to the coachman.
“Are you waiting for Miss Thea?”
“We are.”
“She has already gone. A carriage came and took her away.”
Alexander opened the door and stepped out. “Whose carriage?”
The girl curtsied low. “I don’t know, my lord. It was black, like this one. No crest.”
“Did she think it was mine?”
The maid looked up. “I believe so, my lord. She was distraught and crying.”
From the note he had received, Alexander believed her. It had said only, Yes. I say yes. Please come for me. I need you. Nine o’clock.
They had arrived three minutes early.
“Where did it go, miss?” the coachman asked.
“That way.” She pointed in the direction they were facing.
“Who could it have been? Best guess?”
She looked from side to side. “I don’t mean to gossip, my lord. It is forbidden.”
“Hurry, and you will be fine.”
“The duke sent a note last night to Lord Templebourne. My brother said he was incensed.”
“The Duke of Carlton?”
“Yes.” She looked to the side as another carriage approached. “I must return to the house.”
“Thank you,” Alexander told her as rubbed his face. To his coachman he said, “Take me to St. George’s flat. He’ll know where to go.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And, Peter?”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Hurry.”
“What’s with all the banging?” Hudson sounded annoyed, and Alexander didn’t care.
“I need directions.”
“Before dawn?” Hudson grumbled as he held the door open wider.
“It’s after nine.”
“Uncivilized Russian.”
“Where can I find the Duke of Carlton?”
“How the bloody hell would I know? Probably sleeping in his bed, like any reasonable person at this hour.”
“Think, Hudson.”
“He’s on the square. Grosvenor. Big bloody mansion. Giant stone wall. Can’t miss it. My footman knows it, no doubt.”
“He’s coming with us.”
“Fine. Fine. Just return him at a reasonable hour.” Hudson yelled over his shoulder, “Darvy, you know the Duke of Carlton’s?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Take His Highness there.”
“Yes, of course.”
Alexander turned to leave.
“Alex,” Hudson said.
“Yes.”
“Try to avoid causing an international incident, would ya? No one wants another bloody war.”
Alexander would have laughed if he wasn’t prepared to do just that. “No promises.”
“Without an appointment, I cannot let you in, sir. We have visiting hours tomorrow afternoon.” The butler was dismissive.
“I am Prince Alexander Nicholas Karalovy of the Empire of Russia. I demand to speak to the duke immediately.”
The butler’s eyes grew wide. “Your Highness, I apologize, but the duke is from home.”
“Where is he?”
“I am not at liberty to say, Your Highness, even if I knew.”
“Is she here?”
“Is who here?”
Alexander didn’t want to say her name and ruin her reputation. “A young woman, with the duke.”
“My lord—Your Highness, I mean. I daresay not. The duchess lives here. And the duke would never—”
“Ludwig, what is the commotion?” An elderly woman’s voice came from beyond the entry hall.
The butler went pale and turned. “It is nothing, Your Grace. Just a caller for His Grace.”
“At this hour?”
The butler turned back to Alexander. “You must go. I will leave your card for His Grace. I hope you find who you are looking for.”
“Who are you?” The elderly woman stepped into his view, a quizzing glass held to her eye. “Surely, with breeding like yours, you know it is much too early to call.”
“My apologies, Your Grace. If it was not urgent that I find your son, I would never have bothered you at such an inappropriate hour. Forgive me,” he said as he bowed. “Prince Alexander Nicholas Karalovy of Russia.”
“Aren’t you a handsome one? A prince, you say? What is so urgent?”
He had a choice to make. And he chose discretion. “A matter between gentlemen, Your Grace.”
“A woman, no doubt. Men rarely get so hot under the collar about anything else.”
He couldn’t help but laugh. “If your son returns, I need to speak with him urgently. Your butler has my card.”
“I shall ensure he does.”
Alexander turned to leave as another carriage came through the gates.
“In fact, there he is.”
Alexander bowed again. “Your Grace,” he said once more before he strode off toward the carriage.
The door opened, and the duke climbed out.
“Where is she?” Alexander demanded.
“Not here,” the duke replied.
“I swear, if you value your life …”
“I sent her on her way. It was a mix-up. She took the wrong carriage. She was trying to come to you.”
“Where is she now? And why was your carriage waiting?”
“Long story, Prince Karalovy. Suffice it to say, you win. She picked you.”
“I wasn’t aware there was a competition.”
“Apparently there wasn’t.”
“Where is she now?”
“Wherever she asked my driver to take her.”
“You are lucky.” Alexander wasn’t going to waste another moment here. He strode toward his own carriage. “To the estate,” he called to the coachman.
“Clearly not as lucky as you,” the duke called after him.