Part 6 (1/2)
Unaware of her turmoil, her stepmother and stepsisters greeted the man with the greatest enthusiasm. ”Your Highness!”
”Most pleased!” Sorcha, flushed with pleasure, dipped a curtsy.
Mairi followed suit. ”Such an honor!”
He bowed absently to them, his gaze never leaving Bronwyn, possessive and hot. She felt every bit as exposed as she had in the forest-and more. Her heart thudded sickly against her chest and she felt as if she were caught in a horrible dream.
He looked so different in formal dress; lordly, prouder, and far less approachable. His perfectly cut coat fit across his broad shoulders and then tapered down to his narrow waist. His close-fitting knit breeches molded to his muscular legs and made her fight to breathe. Now he truly does look like Roland. ”You are no huntsman.”
Lady Malvinea's startled gaze flew to Bronwyn. ”Bronwyn!”
Sorcha's eyes widened.
Mairi gaped as she looked at the prince from head to toe. ”This is your huntsman?”
Oh dear. I shouldn't have said that aloud.
Alexsey took Bronwyn's hand, his green eyes twinkling as he bowed. ”I am indeed a huntsman. Since our meeting, I've done nothing but hunt”-he flashed a wolfish grin-”for you.”
She opened her mouth, but not a single word came out. This was not good. Not good at all. He was the prince, the very man Mama wished for Sorcha. And yet here he was, holding her hand.
He traced a circle over the back of her hand with his warm thumb, and she had an instant memory of his hands on her waist and hips, of his firm, warm mouth upon hers. Heat flooded her and her face burned yet again.
”Do not blush, little one.”
Mama, who had been staring at them with her mouth agape, stiffened. ”Little one?”
Strathmoor leaned forward to say something under his breath to the prince, who looked irritated. ”Ah. I did not know.” He inclined his head toward Mama. ” 'Little one' is what I call your daughter, but I have been informed that's not a polite form of address.”
”Oh. I-I'm sure you didn't mean to be forward.” Mama couldn't have looked more irritated. ”That's . . . I'm certain there's . . . I just don't . . .” She subsided into red-faced silence, her eyes blazing.
The prince turned back to Bronwyn. ”I am glad to have finally found you.” His hand tightened over hers, warm and powerful.
”Oh. Yes. That's very nice.” Bronwyn tugged her hand free. ”Thank you, Al-Your Highness. You are too kind.”
Alexsey's eyes warmed, and he moved closer.
A s.h.i.+ver traveled through Bronwyn, warming her skin and making her nipples peak. The reaction was so quick, so raw, that she had to fight to breathe.
Mama's brittle laugh cut into the moment and jarred Bronwyn back to her senses. ”My goodness, I scarcely know what to say! How do you two know one another?”
Bronwyn shook her head. ”We don't know one another. Not really.”
”But we do,” Alexsey said, his smile fading. ”Lady Malvinea, I had the privilege of meeting your stepdaughter several days ago. My grandmother's dog disappeared during a hunt and your stepdaughter, who was reading a book in the woods, found her.”
”In the woods? Alone?” Mama cut a shocked, reproving glance Bronwyn's way.
”Actually, no,” the prince said, looking regretful. ”She had two large horse-dogs guarding her. She was quite safe.”
Mama said in a stiff tone, ”I didn't mean to suggest she wasn't; I'm sure you were a perfect gentleman. I'm just surprised Bronwyn never mentioned this meeting.”
Bronwyn shook her head. ”I didn't think it was important. He had some of Selvach's arrows and was wearing common clothing-he didn't look a bit like a prince.”
Mairi leaned closer to Bronwyn and said under her breath, ”How could you forget what he looked like? He's perfect!”
Alexsey laughed, the deep, rich sound sending familiar tremors through Bronwyn. ”Miss Mairi, I am many things, but perfect is not one of them.”
”I'll vouch for that,” Strathmoor offered, looking amused.
Mama wasn't finished. ”Bronwyn, you obviously told your sisters about this meeting in the woods, but you said not one word to me.”
”I told them I'd met a huntsman, because that's what I thought he was.”
”And she only told us because we made her.” Mairi bit her lip when her mother's gaze flashed her way.
”I can see I've caused an uproar, and it was not my intention.” Alexsey tried to hide his impatience. ”Roza did not know my t.i.tle because I did not tell her.”
”Roza?” Miss Sorcha frowned.
Bronwyn said, ”I refused to tell him my name, so he called me Roza and-”
”But-” Lady Malvinea began.
”Pardon me.” Alexsey bowed. ”I will dance with your stepdaughter.”
”Oh no!” Bronwyn moved back until she was slightly behind Miss Sorcha. ”I don't dance.”
”Bronwyn doesn't dance, and Mairi's too young.” Lady Malvinea's back was ramrod straight, like a soldier preparing for battle.
Alexsey had to give the lady credit. Her words and expression were pleasantly polite, but her posture and the line of her jaw showed a determination that gave one pause. He knew many statesmen who would pay money to be able to use just such skills.
”Mama!” Miss Mairi hissed, her face red. ”You said I could dance this evening!”
Lady Malvinea's smile didn't slip. ”Not with the prince.” She slipped an arm about Sorcha and edged her forward. ”But Sorcha dances divinely.”
Alexsey bowed. ”I look forward to dancing with both of your daughters.”
”Excellent! Sorcha will-”
”-dance with me after I have danced with Miss Murdoch.” He captured Bronwyn's hand, tugging her forward.
She tugged back. ”No, no. I'm only here to chaperone-”
”We will dance.” Alexsey tightened his hold. He'd waited many long days to find this woman, and he'd be d.a.m.ned if he'd let her out of his sight. ”I will not accept a no.”
”But I-”
”Bronwyn!”
Everyone looked toward Lady Malvinea.