Francis tapped his foot restlessly, his eyes fixed on the doorway, hoping to catch a glimpse of the only young lady who had ever truly captured his attention.
Odelle Williams, the youngest daughter of the esteemed lawyer Paul Williams, had seemingly vanished from the face of the earth without a word, and he had been waiting months to see her again. He was certain she would make an appearance at this first ball of the season, the event that gathered the newest crop of debutantes.
He had been overly optimistic last year when he attended her birthday celebration and had the honor of dancing with her. They’d shared a pleasant conversation, and the next day, they exchanged a polite letter about the diamond necklace he had gifted her. But after that, not much else happened.
Well, they did exchange more letters—letters Odelle insisted he leave in the hollow trunk of a tree—but her replies were slow, and he received only two responses, both brief and curt. Worse still, when he went to drop off more correspondence, he found his previous letters still untouched.
Odelle had disappeared, and naturally, he grew worried, fearing she might be ill. Eventually, to his relief, he discovered what had happened. Miss Williams had gone to stay with her eldest sister and then traveled to Scotland, where he assumed she had spent all those long months while he daydreamed of receiving a note in her handwriting.
“Stop fidgeting like that,” Edith whispered.
“I’m anxious.”
“I can tell, but your precious Odelle will be here soon.”
“I just don’t understand why she stopped replying. Was it too much to write and tell me she’d be away for a while?”
“You sound as if she owes you an explanation.”
“Of course she doesn’t owe me anything. I just can’t build a connection on my own,” he lamented. “Do you think she doesn’t like me?”
“Francis, you’re the Prince of England. Everyone likes you.”
“Everyone likes me for my title, for my wealth, not in the way I hope to be liked by my future wife.”
“Look, maybe she’s not interested in you right now, but that can change. It’s a matter of winning her over,” she mused. “If this woman can afford to ignore the prince’s letters, I think she’d make a fine princess. She’s clearly not after your status.”
“That’s abundantly clear. In fact, I can vouch that none of Mr. Williams’ daughters are opportunists. I’ve danced with three of them, and not one tried to swoon into my arms or bat their eyelashes shamelessly.”
“Now that you mention it, why didn’t you ask any of her sisters where Odelle was?”
“Because I didn’t want to. If Odelle doesn’t want her mother to know about our correspondence, she might not want her sisters to know either.”
“That girl is awfully peculiar,” Edith laughed. “Though I get it. Mothers start dreaming up weddings the moment a prince sends a letter.”
“I didn’t know you’d received letters from a prince.”
“Not from a prince, but from a duke, and our mother was over the moon. Still, it’s only the start of the season, and as my first year on the marriage market, I want to take my time.”
“That’s a good approach.”
“Though I can’t take too much time. I know in the blink of an eye, our parents could arrange a match for me. It’s a miracle they’ve let me try to find someone on my own.”
“I have a feeling the same will happen to me if I don’t secure a fiancée within a month or two.”
“But you’ve got this Odelle.”
“Without a doubt, it was love at first sight, but I want to get to know her before any proposal. Besides, I need to catch her interest because right now, it seems I haven’t.”
“Do you think our parents will approve of her? I remember Mother being absolutely horrified after the park incident.”
“It doesn’t matter. If I believe Odelle will make a good princess, I won’t accept any objections.”
“You should be straightforward with her. No subtle courtship—let her know you’re interested and willing to see if you can get along.”
“And how do I do that when she’s already told me she doesn’t want her mother getting any ideas?”
“Meet in secret. Go out without the guards, just with Shaw, and ask him to give you more privacy.”
It was true that Shaw would grant him more space if asked. After all, he was the one who accompanied Francis to drop off the letters and was far too loyal to betray him to his parents.
“That could work, though it’ll be quite obvious when I ask her to dance at every event.”
“That’s why I think being direct is the best option. Tell her it doesn’t matter if her mother starts fantasizing about a wedding because, in the end, that’s what you want too.”
Francis fell silent as he saw Miss Odelle enter through the doorway. The two strands of hair framing her face were as vibrant orange as he remembered, and from the cut of her gown, he could see that her freckles weren’t just on her cheeks and nose but also dusted across her shoulders and neck.
So regal, he could place a crown on her head right then and there.
“Well, I’ve definitely lost you,” he heard Edith say. “I’m guessing that redhead must be Miss Odelle Williams.”
“She looks absolutely stunning,” he murmured, utterly captivated.
“Good grief, I think you’ve drooled on my dress.”
Francis turned to his sister with a serious look.
“You’ll fall in love someday, and I’ll see you act just as bad, if not worse.”
“Probably. Honestly, that’s what I want,” she admitted. “I want a husband I’m eager to see every day, not one I’m constantly dodging.”
“Then I’ll wish that for you,” he said with a smile.
“Thank you. I’m sending my best wishes that this Odelle falls head over heels for you,” she said with dramatic flair. “I’ll go find someone to dance with in the meantime. Maybe I’ll chase after a rogue.”
“Mother will have a fit.”
“I have a theory, though.”
“And what’s that?”
“A scoundrel will always be more honest than any other man. I don’t trust the ones who go to church every Sunday. I’d rather rely on someone who wakes up in a seedy tavern and doesn’t bother hiding their sins.”
Francis was taken aback.
“I’m not completely naive. Just because I have an angelic face doesn’t mean I am one.”
“I hope our parents never hear you talk like this.”
“Don’t worry, I only say these things to you because you’re my confidant.”
Francis smiled. His sister was the person he trusted most in the world, and the feeling was mutual.
“Edith!”
“Oh no, Mother’s already coming with a suitor,” she muttered, a smile plastered on her face.
Francis mirrored her expression. If there was one thing they’d been taught well, it was to smile and feign friendliness with any high-ranking noble.
And the man walking beside their mother had to be someone important, or she wouldn’t bother speaking to him.
“Edith, Francis, this is the Marquess of Bonneville. Lord Bonneville, these are my beloved children, Prince Francis and Princess Edith,” she introduced them.
“Your Highnesses,” he bowed, “it’s an honor to meet you. Her Majesty has permitted me to dance a piece with the princess.”
Francis glanced at his sister. Though her smile remained, her eyes betrayed a lack of enthusiasm.
“Of course, Lord Bonneville, I’d be delighted to dance with you.”
Edith took the gentleman’s arm and walked away at a leisurely pace, seemingly engaging in conversation. At least she was excellent at pretending and always appeared willing, even when she wasn’t.
“That man is twice her age,” Francis remarked.
“She won’t marry him. I’m just giving her a nudge so more powerful men take notice,” their mother explained calmly. “Ideally, it would be a prince—someone to forge new alliances with.”
“Don’t use Edith for that,” he pleaded.
“She’s a princess. You’ll do your part by reigning one day, and though she can’t sit on the throne, she has her duties.”
“Don’t you want her to feel even a shred of affection for her husband?”
“Of course I do. That’s why we’re giving her the chance to choose, and believe me, that’s thanks to me. If it were up to your father, both you and Edith would already be married to the best matches.”
“If you’re presenting her with options, she’s not really choosing.”
“All I’m doing is making things easier for her. A little help isn’t a bad thing,” she said haughtily. “And you need to choose soon, Francis. Your time is running out. If you don’t have a fiancée in a couple of months, you can bet you’ll be walking down the aisle with Lady Nighy.”
“What?” he asked, horrified.
“She’s the granddaughter of the Duchess of Pennington. The girl came out this year, and your father is ready to make an arrangement.”
Francis felt the air leave his lungs. He didn’t know the girl—perhaps she was lovely and more than capable of being a princess—but his heart was already set on Odelle Williams.
“I can introduce you to her right now. She’s beautiful—blonde hair, eyes as blue as the sky, and very slender. I can almost picture the lovely heirs you’d give us.”
“No, that won’t be necessary because I’ve already chosen someone,” he said with confidence.
His mother’s face lit up.
“You didn’t tell me! Is she one of the debutantes?”
“Yes, her name is Odelle Williams.”
“Odelle Williams?” she asked skeptically. “Odelle Williams,” she murmured. “Odelle Williams,” she repeated once more. “Odelle…”
Her eyes widened, her brow furrowed, and with clear irritation, she said:
“No.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re not marrying her. She’s the one who threw herself at you in the park. Are you playing games with me?”
“No, Mother, I’m not playing games,” he assured her. “I’ve been eagerly awaiting this day to express my wish to court Miss Williams.”
“Francis, no,” she repeated.
“What’s wrong with her?”
“And you have the audacity to ask!” she exclaimed indignantly. “She probably threw herself at you on purpose. That incident had everyone talking, and as the daughter of a mere lawyer, she likely did it to draw attention.”
Francis grew angry. He didn’t know Miss Williams well, but he doubted she’d orchestrated being chased by a goose just to fling herself at him.
“She has two sisters who are countesses,” he pointed out.
“I’m aware. I made it my business to find out who she was after she attacked you,” she grumbled. “Apparently, the Earls of Ross and Westmorland didn’t mind marrying a lawyer’s daughters, but I care very much about who my son marries.”
“She also has a cousin, the Duchess of Huntington, and she’s the daughter of a viscount, which makes Miss Odelle the niece of a viscount,” he reminded her. “And if you want more noble connections, Mrs. Williams is the daughter of a viscount as well.”
“And she chose to marry a lawyer,” she said with disdain. “She could have aimed to be a baroness, a viscountess, or even a countess—perhaps a duchess if she were as bold as her niece in trying to catch the eye of a high-ranking noble.”
“Her godparents are the Duke and Duchess of Kent.”
“How convenient!” she scoffed. “Her parents are quite clever.”
“Say what you will, but I’m not changing my mind.”
“Your father will have a fit.”
“I must go. I want to greet Miss Williams and ask her for a dance,” he said, ignoring her words.
Francis bowed to his mother and then walked toward the potential future Princess of England.
A foolish grin spread across his face. He hoped he wasn’t idealizing her too much, or the reality might be a harsh awakening.
As he approached her and her parents, he didn’t hesitate to offer a warm smile. There was something about the family that radiated a certain kindness.
“Your Royal Highness,” they greeted him almost in unison.
Francis returned the greeting and then said:
“Mr. Williams, I would be honored if you’d allow me to dance with your daughter.”
Odelle looked at him with wide eyes, and he couldn’t tell if she was annoyed or surprised that he’d disregarded her request not to give her mother false hopes.
“That’s not really up to me, Your Highness,” Mr. Williams replied.
“He’s the prince, Paul,” Mrs. Williams murmured, maintaining her demure smile.
“He may be the Prince of England, but the decision is Odelle’s.”
Francis felt a surge of admiration for the man. Clearly, he wasn’t an opportunist either. Any other father would have handed over his daughter without a second thought.
With a smile, he turned to Miss Odelle and extended his hand.
“Would you honor me with a dance, Miss Williams?”
To his relief, Odelle nodded and took his hand.
His hopes soared when he noticed she was wearing the diamond necklace he had given her for her birthday.