Gallagher returned for the lunch tray, though I had hardly touched a thing. Just before she stepped out of the room, she paused.
“Mr. Paxton-Hill has booked tickets home to America,” she said to me, her voice low and sympathetic. “The tickets were purchased this morning. His valet told me they were going to leave as early as tomorrow, but Mrs. Hill caught wind of it and made him postpone until the day after the duke’s ball.”
I sank onto the trunk at the foot of my imposing bed. I didn’t blame Alec for wanting to leave immediately, but I also couldn’t imagine him going away and never seeing him again. How would I survive all that was to come without him? He’d seen me through the worst of my journey with Aunt Maude so far.
“I’m not one to gossip,” Gallagher assured me, “but I also know—” She paused. “I also know he’s special to you.”
“Thank you, Gallagher.”
She nodded and then left the room.
I closed my eyes, knowing I needed to face the reality of Alec leaving, but I didn’t have the strength. Everything had happened so quickly once we arrived in England. I was still trying to make sense of it all.
I thought I would have more time.
A book tried to beckon me, though I had no ability to concentrate. I’d written to Imogen and Patrick, but those letters were already posted. My only consolation was that once I was married to the duke, I would have my own allowance, and I could send help back to my younger cousins.
My bedchamber door burst open, and I jumped.
Gallagher appeared, her eyes wide. “The prince is here, and he’s asked to speak to you, privately.”
“What?” I hadn’t heard her correctly. What would the prince be doing back so soon?
“The Prince of Wales—he’s here. In the front drawing room. Mrs. Hill received him, but when she called me to come and get you, she said: ‘His Royal Highness would like to speak to Miss Hill privately.’ That’s what she said.”
“The prince?” I could hardly believe it. I wanted to ask her why he had come, but Gallagher would have less insight than me.
“Would you like to change?” she asked me.
“I don’t think I should keep the prince waiting.” I glanced in the mirror and made sure I didn’t look like a blubbering mess. My eyes were a little red and puffy, but nothing too appalling.
I pinched my cheeks and blinked a few times, though there was nothing to be done about it.
My heart was pounding as I left my room and walked down the two flights of stairs to the main floor. Why in the world wouldthe prince want to see me? According to Lady Mandeville, it was rare that he would make an unannounced call, unless he was very close friends with the person he was visiting.
I paused as my foot stopped on the bottom step.
Had the prince come to proposition me, as I had feared? How would I tactfully refuse him?Couldsomeone refuse him?
I was more nervous than ever before as I walked across the wide foyer and stopped at the drawing room door. It had been left open, and I saw Aunt Maude and the prince sitting on the sofas, across from one another.
The Prince of Wales was dressed in a simple suit, nothing fancy or out of the ordinary. His side whiskers had been trimmed and he was freshly shaved.
They turned to look at me when I arrived, and they both rose to their feet.
“Your Royal Highness,” I said, dropping into a curtsey. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
Except, it wasn’t a pleasure to have him there. It felt somewhat like a nightmare.
“Good morning, Miss Hill. I’ve come to have a word with you, if I may.”
“I’ll step out,” Aunt Maude said, nodding in his direction as she moved toward the door.
I moved out of her way, but she gave me a warning look, as if cautioning me not to ruin anything.
Without another word, she closed the drawing room door, leaving me alone with the prince.
He watched me as I crossed the room to take a seat. My legs were so weak, I wasn’t sure I would reach the sofa. I tried not to cower under the weight of his stare, but it was more intense than last night.
