Page 80 of Her Royal Houseguest

Like her, he’d spent his days hemmed in on all sides. She had been constantly criticised for her so-called curse and he had been watched and sabotaged by every competing prince and his mother. But while he went for days without ever changing the scowl on his face, she smiled and found joy in everything around her. Indeed, dancing with her was like catching a beam of sunlight in his arms. She spun, she floated and when she erred, her laugh filled him with happiness.

He was so entranced by her that every night he considered marrying her. He thought about taking her as his first wife and presenting her to his father upon his victorious return to Siam. He would be given a position appropriate to his new, wealthy status. If nothing else, he would be in charge of the trade with England, which could easily be parlayed into a powerful position overseeing more of Siam’s trade.

A noble life. A good life. One where he was respected during the day and came home at night to her. Except that is where his mind faltered because he had seen her face the moment she’d realised his wife would follow him to Siam.

Her shock and horror had cut him to the quick. She had no desire to leave England. And why would she? Her family and friends were here. Certainly, she had troubles with them but he knew she loved them. No woman served her family as she did unless there was some love. Not if there was a means of escape.

They had talked about the dower home where she would live after this Season. So, too, had they discussed her life outside of London when parties were few and she had more fulfilling occupations. She rode, she visited tenants, she consulted with the manager of their land about problems in the county.

She might be scattered in her focus but her heart was true. He could not say that of many people, women or men. And she alone brought his spirit into lightness.

And lust.

Sweet Buddha, that dress! She wore her family colours of blue and gold. It was a court gown, as sumptuous as everyone else’s. But the way she wore it drew his lust like a moth to a flame. He watched how her fingers lingered on the velvet panels, appreciating the texture of the dress. He caught her twirling in a circle and giggling as the dress wrapped around her ankles then expanded. Such delight she had in small things. And how creative she’d been to stitch Siamese words into the design.

She was miserable at learning his language but she had tried. And what she’d learned, she’d stitched into the circles and lines of her dress. The words she wore were awkward. Not exact phrasing for what she intended but he honoured her, nonetheless.

Brought together in friendship, true bonds form.

Did she know what kind of bonds he would like to form with her? Did she wish for more of him than the way he’d pleasured her body? Enough to face the harpies in Siam?

He didn’t know and not knowing always made him irritable. Feeling achingly hard every time he thought of her was also destroying his mood. Better to focus on bringing his country good trade. Meeting the English prince as an equal, not a vassal.

And trying not to freeze without a shirt.

He did his duty to Siam. He performed the protocols correctly. He presented his gifts to Prinny, made sure the abbot was respectful as he blessed the negotiations and stood with pride as the prince gifted him with an elaborate clockwork.

As Anna had promised, Prinny was suitably impressed with the spice and tobacco gifts. Especially as food was immediately summoned so that he could taste the exotic flavours. And Deva was fascinated by the workings of the large clock. Indeed, a clockmaker was on hand to demonstrate the tiny pieces that spun inside.

A fortunate beginning.

All that took two hours while the courtiers stood to the side and watched. Anna had her place beside her father. Deva had worried that she could not present a calm demeanour throughout the long proceedings. She was always moving, always fidgeting when they were together. But in this she was well-trained.

She stood as if in meditation next to her mother, a sweet smile on her face. But he saw—even if others did not—that she fingered the nap of her gown, back and forth between thumb and forefinger. She was likely jumping out of her skin with boredom but instead, she held still and—whenever he caught her eye—she beamed with pride.

What did he care if an English girl was proud of him? He shouldn’t but he did. And he was equally proud of her.

Buddha, when would this end so that he could finally dance with her?

Anna breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, the official part was done. Better yet, she had seen genuine warmth between Prince Deva and Prinny, which could only help with negotiations.

And now to the fun part. The ball!

There was protocol here, too. Everyone paid attention to who got to dance with whom, not to mention all the other gossip that filled the room. Fortunately, this was the event of the Season and any of her old friends who weren’t pregnant had managed to come.

She filled a great deal of time catching up with those she hadn’t seen. She learned with a bit of envy about who had bouncing babies and who was thrilled with married life. And now that she’d experienced her own taste of sexuality, she understood what her friends were whispering. She wasn’t supposed to hear, being unmarried, but she’d always been able to get the gossipy details if she put her mind to it.

Unfortunately, she was also a target for every gossip in the room. Not only had the Siamese delegation been staying in her home but she was friend to Phoebe Gray. The scandal hadn’t fully died down regarding her apothecary. Anna did what she could to quiet the talk but the girl had shocked everyone by showing up to today’s event.

Much as Anna had wanted her there, Phoebe had not been on the guest list. She wasn’t part of the peerage and so couldn’t attend. And yet, there she was in her own pocket of wallflowers and gossips. Anna tried several times to make her way to her friend but she was stopped every time by someone who had a pressing need to discuss something about the Siamese.

She could have foregone the conversations but she knew her role. She was in the best position to make the women of the ton accept the Siamese. If the pillars of female society accepted them, everyone else would follow. Even the men. So she answered every absurd question she could.

‘Yes, the monks bathe every day. They’re very clean people.’

‘Yes, I washed their feet. If it’s good enough for Mary Magdalene with Jesus, then I can do the same.’

‘No, they aren’t Christian but the teachings of Buddha are very similar. They’re a peaceful people. You should ask the abbot for more information. He’s very excited to compare our religions.’ The abbot also wanted to preach but that wasn’t her problem.