Page 86 of Her Royal Houseguest

‘That’s ridiculous.’ They couldn’t have a royal prince staying in the disused nursery. ‘Prince Deva does not assign bedrooms in this house. I do. Prepare the gold room and see that Prince Vaji’s things are moved there.’

The butler’s eyes widened. ‘Of course, my lady,’ he said very, very slowly. ‘Unless…’

He stopped speaking at her upraised brows. Did he think to question her decision? ‘Don’t stop there, Mr Bellwalf. Unless what?’

He flushed. ‘Prince Deva is very angry. I cannot think that any of the staff is willing to face his wrath.’

‘They should be more afraid of my wrath,’ she snapped. ‘I am the one who employs them.’

‘Yes, my lady.’

‘Don’t worry about Prince Deva. I will handle him.’

‘Of course, my lady.’

Did doubt colour the man’s tone? Maybe. But she’d be damned if she let anyone else give orders to her servants. Since hiring the new butler and housekeeper, she’d made great strides in stating her orders and expecting them to be executed. She no longer second-guessed herself and had even executed consequences when things weren’t done to her satisfaction.

That was a huge change in her and something that gave her daily pride. But she’d had the unwavering support of the new butler and housekeeper to support her. This was the first time Bellwalf had dared question her. But perhaps there was another reason for his hesitation.

‘What aren’t you saying, Mr Bellwalf?’

‘Are you sure you want to go there? Alone? I do not know if these foreigners are capable of violence.’

She was sure they were but Deva wouldn’t hurt her.

‘You fear for my safety?’

‘Yes, my lady.’

‘Don’t. Though, I suppose you should send a sturdy footman to move Prince Vaji’s things while I speak to Prince Deva.’

Mr Bellwalf was not reassured but he took the order well. He even squared his shoulders as he offered her his support. ‘I will be upstairs as well,’ he said. ‘And I’m quick with my fists, if need be.’

She smiled. It was nice that her butler was being protective.

‘Fisticuffs won’t be necessary but I thank you.’ Then she headed upstairs.

It wasn’t hard to find them. The abbot was chanting in the attic while Deva paced in front of a kneeling Prince Vaji in her parlour. Deva was speaking harshly in Siamese, pausing every once in a while to curse in both English and Siamese. Prince Vaji said nothing, though his ears were pinked red with embarrassment. Neither saw her standing in the doorway.

How long had this been going on? It was clearly not productive. This was Deva venting his spleen on his brother. It was not her place to interfere. But Vaji had been defrocked in the middle of a ball. He’d been cast out of the religion he claimed even though he’d taken full responsibility for his crime. It wasn’t as if he’d murdered someone. He’d been caught in a consensual dalliance. Surely, he had suffered enough.

And yet, this was not her place. And her place had been drilled into her from birth. Other people’s problems remained theirs. Her own problems were not for public discussion. Privacy was paramount.

But hadn’t Deva told her over and over that she was the mistress here, after her parents? If she saw something improper in her own household, then she should end it. She must enforce proper management of her home and that included disciplining unruly servants.

And unruly guests.

Going against a royal was a dangerous thing. Even more difficult was curbing a man’s temper, especially one who had championed her all this time. She was loathe to question him but the longer Deva berated his brother, the more she knew this had to end.

She stepped into the room.

‘I think Prince Vaji understands his crime,’ she said when Deva paused to draw breath. Then she turned to the kneeling prince. ‘Your things have been moved into an appropriate bedroom.’

Neither prince moved. If anything, they stared at her with open-mouthed shock. Oh hell. Clearly, this hadn’t been her wisest choice. But she was committed to this course, so she brazened her way through it.

Smiling at Prince Vaji, she gestured behind her. ‘Bellwalf will show you where it is. I do hope things will look better in the morning.’

Deva rounded on her, his dark eyes narrowed in fury. ‘You dare!’