Page 24 of Second Chance Prince
“Well,” she said at last. “I have never kissed a prince, and I don’t expect I ever will. I kissed an earl once, or at least he kissed me, but it was only memorable because he had bad breath.”
Roberta, feeling even more guilty for neglecting her best friend, blurted out, “Will you come to the theater tomorrownight? We are going to see a play about…well, something! I think it is a comedy. Please join us! We have a private box, and everyone will be there. You can come with me and be stared and pointed at.”
It was said humorously, but the truth was, Roberta did not enjoy either of those things. She had noticed how greatly her life had changed now that she was officially engaged to Niki. She had become someone to whisper about and to gawk at, and she didn’t like it. Yesterday, when she and Antonia had ridden in the park in their carriage, she couldn’t help but notice herself being noticed. A crowd had begun to gather, and it had become quite frightening, and then, to her relief, one of Freddie’s men had arrived on the scene, dispersed the onlookers, and insisted on accompanying them back to Ashton House.
That was the first time it occurred to her that if Niki was in danger, then she might be too. The realization didn’t seem quite real. Why would anyone harmher? But the answer was, of course, to get to Niki. To harm Niki. To overturn Niki’s world and make him vulnerable to attack. That was what the perpetrator would think anyway, because they believed Roberta and Niki were in love and about to be married.
Roberta told herself this was why she would be relieved when her engagement came to an end and she could go back to living her life the way she liked it. But in her heart, she admitted that wasn’t true. She didn’t want to go back. Despite everything, she was enjoying being with him. She had begun by performing a part, but with every day, it became easier.
And after their kiss, it did not feel like pretending at all.
Estelle clapped her hands and startled Roberta out of hermusing. “Oh yes, please! I would love to come to the theater with you.” Her eyes were shining with excitement, and she looked as if she might begin to dance around the room. She had done that before.
“It won’t be very exciting,” Roberta warned. “All very formal and stuffy.”
Estelle tipped her head to one side, eyeing her curiously. “All buttoned up and—and prim and proper. Is that really what the prince is like? I think I am familiar enough with you, Robbie, to know you could never be happy with a man like that.”
Roberta found herself leaping to Niki’s defense. “He’s not always like that. Yes, he might be in public, but not in private. At least not with me.”
Estelle smiled. Why was she smiling in that knowing way? As if Roberta had said something her friend already suspected?
“Well, I will be able to see for myself now, won’t I?” Estelle said and smiled again.
Disgruntled, Roberta was beginning to wish she had not asked Estelle to the theater after all. She would be watching them all night, and it would only add to the pressure of convincing her that the engagement was real, that she and Niki were actually in love. She should have remembered that before she spoke, but she had felt guilty for neglecting her friend and had wanted to make it up to her.
It was too late now. She would just have to be on her guard. The thing was, when she was with Niki, she was starting to forget the watching eyes of others and lose herself in his.
Chapter Twelve
Vivienne and I will leave for Grantham today,” Gabriel told Roberta the next morning at breakfast. Roberta had come back from her morning ride—she was not going to change that, it helped to calm her, only this time Freddie Hart had ridden with her, despite her complaints that he was spoiling it. Now he sat with them at breakfast, hoeing into kidneys and sausages and swallowing gulps of black tea.
“The army taught me to eat as if there is no tomorrow,” he had excused himself, seeing her watching. “Because quite possibly, there won’t be.”
Gabriel’s words brought her gaze to him. “You’re leaving today? I thought you were coming with me to the theater tonight? I asked Estelle.”
“We were going to go to the theater, but Vivienne wants to take Austin home. He is fractious with his teeth, and she thinks being in familiar surroundings will help calm him. It’s a wonder you did not hear him bawling in the night.”
Now that she looked at him properly, Gabriel did look tired.
“I’m sorry, Robbie. I know this has been difficult for you”—he shot Freddie a fulsome glance—“and I want to help as much as I can, but—”
“No need to apologize,” she cut him short. “I understand, of course I do, and I will manage perfectly well. I’m sure the evening at the theater will be very tedious.”
Gabriel gave her a knowing grin. “Verytedious. Us Ashtons are used to much more exciting times. But you will be joining us for the weekend, so Vivienne and I can make sure everything is prepared for the prince’s arrival.”
“Iamlooking forward to going home,” she said, and was unable to keep the longing from her voice. “I miss it. I miss being able to do just as I please.”
He leaned toward her, and Freddie stopped eating to listen. “Well then, imagine yourself married to the prince. I am thinking of you when I say you could not be the spontaneous Robbie we all know and love, and I’d hate to see you made miserable.”
“I suppose.” She hesitated. She wanted to explain that when she was with Niki, shecouldbe herself. It was just when they were in public or with his family that she was forced to act a part. But then, Niki had had to do that for his entire life. It explained much about him. Not that she thought about him all of the time, goodness no!
“Freddie has assured me he will keep a very close watch over everyone,” Gabriel said, dark eyes serious and that familiar pinch of a frown between his brows. He and Freddie exchanged a glance that made Roberta wonder what they were keeping from her.
“I have sworn nothing will happen to you,” Freddie spoke up, before taking another gulp of tea. He pushed his plate away.
“Which is a good thing,” her brother responded, “because I would have to fight a duel with you if anythingdidhappen. Then I would win, and the authorities would try to arrest me, so I would need to leave the country. Where would we all be then?”
Roberta snorted an unladylike laugh. “If anyone should fight a duel then it is me. I have been practicing with my rapier.”
