Page 6 of My Wild Horse King

Alexei’s like a trump card.

He’s young, handsome, polite, and chivalrous, judging by the way he hauls me all the way upstairs and finds a maid to locate one of his sisters’ gowns.

“I can’t possibly borrow one of their gowns,” I say. “My father would?—”

“No sister of mine would ever even notice,” he says. “Trust me. They have enough gowns between them to clothe all of Saint Petersburg. It’s practically a crime.” His eyes are dancing.

A crime. I can’t help thinking of the true crime—marrying your daughter off to pay your own debts. I wonder whether this is what happened to my mother.

“You were always so happy—bubbly, really,” Alexei says. “Is everything alright?” His eyes study mine. “You look. . .morose.”

“I’m fine.” I can’t quite make the words sound sincere, but I did manage to say them.

“You know, Tatiana sounds just like that when she’s lying.” He’s narrowed his eyes. “You may as well tell me. I won’t stop prying until I discover the truth.”

“Did you happen to notice my father earlier?” I ask.

He frowns. “You were moving toward him—with Boris, were you not?”

Alexei and my brother don’t get along. That I recall. “They brought me here—my very first ball at the royal palace—for a reason.”

Alexei’s frown deepens. “Don’t tell me.”

“The man my father was standing next to. . .”

“With the grey hair?” Alexei arches one eyebrow. “No. It’s not possible.”

“We’re supposed to finalize our ‘engagement’ tonight, only I just found out.”

Alexei groans. “I’d heard that some families—you must refuse.”

“Really,” I say. “I do appreciate your help, but there’s not much you can do.” I pull the sash around my dress, wrapping it around twice, spreading the fabric out, and tying a large bow. “Just like this rip in my dress—I’ll cover up what I can, and I’ll figure out how to deal with the rest.”

As if summoned by my statement, the lady’s maid returns, her arms laden down with heavy dresses. “I’ve located three gowns none of them will ever miss.” She eyes me. “I think at least one of them will work.”

“You go change,” Alexei says. “I have an idea for the rest.”

I try to argue, but between him and the maid, I’m bundled off to the back room before I can compose a decent explanation as to how I’ll handle things. Alexei disappears immediately, and then I’m half-undressed by the maid with lightning fingers two minutes later.

“This one, I think.” The maid holds out a stunning, sky blue gown, embroidered with silver thread. “Your coloring is so similar to Miss Tatiana, and this one was made for her. She hates birds, or she’d probably be wearing it now.”

“I can’t possibly take her gown.” I brush my fingers across the rip in mine. “If you could just sew up this section?—”

“It’ll only tear again,” the maid says. “The fabric’s too sheer to be sewn in that way. The only hope for that is a patch.”

“But this gown?—”

“Did I mention that Miss Tatiana has also gained a bit of weight.” The maid’s lip curls. “Trust me. She won’t be missing this one—it no longer fits her properly.”

I finally allow her to button and tie me into the gorgeous dress. A few moments later, I’m marching back out into the hall, ready to take on my father with renewed vigor. Surely, once I tell him that I’m not ready for marriage, Lord Engelhardt will agree to wait. Or maybe he’ll move on to someone else who is ready now.

But when I reach the stairs, Alexei’s waiting for me. He’s beaming. “You know, we could do one another a favor.”

I freeze. “What do you mean?”

“Mother has been after me to meet someone eligible.”

My heart races. “Oh?”

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