Page 68 of The Trouble with Anna

“I happen to know Ramsay paid seven hundred for Charon, and that price was outrageous!” said Hartley. “Why should I pay even more?”

Anna took a sip of champagne and felt the little bubbles zing through her. The whole room was zinging, in fact, but it wasn’t the champagne. As always, Julian made her fizz.

“You will pay a hundred pounds more because we’ve both ridden him now. I saw the way you mooned. Perhaps we should say nine hundred pounds?”

“Highway robbery! I thought we were friends!”

Anna touched Hartley’s sleeve. “How kind! Wearefriends. But we’re talking horses, you see.”

Hartley sputtered. “You must consider—it’s not thethingto buy a horse another man has recently gifted his—”

Anna was spared Lord Hartley’s lecture because a slim but surprisingly strong hand whipped out and yanked her away.

“Excellent work!” Charlotte whispered as she dragged Annainto the crowd. “Julian nearly had an apoplexy watching you flirt with Hartley. On to your next partner.”

Anna dug her heels in. “I wasnotflirting with Hartley, I havenointerest in dancing, and furthermore—”

“No interest in dancing?” Charlotte cried. “But your next set is with Prince Belozersky! Do you really wish to leave a dear friend of Gran’s unpartnered?”

Anna wilted. “Oh, dash it! Of course not!”

Charlotte’s voice held the oddest note of laughter. “Do your best to be charming. His Highness is a Russian prince, so if the conversation lags you should mention his soul, or your soul, or any sort of suffering. Tell him your mother is dead! There’s nothing like tragedy to please a Russian.”

She marched them off into the crowd again, and when they jerked to a stop at last, Anna’s eyes went wide, her face turned crimson, and she shot Charlotte a look that promised revenge.

Charlotte pushed her down into a curtsey.

Prince Belozersky was no friend of the Dowager’s, or at least he wasn’t an old man, as Charlotte had implied. He was in his prime and then some, as if he’d stolen a few other people’s primes, distilled them like vodka, and poured the whole heady mix into a black Russian military jacket with scarlet-lined tails. Anna took one look at the daunting magnificence of the man’s shoulders and marveled that he fit through doors.

The Prince returned Anna’s stare with a bow and a lazy grin that flashed shining white teeth, and her stomach flopped around like a puppy.

“Oh, good, you’re gaping at him,” said Charlotte. “His Highness does tend to have that effect on people. Do you know, I think his lashes might be longer even than mine?” She craned her neck to look over the crowd. “Julian looks properly furious! Enjoy your dance.”

She shoved them toward the forming set.

“How do you do?” Anna said to the Prince in her steadiest voice, resisting the urge to glance in Julian’s direction. It was too much—even for her—to mortify herself in front of two men simultaneously.

The Prince smiled again. His eyes were a staggering blue that made her think of glaciers, Siberian skies, and ways to warm up in a snowstorm.

“Lady Charlotte does not dance this evening?” he asked, as the music started.

“No. She’s much too busy interfering.” Anna squinted up at him. “Are you really a friend of the Dowager’s?”

“But of course! Lady Alice is all that is charming.” The Prince had the most extraordinary voice. He seemed to linger over his vowels, as if he were licking them. What a shame that another voice, clipped and demanding, had spoiled her for Russians. “But I believe we must make Lord Ramsay jealous,da?”

“I have no desire to make Lord Ramsay jealous,” Anna said firmly, trying hard to believe it.

Prince Belozersky spun her closer. “I shall flirt with you and change your mind?” He tugged Anna closer and gave her the most outrageous wink.

Anna gave in and sneaked a glance at Julian. He was leaning against a pillar and watching her, looking impossibly cold and remote—not the least bit jealous. “I could murder Charlotte. Do you know she told me you were very important and I was to talk to you about your soul?”

The Prince gave a shout of laughter. “Iamvery important. And if Lady Charlotte only had a soul, I would marry her.”

A gurgle of laughter escaped Anna. “The two of you might deserve each other.”

The Prince put a hand on his heart. “I agree. But she has turnedme down three times, imagine!” He pulled Anna closer. “We shall make her jealous too,da? How can I—how do you say—put stars on your face?”

“Put the stars in my eyes, you mean.”

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