Page 16 of A Touch of Charm
“And what standing is that, hmm?”
Stan’s eyebrows rose high, but a flash of defiance sparkled in his eyes. Thea knew she almost had him. He was the only brother who could understand her predicament… if he listened.
“Soon, before the altar—”
“Not you, too!” Thea huffed and slipped out of her shoes. She’d sleep a little next door but she wouldn’t rest if Stan were going to lock her in an ivory tower again.
“Don’t roll your eyes at me!” Stan whispered in the most menacing tone he could muster without waking Mary across the hall. Terribly dangerous indeed, but not too loud to wake a sleeping child.
Thea shook her head. Why was it that men thought she’d submit to their expectations?
“The White family don’t know who you are, so they can’t tell anyone you stayed with them. As far as they are concerned, you’re just an incredibly well-trained governess. If we merely say that you missed me and came to visit before your nuptials, we may be able to save your reputation.”
“Stan, I either sleep in the room with Mary or in the one next to her. She’s six. Rest assured, my virtue is intact. And I’m not going to lie; there’s no shame in working as a governess teaching a wonderful little girl Latin, geography, and arithmetic.”
“It’s unexpected for a princess.”
“Well, it may be. Things happen that are unexpected. Look, I’m here. Surprise!” Thea said with a feigned smile and stretched her arms over her head as if she’d dramatically appeared on stage.
That gave Stan pause. “What has happened at home since I’ve been gone?”
“Nothing new.” She shrugged.
“And yet unexpected enough for you to flee?” Stan cocked his head.
“No, I’ve been there for the past two months, haven’t I? Clearly, I’m still there and trying on veils for the ceremony,” Thea retorted and brushed over an imaginary veil that didn’t hang behind her back. The idea of trying one on for the Habsburg prince was more akin to a noose than a veil. “I’m the runaway bride now,” she added. But then Thea saw Stan’s rather sad look, as if he pitied her for the trouble she’d gotten herself into. “Do you know you are the only one who ever understood me? And now you don’t!”
“That’s not true!” He laughed at that. Their connection was still there. He’d always been the one brother who listened to her before passing judgment on a mere girl.
“It is in matters of power.”
“I have no power; I’m the youngest of four brothers. I’m the runt of the litter.”
“You’re taller and kinder than all the others, so you’re not the runt of the litter.” She gave her chin a feminine tilt. “And women certainly don’t see you as one.”
“I don’t count.”
“Well, what aboutmeif you thinkyoudon’t count? The only thing worse than being the fourth son is to have come after him and be a girl. I’m the only daughter, the last one.”
“Mother loves you more than any of us boys.”
“No, she relates to me more and feels my voiceless pain. For Father, I’m a mere bargaining chip.”
“You’re a princess.”
“A valuable bargaining chip, no more. You should have seen how he looked at me the night I—”
“Thea, please don’t tell me…”
“Oh, but I did! And I know what I’m doing.”Some of the time. But he needn’t know.
Stan deflated visibly and sighed deeply as if he’d witnessed the drama of that night himself. “You told Father that you don’t want to marry Prince Ralph?”
“Yes. And that was when I presented him with the charter.”
Stand grimaced as if he’d seen the disaster unfold. “What happened then?” He rubbed his brow.
She inhaled deeply, but the pain of the heartbreak that night hurt her so much that even the cool air couldn’t settle her nerves. “He wailed.”
