Free How to Pursue a Princess by Karen Hawkins

a pair ofsherry-brown eyes that gleamed with humor. He was nearly as tall as Wulf, but not nearly as broad shouldered. And his hair was neatly trimmed, unlike—
    I must stop that. Huntley was handsome in a lean, aristocratic way, and that would have to do.
    The earl bowed over her hand. “Miss Balfour, we finally meet. I’ve heard so much about you.”
    “And I, you.” She noted the marvelous fit of his coat, which whispered of a master tailor, and the sparkling ruby that twinkled in the depths of his cravat, as well as a matching one in a ring on his finger.
    “Allow me to introduce you to a dear friend of mine.” He turned to the tall, elegant woman who’d been standing slightly behind him. “Miss Balfour, this is Miss Emma Gordon. I’ve known her for years and she is almost a sister to me.”
    Lily curtsied. As she rose, she exchanged smiles with Miss Gordon. The earl’s friend had brown hair and fine brown eyes, and while not conventionally pretty, she possessed a humorous air that put Lily at ease.
    “Miss Balfour, I hear you’re from the same area of the country as my grandfather, near Cromartie. It’s a lovely area.”
    “It’s beautiful, but very cold in the winter. The ponds are ice for months on end.”
    “Oh, Huntley, you must tell Miss Balfour about how you tried to rescue my poor cat, Tibby, from that iced-over pond.”
    He laughed. “No, no. I refuse to embarrass myself.”
    “Then I shall tell it for you.” Looking mischievous, Miss Gordon launched into a description of the earl’s many attempts to rescue her cat from an icy pond, only to end up stranded himself. Huntley contributed to the merriment by making droll observations on Miss Gordon’s propensity to exaggerate tales.
    The duchess and Lady Charlotte stood back beaming and allowed the three to talk. Finally, the earl glanced at the orchestra. “Miss Balfour, I hate leaving you so abruptly, but I always dance at least one country dance with Emma. After that, however, I would very much enjoy a dance with you if you’ve any left open upon your dance card.”
    Lily flushed. “Of course.” She slipped her dance card from her wrist and handed it to him.
    He used the small pencil that dangled from the card and wrote upon it. “Thank you.” He returned the card to her. “I took the liberty to claim two dances. I hope you don’t mind.”
    From the corner of her eye, Lily saw Lady Charlotte give a hop of joy even as the duchess clapped her hands together. Cheeks hot, Lily sank into a curtsy. “I am honored, my lord.”
    He bowed. “Until our dance, then.”
    With that, he made his farewells to the duchess and Lady Charlotte and escorted Miss Emma to the dance floor.
    The second he was gone, Lady Charlotte sighed. “Isn’t he lovely?”
    “More than lovely,” the duchess declared. “Well, Lily? What do you think?”
    Lily didn’t know what she thought. “He seems very nice, just as you said.”
    “And?” Lady Charlotte urged.
    “Oh, ah. He’s very handsome, too.”
    “Yes?” Lady Charlotte waited.
    “Yes.”
    The duchess looked disappointed. “Nice? Handsome? That’s all you have to say?”
    “He’s—he’s also very tall.”
    “He’s perfect ,” the duchess said.
    In all fairness, Lily had to nod. “He seems so, yes.”
    Chortling, Lady Charlotte tucked Lily’s arm in hers. “There, we all agree!”
    The duchess beamed, finally happy. “Charlotte, while Lily is waiting to dance with the earl, why don’t you introduce her to some other guests, and see to it that her dance card is filled? She’s far too pretty to be a wallflower.”
    “A capital idea! Nothing spurs a gentleman’s interest more than a well-pursued woman.” Lady Charlotte tugged Lily toward the refreshment table. “Ah, there’s Lord Spencer now.”
    An hour later, Lily finished dancing with a young viscount who’d talked nonstop about a horse he’d just purchased. He escorted her to the refreshment table to procure her a glass of