Free Be My Prince by Julianne MacLean

his brother will seek us out this evening. I expect he will enter the lobby at any moment.”
    Carmichael glanced over his shoulder. “Be careful around the brother. He is a known libertine and an irresponsible rake. He takes advantage of his status as a royal, and has a reputation for misusing the ladies. You should not associate yourself with him too closely.”
    This unexpected warning from Alexandra’s benefactor was like a knife in her heart, for though she was committed to her duty, she had developed feelings for Nicholas, however foolish they may be, and felt a passionate need to defend him.
    “To the contrary, he has been very kind to us,” she argued. “He escorted us personally to the park that day, and has assured me of his support in my quest to be considered as a worthy candidate for Randolph, who relies on his brother’s judgment and advice.”
    “You don’t say.” Mr. Carmichael regarded her with surprise. “Did he tell you this himself?”
    “He has been very helpful,” Lucille added.
    “He most certainly has,” Alexandra said.
    Carmichael said nothing for a moment, but she saw a muscle flick at his jaw.
    “You seem displeased,” she said.
    “That is because you will not heed my advice.”
    She swallowed over the sudden impulse to say something she might later regret. Instead, she responded in a calm voice, “Rest assured that I know exactly what I am doing, sir, and I must demand your cooperation. Please keep your distance while I perform the necessary tasks.”
    The crowd fell silent all around them, and Alex leaned to peer around Mr. Carmichael’s tall frame, which was blocking her view of the stairs.
    “The royal family has just descended from the theater box,” Alex said. “You must leave us now.”
    Carmichael had no choice but to back away, where he soon melted into the crowd.
    “You were very rude to him,” Lucille scolded. “What did I tell you about treating him with the respect and gratitude he deserves?”
    Alexandra faced her stepmother. “I was not rude, but I will not be treated like his pawn.”
    Her stepmother raised her chin defensively.
    Alexandra continued, “Please tell Mr. Carmichael not to distract me like this in public again, or he will soon find himself on the outside of this arrangement.”
    Lucille grabbed hold of her arm. “It is you and I who will find ourselves on the outside, if he withdraws his financial support.”
    Alex wrenched her arm away and immediately turned toward Randolph. “Your Royal Highness.” She greeted him with a curtsy.
    He offered his gloved hand to help her rise. “Lady Alexandra. What a pleasure to see you. Are you enjoying the performance?”
    “Yes, it is breathtaking,” she replied.
    Princess Rose approached as well. “Good evening.”
    Alex studied her briefly. “Good evening, Your Royal Highness. How lovely you look. That color is most becoming on you.”
    Rose smiled. “And may I return the compliment? What a pretty shade of blue.”
    Nicholas joined them at that moment and Alex swallowed over a cumbersome knot of confusion, for she had come into this believing herself capable of ruthlessness. The news about her family had given rise to an inner ambition she had never known before.
    But now she was battling a potent wave of self-doubt and uncertainty. One moment she felt as formidable as a steel sword, and the next, when she locked eyes with Prince Nicholas, she burned with desire and was tempted to throw everything aside for passion and desire.
    They shared a brief look, and she wondered if he knew her defenses were weakening. There had been no communication between them since the letter. She had not replied, nor had he come to call for any reason.
    His brother turned to her. “I have it on good authority that you will be attending the ball at Almack’s tomorrow evening, Lady Alexandra. Would it be too forward of me to take this opportunity to request the honor of a dance?”
    “It would not be forward at all,”