Free A Prince to be Feared: The love story of Vlad Dracula by Mary Lancaster

material or became tongue-tied, appearing overproud, thus convincing them of the same thing by a different route.
    Fortunately, her father seemed in no hurry to make an alliance for her. His fortunes fluctuated with Hunyadi’s, and although her sisters were well married, Mihály was biding his time for Ilona. She was in no hurry either to tie herself to a stranger or to bear children.
    Although she would like to have her own household and manage her own life. And, perhaps, her husband’s. He would be a great man who would value her insight and advice…
    Of course he would , she mocked herself. Just see how the great men here all hang upon your every word.
    ***
     
    It was two hours before her father sent for her. By then, the visitors had gone to inspect Hunyadi’s horses, but under Aunt Erzsébet’s eagle-like eye, she still forced herself to walk sedately as far as the hall door, before she picked up her skirts and flew downstairs to the knights’ hall, which was where the servant had informed her she would find Mihály Szilágyi.
    She saw him through the half-open door, his shoulder leaning casually on the mantel above the fire. Her heart lifted as it always did at the sight of him, an echo of the intense childhood pleasure she’d known whenever he had come home safe from the wars that were his life.
    Without hesitation, she ran across the room, swerving to avoid the corner of the table. Her father saw her at once. A smile lightened his austere face, and he opened his arms. By then Ilona had seen there was another figure in the room, one resting his hip on the table facing her father, but in the momentary joy of the reunion, she didn’t care.
    Mihály Szilágyi hugged her close, and she kissed his rough cheek.
    “I see my sister still hasn’t made a lady out of you,” he said. “Thank God.”
    “Well, don’t tell her or she’ll turf me out,” Ilona said happily. Her father’s arms relaxed, and she turned, frowning, to face the interloper, who should have had the tact and sense just to go away.
    Her stomach gave a lurch that was only half-unpleasant. Vlad Dracula straightened, easing his hip off the table, and inclined his head.
    Her father said, “Vlad tells me your earlier greeting was so distant, he thought you really didn’t remember him.”
    Ilona met the mocking green eyes with defiance. But she was a lady now. She extended her hand to him with elegant, slightly bored civility.
    Vlad took it between his cool, firm fingers and bowed with equally practised politeness. His lips parted in a provoking smile. “Tag.”
    Which was when she realised how remarkable it was that he should remember the childish incident in that day of important encounters, especially amid all that had gone on in his life since. Secretly, she’d hoped he would still be impressive; she hadn’t expected to find him so…human. The discovery was enchanting. A responsive smile tugged at her lips.
    Her father said, “I must make my bow to your aunt. Vlad, my daughter will show you around the castle, conduct you back to your friends, or to the Council Hall, whichever you prefer. In any case, we’ll talk again over dinner.”
    That, more than anything, told her they had done a deal with the exiled prince. The contrast with the fear in her father’s voice three years ago when he’d shouted her name across their own garden, when none of the children had been allowed too close to him, was marked.
    As Mihály Szilágyi strolled from the room, Ilona asked politely where the prince would like to go.
    “Outside, if you can bear it,” he said. “I need fresh air.”
    It was only just spring, and the day was sharp and cold, but Ilona moved at once toward the door, and he fell into step beside her. She observed, “You prefer outdoor life.”
    “On the whole,” he agreed, but she had the impression he wasn’t really listening. His mind was elsewhere, no doubt on the agreements he had just made.
    As they emerged from the castle’s