Free To Charm a Prince by Patricia Grasso Page A

him a puzzled smile.
    “Tell me more about this feud between the Douglases and the Emersons.”
    “The feud has been settled,” Samantha told him, “or it would have been settled if I had become betrothed to Alexander.”
    Rudolf frowned at the mention of Alexander Emerson. “Tell me about it.”
    “When I was a child, Charles Emerson swindled my father out of most of the Douglas fortune,” Samantha said. “My father lost the remainder when he tried to recoup his losses by gambling. We were forced to leave the mansion in Grosvenor Square, and I suffered the accident that left me with a limp on our last day there.”
    “Charles Emerson ran over you with his carriage.”
    Samantha nodded. “My father’s best friend, the Duke of Inverary, would have helped but was in Scotland at the time.”
    Rudolf cocked a brow at her. “What about when His Grace returned from Scotland?”
    “My father was too proud to ask for help,” Samantha answered, “and the duke couldn’t find us. For ten years, my sisters and I plotted revenge against Emerson, especially after my father became sick with drink.”
    “How could three young ladies possibly get revenge?” the prince asked.
    “My older sister is an expert cheat at dice and cards,” she told him, “but we couldn’t contrive to get into the gambling hells.”
    “So, how did you and your sisters get revenge?”
    “By chance, Angelica met Robert Campbell at a fair but didn’t know he was the duke’s son,” Samantha answered. “When my father passed away, Aunt Roxie sent His Grace a note, and he invited us to live with him. Robert promised to get revenge for us. Before that could happen, Venetia Emerson Campbell—Robert’s widowed sister-in-law and Alexander’s sister—tried to kill Angelica. Apparently, Venetia had wanted to be the Duchess of Inverary and had killed her younger sister, Robert’s late wife.
    “In an attempt to avoid a scandal, His Grace suggested Venetia and her father be transported to Australia. That left Alexander with the Earl of Winchester title and the family fortune.”
    “Why was Alexander spared?” the prince asked.
    “Alexander was completely innocent,” she answered. “In fact, Emerson had been trying to have him assassinated—”
    “Emerson wanted to kill his own son?” Rudolf interrupted, his expression mirroring his surprise.
    “Yes, but I don’t know the reason,” Samantha told him. “Anyway, Alexander wanted to make amends by marrying me. The Douglas lands and fortune would have been returned to us, albeit indirectly through our marriage.”
    “Were you the family sacrifice?” Rudolf asked.
    “What a horrible thing to say.”
    “You do not love him.”
    “I respect him.” Samantha blushed, adding, “Ladies who limp aren’t exactly the height of fashion.”
    Rudolf covered her hand with his. “Princess, your limp is of no importance.”
    “It is important to me,” Samantha said. “Tell me why your father prefers Vladimir.”
    The prince’s whole demeanor changed. The smile in his eyes died, replaced by anger and something else. Was it pain she saw? Of course he would be angered by his father imprisoning his mother and hurt by his father’s lack of love. Why would any man do that to the woman he loved? Why would a father reject his oldest son in favor of the second?
    Unable to bear the angry pain etched across his face, Samantha wished she hadn’t asked about his father. She dropped her gaze to her plate.
    “Let us retire for the night,” Rudolf said, standing and offering her his hand.
    Entering their bedchamber, Samantha removed her cloak and tossed it aside. Then she undressed down to her chemise. Protesting his presence would do no good.
    Samantha knelt beside the bed and covered her face with her hands. Silently, she prayed, Thank You, Lord, for allowing us to get this far—
    “Samantha?”
    Spreading her fingers, she peered at the prince, who sat on the opposite side of the bed to remove his