Page 45 of From London, With Love
He pressed her hand to her face. “I take presumptions again, but I’ve barely been able to sleep or think since I heard the news. I would hate for you to think me guilty, after all we’ve shared.”
“Prince Ivan—"
He kissed her.
Alexandra stilled, but it was not as immediately disgusting as she’d originally feared. Though certainly not as sweet as Gideon’s kisses.
She didn’t know what to do. Prince Ivan was clearly interested in pursuing an alliance. And ties to Russia could prove beneficial. There was a wealth of trade treaties to explore.
And no other prince or duke here for the exhibition had pursued her with as much fervor. Though his presence didn’t make her heart flutter, she felt he could have been managed. A parade of mistresses through his bed would keep him distracted whilst she ruled the realm, and they would only occasionally have reason to come together.
This alliance could be good for Britain.
Ivan’s kiss deepened, as if he’d expected her to push him away immediately.
She set her hands to his chest, intending to do just that.
Footsteps slowed, and a shocked gasp echoed through the parlor just as Alexandra sought to escape Ivan’s tongue. She pushed away from Prince Ivan in a flurry, only to find her lover standing in the doorway.
The shock on Gideon’s face scalded her.
“Gideon—”
He swiftly masked the heavy emotion she’d seen. “My apologies. I was not aware there was anyone in this wing.” Bowing his head, he stepped away from her, and she hated the way he would not meet her eyes. “I shall leave you to… to it.”
“Gideon.” She started after him, but he was practically fleeing down the hallway, his long legs eating up the rugs and his coattails flaring behind him.
Her hand lowered as she noted the hunched way he held his shoulders. She’d hurt him. He knew she was being courted by another man, her future offered to another, but it was one thing to know it, quite another to see it.
She felt ill.
What was she going to do? Prince Ivan had clearly displayed his intentions. Russia would be a good match for her empire.
But every inch of her heart demanded she chase Sir Gideon and try to explain.
“I think perhaps that now he will know I am not merely afriendto the queen.” Prince Ivan wore a satisfied smile as he stepped beside her, placing a hand on the small of her back and rubbing there.
She wanted to scream.
Chapter 13
The queen stared into space as she lounged in her bath.
What was she going to do? Prince Ivan had displayed his intentions quite clearly, and Gideon— Gods, Gideon. She couldn’t help seeing his face again, as he came across another man kissing her. She hadn’t seen him since, no matter how much she’d searched for him. It made her feel ill.
Water suddenly cascaded over her head and shoulders.
Alexandra sputtered, and hauled herself upright. “Are you trying to drown me?”
Mina rested her bottom on the edge of the bath, lowering the jug. “I was washing your hair. It’s not my fault you’re distracted. I warned you. Twice.”
Alexandra subsided with a thin press of her lips. “You voted for me to take a husband, so technically, itisyour fault. What did you expect?”
“You’ve blithely ignored all your suitors,” Mina replied, handing Alexandra a washcloth. “And yet you’re clearly mooning after someone. I will confess, I’ve never quite seen you like this.”
“I’m not mooning after anyone,” Alexandra snarled.
Mina arched a brow which said, quite clearly, what she thought of that statement. “I thought we kept no secrets from each other?”
