Page 23 of A Royal Kiss & Tell

Leo smiled thinly and excused himself. People always assumed he had influence in this kingdom, when in fact he had none. If he were to mention to his father that British imperialism was not appreciated the world over, his father would think he’d lost his mind.

“Leo?”

Leo stopped midstride and turned around to the sound of his brother’s voice. Bas was grinning. “Bloody hell, Bas,” Leo said with a chuckle. “Have you stopped smiling since your wedding?”

“I have not,” he said jovially. “I was just off to fetch my lovely bride and have this evening over and done. I won’t lie, Leo—I’m impatient for Tannymeade.”

“God help you, you’re randy.”

“Impressively so,” Bas said with a wink.

“I envy you,” Leo said. “Have you seen the woman who will be my wife?”

“Eulalie?” Bas shrugged. “She’s handsome enough.”

She was handsome, but she lacked the charm that came to Eliza quite naturally.

“Why the long face, brother? Did you expect your future bride to be suitable in mien and compatible in all ways?” Bas teased him. “Do you recall what you used to say to me?”

Leo shook his head.

“Get her, bed her, put a child in her and be on your way.”

Leo winced. He had indeed said that, and more than once. It was easy advice to give, but it was not easy advice to follow.

Bas clapped him on the shoulder. “Come, lad,” he said. “Let’s have this supper done so I can take my wife to bed.”

“My God,” Leo complained. Bas laughed.

They joined the ladies across the room. Eliza saw them first, and her smile flashed brilliantly warm. “My darling! Oh my, I still can’t believe I can say that before everyone,” Eliza said brightly. “Have you met the Duke of Sonderstein? He was just telling us that in Wesloria there is an ancient dial of stones that aligns with the stars and the moon.”

“Your Highness,” the duke said politely as Lady Eulalie curtsied. Lady Caroline curtsied, too, but Leo noticed she was smiling. Always that incandescent smile of hers, cast at him as if they shared a secret.

“May I offer my personal felicitations on the occasion of your marriage?” Sonderstein asked. “You are a fortunate man indeed to be surrounded by such beauty.”

“I am indeed,” Bas agreed.

“My good fortune came in the pleasure of the Alucian country dance with Lady Caroline,” the old man continued, then did a little swinging of the elbows in a manner that Leo guessed was to mimic dancing.

Lady Caroline smiled pertly at Sonderstein, and said, with a sidelong look to Leo, “His Grace very kindly said my steps were excellent.”

“Oh, indeed, theywere,” the duke avowed. “I have rarely danced with such graceful a dancer.”

“Were it not for Caroline’s instruction, I wouldn’t have danced at all,” Eliza said.

“Oh dear, I can’t claim credit foryourdancing,” Lady Caroline said, and she and Eliza laughed roundly.

“Lady Caroline, you’re bound for England soon, are you not?” Lady Eulalie asked abruptly.

“Pardon? Oh, yes! We set sail on the morrow. And you?”

“I’m not due to leave for several days yet. My father has some rather important business to finish with the king.” She smiled slyly at Leo.

Fingers of ice raced down his spine. He didn’t care for her insinuation. If there was an announcement to be made about him, he’d damn well make it himself. He kept his expression neutral and looked away from the group.

“Should be fine sailing weather,” the old duke opined.

“Aren’t you returning to England as well, Leopold?” Eliza asked.