Page 176 of Snowbound Surrender

Maxim nodded ata gentleman who passed him, but did not say a word. It would just encourage him to stop, and he was in no mood to speak to anyone.

The formality of the room, the stifled conversation, the reserve; it was too much. It reminded him too much of home, the rigours of the Court, the careful way everyone had to speak – and though there were moments of joy, there were few positive memories.

He had expected Prinny to be here by now. Everyone had told him that the Prince Regent loved to preside over his Court, when in town, and so he had dressed up to – what was it they said here? Ah, the nines. He had dressed up to nine, if that was the phrase, all in the hope of finally conversing with the ruler of this country man to man. But he was not here.

Maxim pulled at the tight collar and sighed. All he wanted to do was get out of these stuffy clothes and let off steam. Jump on a horse, maybe, and ride full pelt to the countryside, to get out of the coldness of London.

But he had to stay. He could not leave now, and hear later from an acquaintance that the moment he had stepped out of the Court, the Prince had stepped in.

A gaggle of ladies passed him by but he did not watch them go. No matter how many beautiful women there were, it did not change the fact that St. James’ Court was more like a prison than a palace, and he knew far too much about the former.

He has to stay. No one can ever discover his secret, and if he left now…

His lazy eye meandered around the room. His gaze caught the eye of a woman who smiled coquettishly. She was rather pretty, in an English sort of way, and for a moment Maxim considered wandering over to flirt for a few minutes. Anything to take his mind off this boring wait for a Prince who may or may not appear.

But no; he must stay focused.

“I think the food here is absolutely awful.” His companion had returned from the table which had been laden with the best food England had to offer, but his expression was one of disgust. “Répugnante.”

Maxim smiled. Well, there was one prince here, but Prince Éduard of Aviroux was not the one who could give him his throne back. They were family, of a sort, and had gained him his invitation to this dratted place.

“You think French cuisine is better?”

Prince Éduard grinned. “Well, yes, actually. I suppose that is of no surprise to you?”

Maxim laughed but said nothing. This fortnight over the Christmas festivities would be much drabber once Éduard returns to his country estate.

“What is on your mind, Maxim – actually no, do not tell me. It will drive you mad, I am sure, if I attempt to guess.”

“All this formality,” Maxim growled. “All this waiting around – I am of royal blood, I should be able to just go and find the Prince Regent and – ”

“You, complaining about English formality?” Prince Éduard laughed. “I thought the Russian royal court was the strictest in the world? You’re a Czar, damnit!”

Maxim did not reply.

His friend sighed. “I hate to leave you in a bad temper, but I need to be off.”

Maxim’s attention snapped to their conversation. “Be off?”

“Leave,” Prince Éduard said with a wry smile. “My apologies, but you will enjoy your Christmas here. I do think that everyone should experience Christmas at St. James’, at one point or another. No one does Christmas like the English.”

“It will not be the same without you,” Maxim said honestly. “Where are you going?”

Strangely for his friend, Prince Éduard hesitated. “You would not believe me if I told you. Letters will find me.”

Without another word, he walked away, slipping out of the door.

Maxim frowned. Éduard always had been very impetuous, but he did not have time to consider his strange parting words as an Englishman wandered up to him.

“You the Czar, y’say?”

Maxim sighed. He had had this type of conversation before, but there was no way to avoid it. These people simply had to know. Where did the English get this sense of curiosity?

“Your servant,” he said stiffly.

The man sniffed. “Don’t believe in royal titles, me.”

Maxim attempted to smile, but it was difficult. “Really? I think the Regent would be interested to know that.”