Prince's Bride, The

Chapter One

Late Spring, 1819

It was generally acknowledged, in the circles of polite society, that staring was not permissible-never permissible, regardless of the circumstances. Yet each and every guest in the too crowded ballroom -- from jaded rakes to overdressed matrons, from sweet young things in the first flower of youth to elderly lords on their last legs, from the envious to the curious to the vastly amused -- did indeed stare...or at least observed carefully, which was much the very same thing.

Oh, discretion was in order, of course. There were no open mouths or overly wide eyes. No pointed fingers or upraised brows. Besides, regardless of the rules of proper behavior, no one who was anyone would ever admit he was not already privy to the liaison unveiling itself before the very eyes of the ton. And everyone in attendance at the gala reception given by the Marquess of Throubridge for the crown prince of Avalonia was indeed someone, or at least believed himself to be someone, which was nearly as important.

Still, even the illusion of good breeding and fine manners co ... read full excerpt from The Prince's Bride ebook