How to Pursue a Princess by Karen Hawkins Page B

secure the earl’s interest and perhaps fall in love with him, then she had to keep her distance from the prince.
    She smoothed her stitches, noting the evenness with satisfaction. Thank goodness she’d managed to convince the housekeeper to share the mending that was usually left to a maid. Though obviously surprised by the request, Mrs. Cairness had quickly agreed once Lily had explained how much she enjoyed suchduties. “Och, miss, say no more. Me Mam used to say, ‘Busy hands, peaceful heart.’ I’m sure we’ve some darnin’ and hemmin’ ye could do.”
    And so now, since she’d awakened at such an early hour, Lily was beyond delighted to settle in for a few hours of peace and quiet. As birds chirped in the bright morning air, she finished the pillowcase and smoothed it out, then folded it and rose to place it beside the hatbox. Then, she took the linen napkins and settled back into place as she prepared her needle and thread.
    As she’d sewed, the house had slowly stirred to life. In the distance she heard doors opening and closing, voices calling to one another, and the jangle of silver and china as the footmen prepared the breakfast room.
    She picked up the first napkin and had just inserted her needle when horse’s hooves clattered up the drive. It could be anyone—a message from a neighboring estate or a valet of one of the houseguests returning from an errand. Yet she found herself staring at the open windows and wishing she had a view of the front door.
    She gently moved Feenie to one side and went to the window. She had to lean out to catch sight of the rider, who was just dismounting at the front portico. And there he was, Prince Wulfinski, hatless in the morning sun, the breeze ruffling his hair and stirring his black cape as he handed the reins of his horse to a sleepy-eyed footman. Hurrying toward him was MacDougal,who was hastily smoothing his hair. Soon Lily could hear MacDougal’s lilting accent mingled with the prince’s deeper, foreign one.
    What’s the prince doing here at this time of the morning? Surely he must realize that no one will be awake at this hour, especially after such a late-night dance? Who does he wish to s—
    As if he could hear her thoughts, he looked her way.
    She gasped and tucked back into the window, hiding behind the thick curtains. She held her breath, and in a moment the conversation between the butler and the prince resumed. She blew out her breath and realized that Feenie was staring at her from the settee, his head cocked to one side.
    She knew she had to look foolish, hiding behind the curtains. To be honest, she wasn’t sure why she was doing it, except that since last night, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking that perhaps—just perhaps—she hadn’t been fair to Prince Wulfinski. Instead of avoiding him without a word, perhaps she should have explained how he was making things more difficult for her, and how it would be better not to see him at all, and then demand that he stop pursuing her? “Life would be easier if that big lummox would just do as I say.”
    Feenie jumped to his feet as if in agreement, his tail wagging wildly.
    She chuckled. “You agree, do you?”
    He barked and turned in a circle.
    “Perhaps I’ll talk to him th—”
    “Good morning, Moya.”
    Feenie barked wildly as Lily wheeled toward the open window. Sitting astride the windowsill, one booted foot in the gravel outside, and one planted on the library rug, was the prince. He looked even more handsome up close, his green eyes twinkling gravely as he lifted a brow. “I came to see if I could speak to you.” He glanced at the barking dog and frowned. “Silence.”
    He didn’t raise his voice, but the dog instantly stopped barking and sat, his little tail wagging fiercely.
    “Good dog,” the prince said before he turned his attention back to Lily. “The butler informed me that he dared not deliver my request to speak with you as he was certain you were still asleep.