The Trouble With Princesses by Tracy Anne Warren

touch.
    But in the cool light of day, any notions of pursuing a more intimate relationship with him had seemed laughable at best. They were longtime adversaries, for one, the pair of them mixing together about as well as two cats in a basket. He needled her and she needled him back. That’s the way it had been since their very first meeting years ago.
    So how could she now be expected to think of him in such a radically different manner? How could she contemplate taking him into her bed and letting him be the one to introduce her to all the pleasurable mysteries of physical love?
    Yet the idea sent hot and cold tingles coursing over her skin, made her stomach clench and the most delicate parts of her body ache with a longing she had never felt before.
    He would teach her—or so he said.
    This could all be nothing more than a ruse designed to keep her from making a connection with a likely gentleman. Yet in all their dealings, Rupert had never lied to her, and she did not think he was lying now. He’d offered to be her lover and he meant it. He’d told her he would keep her safe and he meant that as well.
    But did he truly desire her?
    Did he really want to be her lover?
    Her first?
    If it had been anyone else, she would have discussed the whole situation with Emma. Asked for her advice on how to proceed. But how could she when Rupert was Emma’s brother, and her older brother to boot?
    Ordinarily she was too brazen for her own good, and not easily embarrassed. Yet part of her cringed to think of revealing the details of her amorous encounters with Rupert. Even as close as she and Emma were, she just couldn’t imagine confiding the truth, not even to her dearest friend.
    Besides, she sensed that Rupert would be far from pleased if she shared what she imagined he considered a private matter between the two of them. If she agreed to this affair, she realized that he meant them to keep it in the strictest of confidence—from everyone, even from his sister.
    So, was she really thinking of accepting him?
    There would certainly be benefits to the arrangement, over and above the excellent points he had already made. He was right when he said she could trust him. Out of all the gentlemen she was considering, he was the only one who truly had no reason to reveal their affair. He had nothing to gain, no pride to stoke, no financial agenda to seek. With him she wouldn’t have to worry for her reputation, which would be nice to keep if she could, she realized. She also knew him, knew the kind of man he was, so there would be no surprises there.
    Plus, from a purely practical standpoint, an affair between them would be easy to conduct. After all, they lived in the same house, with his rooms only just down the hall. It would make meeting at night no more difficult than maneuvering through the house unobserved.
    Except for the servants, of course. There were always the servants to consider.
    But her maid was loyal; Ariadne knew she wouldn’t say a word, even if she found out. And his servants were scrupulously tight-lipped, especially his valet. She had met his valet and could tell that the man would rather have been put to death than reveal Rupert’s private dealings.
    So as long as she and Rupert were careful, an affair between them might be the very best of all worlds.
    Have I decided, then? Shall I tell Rupert yes?
    She was contemplating the question yet again when her dance partner presented himself.
    Lord Selkirk bowed low, then straightened with a smile on his face. “Princess Ariadne, a pleasure as always. May I say that you are looking particularly lovely this evening.”
    “Why, thank you, my lord.” She smoothed a gloved palm over the skirt of her bronze silk gown with its rounded half-sleeves, sheer white gauze overskirt, and wide flounce embroidered with small blue and gold birds in midflight. It was one of her favorite dresses. She had worn it tonight specifically to soothe her unsettled thoughts and give her a