Perilous Princess: A Sexy Historical Romance Read online

  “Sit ‘ere,” the guard told them, pointing to a round table with a floral tablecloth and a lantern set in the middle. There were several upholstered dining chairs placed around the table. The red velvet was worn at the edges and corners and the paint around the frame worn down to the wood from constant handling.

  Rhys pulled one chair out for her. Anna sank on to the very edge of it, afraid to sit fully upon the cushion, while he settled on a second chair. She looked around the room, noticing every little detail, while the guard headed up the stairs to the next floor. The stairs were right there in the room with them, which made it seem more like a public place such as a hotel, than a private residence. Anna remembered that the stairs in her house were also part of the main room. Here, though, it felt much more public. Anyone would be able to see who climbed the stairs. She could only imagine that the next floor was where the bedrooms were.

  If they even used bedrooms.

  She was feeling very ignorant.

  “What do you think of your first brothel, hmm?” Rhys asked her.

  “It isn’t at all the way I imagined it would be,” Anna confessed.

  “In what way does it not live up to your expectations?” He seemed genuinely curious.

  “It seems…I don’t know.” She looked around. “It seems like a sad place,” she decided finally.

  Rhys nodded. “That would be a good description for it. At night, when there is no sunlight to reveal the stains and the shabbiness, it would appear more luxurious. And then, there would be wine and women to distract a man from the details.”

  “I thought I understood why men went to such places,” Anna said. “I thought it was a necessary thing for them. But how can they find the relief they need here? I would return home feeling even more lonely after such a visit, I think.”

  “Relief and loneliness are two different things,” Rhys replied. “A man can withstand loneliness once the relief has been obtained.”

  “I’m not sure I could,” Anna confessed. Cold fingers walked over her spine, making her shudder. “I was lonely my entire life, until I met you. I just hadn’t realized it until I sat here and understood that one can be alone, even surrounded by people.”

  “Mr. Davies?”

  The question came from behind them, the voice slightly accented.

  Anna turned on her chair as Rhys got to his feet.

  The woman standing there was short and dressed in silk wrapper that hung to the floor. She clearly wore very little beneath the wrapper and Anna cleared her throat, feeling embarrassed for her.

  The woman had red hair that even in the dim indoor light seemed to glow with a fire of its own. This was the first woman Anna had ever met who she knew without doubt had colored her hair.

  Underneath the flaming red, the woman’s skin was sallow and sagged about her jaw and throat. There were heavy bags under her eyes.

  “Esmeralda?” Rhys said. “You are the…manager?”

  She gave a sour smile. “I am the madam,” she said flatly.

  Anna could feel herself blushing even harder. There was a weariness of the soul about the woman that felt draining to witness. But her frankness said there was a spirit somewhere inside her, buried deep.

  What sort of life must a woman suffer to end up in such a place?

  Rhys nodded and touched Anna’s shoulder. “This is Princess Annalies Benedickta of the Principality of Saxe-Weiden.”

  Esmeralda looked at her sharply.

  “Then the family is known to you,” Rhys surmised. “Rumor said as much.”

  “My customers pay for discretion,” Esmeralda said. She pushed at her hair, then scratched at her scalp. Her hand was shaking. “Along with the other services.”

  Anna got to her feet. “My father was murdered yesterday evening. We seek only to confirm that my uncle, the Duke of Marienburg, was here at that time.”

  “Murder?” Esmeralda looked shocked. “Oh dear…” Her gaze seemed to be far away, focused upon something else entirely, as she lifted her hand back to her hair to push at it ineffectually. “Dear, oh dear…” she repeated weakly.

  Anna glanced at Rhys, puzzled.

  Rhys was watching Esmeralda, a small frown between his brows. “Esmeralda!” he said sharply.

  The woman blinked and brought her attention back to him. “You was asking?” she said politely.

  “The Duke. Was he here last night?”

  Esmeralda considered him. “You think the Duke killed the Prince?” she asked.

  “The police will consider it,” Rhys said. “We only seek the truth.”

  “Truth.” She gave another smile, full of bitterness. “That isn’t something you generally find here.”

  “If you don’t answer me, the police will most certainly stop by here themselves,” Rhys pointed out. “Do you really want it known that the police are interested in your clientele?”

  She licked her lips. Her gaze dropped to the floor. “No, he wasn’t here.”

  Anna stared at the woman. The way her eyes had shifted when she answered the question had been almost familiar. Anna frowned. Something nagged at the back of her mind that she couldn’t quite remember.

  Rhys got to his feet and dug his fingers into the pocket of his waistcoat. “Thank you,” he told the woman and held out a coin. “For your time.”

  She hesitated, then held out her hand. Her fingers closed around the coin as Rhys dropped it onto her palm. The nails were dirty.

  Anna stood, more than happy to leave the place at all possible speed. The woman’s position and the air of hopelessness around her and everyone in the streets outside were making Anna feel a discomfort she had never experienced before. She didn’t care for the sensation in the slightest.

  Chapter Fifteen

  They didn’t speak once they were in the cab and heading back into the more respectable areas she knew. Anna watched the street grow cleaner and wider, with more growing things appearing and the dirt and squalor evaporating.

  She saw ladies walking with their companions, nurses walking children, men in pairs passing time as they strolled the pavements. Most of them would be heading for Hyde Park or one of the other pretty parks to be found here—St. James’ Park or even the manicured freshness of Grosvenor Square. Most of the ladies, she knew, would be completely ignorant of the misery that could be found only a mile or two away. “It is like two different worlds, living right next to each other.”

  “It is,” Rhys agreed softly.

  “How can you stand knowing such a thing and not act upon it?” she asked him.

  “I do. I mean, I did act upon it, for many years,” Rhys replied. “It was only an accident of birth that meant I did not grow up just as those children do. My father’s name and his secret support kept me off the streets. Once I began to earn a wage, I gave part of it to those most in need.”

  “You, Rhys?” She tore her gaze away from the elegant street to look at him. “You are not a rich man. That was generous of you.”

  He gave a small smile. “But now I have a wife to care for and a household to maintain. My generosity will not stretch any farther than that. I would not deprive you to feed them.” He glanced out the window. “Hello....” he murmured.

  Anna turned to look in the same direction.

  The cab was pulling up outside their house, but not directly in front of it, because there was a large carriage and two beautiful bay pairs standing at the curb.

  Rhys helped her out of the cab and paid the driver. Anna stared at the luxurious conveyance. The curlicues on the doors around the crest were gilded and the deep maroon paint shone with polish. There was not a mud splash or water drop on it anywhere.

  The coach door opened as she stood staring and a tall, slender man with gray hair and beard and sharp black eyes stepped out, putting on his top hat with an elegant movement.

  He lifted his cane toward Rhys. “Rhys Davies?” he called.

  Rhys took Anna’s arm and moved closer to the man. The man’s cutaway was fine bro
adcloth and the cravat at his neck was silk.

  “I don’t believe I’ve had the honor,” Rhys replied.

  “Hastings,” the man said, resting both his hands on the top of his cane. “You may know the name.”

  “Of course I do, sir,” Rhys replied. “You are the Queen’s Private Secretary.”

  “Quite right,” the man replied. “You are requested to attend the royal family at Buckingham Palace, Mr. Davies.”

  Anna felt Rhys go very still. Even his breath seemed to stop. “Are you sure you have the correct man, Sir Hastings?”

  The man’s gaze shifted quickly toward Anna and back. “I am quite sure. Please…” He waved toward the carriage. A footman swiftly opened the door and stepped back with the handle in his hand.

  Rhys tucked Anna’s hand firmly in the crook of his arm, looking at her. “This came sooner than I expected,” he murmured. “Shall we?”

  Her heart seemed to squeeze to a painful halt. “Of course,” she said, feigning a pleasant expression. Hastings gave her a stiff smile as she brushed past him.

  The interior of the carriage was lined in pleated white silk and lace. The seats were a pale leather that gleamed with care and spoke of comfort. Even the floor was laid with a carpet of some soft pale color.

  After her evening of cleaning with Jilly, Anna found herself staring at the creamy carpet and wondering how they ever kept it clear of mud and dirt and as spotless and unstained as it was.

  Hastings remained silent and Anna knew that he was refraining from speaking to a commoner. Because she was Rhys’ wife, he would not speak to her, either, even though her rank was much higher than his.

  It made the journey to the new palace a silent one, for Rhys did not speak, either. He did, however, keep hold of her hand. His grip was firm. Once or twice, she caught his gaze and he gave her a short, reassuring smile.

  The carriage pulled up next to a door in the inner courtyard of the palace. The footman opened the door smartly and there was a short sharp command from the driver.

  Butlers stepped out from the inside of the palace, hailed by the driver. The doors were held open. Suddenly, the yard was bustling with people, prompted by the arrival of the carriage.

  They were shown into the palace by one of the butlers, who walked at a solemn speed through a series of large rooms with high ceilings and comfortable, elegant furniture and appointments, while they followed behind. Rhys did not let go of her hand and she was grateful for the small comfort his grip provided.

  The interconnected rooms reminded Anna of the palace where she had grown up, which had been nearly as grand as this one. The people of Saxe-Weiden had threatened to burn it down. Her father had certainly never told her what had become of their ancestral home, even though she knew he had sent spies back to Germany at least once since they had arrived in England.

  The room where the butler finally came to a halt was filled with afternoon sunlight that streamed through the large windows, lighting up an arrangement of chairs and sofas around a low table. It was a charming arrangement and very French, Anna thought. There was no obvious head chair. Everyone would sit about the table almost as if they were equals.

  She glanced at Rhys. “It is not the Queen we will be speaking to.” She said it with complete assurance. If the Queen had intended to speak to them, they would have been summoned for an audience in a room where she would be seated while they stood. This was not nearly a formal-enough room for such an interview.

  The butler gave them a shortened bow, barely a nod of the head, then closed the door behind him as he left.

  Rhys drew her over to one of the sofas and let her sit. “You may be right. I expected that at the very least there would be advisors and lackeys in the room.” He remained on his feet, although he did not move away from her side. “This absence of people is a worry.”

  “You said that this call came before you were expecting it to,” Anna said. “Were you really expecting the Queen to summon you?”

  “I dared marry her cousin without her permission. It would be perfectly natural for her to have me yanked in by my collar to explain myself.” Rhys gave her another small smile, his dark eyes filled with a wry humor. “If King George had still been on the throne, I would have expected an even more violent reaction..”

  “Is that what you think this is?” she asked. “You are to be given your marching orders and the marriage annulled?”

  “They can’t annul the marriage,” he said quickly and firmly. “Not now. But that doesn’t mean there are not many things they might do to put me back in my place.”

  Anna bit her lip.

  “I’m counting on them not wanting to make you suffer along with me,” Rhys added. “You are family, after all.”

  “Distant family,” Anna replied. “Victoria is a third—no, fourth cousin.”

  “You’d be surprised by how quickly a family will ignore such details and close ranks if they think their heritage is being threatened.” His fingers tightened their hold on her hand. “At least you’re safe. That is the only thing that matters.”

  The door opened and the butler stepped through and held it open as another gentleman came into the room. This one was portly, with a ruddy face above a magnificent moustache. His eyes, though, were small and narrow. Anna didn’t know him.

  He walked straight over to where Rhys stood by the end of the sofa. “I am De La Warr, the Queen’s Lord Chamberlain. You are Rhys Davies, yes?”

  “Yes, I am, my Lord,” Rhys said coolly.

  The man looked at Anna. “The queen asked me to pass on her regards and to enquire about your health and wellbeing. You are well, Your Highness?”

  “I have never been better. Or happier,” she said firmly.

  He blinked. “I see,” he said and looked at Rhys once more. “There are matters concerning your marriage that Her Majesty must address, but that is a discussion for another day. You will have heard, of course, that the London constabulary publically arrested the Duke of Marienburg about an hour ago? The charge is murder.”

  Anna felt Rhys’ fingers loosen around hers.

  “Murder?” she repeated, her heart leaping. “But…that isn’t possible! My father and my uncle were very close. Uncle Rupert would never—” She bit off the remainder of her protest as Rhys’ hand clamped around hers. Hard. She swallowed, as De La Warr studied her.

  “Precisely, Your Highness,” he said stiffly. “The police were encouraged by Her Majesty to resolve the matter of your father’s murder as quickly and quietly as possible. It is the belief of the royal family that this is simply a matter of zealous application of that demand.”

  “It must be,” she replied. “The police did not speak to me, or to my husband. There could be many others with reason to want my father dead whose whereabouts they have also failed to account for.”

  “Anna, enough,” Rhys said shortly.

  De La Warr’s eyes narrowed, which made them suspicious slits.

  Anna’s heart thundered. Now, of course, he would demand to know why she had wanted her father dead.

  But he cleared his throat and looked at Rhys. “It is the Queen’s wish that you provide the Duke your services as an attorney.”

  Anna gasped.

  “You have a reputation for being fair-minded and a skilled attorney. Barristers like the work you do. You were recommended to me as an attorney who has successfully represented clients charged with all manner of heinous crimes.”

  “I only represent those clients I know to be innocent. That is the reason for my success rate,” Rhys said stiffly.

  The man turned red in the face. “The Duke is, of course, quite innocent,” he said, as if it pained him to even speak of such an obvious fact. “He is cousin to the Queen and above reproach.”

  “Not quite above reproach, or he would not have been arrested,” Rhys pointed out dryly. “Or are you suggesting he is above the law, rather than above reproach?”

  The man swallowed. “The family understands that the law
must be seen to be applied impartially,” he said stiffly.

  Rhys smiled. “Then I believe we have reached an understanding.” He reached into his coat and withdrew a small notebook and a pencil. He opened the notebook and wrote something and held the page out to De La Warr. “My fee.”

  De La Warr spluttered, his face turning an even darker red. Then he drew in a noisy breath. “Very well.” His tone was even more distant and neutral.

  “In addition,” Rhys said, putting the notebook away, “the discussion about my marriage to the Princess Annalies that you spoke of a moment ago is to be delayed in perpetuity. No one will contest the marriage. No one will interfere with Anna’s happiness.”

  The man looked like he had swallowed rotten fish. He was breathing heavily.

  “If I do not have your agreement, then we will both leave now and find passage to New South Wales by the next available ship. The colonies might belong to the Queen, but her arm is not long enough to reach to Botany Bay.”

  Anna got to her feet and stood shoulder to shoulder with Rhys. “This is my wish, too,” she said firmly. “You might tell Her Majesty that when you explain to her the terms of my husband’s service.”

  De La Warr sighed. “Very well,” he said shortly. “They are holding the Duke at Newgate Prison. There is a coach waiting to take you there directly, Mr. Davies. In the meantime, Your Highness, another coach will take you back to your residence.” He straightened up and tugged his jacket back into place, both hands tight fists about the collars. “I trust this is the last conversation we will need to have regarding the Duke’s future.”

  He left without another word.

  Anna let out her breath.

  Rhys turned her to face him, his hand around her waist. He looked down at her, an odd smile playing over his lips. “Thank you for what you said just then. It made the difference.”