Diana quickly plastered a demure smile at the young Prince. Much to her horror, he did recognize her, his grin grew from polite royal greeting to knowing amusement. Diana felt her face heat, becoming rather sweaty all of sudden when the Queen's perceptive eye fell on her with interest.
"It is an absolute pleasure to meet you Ms. Vincent." the pleased grin grew into a smirk as he kissed her hand stealing a glance at her. Diana wished to expire on the spot but knew everyone was watching them.
"And I your, your Grace." Diana managed out pulling her hand away and curtseying.
"I dare say, I must compliment on your...shoes.." he grinned wider deepening his dimples.
Diana shot him a glare, instead of a biting remark she bit her lip.
"Thank you, your Grace. If you'll excuse me I would hate to take much of your time since you have other guests." Diana bowed again dragging her brother away.
"What was that Diana?" Darcy stilled not allowing her to move him further away from the Prince.
"Nothing, I was just not prepared to meet the Prince, like I thought I was." Diana lied.
Darcy's expression soften then grinned amused, "More handsome than you expected? You are blushing!"
"Who is blushing?" Dominic appeared suddenly with two glasses of lemonade handing her one.
"Our little sister may finally be interested in a fellow," Darcy whispered conspiratorially.
Dominic raised an interested brow amused, "Well, well, lofty aspirations dear sister, didn't you hear he is a Prince."
"Who has lofty aspirations? Has Diana set her cap on someone? God help him." Damien downed his glass of wine and now all three of her tall brothers surrounded her.
"I despise you all and I hope you get cursed with an incurable hangover for the rest of your days." Diana eyed each of her brothers who only grinned sweetly at her.
"If you'll excuse me, I must get something to eat." Diana moved to break through the wall of her brothers, instead, they huddle tightly.
"Sorry, dear sister mother has tasked us to ensure you had danced with at least 3 gentlemen and to limit your conversations with your friends." Damien attempted to look sympathetic but failed miserably.
"Let me guess, you filled my card already." Diana crossed her arms and the lack of response from any of them was a confirmation. "I don't understand, why don't you all dance with them and tell me how it goes."
"Sorry dearest, here comes Lord Hatterson, watch for the spittle when he speaks," Dominic whispered in her ear as they watched a larger man with mutton chops that seemed to defy laws of gravity that was Lord Hatterson. The large man was barreling his way toward them at an alarming rate.
"When the time comes for mother to help you find brides, I will remember this." Diana hissed at them as Lord Hatterson drew near.
"But until then, enjoy!" Darcy waved. Diana let Lord Hatterson take her hand and lead her to the dance floor.
"You have a beautiful dress my dear." Lord Hatterson exclaimed and sure enough spittle was showered on her bodice. Diana danced with the man attempting to keep much space between them as possible and to limit the conversation but much to her dismay she concluded he was intoxicated and could not stop speaking about his new phaeton. Diana decided her brothers will pay dearly indeed.
Diana was on the verge of falling asleep with the second gentleman. The young man was someone she hadn't seen before and must have been one of the gentlemen who came out specifically for the royals. The young man called him Mr. Gilden. Unfortunately, her attempts at getting to know him circled back to his obsession with investments where Diana held her tongue.
"It seems risky but I am sure it will pay off and I will have earned at least three times as much as I put in!" he exclaimed. "Then I can expend my country seat for my future family perhaps buy a seat in parliament."
Diana nodded politely as he continued. "Mr. Montegue guarantees the success of the mines in the Province of Salida, and I soon I will own a chunk of the property there and enslave the natives to work at the gold mine."
At this Diana looked at him, his faraway gaze painted in greed. The once handsome young man wasn't so handsome anymore.
Diana didn't know of a Province of Salida and she felt as if she had some decent knowledge of geography and the lands beyond.
Diana collected her thoughts decided to ask. "So this Province of Salida, where exactly is this located?"
"Between Brazil and Guyana." Mr. Gilden announced proudly. "Are you sure?" Diana asked looking at him. "Of course," he replied offended. Diana concluded either he has looked at a map with an alternative form of information or he was a downright dolt.
"Sir, if I recall that land is French territory now as part of the new Treaty of Paris...unless they did annex some part of it?" Diana asked feeling the conversation was becoming more bizarre.
The man went from pleasing to downright annoyed. "Of course....the way of the world is that countries are too busy to deal with the small territory and have enough wealth," he concluded with a condensation that made her skin crawl in anger.
"Right..because countries and kingdoms...have enough wealth," Diana repeated the ridiculous notion glad the dance ended.
"Good evening." he bowed quickly and turned his way. Diana shook her head hoping she scared off Mr. Gilden for the rest of her days.
"I don't recall a Province of Salida in the Treaty of Paris... or even on a map...." a familiar voice behind her caused her to turn startled.
Diana glared at the Prince who moved around her with a smile. "May I have the next dance."
Diana didn't reply knowing rejecting him in front of all these people would probably earn her a week of needlepoint in silence. Diana bowed and began dancing with the Prince, the ton around her watching them like sharks. Diana began seeing many ladies who were once social friends or acquaintances become her enemy as the seconds spent with the Prince dancing grew.
"You are silent. Have I done something wrong?" he asked. Diana looked up embarrassed at her distraction. "No, not at all your Grace. I just..." Diana didn't know where to start.
"Is it because of the billard room?" he whispered to her. Diana nodded glancing around seeing if any heard. He nodded, "I apologize for not telling you then." he replied sincerely.
Diana sighed, "No, there is nothing to apologize for, I am just embarrassed and my impression wasn't great."
"I disagree, it was definitely more on the memorable side, when one travels and meets people extensively, my favorite introductions are accidental ones." he smiled at her. Diana felt incrementally better but not by much.
"I hope you don't think badly of me, but let us keep that to ourselves," she asked. "Of course!" he fell silent, now tense and even more reserved as the dance continued on. Diana wasn't sure if this was any better and hated making people feel uncomfortable.
"Let us start again as proper civilized people and be friends." Diana declared. "Of course, what do you propose?" he asked a small smile returning.
"I start with an observation or question, you may reply if you choose." Diana moved around him in the dance holding his gaze. "I'll start."
"How was your travel to London your Grace, I hope your journey went well," Diana asked in polite demure tones, it did nothing to temper the growing amusement between them.
"I supposed it did, I slept most of the time and only encountered one damsel in distress at my arrival instead of three," he replied attempting a similar very royal countenance. Diana couldn't help but burst out laughing, she quickly fought it down knowing it was unseemly in public.
The Prince grinned back at her as she replied, "Only one your Grace? Perhaps most of the ladies were all at home preparing for your arrival, I will say credit to the damsel to have thought to become distressed to elicit the help of a Prince."
"She didn't know I was the Prince and it wasn't as distressing to her as it was to her broken shoe and worst of all it was my fault," Diana swore he winked at her and she chose it to be a figment of her imagination. Diana couldn't help but smile widely instead of being irked, "Yes, how Princely of you to blame yourself for the fault of a clumsy girl."
"I am finding it was worth it." he smiled, the dance ended much to her disappointment and he bowed deeply. Diana couldn't remember enjoying a dance with someone so thoroughly as brief as it was. She supposed the Prince's easy nature was much enjoyable to handle than potential suitors she danced with. Diana still felt the smile on her lips until a small touch at her elbow alerted her to the Queen's Lady in waiting beside her.
"Excuse Ms. Vincent, the Queen would like to invite you to sit with her for a chat." the woman replied coldly.