“Please excuse me,” she said, unwilling to trade greetings with a man who had treated her like filth on the sole of his shoe.

“Leaving so soon?” he asked. “I shall have to find your betrothed, then. One of them, at least.” He laughed as though he’d made the wittiest of jokes. “If Talbot had his preference, he would have swum here the minute I showed him that letter. Devil knows what he sees in you. But I’ll tell you what I see.” He swayed slightly. “Opportunity.”

Sarani had had enough of men seeing her as a piece to be played at their whims—whether it was for money or her fortune or her body. Gritting her teeth, she hiked her skirts, darted past him, and fled down the stairs to the crowded streets. It wasn’t that much of a walk to Huntley House—a few blocks at most. No one out here would harm her. The true danger was behind her in that ballroom, not on the streets of Mayfair.

Besides, she had her kukri and she had her wits. A brisk walk would clear her head. On her way past the line of stationary, luxurious coaches, she glimpsed a familiar face on the back of one of them, talking avidly to one of the coachmen.

“Tej!” she cried. “What are you doing here?”

Dressed in fancy livery, the boy smiled and sketched an elegant bow. “I was bored with my lessons so I’m pretending to be a tiger for His Grace this evening. Don’t I look dapper?”

“You do.” It was true. Tej looked happy and well fed, his small face glowing with health. The endearing plumpness of his cheeks made his young age even more apparent. “What kind of lessons?”

“Maths and reading.” He wrinkled his nose in distaste. “I’m to start a fancy school soon as the duke’s ward.”

Sarani blinked her shock. “As the duke’s what?”

“His ward. Like his charge. He says if I want to stay, I can. I just have to be willing to learn and make something of myself when I get older. He says I can apprentice to Mr. Longacre if I want.” He screwed up his face. “He adores maths.”

Unexpected warmth filtered through her chest. Rhystan was paying to send Tej to school? The boy was whip-smart, and Sarani had planned to do the same once she got settled, but things had been muddled of late. And now with Talbot and Markham in town, who knew what the future would entail?

Tej grinned. “May I offer you a ride, Princess?”

She could not deny him, not when he’d asked so prettily, his adorable face bright with childish enthusiasm. “Why, of course, gallant sir. Lead me to your chariot.”

* * *