She paused and then added,
“Even if I had a – chaperone.”
“Quite frankly, I think a chaperone would be a confounded nuisance,” the Prince said. “But I want to show you the decorations or, shall I say, I want to talk to you. I have a feeling that any moment you will disappear back into the bowels of the earth.”
Two dimples appeared on either side of Angelina’s mouth.
“Grandmama would not take that as a compliment.”
“Stop teasing me and be sensible,” the Prince said. “If I may not be allowed to take you to see the decorations, where else could we go?”
Angelina looked at him wide-eyed.
“I have a feeling, sir, that whatever Grandmama might say, your Minister would not approve.”
“My Minister does as he is told!” the Prince asserted. “And must we ask your grandmother’s permission?”
Even
