Princess in Disguise: A Novella

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Excerpt from How to Pursue a Princess

Chapter 1

Snow swirled across the road, skittering over frozen mud and clinging to the edges of deep ruts, breaking free to huddle together in small drifts on the grass that lined the road.

Alexandra, pray close that curtain! a weak voice cried plaintively.

Princess Menshikov, Alexandra Petrovna Romanovin, swallowed her irritation, closed the leather curtain of her coach, and fastened it in place. She tried to smile as she faced her chaperone, Countess Baryatinski. "I’m sorry, Anya. I let out some of the heat, nyet?"

"All of the heat." The countess’s thin, colorless face couldn’t display more unhappiness.

Alexandra had been disappointed when her uncle, the king, had appointed Anya as chaperone, for she’d wished for a younger, more fun companion. She already knew that the countess was a horrible traveler and the first week had proven it. The rocking of the coach invariably made the older woman sick. She swore that every bed of every inn was damp and caused her to sleep ill, while the food was always too heavy or too rich and gave her indigestion.

However, this meant that as soon as they reached an inn, the countess retired to her bedchamber to recover from the harrowing aspects of their travels and remained there until it was time to move on. Alexandra had never had so much freedom, so for this reason she managed to put up with the countess’s less pleasant traveling habits.

The countess tugged the many fur blankets higher and complained, What are you doing, leaning out the window in such a way? It is not safe. Someone might see you and recognize you.

In Scotland? We’ve traveled for three weeks now and not a single person has known my identity. A delicious luxury, since Alexandra didn’t wish to be treated as a princess. We are safe here.

It only takes one person to recognize you and then we’ll be lost.

Pah. You worry too much. If my uncle thought this was unsafe, he wouldn’t have allowed me to come.

Anya’s thin mouth folded into a frown. May I remind you that King Nikolaus sent two coaches full of guards, one of which we have lost?

They’re not lost. When the axle on the smaller coach broke earlier today, we left them to assist with the repair.

"With our maids."

I suggested we let them travel in our coach with us, but you disliked that idea.

It would have been horridly crowded. But that’s neither here nor there. We are without our usual protection and we must be cautious. Someone could recognize you and steal you away, and try to force the king to pay ransom—or worse.

I’m in no danger. Doya is here. Alexandra’s personal bodyguard had been with her since she was born. He will not allow harm to come to either of us.

He is but one man.

He is large like a bear, with fists of iron. And he is not alone and has three additional guards with him. That is enough.

We can only hope, Anya said petulantly. I don’t know how I will do without a maid tonight.

It’s only for one night. If it helps, I will come to your bedchamber and braid your hair for you.

Alexandra Petrovna Romanovin, you forget your position. You are a princess, and princesses don’t—

Yes, yes. They don’t do this and they don’t do that. I have heard it enough, and I do not wish to hear it now. I came to Scotland to be free of that.

The older lady sighed. It’s madness. You should be home selecting a husband.

I had a husband once. Only three years ago. That was enough.

Anya sighed. "Ah, child, I forget how young you are. A child, still, and yet a widow. Such a life is difficult, nyet? And Dmitri was a man’s man, too, so bold and full of life. She shook her head. No one thought to see him go so quickly. You were not married even a year when Dmitri fell from his horse— She caught Alexandra’s gaze and flushed. I’m sorry. I know you do not wish to relive that. I shouldn’t have even mentioned it—"

It is the past. I do not live there.

Of course. Still, it will be pleasant to return home and find you a new husband, will it not? The king hinted that he’s received many offers for your hand. She looked archly at Alexandra.

Alexandra blankly met the countess’s gaze.

Anya’s smile faded. I suppose he’s merely waiting for you to choose one . . .

My uncle will have to wait a long time. Alexandra turned back to the window, unbuttoned the curtain and leaned out, the icy wind cooling her irritation.

The countess tugged on the fur blankets, muttering once again about the cold and announcing that the foot warmer was now completely chilled.

Sighing, Alexandra closed the curtain once more. When we left this morning, Doya said it would only be two hours to the next inn, so we will be stopping very soon. There, we will find a fire for you to warm yourself by. I do not wish you to take an ague.

Anya smiled grudgingly. I would be most grateful, Your Highness. My throat is feeling just the slightest bit scratchy. I’ve no wish to become ill and impede our travels.

Alexandra murmured her agreement.

Anya shivered. If we were home in Oxenburg right now, I’d be sitting beside a lovely fire, sipping warm tea. The countess sighed with longing. I shall never understand why you had to come to Scotland. It’s a barbarous place, filled with highwaymen and God knows what else prowling the streets like hungry wolves.

Alexandra pressed her lips into a firm line but didn’t reply. Her tutor, Lord Malcolm MacKenna, had been a Scot through and though. Appointed by her uncle to oversee her education, the grizzled Scotsman had blown into Alexandra’s quiet household like a typhoon, and proceeded to take over her education both inside and outside of the classroom. He took her on wild rides across the kingdom where, free from the fetters of court life, she emerged from her shell of shyness and embraced the lives and history of her own people.

Her curiosity, always keen, had been freed as well, and Lord MacKenna had stoked it well and often. He took her among the villagers and exposed her to the realities of life among the common people, and fed her the works of John Locke and Robespierre. And when her father’d complained to her uncle that MacKenna was turning her into a revolutionary, the king had laughed and said that such learning had kept him on his toes, and that no monarch had ever been overthrown by a fat and well-fed people.

When all was said and done, her tutor had given her a deeper appreciation for her own beloved country. Tucked between Switzerland and Bavaria, Oxenburg was a land rich in both its resources and its people. Alexandra learned to see her country anew through MacKenna’s eyes, to appreciate its wealth, and to envision ways to preserve all that was good while encouraging growth.

With a glib tongue and sly sense of humor that Alexandra quickly came to adore, MacKenna had given her a love of something else, too—his home country of Scotland, filling her head with legends and stories until she felt as if she belonged there, as well. And now, here she was—visiting the very country she’d always dreamed about.

Finally, the inn! Anya announced as the coach slowed and made a turn. I cannot wait to put my head down and sleep. I ache everywhere.

Alexandra smiled secretly. Each day, they went farther and farther into the countryside. And each day brought them closer to Alexandra’s real goal, unknown to her chaperone and family.

She’d come to Scotland to find a husband.

On the same road, several miles to the south, rode James Keith, the fifth Earl of Kintore, Viscount Stonehaven, and Baron Urie. He was chilled, but also deliciously pleased. He hadn’t fallen off his horse yet today. Of course, it was still early, but he rather thought things were going his way for once.

It’s about bloody time, he told the falling snow in a defiant tone, tugging up his collar as an