I had my reservations about attending the rest of the ball when Xavier was so clearly upset, but a part of me also wanted to see exactly how Andrew planned to keep his word and make it clear that I was more than just his first dance recipient. Despite Thomas' best efforts to throw Ashley into William Weatherington's arms after their dance, she still managed to wriggle free and snag Andrew for a waltz. While it was torture to watch them together, I knew I had to come to terms with the fact that he would still be dancing with other debutantes and smiling politely while they attempted to flirt.

I did my best to view it as a character building experience, but I was still forced to tear my eyes away for a moment when Ashley batted her lashes up at him, biting her lip. It didn't help that she was yet again wearing a dress that was by no means modest. Most annoying of all, however, was the little waver I felt in my confidence while watching the two. No matter how much I repeated to myself that Andrew loved me and me alone, I still felt those tendrils of doubt creeping in even though he had done nothing to reciprocate Ashley's flirtation.

But my prince was not oblivious. Whether he had noticed my near escape earlier or if he was picking up on how miserable I must be feeling while watching him with other women, every time he caught me looking, he offered me a hint of that special smile. I couldn't help but keep one eye on him as I wandered the ballroom with Anne, keeping her company while she ate a dainty selection of ball fare, the two of us chatting about several of the new inductees I hadn't met yet.

When I wasn't watching Andrew, I was keeping my other watchful eye on the queen. As much as I wanted to be around to steal another dance with my prince, I was acutely aware that somewhere in the palace, my brother was suffering. The moment the queen left her throne, I'd make my escape no matter where Andrew was or what he was up to because I owed at least that much to Xavier.

There was a near constant tide of debutantes swirling around my prince, coalescing into a scrum between dances. Ashley was clearly reluctant to let go once their waltz ended, simpering up at him and even going so far as to give his arm a little tug towards the terrace doors. Upon witnessing that, I forced myself to look away yet again, feeling sick despite Andrew's polite laugh as he firmly extricated himself from her grasp. Just the thought of him wandering outside to the very same terrace he'd taken me to during last Season's masquerade was enough to set my teeth on edge.

"...even listening to a word I've said?" Anne said, waving a hand in front of my face. I blinked at her, trying desperately to remember what we'd been discussing before I'd been distracted by Ashley's flirtation.

"I'm sorry, I got lost in thought for a moment," I said. Anne smiled kindly, patting me on the arm.

"It'll get easier," she said, having followed my gaze. She gave a little jump when she looked towards the dancers, however, snatching up my arm and pulling me away.

"What's wrong?" I asked, throwing a look behind me but unable to determine who in the crowd we were fleeing from.

"I can't be around him right now, not if he's-" she whispered, only to be cut off as whoever she'd been trying to avoid caught up with us.

"Princess, if I may?"

I was the one to halt in my tracks because I knew that voice. When I stopped, Anne reluctantly followed suit, her back tensing as we turned to face James Amberly.

"Good evening James," I said when Anne said nothing.

"Good evening, Libby. You're looking splendid tonight," he said, offering me a little bow, "I was hoping to steal the princess away for a dance."

We both looked towards Anne who was staring resolutely at the marble floor. She seemed determined not to look at him, a flush creeping up her neck.

"I'm feeling rather tired at the moment, perhaps later," she said stiffly. My gaze hopped between the two of them, taking in the princess' ramrod straight posture and James' brow furrowed in dismay.

"Come now, he's only asking for dance," I said, taking Anne's plate as I shot James a look.

"There's someone else he should be dancing with," Anne said through her teeth.

"Please, Anne," James said, an apology for something lurking in his eyes.

Even I didn't miss how her name on his lips affected her. She had torn her gaze away from whatever spot she'd been focused on, something tentative and wary as her gaze met his. James extended his hand out towards her and she regarded it as if she were internally debating something. James and I waited in silence until she inhaled, forcing her face into a pleasant expression as she took his hand.

I watched the pair of them go, only to catch my cousin's eye from across the ballroom. Ella was still standing with Emily, but Rosanna had joined them now. I held Ella's glare with one of my own, tipping my chin up defiantly. If I was going to side with anyone when it came to the fight for Lord Amberly, it was going to be the person who had never once locked me in a room.

"Good evening, Libby," Adelaide said, startling me as she came up beside me. I tore my gaze from Ella's to look over at the willowy debutante in surprise.

"Hello Adelaide," I said, trying not to sound as wary as I felt. She had a glass of punch cradled between her dainty fingers and I hated that she was even more lovely close up that she seemed from afar. Once again she was splendidly attired in a pale rose gown, layers of shimmering silk cascading from her tiny waist.

"I hope you don't mind, but I've been meaning to speak to you ever since we were in the carriage together," she said with a smile, "Can you believe it's not even been a week yet? I feel like the days stretch on into infinity in the palace."

"Indeed," was all I could think of to say. It had felt like weeks since I'd hidden my tears in the carriage after the opera while Adelaide revelled in sitting beside Andrew. She was looking at me now as if she was expecting me to say something else, but I trained my eyes on the dance floor before us, watching the swirl of bright coloured dresses instead.

"Did you enjoy your ride with the prince yesterday?" she asked finally, taking a sip of her punch as she studied me. Once again, there was nothing more predatory than polite interest in her gaze, but something about the question raised my hackles.

"Yes, it was wonderful," I said, wondering where she was going with this line of questioning.

"You're quite lucky that he chose to take you," she said, "I know a good many debutantes were seething with jealousy when they found out."

I looked over at her, not bothering to hide my frown now. She noticed my expression and her eyebrows gave a polite hop of surprise.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, have I offended you?" she asked, seeming genuinely shocked that I'd be looking at her with such suspicion.

"Why exactly are you asking me about this?" I demanded bluntly. Her delicate neck quivered as she swallowed, her easy smile still in place.

"I was just wondering if he took you as a friend or..." she started, trailing off when I turned away, shaking my head. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from telling her exactly what I thought of her, especially since she was assuming that Andrew wouldn't see me as anything more than a friend.

"No, not as friends," I said coldly. Adelaide's perfect smile died as her head reeled back ever so slightly. She was quick enough to disguise her shock with a sage nod, but for a brief moment, her perfect facade had fallen.

"So it's rather serious, then?" she asked me, as if we were discussing the weather and not the heart of the future monarch.

"That's one way of putting it," I replied, trying to cool my temper and look as nonchalant as she did while I cast about for someone to save me.

"Hmm," was all she said. Silence fell over the pair of us as I tried not to fidget, knowing that next to her I probably looked like a little girl playing dress up as a princess while she looked like royalty itself. When I couldn't stand it any more, I looked over at her, ready to ask her if she had anything else to say, only to see that a frown had finally appeared on her perfect face, a little crease running between her brows.

"I'm sorry, I had no idea," she said.

"You're sorry?" I repeated, lifting my eyebrows as I held her gaze.

"Well I feel rather a fool. Chasing someone whose heart already belongs to another," she said, the rueful smile on her face so exquisite that I hated her despite her apology. I was unsure how to reply to such a comment, but thankfully the man in question appeared before the pair of us, rendering the situation even more uncomfortable.

"Hello again," Andrew said, offering Adelaide a polite smile while he extended his hand to me, "I was hoping to steal Libby away."

"By all means," Adelaide said, dipping a small, yet flawless curtsey. I watched her warily, not liking how, despite her earlier words, her syrupy sweet smile had so suddenly returned in the prince's presence. But Andrew had tucked my hand into the crook of his arm, steering me away from Adelaide.

"Now that was a timely rescue," I muttered, giving his arm a grateful squeeze.

"Rescue? And here I was thinking you two were finally getting along," Andrew said, amused. I made a disgusted noise in the back of my throat, which earned me a laugh.

"Befriending her is too much to ask," I said flatly. That lopsided smile made an appearance on Andrew's face.

"Then what about a dance? Is that too much to ask?" he said, coming to stand before me so he could look me in the eye.

"Never," I said, a smile slipping onto my face despite all that was swirling around my head.