To Dance with a Prince Read Online Free

“Not in anyone’s world.”
    Honestly, the man could make you melt if you weren’t on guard. Thankfully, Meredith’s life had made her stronger than that! She had seen lives—including her own—ruined by weakness, by that single moment of giving in to temptation.
    And this man was a temptation!
    Well, not really. Not realistically. He was a prince, and she was a servant’s daughter. Some things did not mix, even in this liberated age. Her roots were in the poorest part of his kingdom. She was not an unsullied virgin. She had known tragedy beyond her years. It had taken away her ability to dream, to believe.
    The only thing she believed in was her girls at No Princes. The only thing that gave her reprieve from her pain was dancing.
    No, there were no fairy tales for her.
    She did not rely on anyone but herself, and certainly not a man, not even a prince. That was why she had been so immune to Prince Adrian’s charms.
    Merry, Merry, Merry , she could almost hear her mother’s weary, bitter voice, when in all your life has a man ever done the right thing?
    Her mother had been so right.
    So Prince Kiernan shocked Meredith now. By being the one man willing to do the right thing.
    â€œI’ll do it,” he said with a certain grim resolve, like a man volunteering to face the firing squad. “I’ll take Prince Adrian’s place.”
    Meredith felt her mouth open, and then snapped shut again. There was no joy in the prince’s offer, only a sense of obligation.
    Naturally I’ll marry you, Michael had lied to her when Meredith had told him about the coming baby.
    Oh, darlin’, pigs will fly before that man’s going to marry you. You’re dreaming, girl.
    Meredith had a feeling the prince would never run out on his obligations. Still, she had to discourage him.
    Teaching Prince Adrian the steps to the dream sequence dance had been one thing. Despite his royal status, working with the young prince had been something like dealing with a slightly unruly younger brother.
    This man was not like that.
    There were things a whole lot more dangerous than hope.
    And Prince Kiernan of Chatam, the Playboy Prince, the Prince of Heartaches, Prince Heartbreaker, was one of them.
    â€œIt’s not a good idea,” Meredith said. “Thank you, anyway, but no.”
    The prince looked shocked that anyone could turn down such a generous offer. And then downright annoyed.
    â€œYou just have no idea how much work is involved,” Meredith said, a last ditch effort to somehow save herself. “Prince Adrian had committed to several hours a day. We have just over a week left until An Eveningto Remember . I don’t see how we could get you caught up. Really.” He didn’t seem to be hearing her, so she repeated, “Thanks, but no.”
    Prince Kiernan crossed the room to her. Closer, she could see his great height. The man towered over her. His scent was drugging.
    But not as much as the light in those amazing blue eyes. Still cool, there was something powerful there. His gaze locked on her face and held her fast in a spell.
    â€œDo I look like a man who is afraid of work?” he asked, softly, challengingly.
    The truth? He didn’t have a clue what work was. He wouldn’t know it probably took a team of people hours on their hands and knees to polish these floors, to clean the windows, to make the crystals on the chandeliers sparkle like diamonds.
    But she didn’t say that because when she looked into his face she saw raw strength beneath the sophisticated surface. She saw resolve.
    And Meredith saw exactly what he was offering. He was saving the dreams of all the girls. As much as she did not want to be exposed to all this raw masculine energy every single day for the next week, was this really her choice to make?
    Ever since Prince Adrian had agreed to dance in her production, Erin had dreamed bigger. Her marks at school had become