Velvet Undercover by Teri Brown Page B

he’s fully aware of this. The kaiser’s eldest son has a reputation as a philanderer, and I can see its accuracy in the attention he lavishes on the younger, more attractive Luxembourgian women.
    My poor cousin , I think, handing the card Miss Tickford had made up to one of the young soldiers flanking the prince.
    â€œSophia Thérèse von Schönberg,” the soldier says.
    My heart is beating so loudly, I think it must be audible to everyone in the room.
    I set my chin. I will not be intimidated. My family has served kings. I was at the top of my class at school. I wasrecruited to be a spy for the British crown. I can do this. I give a low curtsy, for the first time grateful for the lessons my mother forced upon me.
    And immediately trip on the hem of my gown.
    I don’t quite fall on my face, but I come close. There’s a moment of stunned silence all around me before I collect myself and offer the prince my hand. “My apologies, Your Highness. Grace is not my forte.”
    â€œNo need to apologize, Fräulein. It happens to the best of us.” He takes my hand, but his eyes are on my modest décolletage.
    â€œPleased to meet you, Prince Wilhelm,” I say in my best German.
    â€œLikewise,” he says. “Von Schönberg?” His eyes rise to my face. “Why does that sound familiar?”
    I repeat the words Miss Tickford made me memorize. “I’m a distant cousin of your wife, Your Highness, from a little town outside of Cologne. I’ll be joining the family in Berlin to help care for your children.”
    Recognition dawns on his face. “Yes, of course. My wife told me you were coming. I think you’ll find that I’m a very involved father, Fräulein von Schönberg. My sons are going to be very pleased with their pretty new governess.” His eyes gleam as they sweep over my bare arms.
    I give him what I hope is a modest Sophia Thérèse smile, rather than a nervous about-to-be-sick Samantha one. “I’m sure I’ll enjoy looking after them very much.”
    â€œWill you be traveling back to Berlin with us?”
    Miss Tickford hopes I’ll be able to leave for Berlin sometime this weekend, though it’s hard to be certain—so many of the trains have been preempted for war duties. “I’m not sure; my plans have not been finalized. Very few trains allow nonmilitary passengers now. It’s difficult to tell when I’ll be able to leave.”
    â€œWell, you must come with us. It doesn’t make any sense for you to travel alone when my train is so much more accommodating. Plus, you’ll get there much sooner.”
    He snaps his fingers and tells the handsome young guard to his right, “Have my secretary make the necessary arrangements.”
    The guard’s dark eyes sweep over me before he nods, and for some reason a hot flush stains my cheeks. “Thank you, Your Excellency,” I say.
    Prince Wilhelm inclines his head in response, though his eyes have, mercifully, moved on. I bow, making sure to back away until he is engaged with the next guest. My heart rate returns to normal as I join the others out on the main floor. A three-piece ensemble plays Mendelssohn in a corner of the room while people gather in little knots. I pretend to look at the wall hangings while keeping an eye on the guests. I’m not fond of parties—I’d rather curl up with a good book—but even I can tell that there is something off about this reception. When I first entered, I was dazzled by the lush beauty of the palace and elegance of the guests, but on second look, there’s too much tension in the room for a normal party, or at least any that I’ve attended.
    â€œExcuse me, Fräulein. Are you enjoying yourself?”
    I swing around to find the young guard who had been standing with Prince Wilhelm. He is holding his helmet in one hand and a cup of punch in the other. His dark blond