When luncheon came around, I lied.

"I have another fitting today after lunch," I said casually, as Rosanna braided a strand of pink ribbons into Ella's hair. Emily snorted from where she was refreshing Ella's breakfast makeup. I'd sent the camel colored day dress along to Audra when the maids had cleared our luncheon dishes, if only to serve as a front for my sneaking out to meet James.

"What terrible timing," Ella said, "If they try to take any measurements you should insist upon returning first thing in the morning. I won't have you running about in ill-fitting clothes!"

"Of course not," I agreed, smoothly continuing with, "She wanted to try some fabrics with my colouring to see which ones would look best,"

"Seems like quite the thorough palace seamstress," Emily said, arching her eyebrows maliciously at me.

"Shall I deliver your messages before I go?" I asked, shooting Emily a taunting look. Her face turned sour as Ella agreed to let me perform nosy Emily's favourite duty.

Taking up the few letters, I disappeared into the hallway, quickly glancing at the names on the seals. Before I could think to try to read one of them through the paper as no doubt Emily routinely did, a maid carrying a letter tray appeared around the corner, a stack of messages already present.

"May I add a few more?" I asked her. She bobbed a curtsey and I abandoned my duty to hurry down the hall.

When I found my way to the West Rose Garden, the gentle sounds of a violin quartet and feminine laughter floated across the grass. I frowned, thinking back to the vacancy in the social calendar until tonight. Surely if there was an afternoon garden session, Ella would've been invited? Unless of course this was what they had meant by an "elite" event.

When I rounded the corner, I slowed my pace, instinctively tucking myself behind a hedge to peer through it. Sure enough, the croquet lawn was fully set up but there were only a few players. I spotted Andrew first, thanks to the modest gaggle of parasol-toting ladies that surrounded him. Lord Amberly was there, deftly smacking a red ball through a hoop to the staged chagrin of his partner, Lady Roxton. A peal of laughter carried across the lawn and I watched as Andrew grinned at Lady Thornbury, her twinkling laugh the essence of feminine charm.

Andrew and Sarah? That was interesting. From what I could remember about Emily's gossip, they'd all considered Penelope Roxton or Ashley Mayfair as the front runners for the prince's attention. I'd heard of Sarah Thornbury in passing, but clearly no one had seen her this familiar with the prince.

As she laughed, I watched Penelope throw a dirty look, albeit a brief one, over Lord Amberly's shoulder towards where Sarah had brazenly entwined her arm with Andrew's as they made their way towards where they'd whacked their croquet balls. Ashley Mayfair looked particularly sour as Andrew left her and Mary Marquette standing by their lonesome.

"May I help you?"

I let out a little yelp of surprise as I turned around to see a butler standing behind me, a disapproving look on his pinched face.

"His Highness had requested to speak with me," I said, doing my best to look stuffy and obnoxious. He didn't seem to believe me, if his single arched eyebrow was to be believed.

"And your title, Miss...?" he said, blatantly ruling me out as a lady.

"Marks-Whelan," I said drawing myself up, "If you'll announce me, please,"

He sputtered as I turned and strode towards the rose garden gate.

"Only ladies get announced, Miss Marks-Whelan," he sniffed, coming after me to block my path, "This is an exclusive event and I do not recall seeing your name on the entrance list,"

"Then I suggest you check it once more," I said, feinting to move left only to spin around to the right as the butler moved to intercept me. I hurried along, forcing him to jog to catch me.

"This is most unladylike!" he hissed, stopping me just as I reached the gate. I stared him down, plastering my best mischievous smile on my face as I reached for the gate. It gave an almighty creak as I pulled on it, followed by a deafening crash as the butler's hand forced it closed again.

"If you do not turn around this instant, I-" the butler began, turning a shade of puce reminiscent of Miss Halpern's face.

"Elizabeth, is that you?" the prince called, his voice carrying over the music. The butler and I turned in unison to see the prince detach Sarah's arm from his to stride over towards the gate, a broad grin on his face.

"Well? Let her in, Marcus," he said, pausing on the other side of the gate. The butler cleared his throat.

"Certainly, your Highness," he said, bowing as he pulled the gate open for me. It took all my willpower not to stick my tongue out at him as I accepted Andrew's outstretched hand.

"Now whatever can it be that was so urgent you had to convince the ever-proper James to smuggle me a note?" he asked. My grin died as we approached the group, where the other ladies had congregated together in order to shoot me a series of glares.

"I need to ask you a favour," I said hurriedly, tearing my eyes away from their seething gazes.

"A favour?" Andrew repeated, his brows lifted in surprise. I made a frustrated noise in my throat.

"I'm sorry, allow me to start again," I said, closing my eyes and shaking my head before I opened them once again, my most fetching smile in place, "You're looking well this afternoon, your Highness. I trust you've had a pleasant day?"

Andrew blinked a few times, watching me as an amused grin spread on his face.

"Shall we talk away from prying eyes?" he asked finally, as my eyes darted once again to where Ashley and Penelope were exchanging whispered, livid words. I noted how Ashley's eyes narrowed in recognition and knew I wouldn't get away from this unscathed. I'd have to explain myself to Ella before Ashley confronted her about me once again.

"I would like that very much indeed," I said, relief flooding my voice. Andrew inclined his head towards the gate through which I'd entered. He followed me back through it, the butler sniffing in disdain as we paused just beyond him.

"So you need to ask a favour of me?" Andrew prompted, knitting his hands behind his back as he turned to face me.

"I realize it's quite a thing to ask, especially as we barely know each other," I started, my arms swinging uncomfortably at my sides before I remembered myself and clasped them demurely over my skirts. Andrew watched the entire awkward display with amusement.

"Before I agree, what kind of favor did you have in mind?" he asked, "Because if you truly are a spy, you'll have to work much harder than that to get me to reveal any state secrets,"

I stared at him with a frown for a few seconds before I remembered the words we'd exchanged during the opening ball. I smacked myself in the head as if that should have been obvious.

"Clearly you've discovered my tactics, especially since you sabotaged my forest espionage yesterday," I muttered, a grin in place, "So much for that plan, I suppose,"

His smile spread in earnest this time.

"It's more of a favor to make sure I'm not sent home," I continued, now that the air was cleared thanks to his lighthearted joke, "My cousin is terribly upset that I spoke to you yesterday,"

"You mean when I saved you from Sable's jumping antics?" Andrew corrected. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm only trying to be polite," I muttered, "But yes, she's terribly miffed she's barely had a proper conversation with you and yet her lady in waiting had ample time to talk when you saved me from my own mount,"

"I'm a busy man," Andrew said, still grinning. I rolled my eyes once again.

"But not too busy to rescue damsels in distress lost in forests," I fired back.

"Of course not, especially when Sable's bad habits are involved," he grinned as I shook my head in frustration, realizing that I was getting farther from the point the more we talked.

"Well then thank you for your precious time, but if you're unwilling to help I fear I'll have to come up with some other plan," I said, bobbing a quick curtsey, "Have a lovely afternoon your Highness,"

"Elizabeth wait!" Andrew laughed, reaching out to catch my arm to stop me from leaving. I froze, looking down at where a royal had so brazenly grabbed me. The butler sniffed anew.

"Since you're clearly in distress once again, the princely thing to do would be to ask how I can help?" he asked, not releasing me until he'd gently turned me around to face him. I felt my mouth open and close a few times before he let me go and my thoughts resumed.

"Dance with her, talk to her, just...spend some time with her," I said finally, "My cousin, I mean. She-"

"Consider it done," Andrew said, nodding for emphasis, "We can't have you going home because of a horse, can we?"

"I certainly hope not," I said, relieved. He smiled again.

"Do you care to join us for croquet?" he asked finally, gesturing towards the tittering girls and noblemen through the hedge. I didn't veil my disgust quickly enough, yet again.

"Thank you, no," I managed, "But it is so kind of you to ask,"

"Then I guess I'll suffer the afternoon away on my own," Andrew said, "Please, whatever you do today, make sure it's something more enjoyable than embroidery, gossip, or croquet,"

I barked a laugh at his mention of our conversation yesterday, clapping a hand over my mouth in horror at the sound. Andrew laughed in earnest, bowing to me before returning through the creaky gate to the croquet game.

The butler sniffed.

"Here, have my handkerchief," I said as I passed him, dropping the linen square. His butler reflexes reached out to catch it, only to have him sniff in disapproval once more.