We mustn’t try to outshine him at his own game. Nothing that smacks of the military. Just a cane, I think.”

Winslow brought him an ebony walking stick, topped with a gold knob, and helped him fasten his cape around his shoulders. The valet himself was dressed in plain dark blue trousers and a jacket with the Rassendas crest on the pocket, the standard uniform of the Rassendas court. The two men set off down the long corridors of the Castle Deserae. They had been guests here for several weeks and had started to become familiar with its many rooms and multiple staircases. It was to be a busy night, and the broad hallways were bustling with visitors and servants. The Prince greeted as many people as he could by name, including the servants, and acknowledged the rest with easy smiles. He was pleased to notice how the castle’s staff treated Winslow with respect.

“A good sign, I think,” he told him in a low voice. “Those in service always know what’s up before the gentry, don’t you think?”

The older man nodded. “Very true, sire. The fact that the other valets are showing deference to me indicates we are certainly still in the running.”

“How many are here?”

“There are four other potential suitors, Your Highness, counting Lord Logan.”

“Hayward didn’t show?”

“His lordship was taken ill, sire.”

“Not seriously, I hope. I’ll send a note tomorrow. What about Monty?”

“The rumor is that Prince Montcrief is about to announce his own engagement.”

“Lady Allyson?”

“So they say.”

“Good for him. About time, I should think. Those two have been making puppy eyes at each other for half a year now. All right, so that leaves me, Logan, Raymond, Harkness, and Bigelow.

“Yes, sire. But the word below stairs is that you and Logan are the only serious contenders. The nobility of Deserae still favors Lord Logan, but popular opinion seems to be swinging your way.”

“Those old guys always back the military. Well, keep your ears open, Winslow.” They descended another broad staircase, standing aside to let two women in wide gowns pass. Kevin picked up the thread of conversation again. “Truth to tell, Winslow, this isn’t just politics. I personally would like to have this match with the Princess.”

“Why is that, sire?”

“Well for one thing, she’s really beautiful.”

“Every princess in the Twenty Kingdoms is beautiful, Your Highness. It is one of the unexplained mysteries of our land. I have never seen an unattractive princess.”

“Okay, but she’s also about my age. I mean, look what happened to Prince Frederick. The family refused to let him marry until he was thirty, and then he was betrothed to a six-year-old girl.”

“That was ten years ago, sire. Now he is the most envied middle-aged man in his kingdom.”

The two men turned into a wider and even more crowded hallway. They followed the current of people to their destination but paused at the entrance to the grand ballroom.

A twenty-piece orchestra was playing at full volume, but the conversational hubbub still rose above the music. A thousand candles, each flame reflected a hundred times more from gleaming crystal chandeliers, filled the massive ballroom with a bright golden glow.