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She didn't recognize the duke froraph in a history book She knew far tooLike how the royal ladies-in-waiting swapped bawdy jokes about the sad size of the duke's scepter About how he'd lost that eye (hunting accident, on a trip he'd joined to appease the king) And about how right now, the duke was going to send in the girls whoeinside

And Luce--no, Lys--was an early favorite of the duke's to fill the slot That was the reason for the heavy, aching feeling in her chest: Lys couldn't , because she loved Daniel She had loved him passionately for years But in this life, Daniel was a servant, and the two of them were forced to hide their ro fear--that if she took the king's fancy tonight, all hope of having a life with Daniel would disappear

Bill had warned her that going 3-D would be intense, but there was no way Luce could have prepared for the onslaught of so much emotion: Every fear and doubt that had ever crossed Lys's mind swamped Luce Every hope and dreaasped and looked around her at the ball--anywhere but at the duke And realized she knew everything there was to know about this ti for a wife even though he was already engaged She recognized half the facesaround her in the ballroom, knew their stories, and knehich ones envied her She kne to stand in the corseted gown so that she could breathe co from the skilled eye she cast on the dancers, that Lys had been trained in the art of ballroo, being in Lys's body, as if Luce were both the ghost and the one haunted

The orchestra ca, and a man near the door stepped forward to read from a scroll Princess Lys of Savoy

Luce raised her head with ance and confidence than she'd expected, and accepted the hand of the young reen waistcoat who had appeared to escort her into the king's receiving room

Once inside the entirely pastel-blue roo looked silly poised over his small, drawn face His pale-blue eyes leered at the line of duchesses and princesses--all beautiful, all dressed exquisitely--the way aon a spit

The piure on the throne was little more than a child

Louis XV had assumed the crohen he was only five years old In co father's wishes, he'd been betrothed to the Spanish princess, the infanta But she was still barely a toddler It was a , as frail and sickly, wasn't expected to live long enough to produce an heir with the Spanish princess, who herselfhad to find a consort to produce an heir Which explained this extravagant party, and the ladies lined up on display Luce fidgeted with the lace on her gown, feeling ridiculous The other girls all looked so patient Maybe they truly wanted to h Luce didn't see how that was possible They were all so elegant and beautiful Froown had a collar trimmed in rabbit's fur, to Maria, the princess from Poland, whose tiny button nose and full red azed at the boy king ide, hopeful eyes

But he was staring straight at Luce With a satisfied smirk that made her stomach turn

That one He pointed at her lazily Let me see her up close

The duke appeared at Luce's side, gently shoving her shoulders forith his long, icy fingers Present yourself, Princess, he said quietly This is a once-in-a-lifetiroaned inwardly, but on the outside, Lys was in charge, and she practically floated forward to greet the king She curtseyed with a perfectly proper bow of her head, extending her hand for his kiss It hat her fa blurted out at Luce, eyeing her corset-squeezed waist I like the way she looks now, he said to the duke But I don't want her to get fat

Had she been in her own body, Luce ht of his unappealing physique But Lys had perfect composure, and Luce felt herself reply, I should hope to always please the king, with my looks and with my tempera a tight circle around Luce I'm sure His Majesty could keep the princess on the diet of his choice

What about hunting? the king asked

Your Majesty, the duke began to say, that isn't befitting a queen You have plenty of other hunting companions I, for one--

My father is an excellent hunter, Luce said Her brain hirling, working toward soht help her escape this scene

Should I bed doith your father, then? the king sneered

Knowing Your Majesty likes guns, Luce said, straining to keep her tone polite, I have brought you a gift-- it to you this evening, but I wasn't sure when I'd have the pleasure of 's full attention He was perched on the edge of his throne

What's it look like? Are there jewels in its butt?

Thethe stock is hand-carved fro the details Bill called out fro's chair The bore was milled by--by--

Oh, ould sound ione to work for the czar Bill leaned over the king's pastries and sniffed hungrily These look good

Luce repeated Bill's line and then added, I could bring it to Your Majesty, if you'd just allow o and retrieve it froun down tomorrow, I'm sure, the duke said

I want to see it now The king crossed his arer than he was

Please Luce turned to the duke It would give reat pleasure to present the rifle to His Majesty ers, dis Luce Luce wanted to spin on her heel, but Lys knew better--one never showed the king one's back-- and she bowed and walked backward out of the roo as though she hadn't any feet at all--just until she got to the other side of the mirrored door