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while I took my music lesson. She grew up in Jamaica, and sheknows pirate music.”
    “That’s not pirate music,” Sebastian corrected. “It’s a sailor’s jig.” He returned his gaze to the princess, aware that he didn’t like having her in his house—which was odd, considering the number of parliamentary members whom he personally detested but had welcomed in over a brandy simply to gain their support on some matter or another. “Where did a royal princess learn a jig, if I might ask?”
    She finished with a flourish. “I wasn’t always a princess. My father was only granted Costa Habichuela and proclaimed rey by its people two years ago.”
    He took a step closer as she stood. She’d worn a white sprig muslin dotted with a rainbow of spring flowers, a green cross sewn onto the left sleeve. “And what were you before you became a princess?”
    “The daughter of a much-decorated and well-beloved army colonel, and the granddaughter of a Venezuelan viceroy,” she returned, lifting her chin. “What were you before you became a duke?”
    “A duke’s son.” And the Marquis of Halpern, but that didn’t signify at the moment. He knew the point she was attempting to make.
    “Hm. So my father earned his royalty by acclaim, and you inherited your title.”
    “And what did you do to gain yours, Your Highness?”
    She sniffed. “And to think, I came here with the idea of asking for peace between us, and you only continue to insult me.”
    “Did you insult her, Papa?” Peep asked from beside Mrs. Beacham, where both had been watching the exchange, wide-eyed.
    “Not until she slapped me.”
    “You hit my papa?” Peep exclaimed, her gray eyes narrowing. “He’s the Duke of Melbourne—the greatest manin England!”
    Princess Josefina’s gaze hadn’t left his face. “England is a very small country, my dear.”
    “You—”
    “Mrs. Beacham,” Sebastian interrupted, “please remove Lady Penelope and yourself immediately.”
    The governess gave a hurried curtsy and pulled Peep to the door. “At once, Your Grace.” As the door swung to behind them, he heard her continue. “And that is why we do not invite strangers into the house, young lady.”
    “But she said she was a prin—” The door clicked shut.
    Sebastian took a deep, hopefully steadying breath. “Since you are unchaperoned, Your Highness, allow me to escort you outside. I will provide my coach for you if you wish, and then I will send a note to Prinny explaining that for personal reasons I must decline his offer of a position aiding your country’s government.”
    Considering that as head of the Griffin family he could probably buy and sell her little country, he expected a swift apology and a hasty retreat. Instead the princess stalked up to him, hands on her hips. “Good! I’m certain your Regent could find someone more qualified than you by looking in the nearest brothel!”
    “Enough,” he snarled, striding forward. She would stop insulting him.
    Sebastian grabbed her by the shoulders. He yanked her forward. And then he kissed her.
    He wasn’t delicate about it, either. The princess shoved against his chest, then groaned and swept her arms up behind his neck, tangling her fingers into his hair. God, her lips were soft and warm, melting against his. Heated arousal swirled down his spine. Holding her hard against his body, he nudged her mouth open with his tongue, tasting and plundering.
    With another shuddering moan from her that had hiscock straining at his trousers, Princess Josefina abruptly pushed him away so hard that he stumbled. “Maldita sea!” she exclaimed, her gaze focused on his mouth. “What the devil do you think you’re doing?”
    Christ, what was wrong with him? “It seemed the most effective way to shut you up,” he panted, wiping the back of his hand across his mouth.
    “You—for my father’s sake, I will say nothing of this,” she managed, straightening the front of her gown and belatedly backing away