‘You had me give his widow a substantial amount of your money and say I was settling a gambling debt to help support her and their son. You did all you could do considering the circumstances.’
‘I couldn’t bring him back!’ It was the first time he allowed Andrew to see how deeply he had been affected by the events of that night. If he could help it, it would be the last.
‘You are not the only one to feel the sting of one’s actions where that night is concerned.’
And now he felt even worse. ‘Forgive me. I didn’t mean to imply it had been easy on you.’
The muscle in Andrew’s jaw twitched. ‘I’m glad you realise that.’
They rode in silence towards the path out of the park. Eventually, Andrew cleared his throat. ‘If you explained you never tupped that woman, she would not think you’re a bounder.’
‘And tell her what exactly? She knows I was with Madame LaGrange. Shall I tell her that I was, in fact, with the woman in her brothel while Olivia’s life was in danger bearing our child, but I did not bed her? Then the question becomes what was I doing there? Olivia is an intelligent woman. You cannot give her half-truths. I will not reveal Madame’s secrets. Not now. Not ever.’
All this talk of Olivia had distracted him. He needed to readjust his priorities—quickly. Prinny was in danger and he had no idea from whom.
* * *
Olivia dangled a small basket from her hand as she stood in the Blue Drawing Room of Carlton House and smiled at the man seated before her.
‘You are truly an angel, my dear. Have I mentioned that to you?’ the Prince Regent said, his eyes fixed on her basket.
At times he could be so easy to please. ‘You are only saying that because I brought you marzipan.’
‘That is simply not true. I would have said it if you brought me macarons instead.’ He motioned for her to sit near him as he took the basket she held out and began to sample the sweet confections.
‘I called on you to enquire about your health—however, you appear quite well. Much better than the last time the gout struck,’ she remarked, noticing neither of his feet was bandaged. ‘I am surprised you are not in bed.’
Prinny’s mouth was full and he mumbled something, but it was impossible to distinguish what it was. He shifted on the sofa and studied his next morsel. ‘My physician says I am to stay off my feet. He didn’t say where.’ He gestured with his head towards the tea tray on the table next to them. ‘Why don’t you pour yourself some tea and we can have a nice chat.’
The deep red liquid in the glass that rested on the table caught her attention. Certainly he wouldn’t be drinking port. Not if he had the gout.
She gripped the ebonised wooden handle of the silver teapot and poured the aromatic liquid into a Sèvres cup. She had seen the white Sèvres tea set before with its gilding and its bucolic scene of a young man gazing adoringly at his lover. What she hadn’t seen before was the oval straight-sided silver teapot with the swan-head spout that was engraved with Napoleon’s imperial coat of arms.
‘This is a new acquisition. I’ve lost count of how many items of his you own. Are you determined to collect all of his possessions?’ she asked, placing the teapot back on the tray.
‘That little man thought he could conquer the world—that he could best me. Well, I showed him. I defeated him and now I get to enjoy the things he held dear.’ He popped a piece of marzipan into his mouth.
She narrowed her eyes. ‘You never sent word about the painting. Did you go to purchase it? I hope you did not encounter any trouble.’
There was a hesitation to his movements. ‘It went well. I am deciding where to hang it. I still do not understand why he would not loan it to you so you could show it to me while I decided if I wanted to purchase it.’
‘I imagine he was concerned he would not receive payment and the artwork would remain here.’
He gave a careless snort. ‘Why don’t you tell me what I have been missing?’
‘There is not much to tell. I’ve come from the Royal Academy where Mr West has asked me to assist him in determining the placement of works for the latest exhibition. I hope you will be feeling better by the time it opens. The works are quite moving. And, if you were planning on attending the Nettlefords’ ball, I understand they will be serving lobster cakes. That alone should tempt you enough to leave this house.’
Prinny’s hand stilled over the treats, and he cleared his throat. ‘I hope to be...feeling right as rain by then,’ he mumbled.
Evidently the prince was feeling better, since he was eating the marzipan as if it were his last meal. Perhaps she should have brought him a smaller selection. Eating that many pieces in rapid succession could not be good for one’s digestion.
‘I’m glad you’re enjoying the marzipan.’
Prinny looked down as if he hadn’t realised he had eaten nearly the entire basket and held it out to her. ‘Would you care for one?’
She selected the smallest piece. ‘I assume you will be well enough to attend the opening of Douglas at Drury Lane. They say Mrs Siddons will be returning to the stage.’
Prinny’s smile dropped. ‘I hope so.’
‘Then I look forward to seeing you there. I assume you will not bar me from your box,’ she teased.
He smiled affectionately at her. ‘I would never do such a thing to you.’
‘I have the notion that a small stroll would serve you well, since you did finish that entire basket of marzipan. What say you we take some air in your gardens?’
Prinny’s eyes darted from Olivia, to the guard by the door, and back to Olivia again. ‘I suppose one short stroll outside could do no harm.’
Gabriel had arrived home from Parliament and been sitting at his desk, staring at his only clue for what felt like hours. Something about the handwriting on the note found on the gunman tickled his brain, but he could not for the life of him determine what it was. Hopefully a quiet evening at home would lift his spirits.
* * *
By the time he emerged from his rooms dressed for dinner, he was looking forward to a pleasant meal and another night in his wife’s bed. From the staircase landing, his gaze travelled down and settled on Olivia, who was speaking with Bennett in the entrance hall.
Her shiny dark hair was swept up, exposing the creamy skin of her neck and graceful shoulders. Her gown was the colour of irises and her arms were visible through the long semi-opaque sleeves. As she turned towards the staircase, the diamonds around her neck sparkled in the candlelight and Gabriel was blessed with a delicious view of the upper curves of her breasts. His lips rose, knowing he would have her all to himself for the entire evening.
Then he spied the wrap Bennett was holding out for her. As he dashed down the stairs, she spotted him.
‘Where are you off to?’ he asked without even offering her a greeting.
She dismissed Bennett with a slight nod and their butler disappeared down the hall. ‘I am going to Vauxhall to meet friends for dinner and to see a performance of Madame Saqui.’
Was he acquainted with these friends? Deciding she looked much too enticing to be strolling about Vauxhall without him, he pulled the