Page 71 of The Wallflower Ruse

“I need to speak to you,” he said, and followed.

She reached the bedchamber, pulled the bell for the maid, and turned to Restive. She forced herself to meet his eyes, to make her voice cool and firm. “Thank you, my lord. Kindly leave me now. We shall speak some other time. I’ll wait by the front door for Mr. Davis.”

He frowned at her. “When you get home, what will you tell your Mother?”

Nothing about you and that kiss. “That Mr. Pearce abducted me, which is true,” she said, “for a wager, which isn’t.” She closed the door and waited, listening, as his footsteps died away.

~ * ~

“Don’t think you’ll fob me off with a pack of lies, Restive,” the Prince said as his carriage finally headed back to Town. “I was bored, and the equerry seemed eager to improve his standing, so I agreed to come to the masquerade. Mistake, no doubt.”

Restive could hardly agree to that, however true it was. “We received a message in code about something of great concern happening on Beltane Eve. We worked out the time and place—moonrise at the masquerade—but we had no idea it was directed against you until you arrived.”

“And what did Lucy Belair have to do with all this? I’ll have you know that she’s very dear to me. Known her since she was a girl, damn it all.”

“She decoded the message,” Restive said.

“Ah, she would do!” the Prince said. “Clever girl, that.” He frowned. “But it doesn’t explain her presence at the masquerade, dressed so inappropriately. I am most displeased.”

Briefly, Restive explained Lucinda’s interest in attending the Haraldson salon, the poet’s strange behavior, and the subsequent evening at Lady Tollister’s.

“Can’t stand that woman,” the Prince said. “At one time, she wanted to be my mistress, would you believe? Still does, judging by the way she planted herself next to me tonight.”

After a few moments’ silence—best to let the Prince believe what he wished—Restive continued.

“We had learned what we could from Miss Belair’s involvement and intended to use a substitute at the masquerade, but Pearce abducted her because of anonymous threats to his mother’s life. He claims he knew nothing of the plotters’ true intentions. His cousin, the equerry, claims to know nothing at all—that he received an invitation to the masquerade and thought you might enjoy it.”

“Humph,” the Prince said. “A pity we’re obliged to keep it all a secret. I’ll have the equerry sent somewhere highly unpleasant as a diplomatic aide. Outer Mongolia or some such.” He paused. “You and your men did an excellent job of defending my person. Three Frenchmen dead! And one of our fellows was drowned, but I never did like Wharton. Excellent work, but a shame the French ship got away.”

“They may yet be captured,” Restive said, wishing it was not so far to Carlton House. He knew the Prince well enough to tell that this conversation wasn’t finished.

“The only loose end is Miss Belair’s reputation, and it’s entirely your fault. Don’t try to cast the blame elsewhere, for it won’t do.”

“I accept the blame,” Restive said. “I just don’t know what to do about it. I would gladly marry her, but she doesn’t like me.”

“For God’s sake, man, you’re Stallion Restive. Surely you can do something about that.” He huffed. “She says you see her as a sister. Not likely, I told her, with a bosom like that.”

Restive’s fists clenched. He forced them open. The Prince had never been good ton; one had simply to put up with him. “She shouldn’t have worn such a gown, but they didn’t give her a choice.” The same lack of choice might apply to Mrs. Spence, although she could have become involved for love of Beaudry, piqued by Fortin’s lack of interest. Restive didn’t know and didn’t care to; he hoped she’d learned her lesson.

“If Lucy were of royal blood, I would have snapped her up just like that,” said the Prince with a flick of his hand.

Restive ground his teeth.

The Prince laughed. “Annoyed you, did I? Well, I’ll annoy you even more. You got out of that fiasco with Miss Bury, but you won’t worm your way out of this one. Too many people saw you kissing Lucy tonight.”

“Because I was so damned relieved that she was alive,” he retorted. “I don’t want to worm my way out, but nor do I want an unwilling wife.”

The carriage pulled up before Carlton House. The Prince prepared to descend, saying, “Then make her willing.”