As if some gremlin had decided to concentrate all his energy to thwart her efforts to speak to Stephan, Caroline found herself seated beside the Duke of Danworth at dinner that night. And since George, due to his rank, was seated directly across from Prinny, Caroline couldn’t help but wonder if the prince was up to more shenanigans. He was quite aware that George had dumped her for Amelia, and he certainly could not have missed the rumors that she might have lost her virtue to George. Providing an opportunity to settle an old score would elicit splendid gossip. There was nothing the prince hated more than a dull house party, especially if he were hosting it.
Well, if he expected drama from her, he’d be disappointed. George had long ceased to provoke any emotion from her. Worse, though, was that the Duke of Kinshell had arrived that afternoon and was seated on the other side of her, which meant that Stephan was several seats away and inaccessible. Again.
When they’d gotten back earlier, Caroline had hoped to talk to Stephan privately to warn him about Tisdale, but unfortunately, the earl insisted he was entitled to a full afternoon of her company. Her father, who, blast it, had been outside when they arrived back, had agreed. Since the ride had been cut short, she’d had to endure sitting with Tisdale on a bench in the garden. Thefirstbench she’d come to. She’d refused to walk a step farther. Stephan hadn’t followed her, and she suspected her father had waylaid him.
She’d hoped to let Stephan know at dinner that she needed to speak to him, but the invisible gremlin had taken care of that.
Unfortunately, the elderly duke was a widower and a known lecher. Even now his arm was brushing hers, and Caroline was pretty sure his hand would drop in a minute to graze her skirts. Unless she wanted to endure being groped, she had no choice but to edge her chair closer to George. That brought a smirk to his face. She sighed. The unloosed gremlin seemed out to torture her today. First the unbearably long afternoon with Tisdale and now this. If there was one bright spot that the gremlin had overlooked, it was that Tisdale was seated even farther down the table and she wouldn’t have to put up with him for tonight.
“My dear, you look ravishing,” the old duke said.
The gleam in his eye told Caroline he’d like to turn the adjective into a verb. “Thank you, Your Grace, but I do not feel all that well.” She coughed somewhat loudly. “I caught a chill this afternoon, and I think I am coming down with a bit of ague.” She dabbed at her nose with the edge of her napkin. “Actually, I am quite sure of it.”
He blinked and leaned back quickly. “If you are unwell, perhaps you should retire to your chambers.”
“An excellent idea.” Caroline wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to escape before the gremlin returned to make more mischief. Having a tray sent to her room sounded like heaven and would let her escape the hellish spot between the two dukes. She looked across to the prince. “I beg to be excused, Your Highness. I fear I might be contagious.”
The prince studied her, and she was pretty sure he knew she was lying. For a moment, she thought he might refuse. But then, he smiled slowly. “Of course. Would you like me to summon the physician with his leeches?”
“That will not be necessary,” Caroline said quickly and started to rise as a startled footman leapt forward to pull her chair for her. “I just need to rest.”
“Are you quite sure?” The prince took a sip of wine, eyeing her while he did. “I would not want you to become ill. The leeches are effective.”
She should have known he wasn’t going to gracefully accept defeat of whatever his game for this evening had been. George was smirking again as well, and Caroline wished she had the fictional lute fromShrewto bash over his head. “Really, I think I need a warm brick for my bed and I will be fine.”
Lady Danworth leaned forward. “Your Highness, if I might have a word?”
Caroline watched the prince’s eyes travel to Amelia’s décolletage, and she felt her own eyes widen. Had Amelia deliberately shifted her position to afford the prince a view? As impossible as the idea was, it seemed that was what she was doing. Prinny’s gaze shifted to her face rather reluctantly. “Yes, of course. Please do.”
“Leeches do horrible things to a lady’s skin.” Amelia’s voice sounded breathier than usual. “I am sure your guests would not appreciate seeing unsightly red welts on Miss Nash. It would be especially hideous for the grand ball you are giving in a few days’ time, do you not agree?” She looked at him in wide-eyed innocence.
“Yes, yes. Of course.” The prince’s eyes swept over Amelia once more. “I would never wish a lady’s skin to be marred.”
“You are so kind and caring to understand.” Amelia smiled and slowly sat back, placing a hand on George’s arm. “My husband has always said how benevolent you are, Your Highness.”
“Yes, I did. I did say that.” George beamed at Amelia. “Our prince is most astute.”
That was George, back to being the pompous ass he always was. Caroline had never realized what a great actress Amelia was. She would have to thank her, but that would have to wait. Caroline wasn’t waiting for Prinny to become un-dazzled.
She turned and fled.
…
A muscle clenched in Stephan’s jaw as he watched Caroline’s hasty exit from the dining room. Had Danworth said something to upset her, or worse, insult her? It couldn’t be easy for her to sit next to the man who’d dumped her for another woman. Or had Kinshell done something? The man might be up in years, but everyone knew he had a roving eye and roaming hands. Stephan clenched one of his own hands into a fist under the table. Why the devil had Prinny decided to seat Caroline between the two dukes anyway?
“Careful, man,” Brice said from beside him. “You look like you are ready to tear limbs from torsos.”
Stephan nearly growled. “One of those two damn dukes did something to make Caroline leave.”
“That was the best thing she could have done, given where she was sitting.”
“That was poor form of the prince.”
Brice shrugged. “You know he likes amusing himself.”
“But it should not be at someone else’s expense, especially not a woman.”
“I doubt that thought has ever entered his royal head,” Brice replied.
