Page 50 of Romanced By the Orc

“I have not the talent for cards like you, sir. I fear my late nights at Carlton House are a problem.”

“Oh, dear,” Albion replied, waiting to hear more before committing to anything.

“My father might be mad as a hatter, but it doesn’t mean the scoundrels around the Crown are any less powerful.”

“Now my head isn’t made for politics, my good fellow,” Albie said, in keeping with his persona while lending an appropriateseriousness to his tone, given that the Regent took him into such admirable confidence. “But my understanding is that King George retains his title, even under your Regency.”

“Yes, yes. In name only.” He withdrew a silk handkerchief with his familiar tri-plumed standard from his front pocket and ran it between his short fingers, impatient to get to his point. “But they say madness runs in families, you know. Should word of my debts spread, they might direct similar accusations toward me.”

Though he had no whiskers, taking a razor to his jawline every morning to maintain the clean-shaven jaw preferred in the Hidden Realm, Albion stroked his chin thoughtfully, making a show of it.

“Prinny, while you might have some reason to worry, I imagine your good nature is to your benefit. Why should they want to be rid of you?”

“It is not a matter to treat lightly. I need to ease the debt. Do you think your brother would be amenable to a loan?”

Albion flashed a grin before resuming a grave tone so the Regent understood he did not take this issue frivolously. “Dunc would hear you out and seriously consider it, as he always does. But he would also see the loan as a devil of a conundrum. The Hidden Realm maintains strictures on loans to foreign sovereigns.”

“Even to a Regent? And one who has been such a friend to your land.”

“Especially so. We have no monarchy in the Hidden Realm, as you know. An extension of credit to the Crown would not be in keeping with our preferred form of governance. We are closer in outlook to your former American colonists in that way. Fortunately, I have a better idea.”

“Have you?” His Royal Highness looked skeptical, pressing his lips together as though trying to keep his irritation at this reference to Americans to himself.

“You give me much credit for my ability at cards, which honors me,” Albion said. “And I shall partake of the gaming tables at Lord Mandeville’s. Do you plan to do so as well, Prin? One never knows. We may find ourselves at the same table. And while I try to stay sharp on those occasions, I have imbibed occasionally. It muddles the mind, you know. I might not always be so fortunate at night’s end.”

“Lord Albion!” The Regent exclaimed before lowering his voice. “Are you telling me you will throw a game or two?”

Albion shrugged. He’d already thrown one wager when he made his bet with Duncan regarding Iris Gabbert, knowing full well Dunc would make a great success of it. He had even added a commitment to host their mother’s 60th birthday celebration to sweeten the flutter, though that had been more a favor as his taciturn brother was ill-suited to the task.

“It may wound my pride, but it would be an honor, Prinny. Thanks to my brother’s vigilance over our family finances, I can’t provide a loan directly. But I’ve plenty of pin money.”

“I don’t know when I shall find myself in a position to repay you.”

Albion dismissed the notion with a wave. “Take all the time you need. It is a favor, as you mentioned before.”

“You really are an upright chap. I am officially in your debt.”

Albion took a long swallow of wine from the large glass before him and met the Prince Regent’s amicable gaze. The English had an unquenchable taste for the exquisite jewels mined in the Hidden Realm; the ethereal qualities of the gems held a mystery and allure they couldn’t resist. So there would always be more money. Eventually.

But the gratitude of the heir to the English throne? Now, that wasn’t easy to come by.

“As it happens, there is a matter or two to which I might direct your attention, Prin. If you are keen to repay me, we shoulddiscuss a means that would not require so much as a ha’penny from the treasury.”

“Name it, Lord Albion. What do you desire?”

“It is less so for me and more for my wife. Though of course her happiness is a necessary prerequisite for my own. She and her sister were involved in some bad business last season, and your consideration would go a long way to healing those wounds.”

A cunning smile spread across the Regent’s face. “How so?”

“Might you join our company for Lord Mandeville’s ball? In an official capacity, that is. If we were announced together, I think it will help restore my Daisy’s place in Society.”

“Deep down, you are a soft-hearted fool for love. Is that it, Albie?”

He dipped his head, pretending great interest in the dessert menu. He could not yet bear to allow anyone, let alone the gossip-prone Prince Regent, to learn how desperately and helplessly he had fallen in love.

“I am happy to help your lady wife.”

Albion nodded in gratitude. Seeing as how Prinny was in such a generous mood, he supposed he might also ask for him to keep an eye out for Lillian Stewart in Chamberly. But the Regent was hardly renowned for depth of attention and his eyes had already started wandering the room. No matter. Albion would broach the topic at the ball. Before they repaired for the gaming tables so that he still held the upper hand, as it were.

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