Page 15 of A Foreign Crown
“Where am I most likely to come across your father or members of the war council?”
“Definitely not at Carlton House. I try to keep everything you just mentioned far away from my home.”
Layton considered him, unsure how to respond.
“Oh, don’t concern yourself about offending me. You may stay here, at St. James’s, if you’d like, but we shall be friends, and you must come to Carlton House when you are finished discussing matters of state and wish for a respite.”
Layton smiled. “Thank you.” He reached his hand out and clasped the prince’s. “Thank you for your offer of friendship.” He bowed low, with respect.
“You’re welcome. Anything for greater accord between our nations, chap. Or so my father would say.”
“I suspect you would say it as well.”
He grinned and then spun in a circle, his hands out in a gallant and dramatic pose. “Who can say when my father is so loud in saying all the things he does? Who can know what I would say were he to go silent?”
“Let us hope we don’t discover such a thing for many years to come.”
The prince’s face grew troubled for a moment and then cleared. “Yes, let us hope, indeed.” He clapped his hands, and three servants appeared, bowing. “Place His Highness, Prince Layton, and his man, Brewer, in the corner rooms. Make certain he has another man at his disposal and whatever else he might require, including refreshment.”
Layton nodded. “I thank you.”
“We can never be certain when Father will address our foreign guests. That poor chap from Persia was here for months; thought he would faint from fear of his own shah.”
“Months?” Layton cringed inside.
“Well, yes, but as you are a royal yourself and a family friend, I’m sure your case will be different.”
Layton certainly hoped so. He longed for news from home. In the time it took to travel to England, his navy could have grounded four foreign ships. He wondered at the political repercussions. He hoped his navy was in good stead. Dash it all, he wouldn’t even know for weeks. Correspondence took as long as a ship. But he said only, “I appreciate the warm welcome and the care in helping me understand possible time delays.”
“And like I said, I and the amusements at Carlton House are always at your disposal. Besides those, I’m certain we will be attending many of the same events. I’ll make sure your man is aware of my schedule and preferred events.”
“Thank you,” Layton said again and bowed once more.
Prinny laughed. “And we shall attempt to invite your lovely new poppet, the Lady Aribella.”
“She’s not—”
“Say no more.”
Layton was quite sure she wouldn’t enjoy being called a poppet, and he felt uncomfortable in classifying her as his in any way. But what more could he say when the prince held up his hand to signify he wished to hear no more? So he said nothing and followed the servants toward his new accommodations.
Layton had been given a lovely set of rooms with views on three sides of the surrounding park. His trunks and his new man arrived together. The valet bowed. “Godfrey, at your service.”
“Good to meet you, Godfrey. You will coordinate with my own man in my preparations for the day and for events. Today I’ll need to dress for dinner, and then everything else can be put away.”
He bowed. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“I believe you will serve as a secretary of sorts as well?”
“Yes, I was told to expect your schedule for Prince George’s man, who has shared His Highness’s schedule with me as well.”
“Excellent. I would like to include in my schedule time to ride in the park surrounding St. James’s Palace and other outings as well.”
“Very good, Your Highness.” His new secretary bowed and would have turned away.
“And Godfrey?”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
