Page 21 of A Foreign Crown
Something made him turn around, a not-unpleasant tingle of expectation that coursed through him. While lifting a glass to his lips, he eyed the darkness behind the pillars at his back. Movement and a flurry of color made him smile. He peered closer, and a woman stepped out from behind a pillar. His grin grew in happy surprise. Lady Aribella dipped a quick curtsy and then made as though she would leave. But he held her gaze, and she paused.
She was a vision, dressed as the ladies of court, her tiny waist ornamented with billows of skirts flowing down around her. He at once wished to be at her side, to raise her hand to his lips, to walk with her, to pull her closer... He swallowed, lost in the darkness of her eyes. She nodded from the shadows, then turned and hurried away. Now that he saw her, her figure was easy to follow as she made her way through the group to Her Majesty’s side. She was well received by the King and Queen. Their daughters seemed to speak at ease with Lady Aribella. Layton’s mind spun with new possibilities. Perhaps if he could not gain an audience with His Majesty by way of Prince George, Lady Aribella could aid him in this quest. He told himself that was the only reason he hoped to seek her company, but he knew that were the King not involved, he would still hope for time with this enchanting woman.
Giggles interrupted his thoughts, and a billow of yellow fabric stepped into his line of sight. Two women curtsied, long and deep. Layton averted his eyes from their plunging necklines.
Prince George waved them over. “Come, meet my princely friend.” He patted his thighs, and to Layton’s amazement, one of the women hurried and planted herself in his lap. “This is Lady Jennings. She’s a friendly one. Such good fun, this one.”
He waved to the other, who seemed hesitant to behave in a similar manner. Layton stood. “I’m happy to meet you both.” He bowed to Lady Jennings and took the outstretched hand of the lady who had just arrived, bowing again.
“Prince Layton Christian Wilhelm of Oldenburg, meet Lady Eliza,” Prince George said.
Lady Eliza curtsied again. “I’m pleased to meet you, Your Highness.”
Layton held his vacated chair out for her, and a servant rushed forward with another for Layton to sit in. As he sat, his gaze met that of Lady Aribella across the room, and he wished she wasn’t noticing the new ladies or Prince George’s reckless behavior at his side.
Lady Eliza smiled, a small, perfectly formed expression, and asked, “Are you enjoying our country, Your Highness?”
Relieved with her proper behavior, happy to have found another sensible person in the whole of the court, he leaned forward to respond. “I am. I admit to having only arrived this month. But so far, England is everything amiable and pleasant.”
“Even our weather has cooperated nicely for you today.”
“Yes, we’ve had only sun. I admit to a stroll around St. James’s Park and to partaking of a few of the beautiful sights to be seen.”
Obviously pleased at the praise for her country, Lady Eliza’s smile grew. “You must call on us. We would be delighted to show you more. You must see Vauxhall Gardens and the opera, and certainly a stroll through Hyde Park would give you an idea of our familiar associations, and there is the ball on Saturday—”
“The Weatherfords’?” Prince George waved his hand dismissively. “We shan’t throw you before the witches at Almack’s too soon. No, but we shall find an appropriate ball or two for you to attend.”
“Surely he could attend even if you cannot.”
The table fell silent at Lady Eliza’s brazen remark.
“Cannot...” He sat taller, shifting Lady Jennings, who was still on his lap. “Cannot... tosh. There is not a woman in England who can keep me away from where I wish to attend.”
Lady Eliza raised her eyebrows in challenge, and Layton immediately appreciated her spunk.
Prince George studied her for a moment.
Lady Jennings purred, “Oh, do come. It shall be as dull as can be without you.”
He turned to her and tapped her nose. “Perhaps I shall. Prince Layton needs to see the stuffier side of our people so he knows we are to be respected as well as enjoyed.” He nodded. “But keep it a secret. I wish to cause a couple of fainting spells upon our arrival, principally from our venerable hostess Lady Jersey.”
Lady Eliza’s face lit with success, and Layton nodded to her in approval. “Saturday it is, then.”
“I’ll send the carriage for you. We shall create quite the stir. It will be amusing, if anything,” Prince George said.
Pleased to be meeting more of the members of the peerage, Layton smiled gratefully at Lady Eliza. “And who will be attending? Might I hope to meet men such as the admiral of the navy at such an event?”
“Oh no, not him.” Lady Eliza shook her head. “But a trip to White’s should provide an introduction for those kinds of acquaintances.”
“White’s?”
“Men’s club. Not my kind of crowd, typically.” Prince George rubbed his chin. “Or, you know, we could summon the admiral to the palace for you.”
Layton nodded. “Thank you. I think both options have their merits, do they not?”
The prince turned away, obviously bored.
Layton turned to congratulate Lady Eliza on her obvious coup and instead sucked in a breath in surprise that Lady Aribella stood before them. His mouth fell open. He jumped to his feet, but she was all business.
