Page 51 of A Foreign Crown
“I don’t know about theton, but I too would greatly love to hear you play again.” Prince Layton’s smile couldn’t grow any larger.
“Oh, well, if the Queen gives her permission—”
Prinny waved his hand. “She won’t even know. You’re to stay with us until she calls for you, correct?”
Aribella nodded.
“Then, it is perfect. She might even be pleased that you are introduced to more of the influential members of Society.”
Aribella was immediately more interested. “You are correct. Thank you. I’d love to play for your gathering.” She turned to look at Prince Layton. “Will you also be attending?”
“It so happens... I—” Prince Layton’s gaze had been solely on her.
“Of course he will. There will be others there whom he should befriend as well, military decision makers.”
“Thank you, Prince George. I feel I am, or soon will be, greatly in your debt.” Prince Layton’s sincerity impressed Aribella yet again.
“Think nothing of it—until I come calling for my repayment.”
They laughed, but Aribella noticed a sharp gleam in Prince George’s eye. She suspected he would be in contact with Prince Layton if the need arose. She had an odd desire to stand between the two of them as a shield against whatever Prince George may plan.
But perhaps it was nothing.
They arrived at Carlton House a few hours later. Aribella was looking forward to the tour, if only for the artwork and the decorations.
The three of them climbed the stairs to enter the house, and Prince George waxed eloquent on every facet of the building. He talked of the architecture, of the structure itself, of his plans to live there, and then of the artwork. Aribella was intrigued by the pieces he’d collected, the paintings, the sculptures. She was grateful he at least had an excellent eye for good art and that he seemed determined to collect and preserve it.
Prince George also spoke of his parties—both his planned events and the great revelry he found himself in most of the time. Aribella caught Prince Layton’s eye more than once and could tell he was equally as shocked and appalled as she was by some of the things Prince George bragged of.
And then they gathered in a room entirely decorated in red. “And this is where we shall get a bit of refreshment. Please, sit; we shall have some of the cooks’ best.”
He rang a bell pull, but as soon as they sat, a servant entered with a sealed missive. He bowed. “Pardon, Your Highness. This has come from the Queen’s house.”
Prince George took it immediately, looking from Prince Layton to Aribella and back. “Who wants to guess which princess sent it? I wonder who this could be inquiring after.” But his chuckle died on his lips as he read the letter. He fell to his knees on the floor, his eyes closing tightly. “She has died. Oh no; my lovely angel sister has died.”
Prince Layton rushed to his side, shifting his own body so he could aid Prince George to a sitting position.
Prince George’s eyes opened again, and he used Prince Layton to help him rise. “I must go. They’ve summoned me. I would stay as far away as possible until you’re summoned as well.” His eyes connected with Aribella’s for a second, and then he wobbled from the room, calling for his man as he went, and disappeared out of sight.
Servants entered then with a repast fit for a king. Or a prince.
Aribella shook her head. “What shall we do?”
“I suppose we shall eat?” Prince Layton held out his hand.
She sat beside him, the low table in front of them now full of a variety of delectable selections. Sandwiches, cakes, biscuits, tarts—at first she couldn’t find an appetite for any of it, but after watching Prince Layton enjoy a tart, she tried a bite and found it delicious. “Oh, this is much better than I imagined. Prince George really does have the best cooks.”
“I believe he might have the best of everything.”
They sat in silence for a moment, and Aribella couldn’t feel awkward or guilty. She hadn’t planned this moment with him, and now that their time together had been her gift, she determined to enjoy it. “Tell me more about your home.”
“Did you enjoy the sound of it?”
“Very much. It reminded me of my own home in some ways; in other ways, it seemed a new place of adventure I long to explore.”
He looked so pleased to hear her words that she wished she had more to share.
But they must address so many difficult things at hand. “But I feel we must discuss what has happened,” she said.
