Page 29 of A Torn Allegiance
Hayes considered him. A solution for all. Was there such a thing?
The servants brought the first course, though the center of the table was already overflowing. The excess was enjoyable at first sight, perhaps entertaining, but Hayes couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable now that he was talking about the people in his country who were struggling for anything on their plates.
Lord Everly leaned closer. “I would be happy to share more details. A group of us will be at White’s tomorrow.”
“I’d be grateful to listen.”
“I’ll send a carriage. The Duke of Sumter is more than welcome to join as well. I understand he has found some solutions that might also be of benefit to us.”
“Excellent. We will look forward to it.”
Hayes felt eyes on him. From all the way down the table, Lady Elsie’s displeased expression was visible. He guessed he might hear more about Lord Everly later. Despite her obvious displeasure, he couldn’t stop his smile. She had come to St. James’s. Her father, mother, and brother were also in attendance, but they were all sitting much farther away than he would like.
A woman with large, towering blonde curls on the top of her head leaned forward and into his line of sight. Her smile and welcoming gesture would have made him laugh if they were not blocking his sight of Lady Elsie. As was, he had very little interest in such an open declaration of interest from the woman impeding his view.
Prince George snorted and then winked at him. “That one—Lady Annabeth—she’s remarkably friendly.”
Hayes turned away from her. “Thank you, Your Highness.” He wanted to add, “for the warning,” but he filled his mouth with the next bite.
Lady Annabeth leaned forward and smiled again. Hayes caught a brief flash of Lady Elsie’s now-irritated expression, hidden behind the blonde woman, and he had to bite back a laugh.
When luncheon had finished, Prince George stood and addressed all those in the room. “I have requested that a tour be offered. We have with us a distinguished guest.” He gestured to Hayes. “This is the crown prince of Oldenburg. His country is an important and valuable ally to England. Those who would like to join us will receive a tour of the seldom-visited rooms here in St. James’s.”
A murmur of happy expectation traveled down the table. Hayes raised his eyebrows in question toward Lady Elsie, but as Lady Annabeth again blocked his line of sight, Lady Elsie’s frown deepened, and he could only guess what she was feeling.
Lord Everly stood and bowed. “I will depart now, but I look forward to our meeting tomorrow.”
“Yes, thank you,” Hayes said.
Lord Everly turned to pay his respects and bow to Prince George and then exited the room, rather stiffly. Hayes was left wondering what kind of man he would find Lord Everly to be.
He stood and turned with the intention of offering his arm to Lady Elsie, whom he hoped would attend the tour, but before he could take a step, Lady Annabeth’s blonde hair tickled his face, and her hands clutched his arm. “Oh, Prince Hayes. I am Lady Annabeth. I’m a frequent visitor to St. James’s and would love to assist you in this tour.”
He adjusted his stance and his arm so that instead of pressing up against his side, she was at a respectable distance. When she moved closer again, he created a new distance, hoping she might desist.
“Why, thank you,” he said without enthusiasm. “I would appreciate your attention to the finer details in the artwork. I hear our host has a remarkable eye for the artwork he purchases.”
The hesitance on her face told him all he needed to know about how much he would learn of the actual artwork.
Lady Elsie walked past, her chin slightly elevated. She turned to eye him over her shoulder. “Prince Hayes.” Her retreating form left no real space to wait for his response, so he gave none. But he knew he would missherdescriptions of artists and the work as well as the soft presence of her hand on his arm.
Chapter Eleven
Lady Elsie walked as quicklyas she could from the room and out into the main corridor toward the front, where she was about to request that the footman call their carriage. She didn’t care one whit what her father, brother, and mother were planning to do; she was not going on that tour only to watch the traitorous Prince Hayes collude with Lord Everly and entertain a flirtation with Lady Annabeth, the most spiteful and impudent lady of theton.
“Sister.” Duncan approached.
She turned, still in a huff. “I’m calling the carriage.”
“You would leave him in the clutches of the likes of Lady Annabeth?”
“He seemed pleased enough.”
“He is a polite man.” Duncan stepped closer. “Father wants one of us present for this disastrously boring of all tours, and since you are the one who actually appreciates art and fine rooms, I thought I might pay a visit to Tatter-salls while you take care of the sibling spy mission for me.”
His overly hopeful eyes made her hesitate, but she shook her head. “You ask too much.”
“Come now, Sister, all you need do is slip your hands around his other arm and use your womanly wiles to win him over. It’ll be easy enough.”
