Page 74 of To Pleasure a Prince
“His daughter?” Regina said. “Louisa is the prince’s daughter?”
“Of course. Why do you think he wants to offer her a place at court?”
“Marcus said nothing about her being his daughter. And I thought his mother and the prince were estranged that year.”
“Yes, but you know Prinny. There was a chance encounter, and as usual he…er…indulged himself. And Louisa was born nine months later.”
“That doesn’t necessarily mean she’s Prinny’s.”
“Her mother said that she was, and he believes her. But her bloody ass of a brother doesn’t want to believe it, so he won’t permit any meeting between them. And His Highness insists that he tell her about it himself in person.”
I’d never let that devil within ten feet of anybody I cared about.“So you and the prince hatched this faux courtship to deceive the poor girl into—”
“Your Draker left us no choice, damn it!”
“No,” she said, her stomach roiling. “He was too clever for you. He told me all along that this was your plan, but I never believed him. I couldn’t imagine that you would be so underhanded.”
Her brother’s eyes narrowed. “Then you don’t know me very well.”
Betrayal sliced through her. All the things she had done, everything she’d set into motion, and all so he could…could…what? “Why, Simon? Why does His Highness want her at court so badly that he would perpetrate such a deception?”
“Stop saying that! It’s not a deception. I’ve made no offer for her.”
“You might as well have. Your every compliment was a promise. Tell me, Simon, have you kissed her?”
His face looked thunderous. “That is none of your concern.”
“So you kissed her. And led her to believe—”
“I did what I had to for my regent, yes.” He explained about Princess Charlotte and her impending marriage.
With every word, Regina’s stomach sank a little more. “I suppose you get some reward out of this.”
He stiffened. “I plan to be prime minister, Regina. That has always been my aim, as you know.”
Her hands began to sweat. “So did you ever intend to marry Louisa? Did you love her even a little?”
He raked his fingers through his hair. “It’s not that simple.”
“Yes, it is.” She thought of her friend, professing her love to Simon so innocently tonight. “You love her, or you don’t love her. Which is it?”
His features grew stony. “I did not ask her to love me. It was not part of my plan. I can’t help it if she—”
“Believed your flatteries to be sincere? Thought that your attempts to see her were motivated by truly tender feelings? Howcouldyou?”
“You have no right to point the finger. Did you have any feelings for Lord Draker when you agreed to his courtship? Or were you just using the poor man to get what you wanted?”
“The only thing I wanted wasyourmarriage. Besides, Marcus and I both knew our courtship was only a bargain.” At least it had started out that way. “Louisa knew nothing of your true intentions. And what are they, anyway? At least tell me that marriage to her is part of your ‘plan.’ ”
He tensed. “You know perfectly well Louisa would not make a good prime minister’s wife.”
“Oh, Lord!” She felt complicit in something dirty and wicked even though she wasn’t complicit in the least. “Youliedto me when you accepted that wager. You never even intended to marry her.”
“You said I had to ask formally for her hand and abide by his decision. Since I knew he’d never accept me, I was in no danger.”
“No, only Louisa’s heart was in danger.”
“If she deluded herself that I meant to marry her, that is not my concern.”
