Page 10 of To Pleasure a Prince
And if she already knew Foxmoor’s true plans? Then it was better to lay their cards on the table. “Haven’t you asked yourself why your brother, who could marry any woman he pleases, would pursue a girl whose family and friends are so opposed to him?”
She lifted her chin. “He’s in love.”
He snorted. “He’s in love, all right. With the idea of being prime minister.” He chose his words carefully, not wanting her to know Prinny’s claims about Louisa’s parentage. “You see, Prinny—your brother’s friend—grew fond of my sister in the years he was playing ‘Uncle George.’ He’s annoyed that I refuse to let him near her now—”
“You won’t let His Highness see Louisa? And he allows that?”
“Why shouldn’t he? He knows he can’t press it—he has no connection to her. She’s merely the daughter of his former mistress. But that doesn’t stop him from trying to stick his nose in where it doesn’t belong. Look at what he and Mrs. Fitzherbert did with that poor girl Minney after the death of her mother, his mistress. Everyone knew the girl wasn’t his, yet he fought her family for custody and won, solely by abusing his power.”
He glared at her. “Fortunately, I know enough of the prince’s secrets that he would never dare such a thing with me. Which is why he’s trying to get at Louisa through your brother, a man who will do anything to further his political career—including scheme to bring Louisa into Prinny’s sphere against my wishes.”
Blanching, she reeled away from him. “You think that my brother…that the prince is using my brother—”
“I think your brother is using my sister. At Prinny’s behest. Your brother is more than eager to give Prinny what he wants, in exchange for his support once Prinny becomes king in truth.”
When she faced him again, her eyes were glittering. “Why has Louisa never mentioned your suspicions?”
“Because she doesn’t know about them. I’ve never told her about Prinny’s interest in her future. Or your brother’s aims. I do not want to hurt her.”
“Neither do I. And I certainly wouldn’t be here arguing his case if I thought my brother intended such a thing. I assure you that if he wanted to marry her for a political purpose, he would state that outright.”
“I’m not sure that marriage is his true intention. A courtship would be enough excuse for bringing my sister around the prince—”
“How dare you! Simon would never use a woman in such an underhanded manner, preying on her feelings merely for some political advantage.” She brightened. “Besides, if that’s all he wanted, he would have told her of the prince’s aims the first time they danced. Yet she has never mentioned that. Clearly, you are wrong about his intentions.”
“I’m not wrong. I don’t know why your brother hasn’t told her, but I assure you it’s not out of any great ‘love’ for her. And all this talk about sneaking around is to bring her to Prinny, so the man can flatter her and undermine my authority.”
“Don’t you think she should know of the prince’s interest in her future?”
“Absolutely not. She’s just young enough to be dazzled by the idea of traveling in court circles, without being wise enough to understand how dangerous Prinny can be.” Stepping nearer, he lowered his voice. “And so help me, if you dare tell her any of this—”
“I am not a tattler, sir,” she retorted with a mutinous set to her chin. “Besides, I am not about to tell her some unfounded nonsense about a plot between His Highness and my brother.”
Her loyalty to her brother was commendable but misplaced. “If you don’t believe me, ask Foxmoor why he’s courting her. See what he says.”
A hint of uncertainty showed in her eyes before she stepped away with a sniff. “I don’t have to. I know my brother. He is not the calculating devil you make him out to be.” She arched one elegant eyebrow. “Nor are you giving your sister enough credit. She’s a lovely girl. Any man would be happy to marry her.”
“The sister to the Dragon Viscount, whose mother was as notorious in her day as Delilah was in hers?” He leaned against a nearby bookshelf. “When I sent Louisa out into society, I hoped she might find some handsome young baron or kindly merchant who might overlook her country manners and her connection to me, who could marry her for her own sweet self. Then lo and behold, she snags the interest of a wealthy duke with a brilliant future ahead of him. Can you blame me for being suspicious?”
“I assure you, my brother is only one of her admirers.”
The observation rubbed him raw. He hated that this confounded society chit knew more about his sister’s prospects than he did. “Then let one ofthemcourt her. Because I’ll never approve a courtship between your manipulative brother and my sister. I know that the prince is mixed up in this somehow, and I won’t have it.”
“If you ever met my brother, I know you would reverse your bad opinion—”
He laughed harshly. “Not damned likely. Unlike those idiots in Parliament, I’m not swayed by ‘gifted oratory’ from an insolent, lying pup.”
She bristled, her cheeks awash with scarlet and her bosom quivering. God help him, but Lady Regina with her dander up was an awe-inspiring sight. What he wouldn’t give to have her beneath him unleashing all that fire and passion—
“You will drive them to elope with your bullheaded refusal,” she snapped.
He tamped down his wayward thoughts. “I doubt he means to elope. But now that I know what he’s up to, I’ll bring her back here out of his reach.”
“You would ruin her chances to make any match, simply to keep her away from my brother?”
He shrugged. “She can always have another season next year. By then, she’ll see the situation more rationally.”
“By then, she’ll resent you even more for your stubbornness, which will give her justification for deceiving you at every turn.” She shot him a withering glance. “Unless you intend to lock her in the dungeon you supposedly have downstairs?”
