Page 27 of Three Weeks with a Princess
“Yes, I’m sorry to say.”
“That is a most unfortunate development. Even though Mr. Lester’s troupe is considered respectable, Lia’s appearance on the stage certainly will not help her reputation. Is she pretty?”
“Very,” Jack said, feeling gloomier by the minute. His friend’s reaction was confirming his fears.
“Then she’ll be a target for every damn rake in London. Did she discuss this course of action with you?”
“She did, along with some other alarming potential career choices. I told her that none of them were remotely acceptable for a gently bred girl such as herself.”
Charles stared blankly at him for a moment before understanding took hold. “Are you suggesting she is considering a life in the demi-monde?”
Jack waggled a hand. “That was more her grandmother’s notion. Lia’s the one who wants to perform on the stage. Unfortunately, before we could discuss either issue to any degree of satisfaction, she gave me the slip and came here.”
“That was very enterprising of her—and explains your precipitous return to London.”
“Lia is exceedingly resourceful. When she puts her mind to something, she generally makes it happen.” While that was fine when it came to managing Stonefell’s gardens or helping the tenant farmers, her current misadventure had all the hallmarks of a disaster.
“And are you going to let this particular enterprise happen?” his friend asked gently.
“Don’t be an idiot, Charles. As soon as I get my hands on her, I’m taking her back to Stonefell, where she belongs. It’s the only place she’ll ever be safe.”
“Are you in love with the girl, Jack?”
Jack almost dropped his glass. “Are you out of your bloody mind?”
An unfortunate lull in the conversation on the other side of the room brought a number of heads whipping around to observe them. Charles gave the assembled men his chilliest ducal stare, which had its usual and desired effect.
He turned back to the discussion. “A little less heat, Jack, or we’ll be the ones to instigate the gossip about poor Miss Kincaid.”
Jack was already mentally kicking himself for revealing so much. “Sorry. As to your question, of course I love Lia. And of course I feel responsible for her and Rebecca. My uncle left them in a terrible fix and it’s up to me to make it right.”
Charles turned an elegant hand palm up. “So, your feelings for Miss Lia are . . .”
“Are those of a brother,” he said firmly. “And even if they weren’t, there’s not a damn thing I can do about it, for a dozen reasons.”
“Everyone said the same about me and Gillian, and yet here we are, the Duke and Duchess of Leverton.”
“The extremely wealthy and powerful Duke and Duchess of Leverton. Unfortunately, I possess neither power nor wealth.”
Charles frowned. “Jack, I’m more than willing to help with your financial situation. I can easily lend—”
“I appreciate your generosity, but that is the fastest way to ruin a friendship. I won’t risk it.”
If he were able to secure some significant backing for the proposed mining venture, Jack might then approach Charles with a proposal to invest. But until that point, he refused to be indebted to his friend any more than he already was. Charles had helped him out of more than one sticky patch during the war, when Uncle Arthur couldn’t afford to send along his usual quarterly allowance. He wouldn’t impose on his friend again.
“I understand,” said Charles with a sympathetic grimace. “But where does that leave you in terms of Stonefell’s current financial situation?”
“If my bankers won’t help me, then I’ll be on the lookout for a willing heiress,” Jack said with a sigh. “My mother and sister are already compiling lists of candidates.”
Charles eyed him for a moment before nodding. “Very sensible. I’m sure they’ll find you a most pleasing group of young ladies from which to choose.”
Whether they would want to choose him, simply another penniless aristocrat up to his ears in debt, was a different question.
“That leaves us with one more concern,” Charles added. “What do we do about Gillian’s desire to meet her newly discovered cousin? I will not be able to hold her back for long, as you can well imagine.”
“All too well. And I will talk to Lia as soon as it’s convenient.” Jack gave his friend a determined stare. “She needs to hear it from me. It’s bound to upset her one way or another, and she’ll want to talk it through with someone she’s close to.” At least he hoped so. She might throw him out onto the street instead.
Charles nodded. “I can get Gillian to agree to that, if she only has to wait a few days. Let me know when you’ve discussed the issue with Miss Lia and we’ll talk about the best way for the ladies to meet each other.”
