“All good luck with that, my lady. Now, the very loud slap? And do huff off afterward. I will look suitably chagrined.”
Chapter Four
MONTGOMERY WASN’T EXACTLY EXPECTINGdawn to be George’s definition of early morning, yet the sky was just turning gray when he was woken by a male servant and told his coach had arrived. He’d prepared ahead, though, in case he overslept, having packed his trunk before he left the house last night. Now he made quick work of dressing. The long strip of linen for his cravat he merely draped over his shoulders for now, and he didn’t take the time to club his hair back because he always had extra ties for that in his coat pockets.
The driver outside was standing by to secure his trunk to the top of the coach, but there were already so many trunks up there, he wondered if his would fit. “More’n one package?” he asked the young man.
“What package, m’lord?”
With a frown, Montgomery opened the door to see for himself how many people warranted that much baggage. One lantern was lit inside, not very bright, but bright enough for him to see just one body was present, huddled in the corner under a furry cloak, apparently still asleep. He thought about slamming the door shut to awaken it, whatever it was, but decided against it. He’d prefer a bit more sleep himself before the sun rose.
He tried, using one of the lap robes on the opposite seat as a cushion so he could lean his head against the side of the coach. One blaring question in his mind kept his eyes open. What sort of “he” could be termed a nuisance? Someone too young, too old, deranged like King George? Was he to be a bodyguard or a bloody nursemaid?
The driver failed to avoid a nasty pothole, which was not surprising when the sun hadn’t quite cleared the horizon yet. But the bounce nearly unseated the package.
Golden hair appeared first, a lot of it, then the untied cloak slipped back and the child sat up straight. Fine clothes, exceedingly fine, jewels dotting the starched high collar. Very slim fingers adorned with an excessive number of rings. A large medallion hanging from a very thick gold chain around his neck. The package was a walking bank of wealth. Smooth ivory cheeks, dark blue eyes, dimples that appeared now with a smile of greeting.
“That’s a pretty face,” Montgomery said suspiciously. “If you’re female I’m taking you right back to London.”
“Do you need to see my manly credentials?”
That was so unexpected Montgomery burst out laughing. “When we’re relieving ourselves on the same rock will be soon enough. George didn’t warn me the package would be this young. Is there a good reason he didn’t want me to know who or what you are?”
“Why would you add a ‘what’?”
“More precisely, are you one of his bastards?” Montgomery demanded.
The boy leapt to his feet in outrage but was a tad too tall to pull it off with aplomb, banging his head on the coach roof. The driver started to slow down, apparently thinking he was being directed to stop the vehicle. Montgomery growled before yelling out the window, “Keep going!” then snatched the boy’s arm, pulling him back onto the padded seat.
“You’re lucky you didn’t concuss yourself,” he said. “If you’re going to get angry, stay in your seat to do it. If you’re going to get angry atme, be warned I might shake you out of your temper tantrum. So you’re not a bastard? I suppose I shall apologize for that errant thought. But you’re a child. George bloody well should have warned me.”
“I’m seventeen, no longer considered a child,” the boy replied with markedly arrogant disdain.
“Is that so? Well, I’m Montgomery Townsend. You can call me Lord Townsend. And you—?”
“Can call me Highness,” the boy said stiffly.
“Not bloody likely. So this is what George meant about your predilection for lies. But if I’m protecting an urchin who happens to be wearing fancy clothes, maybe I won’t be very diligent about it. Out with it, who are you really?”
“Charles Maximilian Pachaly, the seventh Pachaly to inherit the throne of Feldland.”
“Never heard of it.”
“We’re a small kingdom near Austria.”
“Still never heard of it, but I was warned that you lie, so let’s agree at least not to tell such grandiose whoppers. I’ll call you Charley.”
The boy gasped. “I could have you beheaded for such insolence! My father certainly would have.”
Montgomery wasn’t impressed. “Want to take after him, do you? I suppose he’s a king, too?”
A curt, albeit sad nod. “He was killed in the rebellion. I was secreted out of the country to take refuge here. My father was an old friend of your Regent’s father, though the king is too ill to remember.”
“Just so you know, I’m not believing any of this and an in-depth explanation is bound to trip you up, so let’s hear it. I’ll give you a few minutes to convince me.”
“You realize I am not required to do any such thing?” Charles said.
“You realize you ought to make the effort?” Montgomery countered. “King or not, boy, you have twice taken umbrage for no good reason, which needs to stop. King or not, you can’t bloody well act like one if you want to remain hidden. So spit it out. This is the only opportunity I’ll offer you to make your case for kingship.”
