The prince gave her a wry smile. “Most people do fawn over me, Lady Sculthorpe. An advantage as well as a disadvantage of being the prince.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Far too many people want to join the aristocracy, do they not? But they generally want the privileges without the responsibilities. And I understand you do this devious thing for the sake of your family?”
“I do, sir.” Judith glanced around. Edmund and Margaret were not in the room. “My son—he has strayed from those responsibilities and has paid dearly. But much of it is my fault. My responsibility. I failed to give him guidance after his father’s death or even to bring on someone who could do so.”
“You seek restitution.”
“I do, sir. And reconciliation between my son and his peers.”
The prince studied her a moment, then gestured for Lord Anthony to bend closer. After a hushed conversation, Lord Anthony straightened, and the prince continued. “In a few moments I will enter the ballroom with my attendants and make a circuit, greeting old friends. Lord Anthony will introduce me to your”—he waved a hand—“intended culprit. It will be a short visit. I cannot stay for the supper as I have another engagement. But I will make sure your aims are met.” He paused, his gaze raking over her again. “Lady Sculthorpe, I do not appreciate being lured into other people’s dramas. I assure you I createenough of my own. But I will not argue with a beautiful and clever woman determined to risk so much for her son, her family. It is not a sentiment I share or have experience with, but it is one I can envy from afar. It is, my dear, a gift.”
Judith curtsied again. “Thank you, sir.”
He waved her back. “Let us get on with this charade. I am sure we all have much to attend to this evening.”
Judith straightened and backed away as fast as she dared, not wanting to trip on the hem of her gown. A footman opened the door behind her, allowing her to move into the hallway. It closed again, and Judith stared at it a few moments, gasping as she realized she had been holding her breath.
“Pudgy little devil, is he not?”
Judith whirled, her hand on her throat, her head swimming.
Mark’s eyebrows arched above his smirk. “I did not mean to startle you.”
“Did you”—Judith swallowed and pointed at the door—“did you know that was going to happen?”
His eyes narrowed in confusion. “You knew Prinny would be here. It was your suggestion.”
Her hand dropped. “But I did not expect to be dragged in for a private audience!”
“You did not think he would want to meet the woman behind this mad scheme?”
“I just thought Lord Anthony wouldinvitehim. Notinvolvehim. Did you know he had informed the prince of the reasons behind the invitation?”
Mark shook his head. “Not until we arrived and a cadre of footmen commandeered us, escorting us into rooms on this hall. A few moments ago, one came to claim Matthew and Sarah, releasing me to go into the ball.”
“But you waited here?”
“I saw them escort you in. I wanted to make sure you were all right. Meeting with the prince can be... unexpected. Even those close to him never know how he will react. He can be entirely civil or a complete beast.”
Judith studied him, chewing her lower lip. Worry gripped every muscle as she envisioned the evening going wrong in the worst ways. “He was civil but annoyed about being involved. He knew about the scheme to lure Atkinson in, just not who he was. Now someone is sure to warn Atkinson about the plot. The supper will never go as planned.”
Mark glanced at the door. “Not if they think it will upset the prince to have this go awry. Risking his wrath was never a good idea, even before he became regent. To do so now is to court ruin. Or worse.”
“Where is your mother?”
“For some reason, she decided her presence would not be warranted this evening.” A growing rustling behind the door warned of people on the move, and Mark offered her his arm. “Shall we dance?”
With a brief hesitation and a glance at the door—the noise grew ever louder—Judith took his arm.
*
Mark tried tokeep his gaze forward, but Judith continued to worry her lower lip until it reddened and began to swell. Her habit whenever worry consumed her—or fear—and he realized how much she relied on this evening to go as she had planned. For Atkinson to be found out and Edmund to be freed of the man’s machinations. But other resolutions could be worked out. Other options almost always existed for any difficulty.
“Judith, if this evening does not go as you intend—”
Her words almost hissed as her grip on his arm strengthened. “Do not say that! Do not even think it! It has to.”
