“Somewhat. He has been kind to me on two occasions.”
Lord Dodd gave her a nod of approval. “Naturally. You are a beautiful woman. Why don’t we greet him together?”
Finding his suggestion agreeable, Glynnis allowed Lord Dodd to take her arm and move in the general direction of the line forming near the Regent. She couldn’t help noticing Hargrove and Miss Montrose ignored the prince, remaining in their corner of the room.
In a few minutes, she and Lord Dodd had made their way to the front. She curtsied to Prince George who looked genuinely pleased to see her again.
“I heard you had quite a mishap on the shore,” he said. “But you look recovered.”
“I am well, Your Royal Highness. Thank you.”
“And your fiancé has shown up at last I see.”
Glynnis startled for a moment, thinking somehow Lord Aberavon had arrived from Wales. Then she realized whom he meant.
“Oh no, sir. Lord Dodd is merely keeping me company. He is not my fiancé.”
“Greetings, Your Royal Highness.” Lord Dodd offered a generously low bow. “If Miss Talbotwouldaccept me, I should gratefully take up the mantle of an engaged man in the blink of an eye.”
Good,Glynnis thought. She was counting on it.
“I’m sure you would make a fine pair,” the prince said. “I don’t know anything about Lord Aberavon,” he said to her, “but you could do worse than Dodd.”
Glynnis felt her cheeks warm, and she spared a glance to the man beside her. He seemed entirely favorable to the idea.
“Worse indeed, like Hargrove,” Prince George added purposefully, as Hargrove and Miss Montrose stepped ahead of the line and turned their party of three into five. Then she found out why they took such a liberty.
“Isabelle!” Prince George gushed, taking her hand. “I’m glad to see you. It’s been a donkey’s age. And here you are, trying to outshine all the females in Brighton. You have competition, I fear.”
Glynnis had no intention of putting herself up against Miss Montrose. There was something outlandish about the woman, a trait that seemed unpredictable and erratic.
“I don’t think Miss Talbot has to worry on that account,” Lord Dodd said.
Glynnis wished it had been Hargrove who spoke in her defense, but the viscount remained silent until Prince George addressed him.
“I thought you were going to look after Miss Talbot, and yet I find you’ve taken up with another.”
Hargrove sent her a glance with an unfathomable meaning swimming in the depths of his deep blue eyes. She flinched, awaiting his answer.
