Glancing at Miss Talbot, his excitement quelled. He couldn’t imagine her fending for herself in Brighton without his assistance. Perhaps he would stay until Aberavon arrived so he could be assured of her well-being.
“You must bring Miss Talbot back with you,” Prinny commanded. “And not too early, not before mid-afternoon.” Then he addressed her more softly. “I hope you will come. I’m sure you’re more splendid than anything Hargrove has.” He said it as if she had a choice. Then he added, “I trust you’ll help me pick out the best location for each piece.”
“I will, Your Highness. I look forward to it.”
“Meanwhile,” Prinny said, rising to his feet, and they both rushed to do the same, “you two must leave. Or rather, you may stay if you wish, but I have somewhere to go and someone to see.” He smiled. “Brighton is far superior to London, I think.”
James didn’t respond, nor did Miss Talbot except with a diplomatic nod. Then Prinny walked out of his own private room, shuffling still but not using a cane, an indication his gout was much improved.
“That went well,” she said, looking pleased with herself.
James wished he could hug her, perhaps swing her around in a merry twirl.
“Thanks to you, it did. All previous attempts to make him look at them were met with stern resistance. Until you.”
She beamed a large smile. He would swear it surrounded his heart with its warm beauty.
“What are you doing for dinner?” he asked.
Her smiled disappeared. “I nearly forgot. I’m going to Lord Dodd’s home for dinner.”
“Ah, I see.” But James didn’t.Why was she toying with the man?And if it wasn’t that, then she must genuinely enjoy Dodd’s company.
“I would invite you along,” she began, her cheeks pinkening.
“No, you can hardly do that. Brighton is small enough that Dodd and Miss Montrose know where I am. If they had wanted to invite me, they would have.”
She glanced away and then at the floor.
“Shall we go?” she said. “I doubt His Highness really meant for us to stay in his room in his absence.”
James nodded, and they began the trek to the mundane world outside the Pavilion.
***
DISHEARTENED BY THEdragging length of the day after enjoying herself with Hargrove and knowing she would not see him again until the following afternoon, Glynnis did the unthinkable. At least, it would be in London. She showed up at Lord Dodd’s homebeforethe appointed hour. Many would think it outrageous she hadn’t asked for an escort, but his home was so close, merely around the corner and along the Steyne.
Perhaps on the way home, when it was dark, she would allow him to walk her back to the Old Ship.
Even more outrageous was the fact that Miss Montrose would not be at the dinner or the entertainment afterward. Lord Dodd’s missive had pointedly invited her to a dinner for two in order for them to become better acquainted. Glynnis knew being alone with a man in his home for hours was indefensible.
With a start, she realized she had done precisely the same with Hargrove, but somehow that was different since he had no intention of marrying her. Frowning at her own tortured logic, she rapped upon the door, wishing it had opened as she’d approached. Standing on the step was a most unsettling thing.
Moreover, Glynnis knew Hargrove would be disappointed in her, perhaps appalled, if he ever learned this was to be a party of two. And lately, what the viscount thought about her had come to matter a great deal.
After a short wait, a maid not the butler opened the door. At first, Glynnis was not readily given admittance. She had to give her name and explain she was there for dinner.
“Dinner isn’t being served yet, miss,” the maid said doubtfully. And since she apparently wasn’t using to tending the door, she didn’t immediately invite Glynnis inside to wait in the small downstairs parlor or, more appropriately, upstairs in the drawing room where she and Hargrove had been entertained during the previous visit.
Glynnis had to ask, “Is Lord Dodd at home?”
“Yes, miss,” but the maid looked behind her as if unsure.
“Then why don’t I await him in the drawing room while you tell his lordship I’m here.” And no longer willing to stand on the step — after all, she was a viscount’s daughter — she pushed her way inside.
“Yes, miss,” the girl said before disappearing down the hallway toward the kitchen.
Somehow, Glynnis doubted Lord Dodd was in the servant’s area. After poking her head into the informal parlor where one might take breakfast or read the paper and seeing it empty, she mounted the staircase.
