Page 27 of Triumph at Pemberley

“Devil take it!” Jack said explosively. This was not what he needed, especially now. He snatched the envelope from the tray and tore it open.

Mrs. Hartung’s gentle voice asked, “What is it?”

Jack scowled at the card. “From Prinny. I have been ignoring his requests to meet with me, so now it is a command. Today.” His chest felt tight.

“I thought he was no longer the Regent.”

“He is not, so I could technically refuse. It is probably best to get this over with, though.”

Her hand was still warm on his. “Would you like me to go with you?”

Something cold inside him seemed to melt away. It would be perfectly appropriate to bring his wife with him, and then he would not have to be alone with the libertine who had fathered him. “I would appreciate that very much.”

Prinny remained sprawled in his chair as Jack rose from his court bow. “Well, this is quite a meeting, boy. Come closer. Let me have a look at you.” His face was familiar from his formal portraits, but lines of dissolution were graven deep.

Jack took two steps forward with military precision.

The older man studied him. “Yes, I suppose I can see it. More of your mother, though. Strange thing, this. And you hold the King’s Bond, eh?”

“It seems so, Your Highness.” He tried to keep his voice and expression neutral, but it was a struggle. He would far rather be George Darcy’s son than this wastrel’s.

“I suppose you could make a great deal of trouble with that.”

He needed to remember that Prinny was merely lazy, not stupid. “I intend to make a great deal of trouble for Napoleon, sir.”

“Good, good. Your mother is an ambitious woman. Did you inherit that?”

“No, sir. I am content to be a simple soldier.” And would be much happier to be a mere gentleman’s son.

“A politic answer! Yet perhaps greater things may come of it. You should have been my heir, instead of that useless, disobedient girl.”

Jack’s mouth went dry. What was he to do when the heir to the throne started spouting treason? “Princess Charlotte is true-born, unlike me, and I have the greatest respect for her.”

Prinny guffawed. “So does everyone who has not yet met the troublesome chit! Your mother is my true wife, even if the old man refuses to acknowledge it. Once I am king, everyone will know the truth. And that you are the true-born heir.”

Good God, no! It was bad enough to have to meet him, but to be declared his son and to inherit? Over his dead body! How could Prinny possibly think such a thing!

Of course. Prinny had refused to have his bindings from Lady Catherine removed. His mother’s bindings. Therefore he still believed he loved her and wanted the future she had planned for.

What a nauseating and infuriating thought.

But the power of the land was starting to surge under him, ready to defend him from a threat that did not exist. He tried to force himself to be calm, as Roderick had taught him, and send soothing thoughts to the power below. And not to think of the damage the angry land could do, here in the middle of London.

Mrs. Hartung’s hand slipped through his arm. “Forgive me, Your Highness. I beg your patience on my dear husband’s behalf. He is accustomed to modest company. Speaking to royalty, and most especially to one he is unexpectedly connected to, is an honor he has not yet adapted to.”

Prinny guffawed. “So I see! A shy one, is it? Well, we can fix that easily enough. We will have him to dinner here tomorrow night, where he will meet my friends. Fine fellows, all of them, and they will put him at ease.”

Acid churned in Jack’s stomach. He tried to picture clouds floating through a blue sky, but how could he ignore the storms lurking on the horizon?

Then Gentiane spoke in his head. I am here. You can do this. And he sent a sense of peace.

Jack almost gasped with relief.

“I am certain he would be glad of the opportunity, were he not spending every minute learning to control his new land Talent,” Mrs. Hartung said smoothly. “Oh, if only the French Emperor was not in such a hurry to invade! It would be much easier on my poor husband, who is having to learn the lessons of a lifetime in a matter of days.”

“I suppose so.” Prinny sounded peevish. “Soon, though. You must be better known, and my set is a good place to start. Excellent company.”

Jack would prefer to have his teeth pulled out rather than attend one of the notorious Carlton House parties, but somehow he managed to smile and nod.