by Lucy Adams
Realizing that their conversation was now at an end, Phillip cleared his throat and tried to set aside his feelings of embarrassment. “I quite understand,” he said firmly, hoping that Lord Watt knew that he took everything Lord Watt had said with great seriousness. “I should go. Please excuse me.” He bowed, then walked from the room, his heart beginning to quicken just a little as he made his way to the carriage. Lord Dayton would be waiting for him, as would the other gentlemen, and he did not want to be tardy. Phillip wondered if the same thing that had occurred the last time would happen again, if he would be asked to remain behind with only Lord Cammish and Lord Dayton. What would they discuss? Would they ask him to speak openly about his thought as regarded Prinny? And if so, what would he say?
“Then it is decided.”
Phillip threw back the rest of his port, as the other gentlemen nodded their agreement.
“We will send Lord Lincolnshire to speak to the Prince,” said Lord Tullett firmly, as Lord Lincolnshire bowed his head as though accepting such a task. “He will ask the Prince what the gentlemen of London might do to assist him, in the hope that the Prince will listen to those who are wise and that he might turn from his foolish behavior and act in a manner more worthy of his title.”
“A very detailed plan indeed,” said another of the gentleman, whilst Phillip shot a look towards Lord Dayton. The man was quiet this evening, his expression giving nothing away. “When do we intend to carry it out?”
Lord Dayton roused himself. “As soon as possible,” he said, without hesitation. “We must ensure that Prinny is pulled from his current state of affairs just as soon as we can. The fate of our country may rest on our shoulders. We must act at once.”
A murmur of agreement ran around the room, and Phillip made sure that he, too, nodded. There seemed to be very little to disagree with, in truth, for they had good reason to desire that the Prince behave in a manner worthy of his title. And yet, as he saw one gentleman share a look with another, he felt his stomach roil furiously for a moment. Lord Dayton and Lord Cammish, he was sure, had another intention altogether.
“Then let us meet again in a sennight,” declared Lord Lincolnshire, clearly quite settled with what had been agreed. “I shall have had opportunity to speak to Prinny by then, and I must hope that he will be favorable towards my intentions.”
“Let us hope so,” Phillip answered, aware of how Lord Cammish glanced at him, one eyebrow a little lifted. It came as no surprise when Lord Dayton murmured for him to remain when it came time for the other gentlemen to depart. Lord Cammish also stayed precisely where he was, lifting his glass of brandy in a small toast as the final gentleman quit the room.
Phillip gave the fellow a tight smile, feeling his stomach begin to twist with knots of both anticipation and worry. He had to pretend that he would agree with whatever Lord Dayton and Lord Cammish had planned, whilst ensuring that he kept every single detail firmly in his mind. He would need to share it all with the League, and that meant ensuring he had extensive knowledge of all that was planned.
“I am sorry to hear that your daughter is unwell, Lord Dayton,” he said, as Lord Dayton closed the door and came back to sit down in a seat adjacent to Phillip’s. “Is she any better?”
Lord Dayton’s eyes narrowed just a little, and he looked back at Phillip, making him wonder what he had done to upset the man so.
“You are aware of her illness?”
“Almost everyone in the ton is aware of your daughter’s ill health, Dayton,” Lord Cammish interrupted, with a wave of his hand and a roll of his eyes. “You need not be so suspicious.”
Phillip blinked in surprise, wondering why Lord Dayton felt it so necessary to keep his daughter’s illness a secret. “That is true, of course, but I spoke to Lady Olivia, and it was she who told me of Lady Margaret’s ill health. I must hope that there has been some improvement.”
“There has not,” Lord Dayton answered tightly, his brows knotting and his eyes taking on a faraway look as he turned to gaze into the fire opposite to him. “She is not at all recovered, as I had hoped.”
“I am sorry to hear it.”
“But it shall not distract me from my intention,” Lord Dayton continued, his voice suddenly fierce as he lifted his head again and looked directly back at Phillip. “We have a plan to engage Prinny, yes, but I believe that it will fail.”
Phillip caught his breath but said nothing. Lord Cammish harrumphed as if to say he had expected this, but he too said nothing.
“I must know what you think, Lord Monteforte,” Lord Dayton continued, a little more quietly although his gaze became severe. “You agreed with Lord Lincolnshire, did you not?”
Nodding, Phillip spread his hands. “Of course I did,” he said firmly. “I can see no difficulties in what they intend.”
“They will fail, of course,” Lord Cammish said, with a lift of his shoulders. “They will not succeed. You know that, do you not?”
Phillip let his brows knot together, his breath coming out in a long, pained sigh as he pretended to consider what Lord Cammish had said. “I would prefer to remain hopeful,” he answered, as Lord Cammish snorted in derision. “But I can see that you are astute in your observations.” He watched Lord Cammish carefully, seeing how his eyes shot towards Lord Dayton, who did not react at all. Now was the moment for him to reveal precisely what their intentions were, Phillip knew, and yet he felt a reluctance there on Lord Dayton’s part. What more could he say to convince Lord Dayton that he was true in his desires to do what was required? That he saw the value in what Lord Cammish was only just beginning to suggest?
Taking in a long breath, Phillip looked from one gentleman to the other. “I feel that there is a great deal at stake when it comes to this situation,” he said softly, trying his best to look a little ill at ease. “I fear for our country, Lord Cammish. The Prince does not fulfil the role he has been given, for he is selfish, arrogant, and entirely preoccupied with his own pleasures rather than matters of state. He weakens England, makes his own people disinclined towards him, and makes fools of us all by his own lack of integrity.” He spread his hands, aware that, thus far, he had spoken the truth. “I can hope that Lord Lincolnshire will do well, and I can pray that the Prince will listen to him, but in my heart, I fear that it will not be so. Which leaves me wondering what else can be done in order to help this…stain…to be removed from our country.”
There was a moment or two of silence. A moment when Phillip feared that he had said too much, that he had spoken out of turn. He watched Lord Cammish turn his head just a little towards the fire, looking into the flames as though they would give him the answers that he sought.
“You speak well, Lord Monteforte.”
A swell of relief rose in Phillip’s chest. “I speak only as I feel,” he answered Lord Dayton, who was still watching him with a slightly narrowed gaze. “It may not be wise to speak as I have done, but I can only be honest.”
“Then here is what I suggest,” Lord Cammish said slowly, interrupting Phillip and Lord Dayton. “We must come up with an alternate plan. One that will swing into action the moment Lord Lincolnshire fails.”
Phillip sat forward, hoping his keen interest showed itself. “In what way?” he asked quickly, as Lord Dayton got up to pour himself another glass of brandy, handing one to Phillip and then picking up Lord Cammish’s glass so as it refill it. “What can we do?”
Lord Cammish licked his lips, looking a trifle uncertain for a moment before he spoke again. “We can remove the Prince from his role,” he said quietly, sending a tremor down Phillip’s spine. “It may not be the best solution, I grant you, but it is one that will bring us the desired outcome.”
Phillip could not help but catch his breath, knowing that it would be visible in his expression to Lord Cammish and Lord Dayton but being quite unable to help himself.
“I know it is a severe matter,” Lord Cammish continued, lifting his hands in an expressive gesture, as if to claim innocence
for himself, “but it is one that we must consider, surely.”
Phillip let a beat of silence cross the room before he lowered his head and let out a heavy sigh, trying to appear unwilling to accept such a thing but knowing that he had to at least consider it. “It is a matter that would bring a severe consequence,” he said, as Lord Dayton cleared his throat. “I do not know how we would go about such a thing.”
Lord Dayton chuckled darkly. “It is easier than you might think, Lord Monteforte,” he said, with a slight shrug. “To draw close to the Prince is easy enough. To add something to his drink is even simpler, even if it means risking one’s life to do so.” He shrugged again, looking towards Lord Cammish, who was nodding firmly. “If it is done correctly, then there will be no direct suspicion on any of us. There will be too many of us who have been around the Prince for the blame to land on anyone in particular.”
“I see,” Phillip murmured, fully aware that he now had all the evidence he required for the League to move forward in their investigation. “Then there is very little else to be done.”
“Oh, there is a good deal to be done still!” Lord Cammish replied, with a grin. “We shall have to decide when it is to take place and how we will ensure Lord Dayton has the opportunity to do such a thing.”
Phillip’s head twisted sharply towards Lord Dayton. “You will do it?”
Lord Dayton nodded, his expression quite calm. “I shall indeed,” he answered, with a small smile. “I am well able to do so. It will simply require both yourself and Lord Cammish to create a distraction of sorts. A distraction that will give me the time required for my part in all of this.”
“I see,” Phillip answered, trying to show as much enthusiasm as was appropriate for someone considering assassinating the Prince Regent. “Then I am willing to do whatever is required, of course.”
Lord Cammish lifted his glass and let out a small cheer. “Wonderful!” he exclaimed, throwing a broad smile towards Lord Dayton. “I told you he was the right sort, Dayton, did I not?”
“You did,” Lord Dayton answered dryly. “Let us hope that all goes to plan then, for this may very well be our only opportunity to set the course of England’s destiny to rights.”
Phillip nodded profusely then threw back his drink. Feeling a trifle unsteady, he rose to his feet and bid both gentlemen good night.
“We will meet again tomorrow evening,” Lord Dayton said, as Lord Cammish rose also. “To discuss the finer points.”
“Of course,” Phillip agreed, knowing full well that instead of himself appearing, it would be a good few gentlemen from the League itself who would appear at Lord Dayton’s door. “I will return tomorrow evening in all hope of achieving this new goal.”
“As will I,” Lord Cammish answered, as the door opened. “Good evening, Lord Dayton.”
Phillip had barely slept. Having spent most of the evening at Lord Dayton’s townhouse, he had returned home and had forced himself to retire, knowing that he could send no notes or the like so soon after returning for fear that someone might be watching the house, to make certain that he was not turning against Lord Cammish or Lord Dayton. A heavy weight settled on his shoulders as he finally sat down at his writing desk, having eaten very little when it came to breaking his fast. The urgency in his mind was matched only by the scribbling of his pen. He wrote first to Lord Watt, asking him if he might meet him at five o’clock precisely that afternoon and stating that he know has more details.
Making sure to write no specific details for fear that the letter might be intercepted, Phillip signed the letter and sealed it carefully. Lord Watt would know to call the other gentlemen of the League to be present at five o’clock also, even though such a thing was not specified in the letter. Letting out a long breath, Phillip felt a scurrying tension climb through his limbs. There was a great deal of seriousness in what Lord Dayton and Lord Cammish had discussed, and Phillip knew he had to share it with the League just as soon as he could. The Prince could be in danger, and it was Phillip’s duty to protect the Crown. Closing his eyes, he sat back in his chair and tried to breathe at a normal pace.
His mind filled with thoughts of Lady Olivia. She would be broken hearted to discover the truth about her uncle. Fully aware that Lady Olivia and Lord Dayton were not closely knitted together despite their family ties, it would nonetheless come as a shock to know that her uncle had been involved in a scheme to bring down the Prince Regent. And what would she think of him? Would she believe him to be cruel? False? Nothing more than a liar and a charlatan? That was something Phillip did not know if he could bear. Yes, Lord Watt had warned him to guard his emotions and not to permit his heart to yearn after things that would only distract him in this present situation, but Phillip could not help but feel a great swarm of emotions when it came to Lady Olivia.
He did not want her to think that he had only drawn close to her in an attempt to become closer to her uncle. There was a genuine emotion within his heart for her and, despite his troubles with Lord Dayton, he wanted very much for Lady Olivia to know of it.
Another piece of paper was pulled out and set down on his writing desk. Picking up his quill, Phillip began to write. He tried again and again to express himself, until the floor was littered with his crumpled up attempts to tell her the truth of how he felt without revealing anything of his intentions for her uncle. In the end, he satisfied himself with a short note, asking Lady Olivia if she would accept his calling upon her tomorrow afternoon, for perhaps a short stroll in the park. He told her that he hoped Lady Margaret was recovering and that he did not need her to have made any sort of decision as regarded himself and his own desires, but that he merely wanted to be in her company again in the hope that he might bring her a little relief.
That completed, Phillip rose from his chair and rang the bell, needing the letters to be taken away at once. There was a good deal to do now, for he had to prepare for his meeting at five o’clock, as well as ensure that he was ready to meet with Lord Dayton and Lord Cammish again, should it be required. He hoped that the League would attend with him and that what would follow would be of a short duration, with the consequences long lasting.
Closing his eyes for a moment, Phillip took in three long breaths, letting each one out slowly and allowing himself to quieten his spirit. He would need to be as collected, as calm, and as assured as he could be for this evening. The League was counting on him and he could not let them down.
Chapter Ten
Lady Margaret was still no better and yet Olivia’s response to Lord Monteforte’s letter had provoked such a happiness within her that Olivia felt a twinge of guilt at being so contented when her cousin was still so unwell. She had written back to Lord Monteforte almost at once, accepting his invitation and ensuring that Betty would be ready and prepared to join them as her chaperone, given that Lady Dayton was still ensconced with her daughter.
But Lord Monteforte had not yet appeared.
“Might you wish to wait outside, my lady?” Betty whispered, moving a step closer to Olivia so as to speak quietly. “The staff will, no doubt, soon be mentioning you standing here on your own, and I do not want to—”
“I intend to go to the shops,” Olivia declared loudly, feeling a flush of heat rising in her chest as she became aware of the swift looks exchanged between the butler and Betty. “I had not quite decided on where I wished to go as yet, given just how occupied my mind is with the health of my cousin, but I think I shall purchase a new ribbon or two in order to cheer my cousin when she recovers, as well as perhaps a new book which might be read aloud to her.” She glanced behind her towards Betty, whose face was flushed. “Shall we depart?”
Betty said nothing, dropping her gaze and following Olivia as she walked stiffly from the house. Her own cheeks flared with color as the warm summer’s air hit her face, making Olivia all the more embarrassed.
She wanted to fade away, such was her mortification. The staff would be well aware, of course, that she was waiting for someone
to accompany her to the shops, but now to state that she had merely been struggling to make up her mind of where to go was obviously such a poor cover for the truth that she felt quite ashamed of herself.
“I am sorry if I upset you, Lady Olivia,” Betty murmured, as they walked smartly down the street, with Olivia keeping her chin lifted even though she felt more than a little embarrassed. “I only meant to suggest that—”
“There is nothing to apologize for, Betty,” Olivia said firmly, not looking behind her but keeping her eyes fixed straight ahead. “I was already a little overcome with the knowledge that Lord Monteforte has either forgotten or has chosen not to attend our little engagement this afternoon.” Heat crawled up her neck, but Olivia refused to drop her chin to hide it from others. “Although I cannot understand why he would write to me with such a request when he had no intention of following through with it.”
“I am sure that he had every intention of doing just that,” Betty said, as they continued to walk quickly towards the shops. “Perhaps something’s happened to make him so.”
Olivia sniffed, trying not to feel the sharp lance of pain that slammed through her heart. “Then he should have sent a note to state that he could no longer attend instead of leaving me to wait for him,” she answered crisply, trying to shake off her melancholy but failing entirely. “As it is, I am quite embarrassed.” It also came from the knowledge that she had done nothing but think of Lord Monteforte these last few days. Ever since he had appeared the day she had found out about Lady Margaret’s illness, she had been quite unable to loosen him from her mind. Instead, thoughts of him had remained, quite fixed there and filling her heart with such feelings that Olivia did not quite know what to do with herself. She had been quite repulsed by him only a few weeks ago, and now she could think of no kinder gentleman than he. The way he had come to her, the way he had greeted her and spoke with all tenderness to her had filled her heart, filled her very soul, and left her feeling as though she were no longer entirely alone.