Page 88 of A Royal Kiss & Tell
“He’s printing things that are...worthy, Caro. Items of news that ought to be spread around. Not on-dits. Did you know that Parliament means to establish an entire new system of county courts?”
Caroline laughed. “I certainly did not, and I refuse to know it now. Darling, put that away. I need you just now.”
Hollis blinked. She put the broadsheet away. “Why? What’s happened?”
“I must have Leopold invited to the Pennybacker ball.”
Hollis stared at her. And then she laughed. She laughed so hard she fell back against the settee. “Caro,youare the one who made certain of it he wasnotinvited.”
“Yes, I am well aware, thank you, Hollis. But now I realize it was a terrible mistake.”
Hollis wasn’t through laughing, however. “The seeds you sow, dearest. Shall I venture a guess? Youdolove him.”
Caroline didn’t have the patience to be coy today. Time was of the essence. “Yes! I am in love with Prince Leopold. There, are you happy now? Will you help me?”
Hollis was still giggling. She reached for Caroline’s hand. “Iamhappy now. You’re a perfect match. You, too bold by half and terribly impetuous at times, and him, too fond of his ale. All right. But it will require a little cunning.” She stood up and began to pace, one hand on her waist, one finger tapping against her lip. “Ah. Here we are, then. Lady Farrington’s husband has come into quite a lot of money, as I am sure you know.”
Caroline snorted a laugh. “Everyoneknows. Priscilla makes certain of it.”
“Nancy Pennybacker can’t abide it when Priscilla has something she doesn’t have. If Nancy knows that Priscilla is having the prince to dine—because you tell her—she will have the prince to her ball. No matter what she thinks of Prince Leopold, she will not allow Priscilla to have royalty into her house before she does.”
A slow smile spread across Caroline’s lips. “That is positivelydiabolical, Hollis.”
“I study the on-dits, darling. But you must convince Priscilla she ought to have him.”
Caroline stood up. “That’s the easiest thing I might do this week. But Hollis, there is more.”
“No,” Hollis said, and fell very ungracefully into her chair, and propped one foot against the fire screen. “I can’t help you with Lady Norfolk.”
“No, something else—I need a rather large favor. I need you to take in two young women and a boy. But only temporarily,” she hastily added.
Hollis dropped her foot and sat up. “Caroline? What have you done?” she asked gravely.
“Nothing. At least not yet.”
Hollis leaned forward. “Tell me.”
Caroline told her everything. Hollis said not a word as she talked—she gaped at her, her eyes round with shock. When Caroline finished, Hollis leaned back in her seat and stared at the ceiling for a very long moment, taking it all in. “I wouldn’t have thought Prince Leopold of all people would be the one to save them from that.”
“No,” Caroline said with a sheepish laugh.
Hollis suddenly surged to her feet and began to pace again. “This is precisely what I was talking about, Caroline. This level of corruption among government officials can’t be allowed to continue! It should be exposed. I mean to write an article—”
“Hollis? The girls?” Caroline asked.
“What? Yes, yes, Caro, of course,” she said with a wave of her hand. “But do you see what I mean? Instead of publishing who has worn what, or the invitation to whose soiree is the most coveted, I ought to publish therealscandals—Oh! Donovan, there you are. We’re to have guests. Two young women and a lad.”
Donovan had come into the salon with wine. He put the bottle and two glasses on a table between the two chairs. “Very well.”
“Shall we put them in adjoining rooms? How long will they be here, Caro?”
She squirmed a little. “Until the prince sails?”
“Ah. Yes, adjoining rooms.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Donovan said, and turned about and walked out whistling under his breath.
Hollis continued giving Caroline her very firm opinions about what a gazette ought to be until ten past eight o’clock, when at last, a knock was heard at the front door.
