Page 50 of The Duke Meets His Match

Chapter 11

George sat at his deskin his study and watched Phillip Osbourne pace about the room and waited for him to speak. James Jennings sat across from George, only instead of thumbing through a folder of documents as he had been when this same scenario had played out only days before, he alternated between glaring at Osbourne and glaring at George.

“One would think that contributing to the end of a costly, protracted warwith France would be considered vastly more important than witnessing amarriage, especially when one has multiple siblings and has witnessed multiple weddings as a result,” Osbourne said. He pointed at Jennings. “But this fool insists he will not leave for the Continent until this marriage between you and his sister has taken place, regardless of the fact that every day we wait is critical, and Castlereagh is waiting.”

“You obviously don’t have a sister,” Jennings shot back. “If you thinkfor one momentthat I am leaving her here in London to marry this blackguard with no family present to support her, you best think again.”

“There’s Simon—” Osbourne began.

“I am not leaving her in the care of my prodigal baby brother, who may or may not even show his sorry face!” Jennings snapped. “If this latest mission cannot wait a day or two, then you better find someone else to step into the breach!”

“You know your legal expertise is necessary,” George said, hoping he soundedcalm. This current dilemma was his fault, even if Osbourne and Jennings didn’t know the reason why. And for Susan’s sake, he wasn’t about to tell them.

“Not to mention your ability to speak FrenchandGerman fluently,” Osbourneadded curtly. Jennings had a gift for languages, which was undoubtedly one of thereasons he had excelled as a lawyer. George and Osbourne were fluent enough in French but weren’t nearly so in German. Jennings’s ability to clearly explainthe details of the treaty with the various representatives of the dukes and princes choosing to ally with the Sixth Coalition was imperative, and to find someone to replace him when the three of them knew precisely what needed to be done was a huge dilemma. George had not anticipated Jennings’s insistence on remaining in Town for the wedding, although he should have.

Negotiations on the Continent were at a critical point. Would five days make a difference in the outcome of the war? It might not matter—or it might make all the difference. George didn’t know the answer, but how was he to tell Jennings he must leave his sister’s side when it was George who had put her in this situation in the first place?

“I cannot change the date of the nuptials. Even if my betrothed were to agree, the invitation has already been sent to the Prince Regent with a reply that he will attend.”

“I am standing beside my sister,” Jennings said firmly.

Osbourne threw his hands in the air in frustration. “I don’t care aboutPrinny or his plans. We have delayed long enough already. I cannot believe that you don’t see how critical it is that we leave immediately. It was enough that we decided Aylesham didn’t need to accompany us, but I expected that I wouldat leasthave your legal expertise and German-speaking skills upon which to rely.”

“That was before I knew Aylesham was going to propose marriage to my sister after having been in London less than a week!” Jennings bellowed.

This discussion was taking them nowhere, so George raised his hand tosilence them. “Enough. I shall write a letter to the Foreign Office explaining your travel delay. You may deliver it in person, Osbourne, and await a reply, if you like. Will that suffice?”

“Perhaps,” Osbourne grumbled. “It will depend entirely upon the answer I receive, of course.” He glared back at Jennings.

“Understood.” George opened the drawer of his desk and removed a sheet of paper, then took up his quill. He was about to dip it in the inkwell when there was a knock at the door. “Come,” he said.

Talbot entered the room. “Pardon the interruption, Your Grace, but a letter just arrived from the Prince Regent, and I deemed it important enough to tell you as soon as possible.”

This didnotbode well.

“What does Prinny want now?” Osbourne asked impatiently.

George had the same question on his mind as he broke the seal and read the words within. “It appears I am obliged to attend a reception at Carlton House tomorrow afternoon, celebrating the arrival of Prince Ernst Leopold of Schönberg-Nusse and his wife, Princess Eugenia Augusta, and their daughter, Princess Sophia Augusta.”

Jennings and Osbourne both looked at George quizzically. “Prince Ernst Leopold of—” Osbourne began.

Talbot cleared his throat, interrupting him. “The messenger from Carlton House is awaiting a reply, Your Grace,” Talbot said, shooting an apologetic look at Osbourne.

Prince Ernst and his wife anddaughterhad arrived in London ahead of schedule, had they? The Prince Regent was determined to push George andPrincess Sophia into each other’s orbit before George’s nuptials occurred,was he? His Royal Highness was obviously determined to see George marryPrincess Sophia, but George was equally if not more determined to makesureit didn’t happen. “Tell the messenger that I will be there, along with mybetrothed, Miss Susan Jennings.”

Talbot paused for the briefest of moments. “I will see to it, Your Grace,” Talbot said. He left.

“Prince Ernst Leopold of Schönberg-Nusse,” Osbourne said, rubbing his chin in thought. “I recall that name, for some reason.”

“His name came up during the discussions of who sided with Bonaparte and who fought against him,” Jennings said. “The rumors were that he hosted Bonaparte and his generals for a time during the battles against Austria.”

“That is what I thought I remembered hearing also,” George said.

“If that is true, then why is our monarch holding a reception in his honor?” Osbourne asked. “Never mind. I doubt Prinny is informed enough to know.”

“Osbourne, I would like you to see what you can learn about Prince Ernst Leopold while you are at the Foreign Office,” George said. He set the invitation from the Prince Regent aside and quickly drafted a letter, blotting and sealing it and then handing it to Osbourne. “If Prince Ernst Leopold is indeed allied withthe French, then Prince George needs to be informed as soon as possible. Bediscreet when making your inquiries.”

“What else would you expect?” Osbourne said with a speaking glance.

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