Page 51 of The Duke Meets His Match

“Apologies, Osbourne. I fear I am presently not myself, owing to this invitation from Carlton House.”

“I’ll go with you, Osbourne,” Jennings said. “We will sort out the truth more quickly if we work together.”

“Well, what do you know?” Osbourne said dryly. “Jennings is finally willing to join in the effort.”

“Thank you, both of you,” George said. “Please let me know the minute you learn anything that will shed light on the situation.”

“We shall.” Jennings rose to his feet. “Come, Osbourne. You said yourself that time is of the essence.”

“Nowhe’s also in a hurry,” Osbourne said. “Adieu, Aylesham. We shall bring you word as quickly as possible.”

“Thank you,” George said.

Once he was alone, he reread the invitation from the Prince Regent.

The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by The Prince Regent to invite The Duke of Aylesham to a Garden Party on Friday Afternoon, April 29th at 2 o’clock to have the Honor of meeting His Royal Highness Ernst Leopold of Schönberg-Nusse ...

It had been worded specifically so as to include only himself in the invitation. He also knew it had been done intentionally, as the prince had already responded in the affirmative to George and Susan’s wedding invitation. Etiquette would have included an invitation for Susan to attend with him.

George intended to call the Prince Regent’s bluff. He intended to have his betrothed at his side when he greeted the prince and his guests.

He rang for Talbot and then pulled out another sheet of paper.

“Yes, Your Grace?” Talbot asked when he eventually arrived.

George was just putting the finishing touches on the letter he’d dashed out. “Please have this sent to Miss Jennings and see that she receives it immediately. And then have my carriage readied.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Talbot replied.

George wanted Susan by his side tomorrow afternoon, but he had learnedby now that he could not merely presume that she would be compliant. She had already expressed her misgivings over their nuptials, and she had only just agreed to give him more time—allowing her to be out of Society’s eye in order to adjust to all the changes his proposal had brought along as heavy baggage.

Now he was going to ask her to meet the Prince Regent on a day’s notice and socialize with the people with whom George was most intent on avoiding.

He prayed she would agree to defy the prince and accompany George to the party. He honestly had no idea if she would.

His head ached.

“Talbot?”

“Yes, Your Grace?”

“Will you also have Mrs. Bradley send up one of her willow bark tinctures?” George asked.

“Certainly, Your Grace,” Talbot replied. “And perhaps a bit of sustenance wouldn’t be amiss either.”

“Thank you, Talbot,” George said.

He went to his dressing room to make himself presentable for his betrothed.

***

Susan and Aunt Margaret spent Thursday morning going through Susan’swardrobe, trying to decide which of her new gowns would be most suitable for the wedding on Monday. They had narrowed it down to two, and Susan had tried on each one so that she and Aunt Margaret could then decide together.

“What do you think?” Aunt Margaret said, looking back and forth betweenthe two gowns currently hanging side by side. “This rose-colored silk is verypretty and would look splendid next to the Duke of Aylesham and that hair of his, but this cream one with the gold embroidery is some of Madame Veronique’s finest work; I daresay you veritably glow in it. I don’t believe you can go wrongwith either one, so it’s really up to you to make the final choice. Which onemakes you feel the most like a duchess? Or like a bride?”

“I’m not sure any gown can make me feel any particular way,” Susan said, fingering the fabric of the rose silk. “Especially like a duchess.”

“Nonsense, girl!” Aunt Margaret said. “Clothes are not the most important consideration in life, to be sure, but clothesdoinform others about who we are.They can boost our confidence on occasion or allow us to feel more relaxed.Recall how you felt the first time Aylesham showed up on my doorstep and you were in one of your old gowns and wearing a mobcap.”

---