Page 66 of The Duke Meets His Match

She placed her hand on George and gave him an apologetic glance. “Itseems Athena is going to speak without giving you forewarning,” she murmured quickly. She took a step forward. “Allow me to apologize, Your Royal Highness, for the high-handed manner in which I included myself in today’s festivities. But before I am escorted from the premises, I would ask that you allow me to share something with you”—she gestured around her—“and the others present.”

When the prince didn’t immediately cut her off, she continued. “You see, Sir, I overheard a conversation,” she said, doing her best to ignore Prince Ernst, although she could feel his heated glare. “It began like this: ‘Ihre Tochter ist mit diesem faulen Schwein weggegangen, Cosgrove.’ ‘Your daughter has gone off with that lazy swine, Cosgrove,’”she translated for those who may not speak German.

“What?” the Prince Regent exclaimed, staring at her incredulously.

“I take offense to that,” Cosgrove said, looking aggrieved.

“Ach,” Princess Sophia crooned to Cosgrove. “Do not fret. She knows nothing.”

“There is more that was said.” Susan herself had barely believed what she had overheard Prince Ernst and Princess Eugenia say. Her German wasn’t as proficient as her French, but it was still excellent enough to understand that she had needed to pay attention. Eavesdrop, as it were.

“Speak up, Miss Jennings,” the Prince Regent said impatiently. “We are most curious about what you overheard.”

The murmur of the crowd beyond the canopy grew louder.

“Perhaps we should take this conversation inside,” George suggested.

“We agree,” the Prince Regent replied, the scowl on his florid face deepening. “Andthenwe want a full accounting fromyou, Miss Jennings, after which you will leave Carlton House, and we will decide what consequences await you.” Helooked smugly at Prince Ernst in an apparent show of regal strength.

Susan replied with a curtsy. She’d said enough for now.

The Prince Regent hoisted himself from his chair and stomped down thedais and out from under the canopy, leading the way for the others, the crowdsbeyond parting as he did so. Prince Ernst and Princess Eugenia followed. Asthey passed George and Susan, Prince Ernst grabbed Susan’s arm. “Opportunist.Eavesdropper,” he hissed.

“You will remove your hand from my betrothed,” George said threateningly.

“Orvhat?” Prince Ernst shot back, but he dropped Susan’s arm. He and the princess stormed off.

“Papa, vait!” Princess Sophia cried, hurrying after him, with Cosgrove trailing after her.

George took Susan’s hand in his and gently rubbed her arm where Prince Ernst had gripped it. “Well, Athena, you certainly have a gift for overhearing private conversations. Shall we?”

Susan sighed. “I fear we must.”

They followed the others into Carlton House.

***

George held Susan’s hand as they walked into Carlton House, confused by thewords he’d just heard. He had little time to sort out their implications beforeSusan faced Prinny’s questions. He needed to be prepared to think on his feet and support her any way he could. He sorely wished he’d paid closer attention to her when she’d said she had something urgent to tell him. At the time, it had seemed to him he was already witnessing something that had a sense of urgency.

Once inside, George glanced at Susan. She wore a dignified expression, tingedwith what George perceived as worry.

They followed Prinny into the library off to the right of the lower vestibule,and a footman nearby closed the door behind them with an echoing thud.Prinny immediately swung around and faced Susan. George squeezed her hand before letting go, hoping it would give her the encouragement she would need for what was to follow.

“Miss Jennings,” Prinny said in his most princely tone, “we wish to hear from your own lips preciselywhereyou were,whatyou were doing, and theexact wordsyou overheard. Do you understand us?”

“I do,” she replied.

“Well?” he said, frowning. “What are you waiting for?”

George stepped closer to her and rested his hand on her back.

Susan took a deep breath. “I was taking refreshment alone,” she said, and George was already proud of her for the calmness of her tone and demeanor. Not a small feat one’s first time facing royalty. He doubted the mute or the giggler could manage this with the same level of composure. “Shortly thereafter, PrinceErnst and Princess Eugenia seated themselves at the table next to mine. Theydidn’t realize I was there.” She paused.

“Yes, yes, you were taking refreshment,” Prinny said, gesturing with his hand to pick up the pace. “We want to know what you overheard. Get on with it. We are running out of patience.”

George felt Susan straighten her back and watched her lift her chin. “You said you wanted to know where we were and what we were doing. I am only trying to be thorough, Sir, for your benefit.”

“So we did,” Prinny said crossly. “Thank you for pointing that out to us. Continue with your explanation.”

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