Page 17 of Lady and the Scamp

“The man is part of a group of Irish separatists who wish the queen dead.”

Emily stared at him, feeling as though she had been tossed into a churning sea. “Forgive me. I have not attended to current events as much as I should these past couple of years. The Irish separatists are those who want independence from England.”

“That’s correct. In the past year, they have escalated attacks on various cities in England, and now it appears they have the queen in their sights.” His gaze on her was unfamiliar, almost shrewd. In that moment, he seemed nothing like the pleasure-seeking man whom she had met a few days ago and who had taken her to the museum.

Then again, this news was quite serious. It was enough to sober even the most frivolous man. No wonder the queen had retired early.

“But why should their attacks increase now? Has something happened?”

“The famine, I should think.”

“Famine?”

He gave her a questioning look, almost as though he was trying to see into her mind. Then he went on, “The farmers in Ireland rely heavily on the potato crop. Two years ago, the crop was infested by some sort of organism that rendered much of the harvest inedible. The last harvest fared no better. The situation is dire. People are starving.”

Emily pushed off the banister. She did know something of the famine. No doubt Galloway thought her callous or self-absorbed to have forgotten. It was certainly easy to forget about the world at large when one lived at Buckingham Palace. “But the queen has tried to help,” she protested. “I have heard herspeaking of it. She supported the repeal of the Corn Laws. Surely that has helped.”

“Not enough, and some Irishmen will never be happy until Ireland is free from England’s rule.” He had been looking off into the distance, but now his gaze slid back to her. “But you know something of that.”

She began to shake her head then froze as she understood his meaning. “You mean because my late husband supported Ireland’s independence?”

“He was a vocal proponent.”

“He was a proponent of Scottish independence as well and giving women the right to vote. What has that do to with anything?”

Galloway shrugged. “I assumed he would have discussed the Irish position with you. Nothing more.” He gave her that charming smile again, and though she still felt uneasy, it was hard to remain annoyed when he smiled at her like that. She had mistaken his implication. That was all.

“You’re shivering,” he said. “Let me escort you inside.”

She took his arm without thinking. She was shivering but not because of the cold. She was frightened now. “Do you think these separatists will make another attempt on the queen?”

“I couldn’t say, but the prince will do everything in his power to keep her and his children safe.” They stepped back inside the gallery, and he looked down at her. “You don’t have to be afraid. You will be protected too.” As though to emphasize the point, he turned and closed the French doors, securing them.

“The prince is lucky to have a friend like you,” Emily said. “I’m sorry to say when I first met you, I thought—”

He raised his brows and took her arm again. “I was a libertine?”

She smiled. “Something like that.” They walked, passing old portraits and priceless paintings. She wouldn’t normally havespoken further, but something about him made her want to confide in him. “I have often thought that we have different friends for different times in our lives.”

“Go on.”

She was still shivering, but being close to him, the scent of oranges and bergamot teasing her nose, had a calming effect. “There were the friends I had in finishing school—sweet girls who would stay up late and giggle with me into the night.”

“I can hardly picture you giggling.”

She gave him a look under her lashes. “You don’t know everything about me.”

“I know almost nothing about you, so I am intrigued. Continue.”

“Some of those same girls came out when I did, but during the Season, there was a lot less giggling and more commiseration—is that the word? Competition, as well.”

“You make it sound like hell.”

They turned into a wide hall, and she gestured toward the wing where her chamber lay. “I don’t suppose you have any interest in marriage yet. When you decide to seek a wife, you’ll see. One look at you, and there will be a riot.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“You know you are handsome.”

---