Chapter 12 #2
The marchioness put the pieces together first. “Good God,” she laughed. And then she sobered. “Could she—?”
Peregrine’s hands curled into fists as he, too, began to follow the drift of Charity’s thoughts. “Lark has no royal blood.”
“And the Netherlands is no real kingdom. Yet,” said Ravenscroft.
“But it will be. William is the son of last stadtholder of the old Dutch republic, and he has been in exile. He was only just proclaimed sovereign prince and the marriage to Princess Charlotte would have brought them legitimacy and Britain’s support. ”
The lines on Ravenscroft’s face etched deeper as he followed that thought through. “But Lark could be an attractive prospect despite her lack of blue blood if a marriage brought an alliance with Russia instead.”
Perry nodded. “The Regent wanted the Dutch to hold France’s border and give Britain more of a presence on the continent. Which Russia wouldn’t want.”
“But Lady Fitzroy could marry her daughter to William, put her daughter on the throne, and keep the useless king so sotted that he does most of his governing from the floor beneath his table.” Thorne shook his head.
“That might serve their ambitions nicely, if Lady Fitzroy could keep him under control.”
“My mother would.” Peregrine’s voice sounded dead, and Charity set one hand upon his arm. “One way or another, she would be the one who really ruled the Netherlands.”
“It fits,” admitted Selina. “It matches everything we know. But if this was her plan all along…”
“Then I may have just helped her succeed in gaining a kingdom by asking the Queen to nullify the princess’s agreement to marry William.” Charity swallowed noisily. “And I certainly cannot go back now and tell the Queen I’ve changed my mind again!”
“Talk to your sister,” Thorne told Peregrine firmly. “Surely she wouldn’t be a party to this.”
“Would she not, Galahad?” Ravenscroft asked him. “What young girl would not be thrilled to learn her mama could make her a princess?”
Charity shivered. “One who isn’t safe wearing her mother’s velvet leash. Lady Fitzroy will show her who holds the power the moment Lark decides not to obey.”
“What should we do instead? Kidnap her?” Ravenscroft jested, drawing sharp looks. “Oh come on. It would thwart the marriage, for sure. And you must admit it would be faster than hoping the canary can convince her to change her allegiance.”
Perry bent his head in frustration. “You are not wrong. My mother has poisoned her against me.”
“I do believe the magpie may have given us the solution.” Selina slanted a look at Ravenscroft from beneath her dark lashes. “Lark’s guardianship—and her marriage prospects—are Peregrine’s domain. Perry, the law would consider you within your rights to march into the Pulteney and take her.”
Peregrine stiffened. “My mother would never allow me to take Lark from her that way. It would become a fight, and I fear my mother would hurt Lark rather than cede her. We cannot risk it.”
“We could distract Lady Fitzroy, surely,” Thorne suggested. “If we separate them, your sister will be safer. If your sister knows you are doing it because you love her—”
Thorne had chosen his words poorly. Peregrine silenced him by slicing his hand through the air. “No! I do not want to have to force her that way. I will not take my sister’s choices from her!”
Seeing his upset, the others fell back. Charity moved to stand in front of Perry, cupping his cheek and bringing their foreheads together.
“Perry, it might be the only way to stop your mother’s plans and protect your sister,” she whispered into the space between them.
The breath he took was jagged. “My mother taught us that love’s real purpose was control, Charity. I can’t make my sister a princess. She will hate me for taking everything from her. And I will hate myself for doing to her what my mother did to me.”
Charity settled Peregrine’s hand over her heart, laying her own palm over the rapid thrum in his chest. “You know that is not what love is. Not between us, and not even for most people. We are not trying to hurt or control Lark. You are not your mother. You are her brother, and this keeps your sister from being used as a pawn.”
He was listening to her, and she kept talking in a low voice. “Lark needs to be safe before she can know the truth. Until she knows the truth, how can she make choices for herself?”
Perry shuddered slightly, but then he nodded. “I won’t force her to do anything else, Charity.”
“Nothing else is needed. Although, it would be nice if she might give us some glimpse of any other parts of your mother’s plans...”
“I do not think she will be inclined to share. At least not right away,” Peregrine agreed. “We may have to be content with holding her.”
They separated, and Charity glanced at the others. Their faces were sober, but not without compassion. Peregrine’s fear reminded them this was a rather serious undertaking.
“So, we have to try to strike a bargain with an Austrian and extract a young woman from the claws of her mama. Do we have any ideas?” the marchioness asked brusquely.
“There may be an opportunity to do both tomorrow. Prinny and the sovereigns were planning a trip to Rotten Row,” Ravenscroft offered, straightening his cuffs. “With crowds of people milling about and plenty of other things to watch, no one should be terribly interested in us.”
Selina gave them a smile that was mostly teeth.
She looked frighteningly pleased about this chance to deal a blow back to Lady Fitzroy.
Charity couldn’t blame the marchioness for wanting the chance to retaliate, given what had been done to her.
“Well then, Duchess, gentlemen. Shall we plan a kidnapping?”