Chapter One #2
“It was not easy to get his agreement,” Freddie went on, watching her closely. “At first, he was dead against the engagement idea, and it was only when your name was put to him that he stopped arguing. You are friends, I gather?”
“Friends?” She floundered. “I don’t…We are acquaintances, I suppose. What do you mean, when my name was put to him?”
Freddie and Gabriel exchanged a glance. Gabriel gave a sigh as if the weight of the world had descended on him.
“Roberta, I don’t entirely agree with this plan of Freddie’s,” he said.
“If you feel the same way, then I promise you will hear no more of it. It may be a clever way of getting the prince to agree to accept the British government’s protection, but in my opinion, there are too many things that could go wrong.
When I think of you being placed in a position where you could be hurt, or worse…
” He waved a hand as if it was too painful for him to speak of it.
He took a breath and went on. “But I know you have a mind of your own, and I have learned to trust you. Most of the time, anyway,” he added with a faint smile.
“So I will abide by your decision in the matter.”
Roberta was touched by his care of her, but at the same time, the thought of being part of a dangerous adventure appealed far more than she knew it should. But then Roberta had always been an adventurous sort.
“If you’d let me finish,” Freddie spoke loudly with a frown at his friend as he retook the floor.
“The plan I put to the government is that you undertake a sham engagement with Prince Nikolai. All we’ll need is three months—that is, the time he intends to remain in London—and then he’ll return to Holtswig. ”
By now, Roberta was speechless but Freddie certainly wasn’t.
“I am aware the announcement of such an engagement would seem quite sudden, but you and he met some years ago, and the Dowager Duchess of Grantham was a friend of the prince’s grandfather.
Perhaps we can say that when you met again this Season, you both suddenly realized you had feelings for each other?
It will not seem too far-fetched. We can make it work, Roberta.
Then, when the three months are up, an announcement will be made that the engagement is over.
No details need be given; it is a private matter, after all, and the two of you will part amicably.
I can ensure there will be very little hint of scandal, and what there is…
Well, I am sure the Ashtons can take it in their stride. ”
“Because we are such a scandalous family after all,” Gabriel muttered, showing his displeasure.
Roberta shook her head and then gave a ghost of a chuckle.
“Are you sure you haven’t been reading Annette’s books, Freddie?
This sounds more like a romantic novel than something from real life.
” Vivienne and her cousin Annette wrote a novel some years ago, which caused another scandal in the family.
Freddie cleared his throat. “That may be so, but the prince has agreed to it.”
“He has?” Her voice rose again to an uncomfortable pitch. “Really?”
“Yes, really. All I need now is for you to agree, Roberta, and I can begin to put the pieces together.”
Like a jigsaw puzzle, she thought dazedly.
This piece here, that piece there…She tried to collect her scattered thoughts.
Freddie wanted her to become engaged to Niki for three months and then to call it off.
Roberta wasn’t sure she could make up anything more preposterous if she tried, and her imagination had always been vivid.
She couldn’t do it. She wasn’t the person for the job.
She would make a fool of herself, and Niki too, and—
“The prince mentioned something about a Mr. Walter?” Freddie was looking puzzled. “That this may help run him off?”
“It certainly would,” Gabriel said before she could think of an answer. “How does the prince know about your persistent suitor?”
“I must have told him,” she admitted uneasily. “You know how my tongue runs away with me, Gabriel.”
Her brother turned to a confused Freddie. “This is a man who Roberta and Antonia call ‘The Most Boring Man in London.’ For some reason, the poor fool has set his sights on the woman least likely to agree to marry him. He cannot seem to understand the misery she would cause him.”
Roberta shot him an indignant look.
“This is a gentleman you have no interest in, but he is interested in you?” Freddie said thoughtfully. “I fear I know the type. There is only one thing that can put a stop to his ambitions, and I have the perfect solution. Become engaged to someone else!”
Roberta had to admire his ability to turn a situation to his advantage. “I am not trained to be a prince’s wife,” she said rather desperately. “Really, I am not.”
“You don’t have to be,” Freddie assured her. “It is only for three months. In fact, any faux pas you make might help to explain why the wedding is called off.”
Roberta tried to recall what else she had said to Niki last night.
She remembered admitting she had no intention of marrying, so she supposed he would think it would not matter to her if she was involved in a broken engagement.
Or perhaps he assumed she would not expect more of him after the three months were up?
Awkward if she insisted their engagement was real. She probably was the perfect candidate.
“And then there is the payment he has offered the Ashton family,” Freddie said silkily.
Gabriel stiffened. “I am not selling my sister, so you can forget about that.”
Roberta looked from one to the other. “What do you mean?”
“The prince has offered a substantial sum for your participation,” Freddie explained, avoiding the eyes of his furious friend. “He wanted to help with some rebuilding—”
“No!” Gabriel shouted.
Freddie held up his hands. “Very well, we will discuss it later. Or not. Right now, I must have Roberta’s answer.”
Niki was offering to help rebuild the east wing; that must be it.
Roberta was moved by his kindness before she remembered he wanted something from her too.
Something that could be challenging and dangerous.
Roberta remembered moaning about how boring her life had become.
Well, things would certainly be more exciting if she agreed, and she could rid herself of Mr. Walter too.
And yet…she was aware of her own limitations when it came to behaving herself in social settings.
Just look at the ammunition she had handed to Niki last night when her tongue ran away with her!
Freddie spoke again in a quiet, serious voice, “Don’t forget what this is really about. The prince’s life is in danger.”
All the protests she had just come up with turned to ash.
Niki’s life was in danger, and she had seen for herself last night how that could end.
With him lying dead at her feet. That same emotion inside her tightened and ached, and she knew she must do everything she could to prevent that awful thing from happening.
The two men were watching her closely, awaiting her decision.
Niki would be lying cold and dead, and if she refused to help then it would be her fault. There was no choice, really. She had to agree. Roberta took a deep breath.
“Very well. I will do it.”