Malice at the Palace by Rhys Bowen Read Free Book Online Page A

a fairy. A pansy boy.”
    Her eyes shot open at this. “Good heavens. Are you sure? I mean, one hears about such things, I suppose, but one never thinks . . .”
    â€œHe told me that if I married him and produced an heir, he’d never bother me again. He’d turn a blind eye to my lovers and I’d turn a blind eye to his. A charming future, don’t you think?”
    Fig blinked rapidly. “Well, really. You were quite right to reject him in such circumstances. One does not expect that kind of deviant behavior in royal persons.”
    â€œOh, I think that historically one finds it quite often in royal persons,” I said. “Too much isolation and inbreeding.” I grinned at her shocked face. I was going to mention Prince George but swallowed back the words at the last second. I liked George. He was pleasant and fun. I shouldn’t spread gossip about him, even if I had seen hints of his deviant behavior myself.
    Fig was now shaking her head fiercely. “No, no. I can’t believe that. Certainly not. Royal persons are raised to do their duty, Georgiana. Which you, even as a minor royal, should remember.”
    â€œMy cousin David doesn’t seem to be doing his,” I said. “He’s still dallying with a married American lady.”
    Fig frowned. “He will shape up when the time comes. He’ll have to before his father dies. The country is counting on him.” She looked up and wagged a finger at me. “Which gives me an idea, Georgiana. I think you should stay on in London for the wedding. I’ll have Binky write to Their Majesties and make sure you receive an invitation to all the festivities. There will be a good sampling of foreign princelings and one of them must be good husband material. You must seize the moment, Georgiana. How old are you now—twenty-four? The bloom does start to fade, and I’m sure you don’t want to face life as a lonely spinster nobody really wants in their home.”
    â€œThank you for the confidence in me.” I gave an uneasy laugh. “But don’t worry. I promise not to dump myself upon you as a maiden aunt. And I do have a chap in mind, actually.”
    â€œNot that awful O’Mara person. Surely you are no longer pining after him?”
    â€œHe’s not an O’Mara person. He is the son of an Irish peer and therefore one of us. He will be Lord Kilhenny one day.”
    â€œBut that family is bankrupt, Georgiana. The father had to sell the castle and the racing stables, so I heard, and your young man has nothing to offer you. And one hears things about his reputation with women too. He’ll be a bounder who breaks your heart, Georgie. You mark my words. Settle on someone steady and reliable, even if they are boring like Binky.”
    â€œDarcy may have lived a wild existence before he met me,” I said, “but now he’s working awfully hard so that he can provide for me someday. And I don’t want to marry anyone else. I’m prepared to wait for Darcy, as long as it takes.”
    â€œWhile he is no doubt dallying with other women around the world.” Fig smirked. “You are such an innocent, Georgiana. I’m only having this discussion for your own good.”
    â€œI’m sure you are,” I said. “Now if you will excuse me, I’ll go up to my room to make sure that Queenie is putting my clothes away properly. I may still have my old room, I hope?”
    â€œThere is no one else occupying it at present,” she said.
    â€œAnd then I must go up to the nursery and say hello to my nephew and niece.”
    â€œYoung Podge is fond of you, you know. He asks after you.”
    â€œI’ve missed him. And Adelaide won’t even know me.”
    â€œShe’s turning into rather a willful child,” Fig said. “Absolutely refuses to come to her mother.”
    My opinion of Adelaide rose instantly. “Maybe she needs a