Read Online A Princely Dilemma by Elizabeth Rolls - Free Book Online

mother is an idiot. Bring your bride to see me tomorrow. Blake!’ She sat back in her seat, giving her husband a hearty nudge in the ribs. ‘Wake up, do, Theodore!’
    ‘Hmmph! What? Just had my eyes shut for a moment. Too bright in here!’
    ‘Is everything all right?’ asked Linnet softly, turning to her husband.
    Kester grimaced. ‘I have to tell you, you nearly got Roxburghe to sit beside you.’
    ‘Roxburghe?’
    ‘Duke thereof,’ said Kester in a very low voice. ‘Prinny is as drunk as a wheelbarrow. Roxburghe and Bedford are supposed to be supporting him in his ordeal, but he decided at the last minute that nothing would do but that I had to uphold him. Literally. That’s why young Brummell came to fetch me.’
    ‘But you’re here.’
    ‘He was talked out of it. Tradition decrees bachelors. Probably Roxburghe is wishing he was married right now. Good Lord! What is the princess wearing?’
    Lady Blake leaned forward. ‘What her grandmother wore for her wedding day by the look of things. The queen’s idea, I understand. And of course Frances Jersey backed her up—anything to make the poor girl look like a dowd!’
    Kester rolled his eyes. ‘Linnet, don’t let my mother tell you what to wear. Ever. Listen to Louisa instead. Even if I do find her suggestions distracting.’
    Brass and the organ sounded and the entire congregation turned at the entrance of the prince.
    His Royal Highness looked terrible. Almost, Linnet thought, as if he had been crying. Unthinking, her hand stole out, seeking… At once it was taken in a firm grasp. She let out a breath. Kester moved a little closer, sheltering her. Reassuring her. Whatever the outcome of this royal marriage, theirs was going to be happy.
    At the altar the bishop began the service. ‘Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together…’
    ‘That’s Moore,’ murmured Kester. ‘Archbishop of Canterbury.’
    The archbishop’s voice rolled on, intoning the prayers. ‘…and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly—’
    The prince rose to his feet jerkily, looking around in what appeared to be desperation. A murmur rippled through the chapel, as though a great beast stirred, sniffing a meal.
    ‘Heaven help us,’ breathed Kester. Linnet tensed. What was the prince doing? Surely he wasn’t going to leave! The king came forward, spoke quietly, and the prince sat down again, his head lowered. Linnet felt sick. What must the princess be feeling at this display?
    The service continued without hitch. Until they reached the part about just causes…and the archbishop’s voice slowed. ‘Therefore if any man can show any just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.’ He stopped, and laid down his book, gazing, it appeared, at the king.
    ‘What the devil is Moore about?’ came a gentleman’s voice from behind them.
    There was a snort. ‘Making quite sure, if you ask me.’
    Linnet thought that was Lord Blake, because she heard a woman saying, ‘Shut up, Theodore! You’re in church!’
    After a moment His Grace of Canterbury continued, apparently reassured.
    But it seemed he still had doubts when they reached the Prince of Wales’s vows. ‘…and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, as long as ye both shall live?’
    ‘I do.’ The prince’s response sounded as though it had been obtained under torture, and the archbishop laid down his book again.
    Beside her, Linnet felt Kester stiffen.
    The archbishop repeated the question. Murmurs sprang up again, nearly drowning the prince’s response.
    Kester leaned down to her. ‘He’s not taking any chances, is he?’
    Behind them someone was heard to say, ‘I’d wager Moore’s risking a second murder in his cathedral at this rate. Damned impertinence!’
    After a moment the marriage continued to the end without further sensation. The ring was given and accepted, the