Read Online Lord Rakehell by Virginia Henley - Free Book Online Page B

who was surrounded by her three titled sisters and their attractive noble husbands. Anne found an immediate rapport with Harriet, recognizing instantly that they were kindred spirits.
    â€œMy friend Anne will most likely be our sister-in-law in the not too distant future. John Claud is madly in love with her, and tells everyone who will listen that he intends to marry her.”
    Speaking her mind as always, Harry said bluntly, “Anne would be wasted on John Claud. He’s too immature. Anne, do you happen to know my brother James? He’s a confirmed bachelor of course, but a beautiful wife is exactly what he needs. I shall put a bee in his ear if he shows up tonight.”
    Harry’s words made Anne beam.
    As it turned out, every member of the Hamilton family was there, barring James. After two hours, Anne gave up all hope. John Claud gave her his undivided attention. As they talked, and laughed, and danced together, she took special pains to hide her devastating disappointment.
    Later that night, when she opened her journal, she sat for a long time. Her heart felt bruised because she was beginning to believe it was hopeless. She sighed deeply and wrote:
Fate is conspiring to keep us apart.
    â€¢Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â â€¢
    Fate, however, was rather busy at the moment with the affairs, or rather
affair
, of the Prince of Wales. Upon his return from Germany, Teddy began his studies at Cambridge University. Governor Bruce leased a private residence in the town for the heir to the throne and realized his mistake almost immediately. Within a week, the red-haired actress who had visited the Grenadier Guards’ camp in Ireland arrived. When Bruce registered his objection, the prince loftily informed him that Nellie Clifden was there at his royal invitation.
    An alarmed Bruce reported the prince’s indiscretions to his father. Bruce feared that the liaison could not be kept secret for long, and since Prince Albert was the highly esteemed chancellor of the university, the slightest whisper would sully the reputation of the royal family.
    â€œI need your advice, Abercorn.” Prince Albert was clearly agitated. He handed the letter from Bruce to the man who had been his groom of the stole, and his confidant, for fifteen years.
    The duke, who knew the prince consort was under the weather from a recent bout of influenza, tried his best to downplay the situation. “On November ninth your son will be a man of twenty. This is likely his way of celebrating his rite of passage.”
    â€œThe queen is beside herself that Bertie is consorting with a woman of ill repute. She fears that whispers will be leaked about this shocking liaison. Scandal, above all other things, is abhorrent to Victoria.”
    â€œI understand it is one of the queen’s ironclad rules for Society, and she sets an impeccable example for all her people, but I doubt if your son’s youthful indiscretion will become a full-blown scandal, Your Highness.”
    â€œHer Majesty worries about scandal, but I have deeper concerns such as
blackmail
!” Albert took out a handkerchief and wiped his brow.
    Abercorn could see how agitated the prince consort was, and realized it would be impolitic to downplay the matter further. “Yes, better to be safe than sorry. If handled with discretion, I’m sure the young woman can be persuaded to return to Ireland, and none will be the wiser.”
    â€œWe must put a stop to this sordid affair. Both the queen and I are in a panic that it could lead to
pregnancy
.” He ran his hand over his receding hairline. “Your son James handled the situation at the Kildare military camp. He took the blame upon himself, which was most commendable. Unfortunately, Lord Hamilton is not attending the prince in Cambridge. He’s taken his seat in Parliament, I believe.”
    â€œJames will doubtless travel to Cambridge to celebrate the Prince of Wales’s birthday. If you wish