The Captured Lord (The King's League)

Phillip let a beat of silence cross the room before he lowered his head and let out a heavy sigh, trying to appear unwilling to accept such a thing but knowing that he had to at least consider it. “It is a matter that would bring a severe consequence,” he said, as Lord Dayton cleared his throat. “I do not know how we would go about such a thing.”

Lord Dayton chuckled darkly. “It is easier than you might think, Lord Monteforte,” he said, with a slight shrug. “To draw close to the Prince is easy enough. To add something to his drink is even simpler, even if it means risking one’s life to do so.” He shrugged again, looking towards Lord Cammish, who was nodding firmly. “If it is done correctly, then there will be no direct suspicion on any of us. There will be too many of us who have been around the Prince for the blame to land on anyone in particular.”

“I see,” Phillip murmured, fully aware that he now had all the evidence he required for the League to move forward in their investigation. “Then there is very little else to be done.”

“Oh, there is a good deal to be done still!” Lord Cammish replied, with a grin. “We shall have to decide when it is to take place and how we will ensure Lord Dayton has the opportunity to do such a thing.”

Phillip’s head twisted sharply towards Lord Dayton. “You will do it?”

Lord Dayton nodded, his expression quite calm. “I shall indeed,” he answered, with a small smile.

“I am well able to do so. It will simply require both yourself and Lord Cammish to create a distraction of sorts. A distraction that will give me the time required for my part in all of this.”

“I see,” Phillip answered, trying to show as much enthusiasm as was appropriate for someone considering assassinating the Prince Regent. “Then I am willing to do whatever is required, of course.”

Lord Cammish lifted his glass and let out a small cheer. “Wonderful!” he exclaimed, throwing a broad smile towards Lord Dayton. “I told you he was the right sort, Dayton, did I not?”

“You did,” Lord Dayton answered dryly. “Let us hope that all goes to plan then, for this may very well be our only opportunity to set the course of England’s destiny to rights.”

Phillip nodded profusely then threw back his drink. Feeling a trifle unsteady, he rose to his feet and bid both gentlemen good night.

“We will meet again tomorrow evening,” Lord Dayton said, as Lord Cammish rose also. “To discuss the finer points.”

“Of course,” Phillip agreed, knowing full well that instead of himself appearing, it would be a good few gentlemen from the League itself who would appear at Lord Dayton’s door. “I will return tomorrow evening in all hope of achieving this new goal.”

“As will I,” Lord Cammish answered, as the door opened. “Good evening, Lord Dayton.”

Phillip had barely slept. Having spent most of the evening at Lord Dayton’s townhouse, he had returned home and had forced himself to retire, knowing that he could send no notes or the like so soon after returning for fear that someone might be watching the house, to make certain that he was not turning against Lord Cammish or Lord Dayton. A heavy weight settled on his shoulders as he finally sat down at his writing desk, having eaten very little when it came to breaking his fast. The urgency in his mind was matched only by the scribbling of his pen. He wrote first to Lord Watt, asking him if he might meet him at five o’clock precisely that afternoon and stating that he know has more details.

Making sure to write no specific details for fear that the letter might be intercepted, Phillip signed the letter and sealed it carefully. Lord Watt would know to call the other gentlemen of the League to be present at five o’clock also, even though such a thing was not specified in the letter. Letting out a long breath, Phillip felt a scurrying tension climb through his limbs. There was a great deal of seriousness in what Lord Dayton and Lord Cammish had discussed, and Phillip knew he had to share it with the League just as soon as he could. The Prince could be in danger, and it was Phillip’s duty to protect the Crown. Closing his eyes, he sat back in his chair and tried to breathe at a normal pace.

His mind filled with thoughts of Lady Olivia. She would be broken hearted to discover the truth about her uncle. Fully aware that Lady Olivia and Lord Dayton were not closely knitted together despite their family ties, it would nonetheless come as a shock to know that her uncle had been involved in a scheme to bring down the Prince Regent. And what would she think of him? Would she believe him to be cruel? False? Nothing more than a liar and a charlatan? That was something Phillip did not know if he could bear. Yes, Lord Watt had warned him to guard his emotions and not to permit his heart to yearn after things that would only distract him in this present situation, but Phillip could not help but feel a great swarm of emotions when it came to Lady Olivia.

He did not want her to think that he had only drawn close to her in an attempt to become closer to her uncle. There was a genuine emotion within his heart for her and, despite his troubles with Lord Dayton, he wanted very much for Lady Olivia to know of it.

Another piece of paper was pulled out and set down on his writing desk. Picking up his quill, Phillip began to write. He tried again and again to express himself, until the floor was littered with his crumpled up attempts to tell her the truth of how he felt without revealing anything of his intentions for her uncle. In the end, he satisfied himself with a short note, asking Lady Olivia if she would accept his calling upon her tomorrow afternoon, for perhaps a short stroll in the park. He told her that he hoped Lady Margaret was recovering and that he did not need her to have made any sort of decision as regarded himself and his own desires, but that he merely wanted to be in her company again in the hope that he might bring her a little relief.

That completed, Phillip rose from his chair and rang the bell, needing the letters to be taken away at once. There was a good deal to do now, for he had to prepare for his meeting at five o’clock, as well as ensure that he was ready to meet with Lord Dayton and Lord Cammish again, should it be required. He hoped that the League would attend with him and that what would follow would be of a short duration, with the consequences long lasting.

Closing his eyes for a moment, Phillip took in three long breaths, letting each one out slowly and allowing himself to quieten his spirit. He would need to be as collected, as calm, and as assured as he could be for this evening. The League was counting on him and he could not let them down.

Chapter Ten

Lady Margaret was still no better and yet Olivia’s response to Lord Monteforte’s letter had provoked such a happiness within her that Olivia felt a twinge of guilt at being so contented when her cousin was still so unwell. She had written back to Lord Monteforte almost at once, accepting his invitation and ensuring that Betty would be ready and prepared to join them as her chaperone, given that Lady Dayton was still ensconced with her daughter.

But Lord Monteforte had not yet appeared.

“Might you wish to wait outside, my lady?” Betty whispered, moving a step closer to Olivia so as to speak quietly. “The staff will, no doubt, soon be mentioning you standing here on your own, and I do not want to—”

“I intend to go to the shops,” Olivia declared loudly, feeling a flush of heat rising in her chest as she became aware of the swift looks exchanged between the butler and Betty. “I had not quite decided on where I wished to go as yet, given just how occupied my mind is with the health of my cousin, but I think I shall purchase a new ribbon or two in order to cheer my cousin when she recovers, as well as perhaps a new book which might be read aloud to her.” She glanced behind her towards Betty, whose face was flushed. “Shall we depart?”

Betty said nothing, dropping her gaze and following Olivia as she walked stiffly from the house. Her own cheeks flared with color as the warm summer’s air hit her face, making Olivia all the more embarrassed.

She wanted to fade away, such was her mortification. The staff would be well aware, of course, that she was waiting for someone to accompany her to the shops, but now to state that she had merely been struggling to make up her mind of where to go was obviously such a poor cover for the truth that she felt quite ashamed of herself.

“I am sorry if I upset you, Lady Olivia,” Betty murmured, as they walked smartly down the street, with Olivia keeping her chin lifted even though she felt more than a little embarrassed. “I only meant to suggest that—”

“There is nothing to apologize for, Betty,” Olivia said firmly, not looking behind her but keeping her eyes fixed straight ahead. “I was already a little overcome with the knowledge that Lord Monteforte has either forgotten or has chosen not to attend our little engagement this afternoon.” Heat crawled up her neck, but Olivia refused to drop her chin to hide it from others. “Although I cannot understand why he would write to me with such a request when he had no intention of following through with it.”