Lord Rakehell Read Online Free PDF Page A

grand review and a brigade review, I feared the Grenadier Guards would hate me to a man. But once all the blasted formality was out of the way, they welcomed me as one of them.”
    â€œIt’s because you don’t put on royal airs. You love nothing better than to share a drink and a smoke with them, and are not averse to telling a lewd joke.”
    â€œThey are good chaps. They don’t even resent me getting these grand quarters that belonged to Lord Seaton when he was commander of the Irish forces.”
    Charles Carrington lit a cigar. “The only fly in the ointment is the pair of Grenadier Guards standing sentry outside the door.”
    James smiled. “They are no problem. A sovereign a day guarantees they will turn a blind eye to any illicit activity we care to indulge.”
    â€œI like being here. My life at Buckingham Palace is a prison compared to this. I enjoy the army exercises each morning. Riding and target practice are enjoyable, and even weapon cleaning and learning how to care for my own mount give me satisfaction.”
    â€œRacket ball in the afternoon and gambling in the evening aren’t hard to take either,” James declared.
    â€œI had no idea that the Curragh Plain was used to train racehorses. The horseshoe-shaped course is a perfect six furlongs. I’m a good judge of horseflesh—I’ve won most of the bets I’ve placed,” Teddy said proudly.
    â€œWell, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I’m off to enjoy the hospitality of the
Wrens of the Curragh
.” Carrington drained his claret. “Enjoy your card game.”
    Teddy stared after Charles as the door closed. “Are
Wrens
what I think they are?”
    â€œYes, they are prostitutes who service the military men.” James noticed the speculative expression on Teddy’s face. “I wouldn’t recommend it, Your Highness—far too indiscreet. Why don’t you send an invitation to Nellie?”
    â€œBy God, if you could arrange that, James, I would be forever in your debt.”
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    Within twenty-four hours, Nellie Clifden arrived in a coach that Lord Hamilton provided. James made arrangements for the songbird to stay at the nearby Magdalene Abbey, and that night when dark descended, his fellow officers took great delight in conspiring to smuggle Nellie into the private quarters of the Prince of Wales.
    By the end of a sennight the late visits became a routine part of Prince Teddy’s military training schedule. The Grenadier Guards closed ranks to keep the royal secret from their commander in chief, and from the prince’s governor, Major General Bruce.
    â€œJames, you reign supreme among gentlemen of the bedchamber.” Teddy removed his uniform, and donned a smoking jacket. “I must think of a suitable reward.”
    â€œWell, there is something I’ve been meaning to ask, Your Highness. Now that you have settled in here, I would like your permission to visit my constituents in Donegal.”
    â€œBy all means, James. Since you are in Ireland, it would be remiss to ignore the people you represent in Parliament. I can dispense with your services for a time, since you have provided me with all the creature comforts.”
    â€œThank you. I warrant two or three weeks will be adequate to deal with my Donegal constituents’ petitions. I should be back by the end of July, or early August at the latest.”
    â€œYour birthday is in August—we’ll celebrate. How old will you be, James?”
    â€œI shall be an old man of twenty-three.”
    â€œI wish I were twenty-three.” The prince gazed into his glass of claret.
    â€œDon’t wish your life away, Teddy. Savor every day, and especially the nights.”
    The prince grinned. “I’ll drink to that.”
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    Grosvenor Square, London
    July 23, 1861
    â€œI’m eighteen today!”