Polly and the Prince Read Online Free PDF Page A

Ned’s ear and whispered, “Nick deserves a thundering scold, but I beg you will not rake him over the coals in Mama’s presence. She is upset enough already. And I shall explain later about…”
    “Ned, this is Kolya. Polly is painting him.”
    The Russian stood in the doorway, tall and straight. Despite his shabbiness, there was nothing subservient about him. His elegant bow seemed more appropriate to a greeting from gentleman to gentleman.
    Ned nodded in return and murmured to Polly, “If you are painting him, I daresay there is no need to ask for further explanation!”
    “Kolya is going to London to find his friends,” Polly said aloud. “I offered him money for the stage fare, but he refused it.”
    “Very proper,” Ned approved. “In which part of London do your friends reside, Kolya?”
    Kolya moved forward with easy grace. Polly thought he was about to take a seat, but at the last moment he recollected his position.
    “I shall go first to Stafford House, sir. I made acquaintance of duke’s son, Lord John Danville, in 1814 and met him again in St Petersburg last year.”
    “Lord John! That is flying high. I fear you will be disappointed, for Lord John is presently residing at Five Oaks.”
    “Five Oaks? I think I have heard him mention. Is country estate of duke, nyet? Is far from London?”
    “Five Oaks is near Loxwood, is it not?” Polly eagerly asked her brother.
    “The estates adjoin,” he admitted with obvious reluctance. “His Grace bought Loxwood Manor from a neighbour. It is to be Lord John’s as soon as the house is refurbished.”
    “The Duke of Stafford is Ned’s employer,” Polly explained to Kolya. “We can take you there tomorrow. If Lord John cannot help you, you will be no farther from London, will he, Ned?”
    “It is roughly the same distance, to be sure, but I cannot like to be responsible…”
    “Lord John will help me.” Kolya’s voice rang with absolute certainty.
    Ned was still dubious. Thoughts of blackmail flitted through his mind. He knew that Lord John had met with difficulties, even danger, in Russia and had been desperatelyill on his return to England. After several months of convalescence he had married, and he and his young bride were spending their honeymoon at Five Oaks. Even if this stranger were perfectly honest, the young couple would hardly welcome an intruder at this time.
    “But is not my wish to cause trouble,” the Russian continued. “I can walk to Five Oaks as well as to London.”
    “It will not be any trouble!” Nick declared. The lad had been amazingly—or perhaps prudently—silent for some time. “Kolya can stand up behind like a footman and I shall ride on the box with the coachman.”
    “Oh no, Nicky, that is by far too dangerous,” Mrs. Howard said at once, but to Ned’s surprise she went on, “Indeed, I can seeno harm in taking Kolya with us.”
    Now how had the fellow managed to ingratiate himself with their ever-cautious mother?
    “He really deserves some reward,” Polly added persuasively. “He saved me, you know, when I fell down the steps from the Pantiles. I was thinking about painting and did not watch my step. Mr. Irving had just given me the money for the pictures he sold for me this past quarter.”
    “Ned, I wish you will stop your sister selling her pictures,” begged his mother. “It is not at all genteel.”
    “ Ithink it’s famous,” said Nick loyally. “I hope you make pots of money, Poll.”
    Ned was torn. It distressed him that Polly felt the need of earning money, but the supplement to his own salary and Mrs. Howard’s meager jointure was most welcome. She had also managed to set aside a small nest egg for herself, he knew, which was a relief as he was in no position to provide for her.
    Besides, she would not stop simply because he told her to. “Congratulations, Polly,” he said. “Did Mr. Irving sell many for you?”
    “He sells all the views of this area that I paint: the Pantiles, the