Shipmate: A Royal Regard Prequel Novella Read Online Free PDF Page B

diplomatic corps. When Uncle Howard
pressed, he explained he had letters of introduction and contacts
to renew there who would determine how long he stayed in India, how
much travel he would do on the subcontinent, and where he would go
next. And that, he concluded, was the nature of his life.
    “While, of course, I always hope information
from my travels is of benefit to the Crown, what the king learns
from me must be weighed in the balance with information from
hundreds of others like me in different parts of the world, before
a political or military strategy can be devised. One does the best
one can for one’s monarch, Miss Smithson, but one is a very small
cog in the machine of the British Empire. In the main, at the
moment, I provide the Crown money.”
    It was not until much later that evening,
while Bella was lying in her bed, that she was able to judge she
had acquitted herself admirably, mostly without fear, from her
first curtsey to Lord Holsworthy until he handed her down the
carriage steps in front of the Effingale’s town house. She had
expected many things of her first outing with a gentleman, but
never that.
     



Chapter Five
    April 16,
1805
    The Effingale Town House
    Bath, England
     
    Bella and Charlotte shoved each other back
and forth, both trying to be closest to the keyhole in the door
leading to Uncle Howard’s study. Five minutes before, Lord
Holsworthy had arrived at Number 14 Royal Crescent and asked for an
audience with both Lord and Lady Effingale—without having himself
announced to Bella first.
    “He’s going to offer for you,” Charlotte
whispered.
    “No one will ever offer for me,” Bella
scoffed, pushing Charlotte away from the crack between the doors.
“Besides, he has only spoken to me twice. One picnic is not grounds
for a betrothal.”
    “He was quite attentive. Perhaps he was
instantly besotted.”
    “Perhaps you are a ninnyhammer.”
    They both quieted completely at the tiniest
creak of the door as Bella pushed it just slightly open over the
sudden sound of Lord Holsworthy’s unfamiliar voice.
    “So, you see, I am rather pressed for time,
and my request is most unusual.” He coughed. “While I am hopeful, I
rely on those who know her best to assist in understanding the best
course for Miss Smithson.”
    “Isabella will be perfectly happy to accept
your proposal,” Aunt Minerva pronounced, but Uncle Howard rejoined,
“I should like to hear more about this situation before I commend
my niece into your care."
    "I should hope so."
    "You understand her dowry is not
excessive.”
    Charlotte’s mouth dropped when Lord
Holsworthy replied, “Miss Smithson’s dowry is of no consequence.
What I propose offers no great measure of security, so any monies
of the sort will be used to ensure her safety and relative comfort
to the greatest extent possible.”
    “Isabella will welcome the security of your
name and title. Her dowry will be payment for placing a roof over
her head, and that is all there is to that. It is not as though any
other barons have come calling.”
    “Lady Effingale!” Uncle Howard snapped.
“Your comments are unwelcome, and I shall ask you to leave the room
if you do not desist.” In a quieter, but still firm tone, he
returned the conversation to its moorings. “You understand, Lord
Holsworthy, Bella will not be left destitute should she be
disinclined to accept your offer.”
    “That’s right,” Aunt Minerva retorted. “She
is perfectly well trained as a governess or housekeeper or
companion. She needn’t marry if she is disinclined .”
    Bella and Charlotte almost fell over
themselves to escape the sound of Aunt Minerva’s footsteps striding
toward their concealment. Uncle Howard, apparently, had shown her
the door. They had just reached the turn in the hallway where they
could hide when her matronly skirts swept along the floor in the
other direction, leaving the two girls giggling as quietly as they
could.
    Their listening post at the door was