The Marquis Is Trapped Read Online Free PDF Page B

I am not yet twenty-seven, there is still plenty of time.”
    “Of course, of course,” the Prince agreed.  “But I see that at the moment your problem is Isobel Heywood.”
    The Marquis drew in his breath.
    “I have so far been able to prevent Isobel, sir, from actually asking me to place a ring on her finger.  But it is only a question of time before I have to declare myself one way or another, and as Your Royal Highness will be aware, it will be extraordinarily difficult.”
    “Of course it will,” the Prince said sympathetically.  “Now let me think.”
    He put his hands up to his face.
    As he did so, the Marquis remarked,
    “I thought as my yacht has been newly renovated, I might pay a visit to Scotland.”
    “An excellent idea!” the Prince exclaimed.  “I was in fact going to suggest something of the sort myself.  You could always invent some good reason for leaving quickly, if that is what you intend to do.”
    “I had thought in fact, it would be wise to leave this afternoon.  The yacht is moored near Westminster Bridge and I can make an excuse for having to hurry away rather than dine with her this evening, as she expects me to do.”
    “I do see your predicament and if things are indeed as pressing as you say they are, then, dear boy, you must surely disappear and contrive to make your departure seem as plausible as possible.”
    “I felt certain that Your Royal Highness would help me,” the Marquis muttered.
    The Prince made a gesture with his hands.
    “I have it!” he cried.  “I know exactly how I can be of help to you!  I will ask Lady Heywood to dinner tonight and, when she arrives, I will tell her that I have received a message from you saying that one of your close relatives is on the point of death.  You have asked me to explain to her that you have had to leave London immediately.”
    “Brilliant idea and if you could do that, sir, it would be extremely kind of you and very helpful.”
    “Of course I can do it!  I will send a message now asking Isobel to dinner.  I feel sure that if she knows that you are having luncheon here with me, she will expect you to have been invited too.”
    “I am sure she will, sir, and Your Royal Highness thinks of everything and I cannot express to you in words how grateful I am.”
    “I am delighted to help you, Oliver, and of course I will make your apologies for not having sufficient time to be in touch with her.  I will say that you only received the message of your relative’s illness whilst you were here at luncheon.”
    “Thank you, sir, thank you very much.”
    The Prince rang a bell.
    When a footman answered it, he instructed him to tell his secretary to send off a messenger at once to Lady Heywood’s house inviting her to dinner tonight.
    The footman hurried off and the butler announced that some other guests had arrived and they were with the Princess in the main reception room.
    The Prince of Wales turned to the Marquis.
    “I think we have settled that problem,” he said with a tone of satisfaction.
    “You have settled it for me, sir, and it has saved me a great deal of trouble.  I have been wondering just what I could do about Isobel and I feel sure that you will offer her some consolation tonight when she dines with you.”
    “I will do my best, my dear boy, now come along.  I have placed an especially attractive young lady beside you at luncheon today!”
    As the Marquis walked behind the Prince towards the reception room, he thought he had been very astute.
    He had now dealt in a skilful manner with Isobel.
    He had undoubtedly prevented her from asking him the embarrassing question he feared and above all, he had made the Prince of Wales feel responsible for her, and that would soften the blow considerably.
    ‘By the time I return to London,’ he told himself, ‘she will have found someone to take my place.’
    It was an optimistic hope, but at the same time if he stayed away long enough he was certain that Isobel