The Prince of Eden Read Online Free PDF Page B

Claudius. I passed the night in Lord Shaftesbury's pride and joy, the Common Cell of Newgate."
    Sir Claudius sat weakly in his chair behind the desk. He noticed now bits of straw clinging to Edward's coat and trousers. He gestured toward the young girl sleeping in the chair. "Are they passing out mementos of a night's stay in the Common Cell now?" he commented wryly.
    Edward explained simply. "She befriended me and had no place to
    go-
    "And now you intend to add her to your zoo on Oxford Street?" Again Sir Claudius shook his head. The odor could not be endured. Quickly he left his chair and threw open one of the casement windows behind him. In the interim he noticed that Edward had fallen half-slumped into one of the broad-wing chairs before the fireplace, his head resting heavily against the cushions, his long legs extended, eyes closed, as though exhausted.
    The devil assumes a pleasing form. Sir Claudius thought, watching him. For all his open disapproval of the man and his habits, he did resemble a man. For all his dangerous association with cutthroats and a life of constant dissipation, he somehow had miraculously stopped the clock. Forty if he was a day, Sir Claudius knew for a fact, yet the smooth forehead and firm neck muscles belonged to a man with a decade less pressing against him.
    When after several moments Edward had not moved from his reclining position. Sir Claudius harrumphed. "If you've come to sleep,

    Edward, please have the courtesy of releasing me so that I may retire to my chambers and do likewise."
    Abruptly the man sat up, apologetic. "I'm sorry, Sir Claudius. The chair was soft and I'm tired—"
    "So are we all," snapped Sir Claudius. He sat down again behind his desk, eager to conclude the distasteful meeting. He tried very hard to replace the image of the man across from him with the image of the boy as he'd first known him, a laughing adolescent. Sir Claudius leaned forward, feeling almost paternal. "And what did you hope to accomplish by going to Newgate last evening?" he asked.
    Edward seemed to be focusing downward on his spread legs. "I didn't want her to be alone."
    "Whether she's alone or not is no concern of yours."
    Quickly Edward looked up. "I am the cause—"
    Amazed, Sir Claudius looked back. "Do you really think that's important? Do you really think that truth was what the prosecution was after?"
    Edward shook his head, clearly imdone by the scandal and his involvement in it. "It seemed to be the advocate's predominant question."
    Sir Claudius nodded. "A question to which he knew he would receive no answer, indeed a question to which he wanted no answer."
    Edward looked up, bewilderment blending with fatigue on his face. "Then what in the name of God was the point?" he implored.
    Sir Claudius's reply was quick and ready. "Humiliation," he stated bluntly. "The young lady was brazenly playing the game of the aristocracy. No Tory in his right mind could permit it." He saw something which resembled anger on Edward's tired face and moved to check it. "The middle classes will rise, Edward," he comforted. "The peers have no objection to that. In fact most good Tories are only too willing to make room for them." He leaned still farther over his desk. "Make room," he repeated pointedly. "The aristocracy will make room. They will not absorb them. The difference is subtle and very important."
    The man appeared to be listening, but Sir Claudius couldn't be certain. He looked as troubled as ever, the damnable compulsion to confess still raging within him. "I beg you listen, Edward," Sir Claudius now pleaded. "Tell me, what would have been accomplished if I had permitted you to speak in open court?"
    Edward again closed his eyes. "She would have been spared."
    To that bit of nonsense. Sir Claudius could only laugh. "Spared?" he repeated. "Do you really believe that? The journalists would have had

    a field day, the scandal mongers would have turned a pretty penny's profit for Fleet Street, the