Free Lord Rakehell by Virginia Henley Page A

wearing a flimsy wrapper, was enjoying a full-course English breakfast. “Lord James! How lovely . . . you’ve come to celebrate
His Nibs’s
birthday.”
    â€œHello, Nellie. I’m here to rescue you.”
    She laughed. “From what, pray?”
    â€œFrom yourself. Tell me, what would you do if Her Royal Majesty the Queen walked in and found you eating breakfast at three in the afternoon?”
    Nellie blanched and set down her knife and fork. “She’s coming?”
    Though James knew that Queen Victoria would avoid Cambridge as she would an outbreak of bubonic plague, others were not to know that.
    â€œSince the Prince of Wales celebrates his twentieth birthday this week, it is entirely within the realm of possibility that the royal family could descend en masse.” He paused to let her digest his words along with the sausages. Then he smiled. “If you will pack your things, I’ll take you to the Royal Cambridge Hotel and get you settled in a room.”
    Relief brought color back to her face. “Oh, thanks so much. That’s a grand solution.”
    â€¢Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â â€¢
    An hour later, James booked Nellie into the Royal Cambridge under the name of Mrs. Renfrew and carried up her two bags himself. He helped remove her cloak, offered her a chair, and sat down facing her. “Nellie, I feel we can speak plainly and there need be no subterfuge between us.”
    She nodded and looked at him with speculation.
    James took out a leather billfold from his jacket pocket.
    She threw him a coy glance, and the corners of her mouth went up. “You devil, James. My value has risen lately, but for you, ten quid.” She stood up, and twirled about for his inspection, letting him see what a bargain he was getting.
    James closed his eyes. “My dearest girl, I am not propositioning you. Let me explain the situation. In order to avert a scandal involving the Prince of Wales, you must return to Ireland.”
    â€œBut I don’t want to return to Ireland. I want to stay in Cambridge.”
    â€œThat is impossible, Nellie. Prince Albert is the highly esteemed chancellor of Cambridge University. If it became known that the Prince of Wales was carrying on an illicit relationship with an actress, it would cause a scandal that would harm the royal family. Naturally, you won’t be returning empty-handed. I’ll make it worth your while.”
    â€œIt’s no secret. Everybody in Cambridge knows. Teddy isn’t ashamed to be seen with an
actress
.”
    â€œ
Good
God
! No wonder the hotel clerk gave me a knowing look. Nellie, I give you no choice. You
will
listen to reason. The Prince of Wales is inexperienced in the ways of Society, while you are a
woman of the world
.
This affair is over.”
    She raised her chin. “Perhaps not.” She paused and gave him a calculating look.
    James was shrewd enough to anticipate what Nellie was up to.
    â€œI might be having a baby. How will you handle that, Lord James?”
    â€œI will simply acknowledge paternity, and give your child my name.” James reflected that it wouldn’t be the first time he’d stepped in and taken the blame for an unwanted pregnancy.
    Nellie stared at him in outrage. “What the hell would be the point of my having a baby if the world didn’t know its father was the Prince of Wales?”
    â€œPrecisely,” James said quietly.
    The wind went out of her sails. “Then you might as well know I’m
not
having a baby.”
    â€œI think that’s a wise decision, Nellie.” His voice was kind.
    â€œYou said you’d make it worth my while?”
    â€œOf course. You will be well rewarded. Five hundred pounds.” He opened his leather billfold. “A hundred pounds now, and I will deposit the rest in the Bank of Ireland, in your name, to be withdrawn upon your return to Dublin.”
    By the surprised look on her face,