Royle - How To Propose To A Prince Part 3

Thehouseholdcook,aformertavernwenchwhohadbeenengagedbyElizabeth'stuppencepinchingsisterMary,hadneverbeenthesorttoholdheropiniontoherself.Yet,becauseshe'dalwaysmanagedtokeepthefamilywellfedwithanamusingselectionofdishes,despitethefamily'slimitedbudget,they'dkeptheron.

OrsoElizabethhadbeenledtobelievebyhersisters.

She'donlybeenmanagingthefamily'sfundsforasennight,perhaps,sincelikeMarybeforeher,hersisterAnnehadalsohadthegoodfortunetomarryandmovetoherhusband'sgrandresidence.Now,allofthehouseholdresponsibilitiesultimatelyfelltoElizabeth.

Approvingthedailymarketlistwasatedioustask,justlikealloftheothermonotonousjobsshe'dinheritedfromhersisters,suchaspayingthehousestaff,approvingdailymenus,andattendingtoallcorrespondenceandrequestsforpayment.

b.u.t.thisweekherledgerofhouseholdexpensesrevealedaninterestingchange-insteadofcostsgoingdownafterthedepartureofbothofhersisters,theweeklyexpenditureswereactuallyincreasing.ElizabethpeeredcharilyatMrs.Polkshank."Isthereanything...less.e.xpensive?"

"It's.m.u.tton,notasideofbeef."Mrs.Polkshank'swordsgrewlouderasherfrustrationseemedtogrow."Whatwouldyouhaveuseatinstead,MissElizabeth?Pigeonsfromthepark?Ratsfromthealley?"Sheslappedherpalmtotheworktable,theairshe'ddisplacedblowingtheskinfromanonionshe'dbeenpeelingearlierintoElizabeth'slap."So,willwebeneedin'aratcatcherthen?Icanhelpwiththat.Knowafineone,Ido."

Elizabethbrushedtheonionskinoffherskirtandlookeddownattheledgeroncemore.Shewasn'tgoingtoallowherselftobecomedistractedbyMrs.Polkshank'santics.Why,shecouldclearlyseethatthehouseholdfoodexpenseshadincreased-nearlydoubled.

Thenitoccurredtoher,andshenarrowedhereyes.Mrs.Polkshankwastakingadvantageofherinexperiencewithhandlingthefamily'smoney.Sheglareddownatthepage.

Sheshouldconfronthernow.Mrs.Polkshankwouldofcoursedenyanywrongdoingandtherewasnowaytoproveherchargewithouthikingoffherselftothebutcherandthemarkettoverifyprices.Andthatwasnotgoingtohappen.Atleastnottoday.Shehadtoomanypreparationstomakebeforetheballthisevening.Theb.a.l.l.shenowdreadedafterthedreamshehadlastnight.Thehorribledream.

"Why,MissElizabeth,you'retremblin'."Thecook's.e.xpress...o...b..cameoneofconcern."Thefireisroaringnow.Thekitchenistoastywarm.Haveyoucaughtachillorsomethin'?"

"No,no,Iamwell.Mrs.Polkshank,pleasepaymywordsnoheedtoday."Elizabethrestedherheadinherhands."Iamsimplyoverwrought.ThereisaballatAlmack'stonight...andPrinceLeopoldmaybeinattendance."

Cooknoddedherhead."Oh,he'llbethere.Atleast,thatisthewordfromthebelowstairssetallacrossTown."

Elizabethwhippedherheadaroundtolookupather."Truly?"

"That'sright.LastnightI...talkedtooneofhisstrappingyoungfootman,myself.HisattendanceistheworstkeptsecretinallofLondon.Ipromiseyou,MissElizabeth,theprincewillbethere."

Herheartdoublethuddedinherchestandwarmthpermeatedherchilledbody."HewillbeatAlmack's.AndsowillI."ThebeginningsofasmilepulledatElizabeth'slips.

Mrs.Polkshanksettledherstrong,reddenedhandsonElizabeth'sshouldersandbegantokneadhermuscleslikecoa.r.s.ebreaddough."Anddon'tyoubefrettin'noneaboutwhattheotherssayaboutyourdreams,miss.Idon'tthinkyou'remad.Ibelieveyou.Truthtotell,I'vehaddreamslikethatmyselfonceinawhile.Ithinkwealldo,onlymostarejusttooafraidofadmittingasmuch."

ElizabethwrenchedherneckaroundandstaredatCook."Howdidyouknowaboutmydream?"

Theplumpwomanchuckleddeliberately."n.o.bodyknowsmoreaboutwhatgoesoninthishouse,orwithmyladies,thanme,MissElizabeth."TherewasmovementinthedoorwayjustthenandMrs.PolkshankglancedupasCherieappearedinthekitchen."Except,"shetippedherheadtothemaid,"maybethattightlippedlittlefrogrightthere."

Cheriestretchedoutherslenderhandandheldoutabilletofsale.Elizabethtookitfromherandpa.s.sedhergazeoverit.SheturnedhereyesuptoCherie."BBut...IthoughtMadameDevywashavingthegowndelivered.Irequireittonight.Sheknewthis."Atinglingofdreadskitteredacrossherskin.

Themutemaidofallworkshruggedhershoulders.

"I'doffertofetchitforyou,MissElizabeth,butCherieisworthlesswhenitcomestototingaheftylegofmutton.Lookatthosebonyarmsofhers.Pitiful.Andasitis,she'sgotherowndutiestoday,includinggoingallacrossTowntoplaceanorderforyourgreatauntPrudence'sspecialclaret."Mrs.Polkshankraisedherbushyeyebrows.

BeforeElizabethwasabletoutterhernextthought,Mrs.Polkshankhadcrossedthatoptionoffherlistaswell."MacTavis.h.i.+spolis.h.i.+ngallofthesilverthismorn.Ishouldn'tthinkyou'dwanthimtouchin'yourgownafterthat.Nomatterhowwellhescrubsupafter,he'llsmudgethesilk."

No,shewasnotabouttoriskanythinghappeningtoheremeraldgown.Especiallynotafterthenightmareshehadabout.i.tlastnight.

Elizabethslappedherhandstothebarewoodenworktableandpusheduptostand."Thereisplentyoftime.IshallsimplygotoMadameDevy'smyself.Pleaseexcuseme."Withanodtothestaff,shestompedoutthedoorandupthestairs.

Atthisearlyhourshe'dexpectedtofindashortlineofhackneyswaitingforpa.s.sengersatthecornerofBerkeleySquareandBruton,b.u.t.therewasnone.ShewouldhavetowalktoMadameDevy's.Walkingwouldnotbesobad,infact,theactivitymightevenshakesomeofthewearinessfromher.Afterall,theshopwasnearenough,andaslongastherainheldoff,shewouldbefine.

a.s.shewalked,sheglancedupatthecl.u.s.tersofcloudsdrapedlowoverthebuildings.Theskypeekingbetweenthegraybottomedcloudswa.s.stillacheeryblue.Herstepsslowed.Therewaslikelynoneedtoworryaboutadownpourthismorn.Shestoppedandstaredupward.No,shedidnotwishtorisklosinganothergowntorain.Spinningaround,sheracedbackdownthepaversandintothehousetofetchherumbrella.

Elizabethflungopenthedoorandnearlycollidedwithhergreataunt,whostood,straightbackedandalmostvigorous,inthecenterofthepa.s.sage."Prudence!"

Seeingthewomanwalkanywhereexcepttoherchamberwasarareoccasion,tobesure,butElizabethhadneverseenhergreatauntappearso...ablebodied.Shesmiledattheoldwoman."Youmusthavehadagoodnight'ssleep.Youaresosprythismorn."

GreatauntPrudencestaredbackatElizabeth,whohastenedtoherside,thenliftedtheoldwoman'sarmoverhershoulderandstartedhertowardtheparlor."Here,doallowmetohelpyoutoyourchair.Icanfetchabookforyou.Wouldyoulikethat?"

Cherieappearedattheendofthepa.s.sage,dressedforheadingouttoPiccadillytoplacetheclaretorder.Theinstantshesawtheoldwomanstandinginthemiddleofthepa.s.sage,hereyesrounded.Rus.h.i.+ngforward,shequicklyrelievedElizabethofGreatauntPrudence'sweight.

"Why,thankyou,Cherie,butIcouldhavemanaged.Ishouldnotwishyoutostrainyourself."Elizabethwasastonisheda.s.shewatchedthepet.i.temaidsupportGreatauntPrudence'sheftuntiltheyreachedthechairbesidethefire.

Elizabethstaredatthelittlemaidwiththebonyarms.WhatcouldMrs.Polkshankhavebeenthinking?Cheriewasperfectlycapableofcarryingalegofmutton!Forheaven'ssake,she'djusthoistedanoldwomanupandnearlycarriedherthroughtheparlor.

CherieandGreatauntPrudenceexchangedaquick,meaningfulglance,thenthetinymaidhurried pastElizabeth,onlytoreturnamomentlaterwithanumbrella.

HowdidsheknowthatthisiswhatIreturnedfor?Silently,Elizabethnoddedherthanks,thenwalkedthroughthefrontdoorandouttothesquare.

Gorblimey.AsefficientandkindtoGreatauntPrudenceasCheriewas,therewa.s.somethingaboutthemaidthatcompletelyunnervedher.

WithinthehourElizabethhadleftMadameDevy'sshopwithherexquisiteemeraldhuedballgown.Itwascertainlythemostbeautifulgownshenowowned,andshewasquitepleasedwhenMadameDevytookthecaretowraptheconfectionoffineChinesesilkinalinencovertoprotect.i.tfromtheelements.

Elizabeth'sgazeliftedtotheskyoncemore.Thecloudsweredarkeningandnowonlyaninkspotofbluepokedthroughtheirgirthhereorthere.

No,donotriskit.Spendafews.h.i.+llings.Findahackney.Protectthegown.Protectthegown.

ShewalkedtothejuttingcornerofGraftonandBondStreetandstoodontheedgeofthepaverstoscoutahackney.ShelookeddownthelengthofOldBondStreetandNewBondStreet,butnotonehackneywastobehad.TheonlyconveyanceinsightatallwasafinetowncarriagesittingashortdistanceawayoutsideoftheClarendonHotel.Shesighed.

Buta.s.shegazedatthecarriagealittlelonger,anideasprangintohermind.Iftheownerwasinside,shewouldmakeanappealforhisorhera.s.sistanceinseeinghertoBerkeleySquarebeforetherainsweptthestreetwithherandherlovelygown.Simple.

Therewasalwaysthepossibilitythattheownerwasnotinsidethecab,however.Shouldthisbethecase,ElizabethdecidedshewouldjustbribethedrivertotakehertheshortdistancetoGreatauntPrudence'stownhouse.Hecouldbebackinfrontofthehotelbeforetheownereverrealizedthecarriagewasmissing.Shesmiledatherowncleverness.Perhapshera.s.sociationwiththecunningOldRakesofMaryleboneandLadyUppertonhadadvantagessheneverimagined.

AsElizabethwalkedtowardthecarriage,sheloosenedthebag'sties.Itwasbesttobeprepared.Why,shemightberequiredtoshowtheownerhergowntoconvincehimofhergreatneedforshelteredtransportation.Afterall,onceanyonesawtheunmatchedqualityandcolorofthesilk,whocoulddenyhera.s.sistance?Noone.

Withthatbelieffirmlyaffixedinhermind,shescurrieddownNewBondStreettothecarriageandmadeherpleatoapleasantlyfeaturedyoungwomanwhosatinside.

Elizabethdidnotwaittobeasked,butdroppedtheumbrellasheheldunderherarm,thenreleasedthebowsatthetopofthelinencoverandrevealedtothewomanthebodiceofhergloriousemeraldgown.

"Youarequiteanaudaciousyounglady,aren'tyou,dear?"thewomansaid,hergracefullycurvedeyebrowsliftinginamus.e.m.e.nt...orperhapsastonishment.Elizabethcouldnotdiscernwhich.

"No,mylady.Iamdesperate,"Elizabethreplied,andglancedupattheskyagainjustasthefirstdropletsplashedonhercheek.Shegaspedandthrustthegownforward,intothecab,tos.h.i.+eldit.b.u.t.then,toherhorror,thewomantookherprotectivegestureasaninvitationtotouchthesilk.

"Itisagrandgown,andthecolormatchesyoureyes,eveninthislowlight."

"Yes,mylady.Icannotallowittoberuined.Thereisnootherlikeit."Shelookedatherumbrellalyingonthepavers."Yousee,myumbrellaisnotlargeenoughtoshelterthegownsufficiently."CooldropletsofwaterdottedElizabeth'sback,andsheleanedfartherintothecab.Shelookedattheinteriorofthegrandcarriageandatthewoman'ssuperiorclothing."Iknowyou,ofallpeople,canunderstand.Please,won'tyouhelpme?"

Thewomanlaughedandslidacrosstheleatherbench,pattingitwithherglovedhandasaninvitationforElizabethtoenter.

Shesetherfootuponthestepandthenbenttocarefullyarrangethegownontheoppositebenchsoitwouldnotwrinkle.Whenshewa.s.satisfied,Elizabethsatdownbesidethewoman.

Thefootmanclosedthedoortothecab,butforsomemomentsthecarriagewheelsdidnotmove."Ohgoodheavens,pleasedoforgiveme,Iwa.s.soconcernedaboutmygownthatmymannerswereleftonthepavers,Ifear.MynameisMissElizabethRoyle,currentlyofBerkeleySquare-whereweareheaded.Thankyousomuchforrescuingme,mylady."

Thewomansmiledbroadly."Oh...oneofthefamedRoylesisters,areyou?"

"Yes,mylady.Iamtheyoungest.Byseveralminutes,orsomyfathertoldme."

"HewasthePrinceofWales'spersonalphysician."Thewoman'seyestwinkledwithknowledge.Sherappedonthewallofthecabandthecarriagestartedrollingdownthestreet.

"Yes,hewas."Elizabeth'scuriositywaspiqued."Ibegyoupardon,butImustask.Howdoyouknowsomuchaboutme?"

Itwasalmostasifherrescuerhadheardherthoughts."BecauseIamMissMargaretMercerElphinstone,oneofPrincessCharlotte'scamarillaofladies."Shegrinnedabitthen."Thoughmostwouldcallmeoneofherdearestfriendsandconfidantes.Wemetonce,thoughonlybrieflyandnotformally.YouwerelyingonyourbackinfrontofCarltonHouse."

"Ohmyword.YouwerewithPrincessCharlottethedayhercarriagealmostranmedown,"Elizabethsaidabsently.Thensomethingoccurredtoher."This...thisisthecarriage."

MissElphinstonelaughed."Yes,itis.Andithasbroughtustogetheryetagain."

"Andoncemore,inamanner,youaresavingme."

"Well,Icouldnotallowsuchalovelygowntobecomeruined.Youtoldmeyourself,thereisnotanotherlikeit."Theladygaveheraplayfulwink.

Elizabethsatquietly,completelyinaweofMissMercerElphinstone.Shewascleverandamusing,andregaledherwithshortanecdotesofthetonforthefewminutesittooktoreachBerkeleySquare.

Elizabethwa.s.sodisappointedtohavetoleavetheladythatforamomentshethoughttopretendshewasdisorientedanddidnotknowwherehergreatauntPrudence'stownhousewastobefound.b.u.t.thatconsiderationwasjustawishfulfantasy.

Whenatlastthefootmanopenedthedoor,shepaused."Iverymuchenjoyedmeetingyou,"shetoldMissElphinstone."Idohopewemayspeakagain-attheballatAlmack'stonight,perhaps?"

"WhileIamcertainweshallmeetagain,MissRoyle,wearenottoattendtheballthiseve.Infact,IamtoreturntoCranbourneLodgeatonce."

Elizabeththennoticedthefoldedsheetoffoolscaptheladyheldinherhand-aletteremblazonedwiththeunmistakablesealofPrinceLeopoldofSaxeCoburg.NoticingElizabeth'sfocusontheletter,MissElphinstonewhiskeditfromviewandsurrept.i.tiouslytuckeditbeneathherpaisleymantle.

ThefootmanhandedElizabethdown,andtheladygentlyliftedthedressandhadjustturnedtohandittoherwhenshestilled."Lordabove!Whatisshedoinghere?"

"Who?"Elizabethwhirledaround,notknowingwhattoexpect,butallshesawwasGreatauntPrudencewatchingthemfromtheparlorwindow.Shechuckled."ThatisonlyMrs.Winks,mygreatauntPrudence."

"No,no,Iamcertainitisnot."ThewomanleanedforwardandstaredatPrudence.

"Ifearyouaremistaken,forthatwomanisindeedmygreatauntPrudence.Wouldyouperhapsliketomakeheracquaintance?"

MissMercerElphinstonepausedforamomentortwobeforeshakingherhead."Anothertimeperhaps.Imustaway."

Therainwascomingdownharder,butElizabethsquintedthroughthelinesofrainoverhershoulderoncemoretobesuretheywereactuallyspeakingofthesamewoman.Butnooneelsewasinview.Sheglancedaroundthestreet.Indeed,nooneelsewasvisibleinallofBerkeleySquare.

"Doforgiveme,MissRoyle,"theladysaidsheepishly."Therainblurredmyview,'tisall.Ihavecertainlymistakenyourgreatauntforanother.Howsillyofme."MissMercerElphinstonestilllookedrathershakena.s.shehandedthegowndowntoElizabeth,whostoodonthewetpaversoutsidethecarriage."Hurryinsidenow,protectyourgown."Withapartingsmile,sheallowedthefootmantoclosethedoor,andatoncethecarriagebegantorollforward.

"Thankyouforyourgenerosity,"Elizabethcalledout.Shebobbedaquickcurtsy,thenspunaroundandranforthehouse.

Chapter4.

TheClarendonHotelNewBondStreet S umnerandPrinceLeopoldstoodbeforeanenormousfloortoceilingmirror,admiringthesplendoroftheirformaldressfinery.Orrather,Sumnerwasadmiringhisappearance;Leopoldwa.s.scowlingathim.

Sumnerturnedtohisleftandtohisrightwhilepeeringcriticallyathisreflection."No,no.Itellyou,somethingisnotright."

"'Tisthesash,"PrinceLeopoldsighedasherolledhiseyes."Iwouldweararedsashfortheevent."

Sumnerturnedtohimandextendedhishand."Wellthen,whereisit?"

Leopoldbegrudginglygesturedtohisvalet,whodisappearedfromthedressingchamberandreturnedamomentlaterwithacrimsonswathofsatin.

Thevaletglancedupattheprince,andwhenHisRoyalHighnessnodded,theslendergrayhairedmansteppedbeforeSumner.Heplacedthemiddleofthesashatophisbroadshoulder,thendrapedonehalfofthelengthacross.h.i.+sbackandtheotheracross.h.i.+s.e.xpansivechest.Thevaletfastenedthetwoendstogetherwithanornatemilitarybroochofsorts,butwhenhecouldnotcoaxthesashtodrapeproperly,hestartedagain.Afterseveralattemptsatperfection,heremovedthesashandturnedtoPrinceLeopold."YourRoyalHighness,IamafraidImustreportthattheredsas.h.i.+stooshorttobewornby...thisman."

"Tooshort?"Leopoldlookedasthoughhe'deatensomethingverysour."Impossible.Iwearthesashregularly."

"Hemeansitistooshortforme."Sumnerliftedhisbrowmockingly."Iamsureitfitsyourformperfectly."

Leopoldsnarledatthecomment."Theotherredsashthen.Fetchit."Thevaletbowedandsilentlyleftthechamber."Itisforstateoccasionsmoreformalthanaball,but.i.tshouldhavethelengthrequiredtocrossyourridiculouslymuscledgirth."

Sumnerchuckled."Thankyou,dearcousin."

ThevaletreturnedamomentlaterandquicklysetthesashuponSumner.Hepinnedtheedgestogether,thenadjusteditacrossSumner'sform.Whenhe'dfinished,thevaletreleasedasighofpleasure."Perfect."

"Notquite.Somethingisstillnotcorrect."Sumnerlookeddownatthevalet."WeretheprinceattendingtheballatAlmack's,isthishowyouwouldoutfithim-downtotheverylastdetail?"

"No,YourRoyal-"Thevaletwinced."No,mylord."

"Whatelsethen?"Sumnerextendedhisarmstoallowthevalettocompletehissartorialinventory.

"Iwouldinclude...medals.Youarealarge,imposingman.Iwouldaddmanymoreofthem."Heslippedanervousperipheralgazeattheprinceasifgaugingtheroyalreactiontohisstatement.

"Oh,d.a.m.nit,man,takewhatyouneed,"theprincebarked.Hethumpedhischest."Taketheseaswell.Takethemall.Ihavenodoubt.i.twilltakeeveryonetocoverthatchest."PrinceLeopoldstraightenedhisbackandthevaletremovedthepanelofmedalsfromhiscoat.

Leopoldsatdowningiltchaircoveredwithwhitesilkstripedwithwidebandsofindigo.Hecrossedonelegovertheother."YouarecertainCharlottewillnotbeinattendance?Nothinghaschanged?"

"No,nothinghaschangedsinceMissElphinstonedepartedwithyourreply."Sumnerraisedhischinasthevaletliftedhiscollarhigher.

"d.a.m.nablePrinny.HelearnedthatIaminTown,somehow,andhas...o...b..ddenCharlottetoattendtheballatAlmack'sthisnight."PrinceLeopoldexhaled."Thankfully,Mercerwasabletomakethisknowntous."

"Andthatweweresoquicklyabletocreateacontingencyplan."ThevaletwrappedtheneckclotharoundSumner'sthroat,makingitdifficultforhimtospeak."Iwillattendtheballinyourstead,drawingthefullattentionoftheton,andwhoeverhastakenitintohismindtoseeyouplanted."

"Justdonotgallopaboutasyoudance.SocietywillbelieveIamtheoneinneedofadancemaster."

"Idonotgallop,Leopold.Horsesgallop,"Sumnersnapped.