Something glinted in the prince’s eye that told Thomas there was more to the story—calculation, perhaps even amusement. He needed to tread carefully. “Be that as it may, I wish to take guardianship of my niece. I can offer her more than material comforts.”
The prince snorted. “Yes—love and true family bonds. I investigated your situation, Bennet. An entailed estate and four daughters. One might think you wish to bring Elizabeth into your household to ease your own burdens.”
It was all Bennet could do not to explode. Heat flared behind his eyes, but he mastered himself with effort. “Some people do not look at matters in such terms. I loved my sister, but the decisions our parents made on her behalf kept us separated for the better part of the last decade. Raising her daughter in a home filled with love and companionship is the least I can do after I failed to protect her.”
“Protect her? From what, pray tell?” The prince’s expression was impassive, and he raised his eyebrow, daring him to continue.
Thomas drew in a deep breath. “Not every woman wishes only for a marriage of convenience, Your Highness.” He would say no more on the subject. To do so would invite ruin.
The prince was silent for a few moments, watching him with renewed interest. “As it so happens,” he said next, “I am well aware of your sister’s feelings. Nathan—Mr. de Bourgh—did notcare. It was a marriage made to improve your family’s standing, and to satisfy my friend’s desires. She was not miserable.”
“My sister has always masked her true emotions.” He knew he was playing with fire, contradicting the future monarch. To his surprise, the prince laughed.
“Oh, I do like you, Mr. Bennet. You are not afraid to speak your mind. It is very rare that I encounter one bold enough to challenge me. It is a good thing I am of a pleasant turn of mind today. Now, let us come to the real matter for which I called you here.” He took a sip of the amber liquid from his glass. “My wife, Princess Caroline, has expressed a desire to take guardianship of Miss de Bourgh, and raise her in her household. I am inclined to grant her wish.”
This was not at all what Bennet expected, and he gaped. “The…the Princess of Wales wants to raise my niece?”
“Surely you knew your sister had formed a friendship with my wife.” The prince frowned. “They were fond of each other, and reports say your niece was a frequent caller with her mother.”
“But—” The prince held up a hand, silencing Thomas.
“Miss de Bourgh has never met you. At this time of great loss, she should be with people she knows. My wife is lonely. She does not go to court, nor do we keep the same house. Princess Charlotte is being raised here—away from her mother.” His mouth twisted faintly. “Though I am disinclined to show my unwanted bride any mercy, I have decided this course of action will suit everyone involved. Your wife will not be required to raise another child—one not her own, mind you—and the Princess of Wales will have constant companionship. I am prepared to reward you handsomely.”
“There is not a reward in the world that will compensate for losing my niece!” His temper was frayed, and Thomas fought to regain control, fists clenched at his sides.
The prince frowned. “Let me be rightly understood. This is not a request. This is a negotiation. I have prepared papers detailing what is to be done for the Bennets of Longbourn in exchange for your agreement without argument. I have connections enough that I could remove Elizabeth de Bourgh from your care without any compensation. If you are agreeable, we can conclude this amicably, with no trouble to yourself.” The prince picked up a sheaf of papers and handed them to Bennet.
They sat in silence while Bennet perused the legal documents, his heart sinking with every line. The Crown would have guardianship of one Miss Elizabeth de Bourgh until she was married or turned five-and-twenty. She would be subject to the Crown’s decisions regarding her education and presentation. Permission for her marriage would be required from the Prince of Wales. In exchange, the Bennet ladies of Longbourn would each have dowries of five thousand pounds—sums so generous they bordered on indecent.
“Are the terms to your liking?” the prince asked lightly. “With proper investments, your eldest could have a respectable dowry by the time she turns eighteen. What say you?”
“You wish to pay me to relinquish guardianship of my niece?” Thomas still could not quite comprehend it.
“Come now, is it so difficult to understand?”
“What benefit is this to you, sire?” He knew his boldness could spell disaster, but the prince smiled wryly.
“You are quite intelligent—I like that in a man. By taking guardianship of an already well-connected lady, in the future I might have a say in who she marries, thus forging useful alliances. And it will please Princess Caroline, keeping her occupied and unable to prevail upon me.” He chortled and took another drink.
Thomas thought for a moment, the room spinning slightly. “If I may suggest some amendments, sire,” he hedged.
“Go on.”
“I wish to see my niece. Would it be possible to write a condition that she spends four months out of the year at Longbourn? There is no one better to teach her about her mother and her maternal family. And she will know her cousins.”
The prince nodded. “That is acceptable. Anything else?”
“I wish for joint decisions about who she marries. Rebecca did not choose her husband. I wish for Elizabeth to have that freedom.”
The prince laughed. “I am afraid I cannot concede on that matter. The best I can do is allow you to voice your opinion and promise I will not marry your niece to a man old enough to be her father.”
It would have to be enough. “I feel as though I am selling my family and my soul,” he whispered.
“Nonsense, Bennet. It is not as though you could defy me. You are simply making the best of a hard situation.”
Thomas sighed. “May I see my niece before I go?”
“As a matter of fact, I had the brat brought here this morning.” He rang a bell, and a nursemaid bustled in with a child in tow.
