Page 19 of A Problem Princess

The hell I was.

Prince Ernest was damnably anxious to be rid of him, yet Clayton remained right where he was. After months of tracking Scepter’s remnants through London’s stench-filled taverns and stews, chasing down one false lead after another, he’d been placed straight into the middle of the group’s plans for revolution, and he had no intention of going anywhere.

More, he also had to protect Cordelia.

She’d lied to him, but he knew she did it out of concern and affection for someone else. Yet the same person she wanted to protect had placed her life in danger, and whoever wanted her dead wouldn’t stop after tonight. He would do whatever he had to in order to prevent England from mourning another dead princess, no matter how many well-intentioned lies he had to sift through.

But he, at least, had spoken the truth. He truly was an expert at uncovering secrets, and he wouldn’t stop until he knew exactly what secrets she was hiding.

As for her uncle… Clayton offered a formal bow to the Prince of Monrovia. “Your Highness, on behalf of the Home Office, I want to welcome you to—”

“Anundersecretary has been allowed in my niece’s company?” Prince Ernest sneered.

Clayton hid his irritation. He’d dealt with insults like that his whole life and knew how to ignore them. The fact that this one came from a monarch made no difference.

“More than an undersecretary, Your Highness,” Marcus explained to soothe the prince’s ruffled feathers. “GeneralElliott is the Home Secretary’s most trusted man and is here tonight to represent the Home Office in welcoming you.”

The princess’s eyes darted to Clayton in surprise.

“Your cousin the prince regent also trusts the general and has taken him into his private confidences.”

At that, her eyes narrowed.

Wonderful.Clayton bit back a curse. He already had an attempted royal murder to deal with and a revolutionary group once more on the rise. Now he also had a woman who most likely thought he’d hidden his identity and acquaintance with the Prince of Wales just so he could take advantage of her vulnerability. The furthest thing from it! He’d never seen a woman in more need of comfort than the princess tonight, and he’d simply wanted to protect her, in every way he could, including easing her anguish.

“Her Serene Highness was attacked when she was preparing for the ceremony, as you know.” Marcus continued the explanation while Lord Liverpool did everything he could to ingratiate himself with Prince Ernest. The prime minister was nothing if not political to the bone. “General Elliott stopped the attacker.”

“And saved my life,” Cordelia interjected.

The prince turned toward her. “My dear, I had no idea. No one told me the situation was that dire. They only said you were surprised by an intruder and the matter had been dealt with.” Concern flashed across his face, and he took her by her shoulders. “Are you all right?”

“My arm was hurt, but that’s all.” With an embarrassed grimace, she held up her forearm with its thick bandage. “It looks much worse than it is.”

“Thank God.” He placed a kiss to her forehead, but her expression didn’t soften at the affectionate gesture. “I could never have lived with myself if something happened to you.”

“It wasn’t your fault, Uncle, nor our cousins’.”

“But I was the one who insisted you accompany me on this trip.”

He placed a finger beneath her chin and tilted up her face until she had to look him straight in the eyes. Clayton frowned. The prince was her uncle, true, but he treated her as if she were still a child instead of a grown woman.

Cordelia stiffened. Clayton didn’t know her well, but he’d seen enough to know she was chafing under her uncle’s paternal attentions.

“I promised your father and mother that I would always protect you,” Prince Ernest reminded her.

“You are not to blame, Uncle.” Despite her forgiving words, her smile appeared strained. “You can’t be responsible for a madman.”

Her uncle’s expression tightened for an instant. Then he released the princess and stepped away, turning back toward Marcus and Liverpool and completely ignoring Clayton.

“I want her guard increased,” the prince ordered. “We cannot assume this man was alone in attempting to harm her.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” Liverpool agreed quickly.

Marcus nodded. “I’ll speak to the regent and offer to oversee the princess’s protection myself. I’ll make certain her personal guard is—”

“No.”

The quiet but firm word took all three men by surprise, and they turned toward Clayton for explanation. But his gaze remained locked on the princess.