Page 82 of Prince of Scandal

“Because of,” Ashton corrected gently. “Georgiana is…everything I hoped to find in a wife. And I’m glad to hear I had your countess’s approval. Mandy was one of a kind.”

“She was,” said the earl, his eyes glistening. “But Gigi is her mother’s daughter. Catches me out on occasion. Certain mannerisms. I could never say no to her, but you are exactly the man she needs. So go. Go and propose with my blessing and best wishes. I’ll have Xavier inform my mother.”

He grinned and bowed. “Thank you, my lord.”

* * *

“And then Ashton dropped me here,” said Georgiana, finishing the long tale and slumping back on the comfortable chaise in Pippa’s drawing room. Oddly, she felt more emotion in retelling the story than experiencing it. But sitting here with her sisters, Pippa on one side and Lilian on the other, both holding her hands, it actually felt good to share. To hear their gasps and curses and rage and relief and know they truly cared, that she wasn’t the unwanted and disposable youngest like Grandmother insisted.

“My goodness,” said Lilian, pressing a hand to her chest. “Is it wrong to say I’m so very glad that Major Lord Osbourne is dead?”

“No,” said Pippa. “After what he did…I am disgusted at the ton, though. How many knew and kept his secrets? They might be people we are acquainted with. Like Brigadier Berwick! He is invited to lots of parties. To think some in society shun Finn and I because of Bliss. Ha. Pleasure toy makers or murderous criminals, can’t decide which is worse.”

Georgiana nodded. “Ashton was shunned and banished on nothing more than Rupert’s word. Not even a single witness. Simply because he’s Prussian and they could. But every single day, English nobles behave like pigs and others shrug. Or betroth their daughters to them. It makes my blood boil.”

“The hypocrisy,” said Lilian, her lips tightening. “That is what infuriates me. Like when that cartoon of Gabriel as a minotaur appeared after the Castlereagh ball because he is scarred and limps and punched that blasted dandy. Beasts? I think we know who the real beasts are.”

“Do as I say, not as I do,” added Pippa fiercely. “Fortunately, we were smart and brave enough to wed the cream of the crop. Speaking of weddings…Gigi, there is an extremely tall and broad-shouldered redhead, wearing a ceremonial sash and sword, marching his way across Hanover Square. Coming from Kingsford House.”

Georgiana leaped to her feet and near-flew to the window. “Oh! Is Ashton not the handsomest man you’ve ever seen?”

“Second, perhaps,” said Pippa, now grinning. “I’m partial to brown haired, caramel-eating marquesses myself.”

Lilian laughed. “And I love dark hair, dark eyes, and rather forbidding in nature. But I must say, Gigi, your prince does look very dashing. Is he coming to propose?”

“Of course he is,” said Pippa, helping herself to another cream cake. “A man doesn’t dress up like that to go for a stroll. Well. Our Little G is going to be Princess von Hagan. I wonder if Ashton will become a diplomat like his father. Imagine the book of rules and protocols! I shall find it and read it and tell you everything, like I do for Finn with estate ledgers. My beloved creative cannot be constrained by documents.”

Georgiana squeaked. “Diplomatic rules and protocols? Bloody hell.”

“You did think of that part, Gigi?”

“Well, yes,” she lied shamelessly, her cheeks hot enough to boil water. “Obviously.”

Oh God.

Would she truly have to stay at court and be a stickler? GAH. What a twit she’d been, daydreaming about balls in London, summers in Brundall, and blissful nights of spanking and orgasms. That wasn’t what royalty did. From now on, everyone would be watching them. Judging them. Like they had in the past except far more severely, and from two royal courts, not just one.

Perhaps she wasn’t at all ready to be a princess.

Georgiana drooped, abruptly needing Ashton’s arms around her once more. When he held her, whatever was overwhelming or distressing became much easier to bear.

Lilian patted her arm. “I can see you inwardly screaming, but it will not be that bad. Look at Princess Esterhazy. She is a similar age to you, her husband is the Austrian ambassador, and she’s an Almack’s patroness. The Bonne Enfant! Think of this as an opportunity. You and she could set the pace, rather than the old grande dames. And should you be so inclined…you could decide how many events Grandmother is invited to.”

A reluctant laugh escaped. “I’m not sure you should have told me that. Imagine the ways I might misuse such great power.”

Pippa snorted and adjusted her spectacles. “Grandmother has misused her great power since the dawn of time, so it would be a fitting taste of her own medicine. Lilian forged her path as a lioness duchess, I certainly forged mine as a pleasure toy shop-owning marchioness. I think you can be whatever kind of princess you want, Gigi.”

Hmmm. Perhaps she could…

A knock sounded at the drawing room door, and the Pinehurst butler cleared his throat. “Beg pardon, but His Highness Prince Wilhelm Heinrich Ashton von Hagan is here to see the Lady Georgiana.”

“Send him in,” said Pippa, sitting up straighter.

“Directly into the lion’s den,” said Lilian, winking.

Ashton walked into the room and bowed deeply. “Your Grace. Lady Pinehurst. It is a pleasure to meet you both.”

Not allowing him to say another word, Georgiana raced over and flung her arms around him, barely avoiding a concussion from the black eagle badge on his sash. How impressive it was! Solid gold, jet, and so intricately etched it actually looked like it might fly away at any time. “As you are dressed just so, I am assuming King Frederick gave permission, so the only obstacle to my eternal bliss is Papa. I swear, Ashton, if he said anything other than a resounding yes, I will go over there and—”