Page 51 of Rogue’s Holiday

The king and the gentlemen joined them shortly. The steward poured the king and each of the guests a drink of their preference. Chastity accepted a glass of sherry. A musician slid onto the bench at the pianoforte and began to play.

Brandy in hand, Sir Robert came to her side, very handsome in his dark green coat and ivory satin waistcoat over buff-colored breeches. When he had arrived at her door, she had been surprised at how glad she was to see him. “What do you think of the king’s yacht, Miss Reynolds?”

“It displays the same opulence as the Pavilion, yet I never would have imagined so elegant a dining room was down here.”

“His Majesty likes to travel in style. I can assure you, my family’s ships are not so magnificent belowdecks. More functional, I would say.”

“The difference between a merchant and a king?”

His white teeth flashed a smile. “Just so.”

The king spoke from where he stood at the head of the table. “Allow me to suggest a seating arrangement. My lady,” he said to his mistress, “here on my right, as always. Alvanley,” the king continued, “on my left, if you will, and Lady Sanborn next to you. At her side, let’s have Sir Robert and then Miss Crockett, Mr. Cairo and Lady Lade. Across from Lady Sanborn, next to my lady, I would suggest Sir Bellingham, Miss Reynolds, Monsieur Donet, Lady Graham and Sir John. At the end of the table opposite me will be our captain, Sir Edward Berry, who I have asked to join us. Along with Admiral Nelson, he is remembered as a ‘Hero of the Nile’. Welcome, Captain.”

Sir Edward, standing behind his chair, erect in his dark blue uniform with gold braid and brass buttons, white waistcoat and pantaloons, inclined his gray head to the king. “It is my honor, Your Majesty.”

Chastity judged him to be in his fifties. No longer at the side of Lord Nelson, who was long dead, the captain nevertheless appeared to have a lively interest in everything around him. His blue eyes shone with the pride of having served his king and country with distinction.

The king beckoned them to take their seats, and the gentlemen promptly assisted the ladies. On Chastity’s right, the vicomte pulled out her chair for her. Once seated, she found herself meeting the amused gaze of The Rogue directly across from her. He looked very pleased with himself, as if he’d arranged their seating with the king. It vexed her to think he could rattle her with only a look from those stunning hazel eyes.

The first course was a white soup, well seasoned and tasting of chicken in cream. Chastity did not lift her head as she bent to dip her spoon for she felt Sir Robert’s eyes still fixed on her. Seductive charm such as his should be kept under lock and key.

“How was your time in London?” Lord Alvanley asked the king.

Prinny huffed. “Clouded by the hanging of those ‘desperate fools’ as Lord Byron has called them, the ‘awkward butchers’ who would see my ministers dead.” He gave Sir Robert a knowing look. “Still, we can be glad justice is done and they are gone from this world, eh?” He raised his glass of champagne and proposed a toast to the demise of all those who plotted treason.

Chastity sipped her champagne, wondering what had passed between the king and his subject. It had to be some knowledge they shared about the Cato Street debacle she had only read about in the newspapers.

“It is good to have you back in Brighton, Sire,” said Aunt Agatha, gracefully changing the subject. “The town mourns your going and celebrates your return.”

The king smiled, his cheeks reddening. “How gracious of you to say so, my lady.”

“Will you open the Brighton races?” asked Sir Bellingham.

“Indeed, I will,” said the king. “And soon.”

The soup bowls were taken away and the fish course promptly served.

“My cook has prepared this dory fish a new way,” said the king. “With mussels, spinach and apples. Appears appetizing enough, don’t you agree? But do give me your good opinions.”

Chastity raised her eyes to catch a glimpse of Sir Robert, an expression of mirth on his face as he glanced at the fish just placed on his plate. She had eaten dory fish more than once since their morning at the fish market.

“The fish is excellent,” said Sir Bellingham. His wife, Lady Graham, nodded her agreement. In truth, Chastity liked mussels so she was quite happy to see them paired with the fish and its delicate flavor.

Henry Cairo was speaking with Rose when the king addressed him. “Mr. Cairo, I understand from Lady Sanborn you are a master of timepieces. What have you to say?”

“My family business in Coventry, Your Majesty, is making fine watches and clocks, some quite unusual with painted faces.”

“Painted faces, you say? You must come ’round to the Pavilion and show us some. We can always use more clocks to track the hours. Might you have some with a Chinese theme?”

Henry Cairo directed his comment to the king at the other end of the table. “I can paint anything on the face of a timepiece, Sire, including a scene from China, if that be your desire.”

“Ah! So, you are the artist?”

“I am.”

“Have him show you his pocket watch,” put in Aunt Agatha. “Truly extraordinary.”

“Tomorrow, then,” said the king to Mr. Cairo. Turning his attention to the vicomte, the king said, “Monsieur Donet, did you travel from France to holiday with Sir Robert?”