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“The Prince has been chasing a married lady,” Lord Lincolnshire continued, “and has accrued debts that are so substantial, I do not think even his father would be willing to pay for it, should he be recovered enough to do so.”
Phillip blinked in surprise, trying to get his bearings and make certain that he understood precisely what was being discussed.
“We must act,” Lord Tullett said, with a small shrug. “What is it you suggest?”
Phillip pressed his lips together tightly, glancing around the group and suddenly becoming aware of the sharp look that was sent between Lord Dayton and Lord C
ammish. Nothing was said, for both gentlemen remained entirely silent, but there was something in that look that captured Phillip’s attention.
If you were the enemy of the Crown, he said to himself quietly, as Lord Lincolnshire began to suggest ideas as to how they might progress in this difficult matter, then what would you do?
Clearing his throat gently, Phillip picked up his port and took another long sip. Surely if he was an enemy of the Crown, he would like nothing better than for the Prince to continue in his foolish ways so that the judgements that came from the Crown would be poorly made. If the Prince continued to behave in such a reckless and idiotic manner, then the only thing that could come out of it would be a both difficulties and ruin. When everyone was looking to the Prince, talking of the Prince, and growing concerned over the Prince, then their attention was placed solely on him and not on whatever else might be going on around them.
“Do we have to do anything?” he asked, allowing a little laziness into his voice. “I am aware that he does not act with decorum and certainly has upset the Church, but such matters are his own, are they not?”
Lord Lincolnshire looked affronted. “Surely not!” he exclaimed, sounding quite angry. “His decisions affect all of us! Whilst I am sure there are those that find his antics to be both delightful and hilarious, there are a great many concerns that strike those of us who have greater insight.”
“I do not mean to insult you,” Phillip said quickly, waving his glass in Lord Lincolnshire’s direction, “but is it not best to allow the Prince to behave as he pleases? He is not the King yet, and whilst I am aware that he has taken on the duties of the King, there is still a freedom in how he chooses to behave, is there not?”
Much to Phillip’s surprise, Lord Dayton chuckled. “You speak of what you know, Lord Monteforte,” he said, shaking his head at him. “You do not see the full impact of Prinny’s behavior, both here and across the seas.” The smile faded from his lips, sending Phillip into a slight panic. Perhaps he had been fully mistaken. Perhaps he had just said something so foolish that both Lord Dayton and the other gentlemen would now remove him from this gathering. “Consider what our enemies must think of us!”
Trying to put an expression of contemplation on his face, Phillip let out a slow breath, sighing heavily and shaking his head. “I understand,” he said, after a moment or two. “I had not thought of such a thing.”
“Many of us do not when we first join,” Lord Tullett said quickly, as though to put Phillip at ease. “You need not apologize. We quite understand.”
Phillip put a grateful smile on his lips, looking back at Lord Tullett steadily. “That is very kind of you to say.” He waited for a moment or two longer, silence spreading out across the room. Lord Lincolnshire cleared his throat abruptly, a look of disdain shooting out towards Phillip as he looked back at him.
“Well, if we all now fully understand the significance of Prinny’s actions, then mayhap we can discuss precisely what we are to do about it!”
“Of course,” Phillip murmured, as Lord Lincolnshire threw him yet another disparaging look. “I would be glad to listen and to learn from those more experienced in such matters than I.” Spreading his hands, he included every gentleman at the table, his gaze firm and steady. “I will listen to you without interruption.”
“Very wise,” Lord Cammish interrupted darkly. “Now, what is it you suggest, Lord Lincolnshire?”
One hour later and Phillip rose from the table, feeling more unsatisfied and foolish than ever before. The gentlemen had spent the time discussing the Prince Regent with such fervency that he had not been able to make any sort of assessment of any of the gentlemen present. They had all been quite fervent in their desire to prevent Prinny from behaving in the foolish way he had been thus far, with some expressing horror at the thought of the Prince taking up with a lady already married to another. The shame of his behavior seemed to lay heavily on each of their shoulders, and Phillip could not help but think rather highly of their intentions.
He had been wrong, he concluded. He would have to go back to the League and state that there was nothing here for them to discover. There was not a single gentleman within this group that had any intention of bringing damage to England, for they all clearly cared about their country and their King.
“Do not be so hasty to depart, Lord Monteforte.”
Turning his head, Phillip was surprised to see Lord Cammish coming towards him, as Lord Dayton bid good night to the other gentlemen, who were clearly much in need of rest for their minds.
“Lord Cammish,” he answered, with a small, self-conscious smile. “I must ask you not to judge me on my first, foolish remarks as regards the Prince.” Shaking his head, he let out a long breath, trying to show contrition. “I can see now that such a remark was rather foolish.”
“Not entirely foolish,” Lord Dayton answered, closing the door and wandering back towards the table so that he might pick up his glass of port. “There are one or two of us who are inclined towards allowing the Prince to do as he wishes.”
Phillip’s ears pricked up at once, and he looked at Lord Dayton in genuine surprise. “Oh?”
“You may think Lord Lincolnshire very passionate,” Lord Dayton continued, as Lord Cammish chuckled wryly. “But he might still be mistaken.”
Blinking quickly, so as to betray his confusion, Phillip allowed himself to frown. “What can you mean?”
Lord Dayton made to say more, only for Lord Cammish to interrupt. “Might we go sit in the library or drawing room?” he said, reaching across the table to pick up his own glass. “If we are to have yet another discussion, I will need to find something a good deal more comfortable to sit on!”
Lord Dayton laughed and nodded, gesturing for Lord Cammish to do as he wished, leaving Phillip to follow after them both.
The hallway was dark, with only a few candles flickering in the dark. The house was very quiet indeed and, given that it was already in the early hours of the morning, Phillip suspected that either the ladies of the house were out and would soon be returning, or that they had already chosen to retire. His heart quickened suddenly as he wondered whether he might see Lady Olivia, even for a moment, only for him to dismiss the idea at once. He could not think of her now; he could not allow himself to become at all distracted.
“Goodness!”
