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“Then turn the ship around!” the Prince demanded.
Grandison said evenly, so as not to offend his future King, but, rather, to practice reason, “As the ship departed London nearly three weeks prior, even if another were launched immediately to give pursuit, it would take more than a handful of months to overtake the prison ship and return Brook’s Crook to London. I assume we require a quicker resolution.”
Even with Grand’s simple explanation, the Prince’s face turned a purplish-red with anger.
“I would prefer to have the necklace in my hands by the day’s end!”
Grandison warned, “I suspect we will be fortunate to know success by week’s end.”
“Week’s end!” the Prince screeched.
Lord Liverpool stepped before Prinny to say, “Lord Harlow’s warning was purely standard, Your Highness. Naturally, we will have more than a dozen men searching for the necklace within the hour.”
Those words appeared to sober the Prince.
“I would prefer only a few were made aware of my shortcomings,” he announced with an air of superiority which was ingrained in Prince George’s nature.
Lord Liverpool reasoned, “Then I cannot guarantee your wish to know a resolution by day’s end.”
“How soon?” Prinny asked, while a frown marked his forehead.
Grandison admired Liverpool’s calm while soothing their future King. It was the odd man who stood toe-to-toe with Prince George and won an argument.
“As Lord Harlow says, a week. We will attempt to resolve the situation sooner, but I cannot warrant the deed done until it is done. May I ask, Your Highness, of the urgency lacing this commission?”
Prinny glanced to Grandison before lowering his voice. Because he was not meant to hear the Prince’s confession, Grand looked away, but he remained in place, knowing, quite well, that he would be held responsible if he failed the Home Office.
“Her Royal Highness means to wear the necklace for a family gathering set to mark the King and Queen’s anniversary in early September. She has asked me to have the jeweller at Mr. Grose’s establishment to clean it and have the settings tightened before then.”
Liverpool kept his voice soft, as if soothing a baby or a puppy, but loud enough for Grandison to hear.
“Then you did not present the necklace to the Marchioness of Hertford?”
The Prince lowered his voice further.
“I had imbibed too much brandy and trusted those I should not, who said someone might think to remove the necklace from my person without my knowledge.”
Liverpool continued to ask the necessary questions to which Grandison would require answers in order to conduct an investigation.
“Did you view Lady Hertford placing the necklace securely away?”
The Prince puffed up in indignation.
“I never said I was with Lady Hertford at the time. Her Ladyship is beyond respectable. In fact, she remains unaware of my indiscretion.”
“I see,” Liverpool said gravely. “Then please explain what occurred. Lord Harlow must be made aware upon whom to call.”
Prince George’s countenance screwed up in defiance.
“I would prefer this incident was handled with the greatest discretion.”
“Naturally, Your Highness. Yet, Lord Harlow must have a starting point,” Liverpool insisted.
The Prince shot a wary glance toward Grandison.
“Perhaps we should claim the assistance of someone other than Lord Harlow.”
Lord Liverpool directed a steady gaze on Grand, warning him to remain silent until the Prime Minister ‘handled’ Prince George.
