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“Most assuredly, Your Highness, Lord Harlow can be replaced by another, but you must understand that his lordship possesses specialised skills, as well as a number of connections in such circles as will be required to assist us in retrieving the necklace before it is sold to a rich Count or Marquis upon the Continent.”
After a long pause, the Prince huffed his disapproval, but he nodded his agreement, nevertheless.
“I was with Ridgeworth and Spratt. We’d all had too much to drink; yet, we still called upon Lady Jenest. She was having her bi-monthly gaming ‘at-home’ gathering on Friday evening.”
Grand swallowed the words forming on his lips. Olivia Brownstone, Lady Jenest, had, at one time, served as Grand’s mistress. A widow, Lady Jenest had chosen the freedom her ‘widowhood’ had provided, rather than to shackle herself to another.
As Lord Franklyn, Grand had frequently enjoyed the pleasure of bedding a woman ‘with experience’; however, as Lady Jenest demanded more and more of his time and his allowance from his father, Grand had cut her loose in what turned out to be a very public breakup; thus, his moniker, ‘Grandison the Great’, meaning a ‘great’ uproar occurred with their separation, although he had heard himself spoken of for both a ‘great’ sense of self consequence, as well as ‘great’ ease when it came to wooing the finer sex.
After a very awkward pause, Grand said, “Perhaps, His Royal Highness has the right of it, my Lord. I doubt Lady Jenest would respond to any request from me to meet with her on this matter, despite the urgency of the investigation.”
Before the Prince could agree, Lord Liverpool announced, “Nonsense, Lady Jenest will do what is necessary: I will assure it. Moreover, I possess an idea of how we might proceed. Trust me, Your Highness. Lord Harlow is your best choice for settling this matter quickly and with significant discretion.”
******
Dawn’s light barely streaked the sky as Grandison set his key to the lock and turned the latch. It surprised him to view his butler reaching for the door, for it would be nearly an hour before Mr. Shelby would be expected to be on duty.
“You took me unawares, Shelby,” Grand murmured as he handed his waiting servant his hat and gloves. “What are you doing on duty at this ungodly hour?”
Mr. Shelby tilted his head toward the passageway.
“Lord Liverpool arrived an hour prior. He is enjoying his breakfast in the morning room.”
Grand nodded his understanding: When called upon by necessity, his servants could respond with a moment’s notice.
“Extend my gratitude to Cook and her staff for rising to the occasion. Assure all that I will reward their loyalty at the next quarter day.”
“That is very gracious of you, my Lord.”
Before more could be said, Liverpool stepped into the hall to say, “Ah, it is you, Harlow. Please join me. I have been anticipating your return for some time now.”
Grand inclined his head in acceptance of the Prime Minister’s request, while his insides groaned with the idea that he would be made to wait a bit longer before he could claim his bed.
“I will require coffee and my usual fare, Shelby.”
“Right away, sir.”
As he made his way to his morning room, he set his shoulders in expectation of Liverpool’s disappointment when Grand made his report.
“You have risen early, my Lord,” he said as he permitted his footman to hold his chair.
“You would be surprised how few hours of sleep a man requires. I believe such is a prerequisite before assuming the role of Prime Minister,” Liverpool countered.
“If that is all that is required for the position, perhaps I should place my hat into the ring of candidates,” Grand said with as much levity as he could muster, especially as he was bone-tired and frustrated by his lack of leads to the necklace.
Liverpool nodded sagely.
“If you do not discover the necklace, neither of us is likely to retain our position in government, let alone be Prime Minister.”
Mr. Shelby appeared at Grand’s side with a steaming pot of coffee, which he poured into Grand’s cup, essentially bringing a momentary end to Liverpool’s poorly veiled threat. The footman who had followed set a plate of coddled eggs and ham before Grand.
“Will there be anything else, my Lord?” Shelby asked.
“As long as Lord Liverpool requires no further service, I am content,” Grand instructed.
“I, too, am content for the time being.”
With Liverpool’s flick of his wrist, Grand’s servants disappeared into the nearby servants’ hall to wait for another summons.
