Page 42 of Second Chance Prince
Karl shared a glance with Niki. At one time, they might both have smiled at the chamberlain’s pedantic tone, but this time, Niki didn’t smile. Karl’s own smile fell away, and he heaved a dramatic sigh.
“Let’s get it over with then, shall we? I’ve been a naughty boy and must be punished. What is it to be? Banishment?” He was joking but there was a genuine question in his voice.
Niki stared at his brother and felt his hands clench into fists. He was angry and not trying to hide it. “You have ruined Estelle Longhurst for no other reason than you wanted to. You have destroyed a young woman’s life and reputation because you have no restraint and no morals. Although it pains me to believe you so base, I fear it is true.”
Karl waved a dismissive hand. “She wanted me to ruin her. She begged me. In the end, I didn’t complete the act—did she tell you that?” He gave Roberta a quizzical glance. “There isn’t much pleasure to be had in tupping a lady who is sobbing and bleating for me to stop. Although, ‘lady’?” He tapped his chin thoughtfully. “I’m not sure if I would call her that.”
Roberta was on her feet. “She is young and naïve, and you…” She pointed at him, her finger trembling. “You are a seducer and a liar. If it wasn’t for your selfishness, she would never have found herself in such a perilous situation. That you feel no regret for what you did makes me sick.”
“Regret is a pointless emotion,” Karl said, his eyes watchful. “What do you say, Chamberlain Francis? Am I to be forcedinto marriage with a girl like that? What would the people of Holtswig say? They would declare a day of public mourning.”
Niki feared that what his brother said was true. The ladies of Holtswigwouldbe distraught if their favorite was forced into such a marriage.
The chamberlain answered with his usual slow thoughtfulness. “I agree, it would not be good for the country for Karl to wed such a woman. Though in the circumstances, he must marry, and I have the perfect bride for him. Lady Henrietta von Blasberg.”
“What? That old crone!” Karl burst out. “She is twice my age. Thrice! I think I would rather marry Estelle.”
“And what will become of Estelle if he abandons her?” Roberta said, sounding desperate.
The chamberlain gave her a curious look. He was unused to young ladies arguing with him, and in other circumstances Niki might have laughed.
“Your friend is not my concern,” the old man said. “Karl is. Do you agree with me, sir? Lady Henrietta is the perfect choice. Her lands straddle our southern borders, and this way, we will strengthen our ties there. I have long thought it the ideal solution to any unrest from that direction.”
It was a good plan, and one Niki had heard his father put forward before he died. Perhaps he had foreseen Karl causing one too many scandals and needing to be reined in. Once married to Lady Henrietta, he would be far enough away from the court for his antics to be less of a problem. Roberta would not agree—this was no solution for her friend—but Niki knew he could not allow emotion to cloud the issue.
“I do see the benefits,” he agreed with a glance at Roberta,who looked outraged. “Please begin negotiations immediately, Francis.”
The old man smiled and, with a last warning look at Karl, shuffled from the room.
Meanwhile Karl was white-faced. “DoInot get a say in this?” he demanded, his voice shaking. “Father would never have forced me into such a marriage.”
“More’s the pity,” Niki murmured. He fixed Karl with a regal stare, the one he used when he was determined to win an argument. “It is time you settled down. You will marry Lady Henrietta.”
For a moment, he thought Karl might take him by the throat and throttle him. It was unsettling to see his easygoing, mild-mannered, and charming brother so rattled. But Niki held the whip hand.
“The alternative is to marry Estelle Longhurst,” he said quietly. “If that is what you want, then tell me now and I will begin negotiations. Of course, you will have to remain here in England, and I do not expect your allowance will be as large as it is now.”
Karl’s lip curled. “You give me a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea, Brother.”
“At least youhavea choice,” Niki retorted.
Karl frowned, sending a puzzled glance from Roberta to Niki, and then he shrugged. “I will speak to you tomorrow when both our heads are cooler.”
The door closed behind him and Niki’s shoulders slumped. He ached all over from holding himself so stiffly and from bendingKarl to his will. And now he had Roberta to deal with, and he already knew she was not happy with him.
Chapter Twenty-One
Roberta’s emotions were a tangle of anger and disappointment. She wasn’t sure what she had expected Niki to do but it was not to suddenly turn into that cold, distant prince. It was as if he had buried all trace of the man she had thought him to be, the man she had trusted to help Estelle, and chosen to think only of the political benefits and detriments to his country. He would marry Karl off to some other woman and leave Estelle alone and abandoned in her shame.
How could he? How could he—and she was not proud of herself for selfishly thinking this—do this toher? And when had she begun to allow herself to believe that her wishes should come before his country?
“Roberta,” he said quietly, and she ignored the note of pleading in his voice, refusing to be taken in by it. “I know you are upset—”
“Oh, you can tell that then?” She flashed him a look. “I came to you for help, Niki, and instead you helped Karl.”
He ran a hand through his hair. He no longer looked like the prince of a moment ago. Niki appeared shattered, but she told herself that she was the one who had been hurt. “I know it must seem like that to you,” he said, “but Karlisbeing punished. And he’s being removed from the court and any more mischief he might perpetrate.”
“I am sure Estelle will find that comforting.”
