The Prince of Eden by Marilyn Harris

Author:Marilyn Harris [Harris, Marilyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, General
ISBN: 9780345325921
Google: G0TsAQAACAAJ
Amazon: 0399120599
Publisher: Putnam Pub Group
Published: 1978-04-14T16:00:00+00:00

As Sir Claudius straightened his white dress shirt front and prepared himself for the gluttony ahead, he thought with a wave of concern that the something amiss might have to do with Lady Eden's red and swollen eyes. As Sir Claudius sat to her immediate left, he was in a perfect position to see. Although she was beautifully gowned in royal blue silk, she looked aggrieved somehow, her manner not at all that of the proud mother on the verge of welcoming a handsome and superbly qualified daughter-in-law to the bosom of the family.

In fact, though they had been seated at table for over a quarter of an hour, had already lifted their glasses in toast to the occasion, Lady Eden had not once lifted her eyes from her wine glass. He'd seldom seen her so subdued and sorrowful. And in spite of her recent rejection of him, he still was very fond of her. They'd been through far too much together to let one small rejection splinter their relationship. If he couldn't get into her bed, he'd have to be content with getting into her purse. But no matter. He'd do it with grace and dignity.

Now, midway down the enormous table, he saw Lord Carlisle stand, his bald head glittering under the illumination of the chandeliers. A pompous ass, really, Sir Claudius thought, a political charlatan who toyed with the Whigs as a cat toyed with a mouse, fashionable sport perhaps half a century ago, but no longer, not with the dangerous radicals afoot and gaining power.

What was the old man saying. Sir Claudius wondered, trying to hear over the chattering females to his right. Ah, there it was. A toast to— the Princess Victoria? Bad taste, that. Extremely bad taste with the old king still alive. Lord Carlisle was playing with fire.

The toast over, Sir Claudius sent his attention back to Lady Eden. Something was amiss. It broke his heart to see her so downcast and preoccupied. Even her half-sister. Miss Jane Locke, customarily a common talking machine, also seemed subdued, as though a glass jar had fallen over both of them.

As the chatter and laughter increased at the opposite end of the table, Sir Claudius sent his attention in that direction, determined to put together the clues of the something amiss.

James was there, presiding at the head, in his proper place as Lord Eden. He seemed to be in close conversation with Lord Powels, as close, that is, as the empty chair between them would permit.

Ah-ha! Had he hit upon something? The bride-to-be absent again and on the very night when her engagement was to be announced? Had something gone awry there? No, it was unthinkable. Lady Eden would not permit the festivities to go this far without being certain of

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