Lord Rakehell Read Free Page A

Major General Bruce wasn’t awaiting me with a muzzle and a noose.” Bruce, the prince’s governor who had kept him on a tight rein in Oxford, had preceded him to the Curragh Camp to inspect his quarters and lay out a course of military exercises he deemed suitable for the royal heir to the throne.
    â€œAt the risk of being presumptuous, Your Highness, I advise you to take a firmer stance with Bruce. You are a royal. You outrank him by miles. Bruce may advise you, but by no means should you allow him to rule you. He is the
servant
and you are the
master
. In my experience, if you stand up to a bully, he will invariably back down.”
    â€œBy God, James, you give me hope.” The prince’s mind turned to another problem.
    â€œWhat possible excuse can I give to the viceroy for coming to Dublin unannounced?”
    â€œLet him know you are doing him a great service. Tell him, in strictest confidence of course, that Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Albert may decide to make a short visit to Ireland to observe your military training at Curragh Camp. Carlisle will be forever in your debt that you have tipped him off to such a possibility.”
    Prince Teddy blanched. “Christ Almighty, it’s more than a possibility. Father keeps me on such a tight leash, he could seek proof with his own eyes that I am performing my military duties with Teutonic perfection.”
    â€œHave no fear. My father will send me word if Prince Albert decides to come.”
    â€œIt must be wonderful to have a warm, close relationship with one’s father.” The prince gave James a wistful glance. “I’ve always been deathly afraid of
my
father.”
    Charles Carrington nodded in agreement. “He puts the fear of God in me too.”
    â€œFor the next three days at least, you may cast your cares and worries aside. In Dublin there will be no governors, no tutors, and no spies to report your every move,” James pointed out. “Let’s make a pact to drain the cup of life to the dregs.”
    â€œHear, hear, James. You are a man after my own heart.”
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    â€œYour Royal Highness, you must forgive me. I am totally unprepared for your visit.”
    George Howard, Earl of Carlisle, stood in the elegant reception hall of the viceregal lodge in Phoenix Park, trying to disguise the panic he was feeling.
    Prince Teddy shook his hand heartily and smiled. “My dear fellow, I abhor formality. The last thing I need is another reception of dignitaries.” He handed his hat to a hovering footman and introduced his gentlemen attendants.
    Carlisle summoned his majordomo and gave him orders for the kitchen staff to prepare dinner and the housekeeper to plenish chambers for the prince’s party, as well as his escort of a dozen Grenadier Guards.
    James Hamilton cut in smoothly, “There is no need to throw your household into turmoil, Lord Carlisle. His Highness would much prefer to stay the weekend at Dublin Castle. I shall direct the lieutenant colonel to take his guards there, with your permission. The castle can accommodate soldiers far easier than Phoenix Park.”
    Prince Teddy nodded his agreement. “This is just a short,
private
visit. We can share a drink and a cigar, then be on our way with none the wiser.”
    The look of relief on Carlisle’s face as he ushered them to the library amused James.
    Poor devil! The look of panic will return the moment Teddy confides that Victoria and Albert may drop in on him sometime this summer.
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    â€œThis is more like it.” Prince Teddy removed his coat and tossed it onto a gilded chair in the luxuriously appointed state apartment of Dublin Castle.
    â€œFit for a prince,” James declared as he threw open the French doors that led out onto the balcony, which provided a delightful view of the River Liffey.
    The castle chamberlain entered and