Closing the door to his father's study, young George turned to his cousin. "They certainly want to get this over with as quickly as possible don't they?" he said with a smirk.
They're not the only ones." Caroline remarked. She turned her back to George and crossed her arms in front of her as she looked out the window.
"Ah so you are anxious to be married to me then?" George
said, raising his eyes. He wasn't too happy about this either but by
Jove he found so much amusement in teasing his coz.
"The sooner we marry and you get your heir the sooner I'm free to do as I
wish." Caroline nearly snapped at him. She knew he was teasing, and she
wasn't in the mood for it.
"Who says you'll get off so easily?" George replied, trying to
suppress a chuckle. "My my that nap didn't do someone well... It
looks like you woke up on the wrong side of the brandy bottle
Caroline."
"And why wouldn't I get off so easily?" she remarked. "After you have
your heir, you won't need me for anything else, why not let me be."
"It seems the brandy has also affected your sense of humor,
what a shame. And as for not needing you..who knows? If we both
hadn't been so drunk I might remember having enjoyed myself last
night. Seeing as how that run is void, I just might have to try
again." George's insides were about to burst with the effort of
concealing his laughter. He no more desired to sleep with Caroline
then she did with him but George had more mistresses then he could
name-one more wouldn't make a difference. HE was getting to her, it
was evident. Which only made him work harder at it.
"If we hadn't been so drunk last night the only thing you'd remember now
is a fair amount of physical pain, that I can assure you." Caroline
stepped a few steps away from George and closer to the large window.
Unable to contain himself any longer, George let loose his
thunderous laughter. The hen had her feathers ruffled! " Being
threatened in my own home! Now *that* is something new!" he cried
gasping for breath.
"Oh don't act so high and mighty with me George. You might be the Prince
of England but you're still nothing more then a cousin to me. Now if
you'll excuse me, I have a guest list to prepare."
"Oh by all means go, go" George said, calming down. Elaborately
gesturing up the stairs toward her room he moved out the way to let
he pass.
Caroline swept past George, without giving him so much as a slight
glance. She really had no guest list to prepare, she didn't want anyone
to see her about to be married off to her cousin. Perhaps she should just
go to her room and hide until the wedding.
George held the quill just above the paper thoughtfully considering who
else to invite. HE had written down every statesman his father favored,
relatives, and schoolmates. But of course! Blakeney had wanted a ball had he
not? Carefully he added the Blakeneys to the guest list. Staring at it, his
heart twanged. Blakeney was the only other person besides himself, the king,
and Caroline who knew that he had been married before and how deeply marrying
someone other then Maria would hurt. And out of those Blakeney was the only
one who cared. Shaking his head in effort to blot out the memories his mind
always conjured up at inopportune times he wrote down the remainder of
friends who traveled in his circle. They would get quite a laugh in
discovering that he was to be married to Caroline. It was common knowledge
the two had never gotten along well. Frowning he threw down the quill, suddenly tired of all this mess.
Quickly changing into riding clothes and grabbing a cape he headed down the
stairs, handed off his guest list and out the door he went. His expression
set he mounted his horse and rode off, without explanation. The past 2 days
had been trying. First he learns he is to be married to his childhood
archrival then accidentally does who knows what with her due to an abundance of
brandy. George needed something to raise his spirits, to get him out of the
house and away from all who were in it. Why not find comfort in the most
accessible place? There was a young noblewoman, Sophia, who lived not far
away and who had on more then one occasion been willing to help him forget
his troubles. Riding swiftly he headed away from the palace and into the arms
of yet another woman.
Lady Gweneth Calder is still quite new to London. She'd once lived
more in the countryside, and her life then was a little more free
than it is now. She has a strict schedule of sorts here in London and
to be honest it quite certainly upset her. So, just for today, she'd
managed to stow away, apple in one hand, basket in another.
She'd been walking for some time when she saw someone coming quite
swiftly toward her. She can also tell he is not going to slow down
for her, and in an effort to get out of his path she stumbles and
falls into a nice mud puddle.
Now, dripping with mud and a scowl upon her usually cheerful visage,
she picked up the muddy remains of her apple and ran to catch up to
the man. The minute she came close enough, she pulled back and threw
it, hitting him upside the head just as she'd have liked. Nodding in
satisfaction, she went back to where she'd fallen and retrieved her
basket. Strolling up contentedly to the Prince, smug smile upon her
lips, she decided to give him a little message. "Serves you right,
Sir, for-" All at once she'd reached the place where her victim sat
upon his horse. "Ohhh my..." She shut her mouth, which had been
hanging open upon realizing she'd just hit the Prince of Wales...
She moved quickly, pulling a handkerchief from out her pocket, though
it too was soaked with mud, and offered it up to him for his use.
Looking up at him, her face reflected that of a deer caught in
headlights. "Forgive me Sire...I...I had no idea..." Absentmindedly,
she rubbed her throat, wondering if a person could be hanged for
this...
:
George had been riding quickly with no other thought on his mind then
Sophia when he was suddenly pegged in the back of the head. Turning the horse
around, red with rage to find a young woman standing there with a smug
expression on her face. Smug that is, until she realized who she pegged.
George's features softened somewhat knowing that is was an apologetic young
lady rather then a rebellious upstart but the look of annoyance did not
disappear so quickly. Taking he handkerchief from her and wiping his brow he
inquired " And to what do I owe *that* how do you do?" he said dryly.
Still bowing slightly, head down, Gwen swallowed and tried to came up
with a good reason for it. "Sire...You...you...I mean...*I* was in
your way...and...was knocked into the mud because of it...Oh please
forgive me Sire, it was an accident! I thought you were just a
careless boy riding along, so I meant to teach you a
lesson...Please...I don't want to hang..."
"Hang?" George asked incuriously. Leaning back he let out a loud laugh.
"Hang? For teaching me to mind my manners? Do you really think I'm so much of
a monster Milady?" George grinned down at her. She was indeed covered in bits
of mud, he should watch where he was going more often. But she feared
hanging? He did not mean to laugh for her fear was real but what an absurd
idea! "If I had been anyone other then myself you would not have given a
second thought to having hurled fruit at me now would you? I beg your pardon
for not paying attention to the road Miss...? Moments earlier he had been deadest on seeing Sophia but one beautiful woman was the same as the next and he could tarry a few minutes longer.
"Gweneth...Gweneth Calder...Milord..."
"Well then Gweneth Calder it is a pleasure to meet you." He said,
amused by her nervousness.
She curtseyed again quickly,
very intrigued by his Highness' easygoing air, and quick forgiveness.
Back home she'd have been struck for such ghastly behavior. Here, she
was forgiven. And by the Prince no doubt. It left her very surprised.
And it also caused her to loosen up, and be less afraid, and more
herself. "Might I inquire as to why his Highness was moving so
quickly?" Suddenly...it dawned on her. Perhaps he was on his way to
important business? She paused and looked up at him, noticing the
spark in his eye. No...he was on his way to see a lady. "If I am
keeping you from a lady friend I do apologize good sir, and insist
that you hurry to her. Such company as yours is impatiently awaited,
I should think."
"How curiously observant" George mused aloud. How could she tell? Was
it really that obvious? "I *am* on my way to visit a..er...lady friend but
she cannot be too impatient-I am not expected." Glancing about he took in the
long road and the state of her dress. " Miss Calder can I offer to take you
anywhere to...atone for my mistake, shall we say?"
"Oh! No thank you Sire..." She unconsciously followed his gaze as it
fell upon her mud soaked dress, then blushed slightly and looked back
up at him. "Thank you though. You see...I'm new to London and home is
quite boring just now. I've not many people there my age to speak to.
At least, no one interesting, that is. So I've managed to slip away
for a few hours...and I've only just started my tour of the city. I
do not wish to go home any time soon. Please...don't let me keep
you..." She frowned. She wasn't trying to get rid of him. In fact, he
was the most pleasant company she'd had all day...all week in fact,
since she'd arrived!
"New to London? Where are you from?" George reigned in his horse
who was becoming impatient for more of the brisk ride they had been having.
Suddenly George was struck by an idea. "Well now if I am not the most clever
chap!" he cried, praising himself. "If you shall not let me drop you anywhere
then how am I to make up for my mistake? Your dress is all ruined my dear so
let me take you to a wonderful tailor I know hmm?"
"I came here from Oxford...the countryside is beautiful. And people
there aren't moving quite so swiftly." She chuckled some until he
called out, causing her to jump in surprise. "The mistake was not
yours, Highness...but mine. I should have seen you coming and moved
out of the way quicker..." She looked up at him, only to catch a
bright look in his eyes...one she enjoyed seeing. "You would take me
to a tailor...and buy me a new dress?" She is, nevertheless, quite
surprised. However...he is wonderful company...perhaps she would go
with him after all...if only for a few moments...
"That is what I said is it not?" Good grief, the words had come out
of his mouth hadn't they? Perhaps he should have gone on to Sophia's. But
this young girl intrigued him. Not to mention that he did not mind her
admiration.
"Your Highness...it would be my pleasure to join you."
"Very good!" George exclaimed as he offered his arm to pull her up.
She reached up happily to take hold of his arm, when she gasped suddenly.
"Your Highness, I cannot possibly sit up there with you...I'd have to hold on
to you, of course, to stay steady and...in the process...Sire I'd ruin your
clothes!"
"My riding attire is not of extreme importance Madam. Besides you shall
be in front of me, not behind. I fear I go too fast for you to hold on
sufficiently. And the mud is almost dry! no harm shall be done, trust me."
George replied, still holding out his arm to hoist her up.
"Please..." She starts, taking his arm and getting onto the horse. "Madam
makes me feel old. I'd like it much more if you called me just Gwen, Your
Highness."
"Very well then Gwen, off we go." He said as they rode. He would not
yet allow this young thing to call him George. If he let every person he
passed on the street address him with such familiarity, he would hold no
authority. Therefore he would wait awhile longer, at least until they got to
know each other (if they ever saw each other again) before he allowed Gwen to
address him so. Besides, he liked her calling him "Highness"! "Don't worry I
won't let you fall." He said reassuringly. Galloping along she seemed tense
but he had a firm arm around her waist, the other holding the reigns and she
wasn't going anywhere. Especially if he had anything to do with it.
She was indeed tense...she'd never been held like this before by a man. She'd
never ridden with a man for that matter, not even a father or brother. For as
long as she could remember, she'd always demanded her own horse. It wasn't a
question of being bratty and independent. In a family with three brothers,
she wanted nothing more but to establish that she was just as capable as they
were. She was strong now, in most cases. However, in the presence of
important men, not her family, she did get a little weak and shy at times.
And sitting here before the Prince, was certainly no exception. She just
wanted to be polite and try and make up for the earlier apple incident.
After some time of riding she managed to loosen up and not sit quite so rigid
in the saddle. She'd done a lot of thinking, and perhaps she needed to loosen
up a bit. Be herself. This Prince was a man like any other man...so she would
treat him as such! The boys back home enjoyed her flirtatious
attentions...so why shouldn't he? Isn't that what all men were after?
Smiling smugly to herself she leaned back and pressed up against Prince
George. "You're a marvelous rider, milord..."
George raised his eyebrows as she settled against him. She was quite the
forward little thing eh? He was surprised, but pleasantly so for anyone who
knew the Prince knew he would never turn away a pretty face. "Only through
years of practice" he responded, attempting to be humble.
"Oh don't be so modest, Highness! I'm sure you're devilishly clever and
remarkably talented at a number of things..."
"Oh she only knew the half of it" George thought to himself. " I only
try to be well rounded. You are too kind milady" He replied. George sped up
so he would have to tighten his grip around her waist, proving *just* how
"devilishly clever" he really was.
Gwen smiled to herself, realizing that flirting was not such a hard
task, but merely a game one plays. The tightening of his hold was his
play, and the only logical thing for her to do would be to wrap her
arms around one of his arms and rest close against him, which she did
presently. "Oh Highness...I've never ridden so fast!" So it was a
lie. He didn't know her past anymore than she knew his. Lying was
acceptable, so long as he didn't find out the truth. It would spoil
the game that way. She laughed gaily and held tightly to him, as
though afraid of falling off.
"There is always a first for everything. Pity though- I've always found
fast riding rather exhilarating." He explained as they neared the tailor. "So
what brings a lady from Oxford to London?"
"Why...your fair reputation of course. I wanted very much to meet the
Prince! I had no idea I would be so fortunate as to go riding with
him!"
George laughed at her teasing, flattered that she responded so eagerly to
his mild flirtation. "Honestly Miss Calder I am curious-for I know very well
my reputation is far from fair and so would you if you had done your
homework." He said grinning at her with a glint in his eye.
"Oh your Highness!" Acting mildly surprised she gasped. "You are such
a kind man! How could anyone ever think anything else of you? I am
shocked!"
"A kind man?" George chuckled. "But wasn't it I who got you all muddy? No
Gwen, they have good reason to think as they do. And so should you if you are
wise."
"If you really must know the truth...my father was growing quite
restless in the country. He was eager to find more wealth that what
we already had accumulated...so he moved our entire family to London,
to be closer to the aristocracy. Is there anything else about me you
wish to know, Milord?"
Teasing, flirting, accommodating...all within a matter of minutes. Though
it could be argued that Gwen did this solely based on the fact that her
companion was the Prince of Wales. Perhaps. But he wouldn't question nor stop
it so soon. "So it is with most men, striving to move their way up the ladder
of life. I wish to know nothing else about you dear woman except to inquire
your age. Your wit ranks your age with mine but your endearing naiveté
places you younger."
"How old would you have me be, Highness?" The game would stop if she were to
answer him so quickly, would it not? At least draw it out a little longer
before putting it to an end, she thought, mildly amused. Perhaps if flirting
were this fun and easy with the Prince of Wales, it would be even less
difficult with a man of lesser stature...
Gwen was well skilled in the art of flirtation George was discovering. " As
old as you wish milady!" George finished as he halted the steed upon reaching
the tailor shop. He easily dismounted and held up a hand to aid Gwen in her
descent.
"Well in that case..." She began, taking his hand and hopping off the
horse. "I'm old enough to know that I very much enjoy being in your
presence."
"I see. Old enough to know better but live on the edge in spite of it.
Fair enough." He winked at her as they entered the shop. "Robert!" George
called in greeting to the tailor. "How are you? I have a favor to ask-I
seemed to have ruined this lovely lady's gown through my carelessness. I was
hoping you could help us?" Turning to Gwen he said" Mr. Smith here is a
master with a needle and thread."
"The Prince is too kind." The tailor said, flattered. Indeed the young lady's
dress was in bad shape but it took weeks to make a dress. " I would be happy
to make something for you to have in the future but as for right this
minute.....Ah ha! I shall be right back." Disappearing in the back he
returned with a beautiful deep rose colored gown. " This was to be for Lady
Stevens' daughter but she and her husband had a bit of a spat and he refused
to pay for it. It might fit her" he said holding the gown out. "there is a
room in the back if you would like to try..."
Gwen gasped, not prepared for such kindness. The dress was absolutely
beautiful. "Your Highness...good sir...surely...I could not accept
such a gift...it would hardly be fitting...and besides...I would ruin
the dress! Such a gown is meant for Queens...not a humble woman like
myself..."
"Rubbish!" George exclaimed. "It is meant for no one but you."
"The color would do well on you Madam" the tailor agreed. "And would
look lovely at the ball." Robert only assumed that anyone as close to
the Prince as this woman appeared to be would naturally be going to
His ball.
"The ball! I completely forgot!" George said shaking his head at his
forgetfulness. "Surely you need a place to show yourself off in a new
frock! Gwen, in two weeks a ball shall be held in celebrating my
engagement. I would be honored if you would attend..."
"Engagement?" She let go of the piece of the dress she had been
holding, to see how the material felt, and stared at him, her
disappointment clearly over her features. She also couldn't hide the
little note of fear in her eyes...she'd been flirting with the future
Princess/Queen's husband. The odds were against her here...but...it
was all nothing more than a game! All she needed now was a better
strategy...
Looking around to make sure Robert wasn't eavesdropping, George leaned
in and whispered " You didn't know? I am sorry Gwen, I assumed........" He
trailed off, unsure of what to say. Well this made things demmed awkward. He
had only played up to her games because he assumed she knew nothing could be
done about them...
"Oh Highness...I do hope this doesn't cancel any future meetings
between us? I so love your company...and I haven't any friends in
London besides yourself..."
"Well that shall be remedied at the ball" George replied with a kind
smile. " I cannot make promises concerning future meetings.......but being
attached has never stopped me before." His voice had grown lower, taking on a
seductive tone that always appeared when discussing such matters. Clearing
his throat when Robert reappeared, he urged Gwen to try on the dress.
His tone of voice caused her to shiver...or was it just the draft
floating in the room just then? She wasn't sure, and honestly, she
really didn't much care at the moment. "Then you'll introduce me to
people at your ball?"
"Of course I shall. And you will outshine us all no doubt." He
said kindly, trying to make them both feel a little less embarrassed
after their mistake. HE did note however that she didn't respond to
his comment about seeing her again. Perhaps she was not the type of
woman he was taking her to be.....
When he persists in her trying on the dress, she concedes and takes
it back into the changing area. She takes a fairly long time getting
dressed, as all women do, but finally she is ready. "If I hear one
chortle of laughter from either of you..." She leaves the warning
hanging in the air, allowing the men to imagine their punishment
however they so choose.
" I promise you shall not hear a peep out of me Madam." he said
chuckling at her.
She comes back, the dark color of the dress accenting her red hair
and brightening her eyes. She does a little turn of sorts before
curtseying before the two men. "Well, what do you think?"
He stared. She looked stunning. She had been transformed from an
attractive young lady you might have given a second glance to, into a
beautiful woman who commanded your attention. "I promised not a peep
but I cannot help it. Gwen you look breathtaking my dear." George
complimented.
"You really think so?" She frowned inwardly at her attitude, as she'd
reverted back to her young, hopeful air a moment. She'd never
received such a compliment, and it was indeed flattering. But in this
game, she could not act as though words like this never came her way.
She needed to accept them graciously, and with an air suggesting such
words meant nothing to her because she heard them often. "I think
you're just flattering sir! A man will say anything to get what he
wants." She managed to keep from scampering over to the nearest
mirror to gaze at the beautiful gown. She didn't own anything quite
so lovely at home. But again, he did not know that.
"That can be true Gwen." George agreed. Though he did not say
he was very often guilty of that. "But I mean it most sincerely."
Smiling a smug, and sly smile of sorts (say that ten times fast) she
managed to gracefully move over to a mirror, making it look as though
she were floating. Indeed, she looked much better now than in that
muddy little thing she'd been wearing earlier. There was only one
thing missing..."Robert...do you happen to sell bonnets or hats of
any kind? Something with feathers, preferably..." She cocked her head
to one side and looked intently, as though she could actually see a
hat already atop her head and was studying every aspect
carefully. "Something that tilts to the side was well I think...What
do you think, Your Highness?"
George smiled. Gwen was already acting like she owned the place.
Her enthusiasm amused him and her constant rebuttals kept him on his
toes. It was an exciting game they played. Robert had begun to move
to the back of the store to do Gwen's bidding but George stopped
him. "No bonnets or hats Robert. She should not be covered up so. A
rose needs to be regarded not covered."
"A rose Highness?" She smiled, turning back to him and Robert. "Of
course, you know to be careful with roses. Their sweet smell and air
of beauty are indeed a thing to be regarded. But, by the by, it is
the thorns, in the end, that we remember."
Was she warning him? It appeared so. George gave a wicked grin
and said low enough so that only she could hear " But likewise the
rose should beware of the gardener." Leaving her to contemplate his statement
he went over to settle the bill with Robert.
She could already feel the heat moving up into her cheeks as he
turned to pay for the gown. She knew soon she'd be as red as the hair
atop her head if she didn't get herself under control. Something
about his last statement frightened her a little...but at the same
time, it excited her! She could get into a lot of trouble if the
parents of his fiancée were to hear of his other...well...
She picked up her skirt slightly to keep it from dragging on the
ground, and moved quickly to pull on her other clothes. She felt much
less beautiful in the other dress...still caked with mud
and...somehow far more dull in comparison. The color just wasn't as
bright...and she felt somewhat inadequate in it. The Prince had
certainly been much more free with his conversation and flattery when
she was in that...would other men feel the same? Was she not worth
it, unless she looked the part...
She shook her head quickly and gently lifted the gown from the bench
she'd rested it upon. She wouldn't think about it. She'd be so
charming, and so clever and witty, and everything she wasn't, if it
meant entertaining men and making them love her more...
Silently, she left the dressing room and moved up behind Prince
George.
"Ready to go little flower?" George asked, turning. There
was no need to worry about Robert mentioning his visit to anyone of
importance. From the little the tailor had overheard Gwen could be
little more then another relative, perhaps a younger sister of
Caroline's that he was fond of and was showing around. Robert quickly
wrapped up the gown and the two walked outside.
Quickly places the smile back upon her lips and nods her head in
agreement. "Thank you, Robert. Your work is wonderful!" Leaning in
closer to him, and whispering loud enough for George to hear, "I
promise you...I'll be back to get that hat I mentioned." Waving
cheerfully to him upon her departure, she took hold of the Prince's
arm again and followed him to his horse. "It makes me wonder
Sire...you invited me only to your ball out of charity, I suspect.
You'd never have done so if Robert hadn't opened his mouth and
embarrassed you so. I assure you...I won't come. I don't belong among
Royalty any more than you do away from it. I doubt I'd be able to
uphold myself in a Court such that you'll have present. I would most
certainly end up embarrassing myself!"
"You" he said lifting her onto the horse. "are coming. True I had
forgotten about it and may not have thought to invite you but I have
and I wish you to attend. And I don't see how it is possible that you
would embarrass yourself. From what I've seen you are more then
capable of holding your own in a conversation." Mounting up behind
her, he slid his arm around to her front and grabbed the reigns. He
placed a hand on her waist but only to keep her balanced, not as
tightly or flirtatiously as he had before. Her feathers were ruffled
and he knew when to let off.
She nodded some, her only assessment to his comments. She would go,
of course. And she would hold up her act, and possibly dazzle a few
people and capture some hearts.
It was later than she'd thought, she noticed, and was also a little
surprised to find that keeping up her front had quite exhausted her.
Realizing she had but a little ways to go, she rested back against
the Prince, stifling a yawn. "Forgive me Highness...but I fear our
outing has quite exhausted me...I need only a moment to rest..."
Moving a little closer and shifting some to get as comfortable as
possible, considering she is in a saddle, she closes her eyes for a
moment.
George was a sucker for a pretty smile and a soft form. Lucky for
him she was not as offended as he had thought. "Where shall I drop
you off?" He whispered softly, not wanting too disturb her too much.
Slipping his arm beneath hers he wrapped it closely around her waist.
This move served two purposes. One, to keep her steady in her new
position and two, to see how far she was willing to let this go. He
wanted to see how she would respond. She had either been
purposefully playing up to him all this time or had been to naive to
notice his advances. Though he was not sure how she could have missed
it. No, he decided, Gwen was aware he was flirting. But was she
willing to follow her flirting through?
A small smile spread over her lips when she heard him whisper to her.
It almost sent a shiver of excitement down her spine. She'd never
been so close to any male not of relation...and for a moment she
wasn't sure what to do. She'd heard nothing about Prince's habit of
taking on a lot of women...she wasn't sure if he'd mentioned it
before either...but if he had, it slipped her mind presently. He'd
slipped his arm around her and suddenly that's all she could
concentrate on. She knew her lips had slipped into a larger smile,
and, almost as though the habit had become instinct, she moved closer
to him, snuggling and cuddling more than before. She was starting to
let his advances get to her...she was starting to like them. And she
wanted him to know that. She hoped she was letting her message out
loud and clear...
He had told her before that being attached had never stopped him from
seeing other women, she had been told he was engaged, and he'd hinted that
she should be careful. Obviously, Gwen felt she was adult enough to handle
the situation for she responded with enthusiasm. It never occurred to him that
Gwen did not fully comprehend what she was getting herself into. "Where shall
I take you?" George repeated since he had not received an answer, his mouth
close to her ear. He slowed down the pace of the horse and slowly, almost
imperceptibly, he brought his other arm around. Now both arms were wrapped
around Gwen's thin form and he held the reigns in front of them both, quite
comfortable. Not wanting to be seen since most of England had gotten word
that he was engaged, he veered off the main road to a wood path, waiting for
an answer from Gwen.
"Take me wherever you like, Your Highness...I've no desire to go home
just now...If you must be going...I suppose you can leave me right
here. I'll walk home after I've rested up a moment or two."
Take me wherever you like? Had he heard correctly? Well wasn't she
accommodating! Thinking quickly George realized that spending anymore time
with this young creature was near impossible. He was expected for supper and
it was already well past the lunch hour. He might be able to squeeze in a
moment with Sophia but that too was doubtful. The two rode further ahead
until the wooded pathway ended met the road. "It appears we must part
company" George said sighing. Swinging a leg over the saddle he dismounted,
carrying Gwen with him. Placing her firmly on the ground he dusted off his
britches. Raising himself up to his full height, George solemnly raised her
chin with his fingertips and stared. " You would do best to be wary of me
Gwen Calder. Once you let me in it is hard to shut me out." He did not know
why he felt the need to warn this girl, she had already made it plain by her
actions that she was prepared to handle the consequences. He did not know her
age but something made her seem so young...
"There's no need to warn me, Highness..." She was surprised he would
even bother. She wondered if perhaps he wasn't quite aware of her
true character. "I assure you...I am quite capable of taking care of
myself." Giving him no more to think on, she quickly pulled her
wrapped gown down from his horse and held it carefully and closely to
herself.
Giving her a soft wink George mounted his horse again, saluted, and rode off.
Turning to look back as he started away, she stopped herself
and just walked away, not glancing back. She didn't know the feelings
she was having suddenly...but she knew that, in a way, she liked them.
George shook his head in wonder. She was quite a character. They had
just met but she had been as forward with him as he was with the women he
hunted. It unnerved and excited him both at once. His energy was high and he
needed an outlet. Getting back on track with his original plans he rode to
Sophia's. He spent the remainder of the afternoon being fussed over by yet
another of his many women friends. Unchaperoned, uninterrupted time with a
female calmed George's nerves. Nothing of consequence occurred and George
still made it back in time to dine with his family. The meal was excellent,
the conversation enticing but there was no mention of George's eventful day.