Page 49 of Prince of Scandal

Osbourne inclined his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. “An old greatcoat and dirty boots is a commendable disguise, Your Highness. Your esteemed father and mother would be even more ashamed if they could see you now. And hear you. A Prussian prince not even sounding Prussian. How the mighty have fallen.”

“Still as obnoxious as ever,” Ashton replied, yearning to beat the man to a pulp for the smirk alone. “But you didn’t answer the question, my lord. What are you doing at Rose Cottage?”

The major sighed. “I would never willingly set foot in Norfolk. Especially a village this isolated and lacking in refinements. But we had to fetch Lady Georgiana Nash. My betrothed.”

Ashton blinked. “Betrothed?”

“Yes. We’re not staying—back to London today, thank God. Plenty to prepare before our wedding at St. George’s in three weeks. Gigi wants all the pomp and ceremony and Kingsford is happy to foot the bill, so who am I to complain? A short engagement, yes, but better that than tongues wagging at a rounded belly.”

The words struck with the force of a battering ram.

Georgiana was pregnant?

Ashton’s mind froze then spun, black spots blurred his vision, and for one horrible moment he thought he might pass out. “She…she never mentioned that,” he stuttered, every part of him violently rejecting the claim. Georgiana had cuddled in his lap. Sobbed in his arms. Orgasmed again and again as he pleasured her. Begged him to fill her.

She didn’t love Rupert Osbourne; she had left him gladly behind. They couldn’t be betrothed. Or expecting a babe.

“Why would she?” said the major impatiently, flicking a speck of dirt from his sleeve. “You’re a neighbor. Not important to her or the Nash family for that matter…oh dear. Did she charm you? Gigi has that effect on men. She is uncommonly beautiful, if far too fond of dessert, as her figure declares. But I shall take her gluttony and coquettish nature in hand; as Baroness Osbourne she’ll be a proper and decorous wife.”

“Fourth time fortunate?” Ashton bit out, both hating the man and rocked to the core that there were even more lies than he thought.

A slow, malicious smile curved Osbourne’s lips. “Perhaps. I must say, I do enjoy fucking Gigi. Especially when she’s reluctant. Unready. Such a tight little pussy…quite similar to dear Virginia, may she rest in peace.”

Before his mind could even weigh the decision, a feral snarl tore from Ashton’s chest and his hands curled around the major’s lapels, lifting him several inches off the ground. “You fucking bastard. Sleep with one eye open.”

“Put me down, Your Highness,” Osbourne choked out, his hands slapping ineffectually at Ashton’s grip. “Tis not my fault…they prefer me to you.”

“I know you shackled Virginia. And later killed her.”

“She needed to be taught a lesson. Thankfully, everyone believes you shackled her, among many other crimes. A depraved Prussian with a redhead’s temper, plotting the downfall of our realm. As for her death, you have no proof. If such accusations were made…I would be forced to retaliate.”

“Retaliate? How?” growled Ashton. “You already stole my betrothed. My position. My reputation.”

“Virginia was mine first,” wheezed Osbourne. “Her panting after you halted a most adequate match between the Sloane and Osbourne families. But it was surprisingly easy to get her back and turn the world against you. Deep down, English are for the English. They’re deeply suspicious of foreigners, no matter how well born.”

A surprising truth from a forked tongue. Never would Ashton have imagined that being a wealthy Prussian prince might leave him so…isolated. Powerless. Despised. How swift they’d all been to believe the worst, all on Osbourne’s word.

His grip on the major’s lapels faltered, and the older man landed on the ground with a thud. “You’re a sack of shit.”

The major laughed, a decidedly chilling sound. “And you’re quite taken with Gigi. Aren’t you, dear boy? What a shame if something happened to her after my heir is born. It happens, you know. Stomach illness, nasty fall, accidental drowning…”

What? Osbourne was so evil, so confident in his invincibility, he’d just stated the ways his previous wives had died.

Swallowing his rage, Ashton stared at the major. “Men like you always have a price. Name it.”

“Five thousand pounds, paid promptly on the first of each month,” said Osbourne smoothly. “As long as you stay away from London and I receive the money, my dear wife will remain hale and hearty. Let’s hope you are more reliable than previous sources. Oh, and if you tell anyone, I will destroy you. Do not forget, Your Highness, you have no friends in England. Good day, now.”

As the major sauntered away, whistling, pure fury burned through Ashton.

He would rescue Georgiana from her betrothal. Avenge Virginia and the other two women who had fallen victim to an aristocratic monster.

Even if it was the last thing he ever did.

CHAPTER 11

They had made it to London without bloodshed, and that fact alone should ensure her direct ascension to heaven when the time came.

Georgiana groaned in relief as she stepped out onto the footpath in front of Kingsford House. Being trapped in a carriage for two full days of jolting, rocking, perspiration-scented travel would be enough to try anyone’s patience, but with her grandmother it was actual torture. The only time she’d had any relief from the constant barrage of insults, lectures, and reminders of all her mistakes had been when Grandmother napped.