Page 67 of Her Royal Houseguest

Deva burst out laughing. How could he not? His brother was flushed and irritated. Two things he usually poked at Deva for.

‘Miss Gray is pretty. She has a lush figure and a good dowry.’

‘She had a good dowry. When she did not marry in the last two years, she managed to take some of her money and invest it.’

‘How? She is a woman! Do the English allow such things?’

‘Not usually but she is unusual.’

He was beginning to see that. He’d never seen his brother so bothered. Not even with his monster of a mother.

‘Was it a wise investment?’ Deva asked.

He shook his head. ‘She is in trouble.’ He sighed. ‘I meant to sneak out tonight after the abbot fell asleep to help her.’

Deva leaned forwards. ‘London is not a safe place to wander alone at night. Certainly not in bright orange robes.’

Vaji rolled his eyes. ‘I was going to take your clothes.’

‘Also obvious.’ All of his clothes were made in the bright Siamese style.

‘Then we must purchase English clothing. Have you learned how to get English money?’

He had. ‘Come. I will teach you. And you will explain what Miss Gray has done to you.’

They worked companionably for a time. They spoke in Siamese of everything they had discovered between them. And they made plans though there was little they could do before negotiations began. And that was only after Prinny’s welcome banquet.

Until a knock sounded to interrupt their discussion.

‘Come in,’ said Deva, though this was not his sitting room.

The door opened to reveal Lady Anna come to thank him. Except the way she stood in the doorway showed that he had erred yet again. She did not seem thankful. Indeed, there was a simmering fury in her eyes.

She greeted the two of them politely as they rose from their seats. Then she passed over a sheet of foolscap to Deva.

‘What is this?’

‘Mama’s schedule for the rest of the week. I believe you asked for it?’

He glanced down at the page. Apparently, the duchess had a very busy social schedule. ‘But what about you? Which of these events do you plan to attend?’

‘None. I will be too busy hiring all new staff.’

‘But that is foolishness,’ he snapped. ‘I have need of you at these events.’

Her brow arched. ‘I thought you needed me to write your correspondence.’

He dipped his chin in a quick nod. It was to cover the growing heat in his cheeks. ‘I require your assistance in that as well.’ The truth was, he had been searching for a way to force them to spend time with each other honourably.

She spread her arms wide. ‘Well, then, I am here. How may I be of service, Your Royal Highness?’

Sarcasm burned in her tone. Vaji ducked his head, poorly hiding his smirk. If there were room, Deva would have kicked the man’s shin. Unfortunately, his brother was wise to his intention and moved backwards out of the room.

‘I leave you to your correspondence,’ he said in Siamese, knowing that the word correspondence meant a great deal more than just the reading and writing of letters.

‘So long as you keep yours in holy purity,’ he retorted in the same language.

Vaji’s expression darkened. Miss Phoebe Gray was clearly a sore trial to the man. And though the lady wasn’t in the highest status in England, it would be a terrible incident if she were compromised. Not to mention the shame of Monk Vaji doing something illicit with her.