Silk and Shadows(35)

"You think that your father would have preferred a son?"

"Isn't that what all men want?" Eliza said with a show of nonchalance, as if only one answer was possible.

Sara frowned. No doubt the girl had once overheard adults lamenting the fact that Charles's wife had not borne him a son, and had been agonizing over the casual words ever since. "Back in the days when a man's land had to be defended by the sword, sons were very useful, but now it doesn't matter so much. My father once said that it would have been nice if he'd had a son to inherit the title, but only if the son was in addition to me, not instead of me. I know your father feels the same way."

Eliza looked up, wanting to believe. "You really think so?"

"I know so," Sara said reassuringly. "Your father has told me how much he is looking forward to having you again. But he's a very busy man, and he knew that after your mother died, you'd be lonely. That's why he agreed when your uncle offered to take you in. He thought you'd be happier with the company of your aunt and your cousins."

"Sometimes there is too much of it!" Eliza remarked, her face brighter. "There are six of them, and only one of me."

"But you'll miss them after you've moved. It's lucky that you aren't going far." Sara caught the girl's gaze with her own. "Never forget that your father loves you very much—more than he does me or anyone else."

Eliza's first expression of happiness was replaced by anxiety. "If that's true, do you mind dreadfully?"

"Not at all. Love isn't a competition, nor is it like a pot of tea, with only a certain amount to give away before it's all gone. Men love their wives and children in different ways. Perhaps love for a child is stronger because the child is part of you." Sara chuckled. "I sound like such an authority, don't I? Rather silly when I've never had either child or husband."

Eliza wrapped her arms around Sara's waist in a quick hug. "But soon you'll have both."

"Yes, and I'm so lucky to start with a grown daughter. If I have a baby, it will be years before we can go shopping together!"

They were both laughing when a deep voice said, "Are these private ducks, or can I ask for an introduction?"

Turning from the water in unison, the two females discovered Peregrine dismounting from the mist gray stallion he had bought at Tattersall's. He had been riding along Rotten Row, which at this point was only a few yards from the little lake. Though today he was in proper riding gear, he had disdained a hat and his wind-tousled black hair gave him a rakish air. Definitely a sight to warm the heart of any female. Certainly Sara's heart—or something in that vicinity—warmed at the sight.

With a sigh of delight, Eliza sank into a curtsy deep enough to honor the queen herself. It was an even better curtsy than the first time she had met the prince; Sara suspected that the girl had been practicing. Not that Sara could fault Eliza's judgment, because Peregrine looked more worthy of royal honors than any member of the House of Hanover ever had.

"These are public ducks," Sara replied with a smile. "They're a disorderly lot, so you'll have to introduce yourself to them. They've no respect for rank."

"Ducks are nature's own democrats," the prince agreed. "Miss Weldon, did you know that it is possible to lure ducks onto land by laying a trail of bread from the water?"

"Really?" Eliza immediately began coaxing ashore the braver—or greedier—waterfowl. Soon she was leading a waddling entourage down the bank of the Serpentine.

"Well done, Your Highness." Sara stroked the velvety muzzle of his horse. "With Eliza surrounded by quacking ducks, you and I can converse in perfect privacy if you wish."

"What a devious mind you have, Lady Sara," he said, giving her a wounded look. "Do you think I am always so scandalous that I must enlist ducks to protect the tender ears of innocence?"

Sara was fascinated by the way frivolity overlaid the prince's natural intensity. He had the dashing corsair appearance of a Byronic hero, yet he could tease about ducks. "I expect that when you want something, you will use whatever comes to hand, even greedy water birds."

He stilled, as if her words struck him in an unexpected way. Then he glanced at Eliza. "She's a pretty child."

"Yes, she favors her father in looks, but I'm told her disposition is more like her mother's. Charles adores her."

"Really?" Peregrine cocked his thick brows quizzically. "He doesn't strike me as the sort to be a doting father."

"You don't know him very well." Seeing that Eliza was out of bread, Sara called out to the girl, then tossed her own half loaf over so Eliza could continue playing Lady Bountiful.