Chapter 95: New Connections Part 3
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As promised Pentam and Crysabel made an appearance, made a circuit of the room so the ladies could coo over the coming child. They left soon after.
"His Highness Prince Alfred," intoned a deep voice from the entryway as a younger version of the Crown Prince sauntered into the room. Cal watched him curiously. He was the first royalty she'd seen other than Prince Hubert. Prince Alfred stopped in front of her.
"You have to be Lady Shillingsworth." He inclined his head slightly as Cal curtseyed. "My brother has said you are a brilliant engineer. I am glad to have you working for us, though I must confess to utter ignorance about engines and such."
"What does interest you, Your Highness?"
He tilted his head at her and eyed her for a long couple of breaths.
"The arts, Lady Shillingsworth. What worth is it to have a secure and powerful nation, if we don't have the desire to create and celebrate beauty?"
"Indeed, Your Highness, art is the pulse of a nation."
"The pulse of a nation." Prince Alfred nodded his head. "I may just quote you when I beg for more funding for the frivolous." His voice twisted on the last word.
"I would be honoured." Cal curtseyed again.
"If you'll forgive me, Lady Shillingsworth, I must speak to more people. A gallery to hold the best of our nation's creative work is a dream of mine. I need to convince those who hold the purse strings of Anglia to loosen them in the name of art."
"If I may be so bold, your Highness, you may tell those you speak with that Lady Shillingsworth is an enthusiastic supporter of your dream."
"How enthusiastic?" Prince Alfred raised his eyebrows. His eyes looked doubtful. Clearly, others were happy to declare delight and less happy to act.
"I believe 20,000 sovereigns worth of enthusiasm. My business manager will have a draft ready for you when you require it."
"You're not joking, are you?" Prince Alfred briefly raised his hand to his temple as though he suddenly felt lightheaded. When he took and kissed her hand, she thought his eyes had an extra glisten to them. "Lady Shillingsworth, I am touched beyond your knowing."
"What on Earth did Prince Alfred find to talk to you about?" The Vice-Admiral asked once the young prince was a safe distance away.
"Art."
"Ah, yes, he's the sensitive one of the family."
Cal bristled at his dismissive tone.
"Vice-Admiral, when you teach young men to defend their country with their lives, do you ever talk about what they are defending?"
"What are you talking about?"
"The Navy exists to protect Anglia, so we can have people like Prince Alfred who desire to make the world a more beautiful place."
"I haven't heard it put that way before, but I can't argue with you. If we were all warriors, life would be dull indeed."
Cal headed home soon after. She spent the coach ride planning how she would explain the huge gift to her business manager. It would make no difference to how she lived, though it would mean they might have fingers in fewer pies. Smiling, she pulled her coat closer. It would be worth it to see the prince's dream come to fruition.
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