Recklessly Yours Read Online Free

that when you find my colt, you will know it beyond a doubt.”
    Alarm shoved Holly a half step backward. When Her Majesty had called upon Laurel, it was to investigate a royal cousin whom Victoria had suspected of treason. When Ivy’s turn came, she was charged with recovering an electromagnetic stone that had been stolen from the royal apartments at Buckingham Palace. In both cases, the cousin and the stone had been known to exist. They had been seen , not only by Victoria, but by others of her household and acquaintance as well.
    But this colt! How could Holly be sure the head groom wasn’t at this moment settling the animal back in its stall? Especially when William himself could not with any authority prove the colts were not one and the same?
    She tried to choose her words carefully. “What if . . . just supposing . . . I am unable to find your colt?”
    Victoria strode to her and seized her shoulders. “Oh, but you must. You see, I don’t intend keeping him for myself. He is to be a gift to His Royal Highness, Prince Frederick of Prussia. The prince has already seen the colt and expects to take possession of him directly following the Royal Ascot a fortnight from now. Delivering any but the promised colt could be seen as an insult, a mockery, and could spark an international incident.”
    Victoria spoke in a desperate rush that left her breathless and flushing bright crimson. Holly pressed a hand to her cheek. “Do calm yourself. Of course I shall help you. Let us make ourselves comfortable on the settee, and you can explain everything.”
    Only slightly more composed, Victoria plucked at her skirts as she settled on the cushions, then found Holly’s hand and clung to it. “Prussia’s king is infirm and aging, and it is only a matter of time before the younger Frederick assumes the crown. Lord Melbourne feels the prince provides us with the perfect opportunity to strengthen our ties with Prussia, for if the wars with Napoleon taught us anything, it is the benefit of strong allies.”
    â€œYes, of course.” Holly’s brows drew inward. “And you wish to give Prince Frederick the colt as a gesture of goodwill.”
    â€œExactly. The prince greatly admired the colt when he was here last week. He’s traveling now, but he fully expects to claim the colt at the closing of the Royal Ascot. I even named the animal Prince’s Pride, and though he is too young to race in this year’s meeting, my intention was to show him off and create a bit of a stir in the racing world, thus adding value to Frederick’s gift. He’s quite a horseman himself and a racing enthusiast.”
    â€œI see. But . . .” Holly patted the back of Victoria’s hand as she quickly debated the wisdom of repeating her doubts. She concluded that with such a tenuous mission, she owed it to her monarch to be honest. “In the event the original colt cannot be found—”
    â€œYou must find him.” Victoria released Holly’s hand and sprang to her feet, beginning an erratic circuit of the room. “My reign so far has been . . . less than smooth. There are those who say I have made mistakes. . . .”
    Victoria’s voice trailed off and Holly thought of the recent headlines. Earlier this spring, Victoria had publicly but wrongly accused one of her ladies-in-waiting, Flora Hastings, of being with child. Lady Flora had proved chaste but gravely ill, and the queen’s behavior over the incident had caused a dreadful scandal. The wave of disapproval had barely died down when Lord Melbourne had temporarily fallen from power, and Victoria had refused to honor the request of her new prime minister, Sir Robert Peele, that she replace her Whig ladies-in-waiting with those from Tory families. Her stubborn denial had resulted in another political turnover, with Peele stepping down and Lord Melbourne returning to office.
    There had been whispers that the