Jack cleared his throat, repressing the urge to renew his angry charges. After all, it was partly because of his father’s former cowardice that he knew he had to fight for Sophie. The contrast between what Prince Raoul had failed to do for Clara and what Jack was willing to do for Sophie was stark. His love made him even more protective of her, and he was determined to do what was best for her.
His perspective as an adult was also different from when he was a child. When he was younger, he hadn’t understood the sacrifices his mother had made to follow her heart, why she had given up everything to be with her prince. But now he did. And he was prepared to do the same for Sophie.
Jack might have spoken, but his father was still reminiscing. “I hope you may follow a different path from mine, Jack. I married unhappily. Our union was not bitter, but there was no joy, no love, no passion. I wish you to have the kind of love I once had with your mother. Vraiment—in truth … the chief reason I came to England was to extend to you a reprieve. I have thought carefully about the choice you are facing. You should not be compelled to become my heir or be forced to live in my country.”
Jack felt a sharp clutch in his chest. “You would release me from our agreement?”
“Oui. Your sole reason for accepting my offer was to appease her father, was it not?”
“Yes.”
“You will have a legitimate right to the title of prince, whether or not you rule.”
The tightness inside him eased, as if an enormous burden had been lifted from him—which indeed it had. “I would be very grateful to be spared the responsibility. And your country would be better off. You said your throne will go to your distant relative? Whether you dislike him or not, a citizen of Navartania will make a better ruler than I could, since I am a stranger to your customs and people.”
“Perhaps.” Prince Raoul sighed. “I am resigned to Louis wearing my crown. As I told you once before, I do not care about the succession as much as I care about you. If you are not required to live apart from her family in England, Miss Fortin’s parents may be more amenable to your suit.”
“That might indeed help to persuade them. I am certain they wouldn’t like having her so far away.”
“What else may I do to help you, Jack?”
The prince was actually serious, he realized. There was nothing he wanted from his father, but he couched his reply in softer terms. “Thank you, but I can manage the rest on my own.”
“What of lands and fortune? I own numerous estates in Navartania and several in southern France. I could gift your bride with one of my estates as a dowry, or sign one over to her parents as a marriage settlement.”
“You are very generous, your highness.”
The prince shrugged. “All my lands would have belonged to you had I been a real father to you. You may do with them as you wish—even present them to Monsieur Fortin.”
“I suspect he would welcome the largess, but that would not be enough to win his support.”
“I could perhaps create a Navartanian title for him.”
Jack shook his head. “Fortin has a disdain for anything foreign, but rank is important to him. He is still angry that his line was deprived of his grandfather’s title. The barony would have made him nobility. I may not succeed in elevating Fortin to the peerage, but I am investigating the purchase of a baronetcy or a knighthood for him.”
The prince’s eyebrow rose. “A title can be purchased here in England?”
The corner of Jack’s mouth curled. “For a price. Our Prince Regent is such a profligate, he is always short of funds. It is not uncommon for him to exchange a title for a form of bribe. Officially I will petition the Crown through the Lord Chancellor. Unofficially, I will offer Prinny a loan, which will of course never be repaid.”
The prince looked thoughtful. “That might solve your dilemma.”
“I sincerely hope so. Since my return to London, I have been working like the devil to have Fortin’s name added to the Honors list.”
His father nodded sagely. “I should have expected you to act. I could see clearly that you love Miss Fortin, from the first moment I saw you with her.”
Jack almost smiled. Even he hadn’t acknowledged his love then. “Was I that obvious?”
“Indeed, yes. I cannot imagine that you would let your love slip away.”
“No,” Jack said emphatically. Sophie was his other half, and he would move heaven and earth to be with her, even if it had taken far too long for him to recognize his true feelings. “Fortin’s last rejection of my suit is another setback, but in the end, I will prevail, no matter what it takes.”
“You are your mother’s son after all. If I may be so bold as to ask … what is the sum required for this bribe?”
“It is hefty, perhaps upward of ten thousand pounds.”
“Will you at least permit me to contribute the full amount?”
Jack hesitated, but seeing the earnest expression on his father’s face made him relent. “If you like. Your funds will be put to good use.”