“Even if you solve that puzzle,” August reminded him, “there’s no guarantee you’ll like the picture that puzzle makes when it’s completed.”
“That’s always a risk, especially when I’m completing the puzzle blindfolded. At the moment, the only positive thing Crown Prince Rupert has going for him is the fact that he does fill out a pair of trousers in a most delightful fashion, which is a shame, because the rest of him is nowhere near as appealing. Face it, there is a good chance he doesn’t find men attractive at all.”
“And yet he’s only sought husbands in the past.” August wrinkled his nose. “He seems to have a marriage type, that much is obvious.”
“It’s nice to know I have something in common with Prince Remy and Prince Syrius, and even King Consort Jaq. But enough about me. The whole day has been about me and this wedding, and for better or worse, it is now done. I’m worried about you. You seem moodier than normal,” Winter added. There was no point in dwelling on the things he couldn’t change. “Are you sure you’re comfortable with this trip to Southland?”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” August nodded. “Now King Harvey’s there with his queen, I think the World Council just wants to ensure the stability of the region has not been threatened by the change in rule. No, it’s not the job. Perhaps, I’m getting old.” August smiled, but it was brief. “Watching you get married todaymade me think about how much I’d like to be married as well. But even though I’m older than you by a good four years…”
“Three-and-a-half years,” Winter insisted. It was a common jest between them. “You’re only older than me by three years and five months.”
“Older I might be, but I’m not the crown prince, because Joseph is older than us all. Which means, unless I happen to catch somebody’s eye like you did, I’m likely to remain unmarried for quite some time. I can’t get home often enough to court anybody in Martingale.”
“Oh.” Winter grinned. “I thought there was someone you were interested in, a few months ago. It’s Lady Portia, isn’t it? Tell me I’m right.”
“There’s no point in discussing it. I’m never home long enough to court anyone. I’ve been traveling with you, and we’ve been to Monce. Now we’re here. In about a week or so, I’ll start heading for Southland. I’ve got no idea when I’m going to be back in Martingale. And Southland is a lot farther away from Martingale than Simigile is.”
Winter felt immediately guilty. “August, you know if you said something to Father or Joseph, then they’d have you back in Martingale in a flash. I’m sure half the time us younger ones are sent traveling so often, is that our father hopes we’ll find someone who would make a good match. If you’ve already found someone…”
“I’m not even sure if the lady knows of my interest,” August admitted. “It’s not like I’ve had the chance to discuss anything with her. There’s a good chance that by the time I finally do get back to Martingale, she could be wed, or at least promised to someone else.”
“August, no, don’t be like that.” Winter already knew he’d signed away his right to a happy marriage the day he put his signature to the papers pledging him to his husband. August deserved so much better. “You know how to write a letter, don’t you? Last I heard, you were a dab hand with the quill. Why don’t you write to this lady of interest? I’m sure it’s Lady Portia. Better yet, write to Father and ask him if he would entertain you approaching her father so that you could court her.
“I realize it could be a few months before you get back to Martingale, but imagine how fast the time will pass if you were receiving letters from a special someone in the meantime.”
“I’ll consider it,” August said. “I may send a message to Joseph and see what he thinks.” He shook his head. “I would never insult you, and you know that. But seeing you exchange your vows today with a man who couldn’t even look at you… I hate that for you.”
“As I said, it’s not so bad.” Winter flung his hand out, indicating the room. “At least the bed’s comfortable, and we’ve slept in worse places. I can handle this.”
“I’m not doubting your ability to handle this situation, the same as you’ve handled the many others you’ve been through over the years. But the idea of committing to a loveless marriage – I couldn’t do it.” August shook his head. “Actually, just thinking about it gives me the impetus to make sure this doesn’t happen to me. If you don’t need anything, I’m going to make my excuses and leave you to your own company. I’ve got a couple of letters to write.”
Winter smiled and nodded as August got up and left the room. His suite was at the other end of the hallway. His smile lasted until the sound of August’s feet on the tiles disappeared and then he sighed, and poured himself another drink. Leaning backin the chair and straightening out his legs, Winter let his mind wander.
The mystery that is the Crown Prince Rupert. The only problem with the mystery, Winter conceded, was that it would be helpful to be close to the source of that mystery to be able to solve it, which could be a problem. He had no doubt that his new husband would have left the castle before he’d even had breakfast in the morning.
And that’s a puzzle in itself, isn’t it, Rupert dear, he thought.What is it about this castle, or the people in it, that has you on the run all the time?
Chapter Nine
There was something going on with Tristan. Rupert didn’t normally bother himself with the hassles or annoyances that anybody in his inner circle might have to deal with. He was above all that. But Tristan was getting to the point where he was being annoying to Rupert, so it had become his problem.
It had been a week since Rupert decided to make a strategic retreat from the castle after his debacle of a wedding. He had engagements already planned, and he needed time to think, so in his head, he would continue his usual schedule of events until he felt like doing otherwise - whenever that might be.
Winter’s words on the dance floor kept intruding on his thoughts more often than Rupert liked to admit. No one had ever held his eye and told him he’d made a mistake before, yet Winter did. There was also the peacock reference. Rupert was sure the only person he’d mentioned that to was Tristan…which cast Tristan’s current behavior in a negative light.
Rupert had imagined, rather naively, he realized in hindsight, that being able to continue his life the way he always had after the wedding wouldn’t be a problem. Unfortunately, it proved very problematic, especially when everybody he typically associated with had all been at his wedding.
He’d privately fumed that if one more person turned round and said, “Oh, hasn’t your husband accompanied you? He’s such a delightful and personable young man, we’d love to get to know him better,” Rupert was going to hit someone. He wasn’t sure who. It’s not like he could just hit a person speaking to him because he felt like it.
It was only decades of training in behaving in a princely manner, which included keeping his thoughts to himself, that had Rupertmanaging to carry on with the hunt as though nothing else was happening.
If he was asked specifically about his husband, he simply said that Crown Prince Consort Winter was settling himself at the Simigile castle and attending to his father and advisers on matters of state. It all sounded vague enough to be plausible. In truth, Rupert had no idea what Winter was doing, and told himself often he didn’t care.
On the odd occasion that somebody did push for more information, Rupert would remind the questioner that Simigile was far more advanced than a poor country like Martingale, and therefore, Crown Prince Consort Winter had a lot to learn and adjust to. Rupert didn’t know if that was true or not, but because he said it, he expected people to believe him.
But Rupert was neither blind nor deaf, and he knew the rumor mill was spreading. It was likely he was going to have to at least attend one event with his husband on his arm, or otherwise, people would start to talk to his detriment. Because, for some reason that Rupert couldn’t work out at all, it wasn’t Winter’s reputation that was suffering, but Rupert’s.
They were currently staying at the Middlethorp estate – Tristan’s home base, although as he usually traveled with Rupert, he was barely ever there. Every year, the Middlethorps held a week-long hunt specifically for Crown Prince Rupert’s benefit. Rupert enjoyed hunting across the vast Middlethorp grounds and had previously anticipated the large ball that would be held at the end of the week.
