“Your Highness,” Markham says, bowing his head. “Could I have a word with you alone?”
“No,” Elliot says at the same time I say, “Of course.”
“Freya,” Elliot growls, “you shouldn’t—”
“The day is not over,” I argue and slip from the wall to walk to Markham’s side, my pace less demure than it should be in case Elliottries to stop me. I reach Markham unhindered and turn back to Elliot in surprise.
He hasn’t moved from his spot on the wall despite the furious expression on his face. “Stay within sight,” he orders gruffly.
“Of course,” Markham replies, and offers me his arm. True to his word, he leads me only far enough that Elliot will not be able to hear our conversation, stopping next to one of the stone houses abutting the beach. My curiosity is nearly unbearable, so I am glad when he starts speaking immediately. “I’ve been wanting to have this conversation since meeting you in Breckenholt, so I’m grateful you’re willing to hear me out.”
“Be grateful my bodyguard is in a good mood,” I reply with a wry smile.
Markham returns the smile, though his eyes jump to Elliot with a flash of anxiety behind them. “Yes, well, it only makes sense that he wouldn’t trust me, under the circumstances.”
“The circumstances being that you are trying to usurp my birthright, yes.”
He bites the inside of his lips and seems to fight a laugh. “You don’t like to mince words, do you?”
“I believe a direct approach is always better.”
“In that case, I have a proposal for you.”
I tilt my head as my curiosity builds. While I was not fond of him after our first meeting, Markham has always intrigued me. His passion for Candora far exceeds that of most of his peers, and his ambition and perseverance are admirable. “What sort of proposal?”
“The literal sort.”
His words settle over me like a heavy blanket, muffling the sounds of the surf and people playing games as I process what he just said to me.The literal sort. That could mean a few things, but it seems as if he is suggesting… “I am not sure I understand,” I say slowly, as if the sluggishness of my speech might counteract the high velocity at which my brain is rolling through the possibilities. “Are you trying to say you are proposing—”
“Marriage, yes.” Markham purses his lips together when I gasp. “I know this seems to be coming from nowhere, but—”
“Did you just proposemarriageto the future queen of Candora?” Elliot asks, appearing at my side as if he teleported here. His voice is tight. Sharp. Like his expression. He must have read Markham’s lips like he did with me earlier and leapt into action.
“Yes, I believe he did,” I say breathlessly. I am suddenly dizzy, and the crash of waves and shouts of villagers become deafening beneath the sound of my heartbeat in my ears.
I cannot breathe, and I stare at Markham, hoping he will say something to contradict himself.
He does not. “I know it sounds absurd.”
“You’ve got that right,” Elliot growls, placing a steadying hand on my back.
“But give me a chance to explain.”
“Please do,” I mutter, forcing my lungs to fill. “As quickly and succinctly as possible.”
For some reason, Markham seems to find my direction amusing, and his smile does nothing to help the panic slowly rising in my chest. “You and I are opponents, but we both want what’s best for Candora. At the moment, we are dividing our people when we should be bringing them together. Candora’s strength has always been in the unity of its people, but right now the classes are more divided than they have been in over a century. You and I could bridge that gap.”
I swallow. “With…marriage?”
Markham nods, more animated now. “With you as the reigning monarch and me at your side as king, we could use our differences to our benefit. Address both sides of each issue. You will have the support ofthe noble class, and with my common background, the masses who have been left unheard will finally have a voice.”
I hate to admit it, but he makes a good point. The House of Commons was created for the purpose of benefiting those who are not of the nobility, but any decisions they make go to the House of Lords and the ruling monarch, who ultimately decide the laws of the country. There have been many attempted reforms that have been overturned by the time they reach the top, in part because the lords and ladies making the decisions have little to no experience with circumstances different from their own and cannot understand why a change may be needed.
If Markham and I were to become a united front, there would be a direct line from the people to the monarchy.
“You’re serious, Grim?” Elliot says, shifting forward. He’s watching Markham warily, his jaw tight. “Is this some convoluted way to get yourself into power without having to rely on votes?”
Calm as ever, Markham speaks to me rather than answering Elliot. “I told you my stance on marriage, and I wouldn’t propose the idea if I didn’t think it would benefit us both, as well as the kingdom. Nor do I expect you to give me an answer tonight. I know this came as a surprise.”
