The prince’s hearty chuckle has me rounding on him, giving him a censuring look few others would dare. “Someone shall hear you!”
“I implore you to forgive me, Your Grace.” He sounds not at all chastened, though he does lower his voice. “I must confess, this news leaves me scandalized.”
I assess him to see if he is in earnest.
“I cannot think of any reason you have not fulfilled your marital duty. It is the reason you wed the lady, is it not? Is there some flaw she conceals that would render her?—”
“You go too far, Your Highness.” I am swift to cut off whatever else he may say of my lady wife. My indignation has risen so suddenly, I cannot stop it. I grit my teeth against worst words, clenching my hands at my sides lest I go any further.
“Forgive me, Gregor.” This time, the mirth in his eyes has vanished, and the tension in my shoulders recedes. “It was not my intention to give offense. You…you had me convinced you wished to…”
Returning my gaze to the dance floor, I give a single tight nod.
“Then, pray tell…I ask only as your friend.”
The gentle sincerity in his voice—so rare for a man always determined to be amused—convinces me he speaks the truth. “Iwish for her to understand that she will not lead me with her feminine wiles and desires. ThatIam lord and master of our home—of her. When I have her convinced of that, then we shall consummate our union.”
Though I do not pay him the honor of looking at him, I feel the heat of His Highness’s gaze. “So, you are still playing games then.”
I stiffen, though there is no accusation in his voice. “You do not understand. How could you? You are not married yet, and even when you are, you will not be wed to a woman who…”
“Because I will not be in love? Because I will one day be forced into reluctant rule?”
“No one will try to controlyou, Your Highness.”
My friend shocks me by laughing. “My dear Gregor, you surely cannot believe that! I see dozens of women paraded before me each fortnight, each bent on controlling me. The only question ishow.”
I regard him seriously. For a change, his blue eyes are somber. “I am sorry, James. Truly. I know if you had a choice, this would not be the life you would have chosen.”
He sighs, and I feel a twinge of guilt that I made him melancholy. It is one thing to have a sad future monarch. It is quite another to have a sad friend. “That is how such things are. Just as you could not choose your parentage, nor could your lady wife choose her husband.”
His words make me freeze. I turn my attention back to the duchess. Even from where I stand, I can see how she unconsciously leans toward the dancers, though she attempts to appear indifferent.
“Forgive me, Your Highness, but I believe I am needed elsewhere.”
“Yes… I believe you might be correct.”
I barely hear him as I have already begun to make my way down the winding staircase, my attention focused solely on my wife.
Duchess Freya
“The lemonade is quite exquisite this evening, is it not?”
I startle and look up to see Lord Pembroke observing me. “Forgive me, my lord, I fear I did not entirely hear you.”
His lips curve softly and his gaze radiates warmth. “No need to apologize, Your Grace. I was simply recommending the lemonade.”
“Oh. Thank you, sir. I do not believe I have had cause to try it.”
“Then perhaps you will allow me to fetch a glass for you.”
A ready answer springs to my lips, but I hesitate. It is perhaps frowned upon to accept an offer of refreshment from a man who is not your husband, but I cannot ever recall hearing so.
“Are you in need of refreshment, Your Grace?”
“Ah… yes, I would welcome some lemonade. Thank you, Lord Pembroke.”
As we are standing near the refreshments table, he returns with the drink in short order.
