I was pleased to see both my knights on their new horses. All my knights had taken time to get to know the horses, and from what I’d heard, the horses had more or less chosen their riders. Which was by far the easier way to work that out. Both steedsstayed perfectly in step with Titan, almost prancing under their riders. I could tell both people and beasts were pleased.
Dame Temperance cleared her throat while steering her horse up next to mine, giving me this arch look women seemed born knowing how to do. “So, Your Highness, what are we buying Edwin today?”
I considered her question and all its nuances for a full second. “I can’t be so predictable.”
“You are.” Captain Rowan’s almost bored sounding drawl was utterly belied by the mischief dancing in his dark brown eyes.
Not even bothered by this, I mused aloud, “I knew I was bad about spoiling him, but apparently I have depths here I didn’t realize. Thankfully, Edwin was distracted today. Otherwise I might have inadvertently given myself away.”
“Are you doing special spoiling today?”
I felt a bit shy answering her for some reason. “I’m ordering an engagement ring.”
Both of them sucked in startled breaths.
I wasn’t sure why. Could be any number of reasons. Valid reasons, for that matter. To their eyes, I hadn’t known or dated Edwin for long. It seemed rushed to even think of proposing now, even though it would take weeks for the ring to be made.
To me, though, this wasn’t weeks or months in the making. It wasyears.I’d yearned, dreamed, and desired this man for nine years. After all the missed, fumbled moments of my past life, I wasn’t about to repeat my mistakes. I wouldn’t let an opportunity pass by just because it didn’t seem like the right moment.
That said, I did worry if I was rushing things a mite. Edwin had no memory of our first life, after all. He made incredible allowances for me, knowing all I had lived through, but this might well be too much. His emotions might not run as strong oras deep for me yet. His soul may remember, but his heart hadn’t had the time to catch up.
I did believe, strongly, that he cared for me very much and desired me above all others. Surely, hopefully, he wanted me enough to agree to be engaged.
Could be wishful thinking, admittedly; I just longed to be married to him above all else.
“I might be rushing things a tad,” I told them both. “I want to propose by end of summer, you see.”
“You might be,” Captain Rowan allowed, studying me carefully as he spoke. “But I think I see why you’re so anxious, too. Before you entered the scene, no one really paid much romantic attention to Edwin.”
Yes, someone explain why. Even in our previous life together, Edwin hadn’t dated anyone after I met him. Which made no damn sense.
Captain Rowan’s frown deepened some more. “But now, all the maids and some of the squires suddenly are aflutter when talking to him. I’m not quite sure why.”
Dame Temperance rolled her eyes expressively. “You two need to pay better attention. Edwin kept to himself before you came along, Your Highness. He did his work, kept his head down, and read novels when on break. He didn’t really engage with anyone.”
Ah. True. I forgot how much of an introvert he was at times.
“Now that you’re dating, people suddenly realize he’s cute in his own way, and attentive. We’ve all seen him bring you tea or force you to sit still for a moment so he can rub your hands when they start cramping. We’ve seen him do an insane amount of work to keep the burden from falling too much onto your own shoulders. He’s loyal, affectionate, and doesn’t shy from commitment. Do you not know how rare those three qualities are in men?”
Part of me puffed up in pride. Finally, people saw Edwin’s true worth. The other part of me worried, because I didn’t actually want people realizing all that before I married Edwin. After we were safely married, yes; before marriage, absolutely not.
“I think most of the hopefuls are waiting in the wings and biding their time,” Dame Temperance continued with a snort. “They seem to think you’ll behave like the rest of the nobles, dallying among the servants when it suits your fancy and discarding them later. There’s already talk of a political marriage for you, so they’re quite poised to leap in once you let go of Edwin.”
My blood rushed out of my head and out through my asshole.
“Why”—my choked horror shot up into the range of strangled opera singers—“would anyone think I’d set Edwin to the side?! It’s ludicrous!”
“Those of us who have an up-close seat to the show realize you’re not the type,” she assured me, seemingly amused by my reaction. “You’re quite clear you want Edwin, and only Edwin, to the point that even your royal siblings regard the two of you as a package deal. That said, Your Highness? I do suggest putting a ring on it. Before someone else tries to do so.”
Clearly, I must up my public affection for Edwin to squash the hopefuls, because Zinos damn them, I’d not give anyone else an opening.
“Dame Temperance, your advice is good, and I’ll take it.” I hesitated a second before confessing, “I’m not sure if he’s willing to marry me now. I might be rushing things. I can’t seem to help myself.”
“If he’s unsure, long engagement,” Captain Rowan advised. “But still get a ring on his finger if you can. I truly think it’ll do you both good in the long run. If nothing else, it might stop yourroyal mother from trying to matchmake you. I’ve heard rumors of her nosing about for a good candidate.”
I groaned and slouched farther in my seat. Titan flicked an ear back at me, as if sensing my mood, and I gave him a pat. “I do not understand her. She just suffered through the embarrassment of a horrible engagement breaking up and she turns around and does it again not even a month later?”
“An addict cannot help their addiction,” Dame Temperance muttered. “Or she’s trying to prove she is good at it, that the last one was just a mistake. Or perhaps it’s a mix of both. Either way, Your Highness, we will support you if you need to flee the palace for a while.”
