“Granted,” James stated promptly. “But I’m pretty sure I know who was behind it. Lord Chuffey practically just confessed, as he claimed a source told him Princess Helena had judicial files in her study. The same files were instead found in Aurora’s office.”
Commander Harland turned about sharply, looking for Lord Chuffey and finding him before snarling, “Your Highness, permission to lead the interrogation.”
“Granted,” James said with a smile. It was not a nice smile. “Please take him immediately. I grant you full power and authority to get to the bottom of the situation.”
He’d basically granted Commander Harland the authority to arrest people at will. Oh, nicely played. No wonder James had me stay.
I loved this man’s brains. The muscles were nice, no question, but what truly kept me in awe was how quickly he could turn problems into solutions.
Lord Chuffey didn’t protest as Commander Harland dragged him physically out of the room. I think he knew his fate was sealed. Should have double-checked your trap was secure before opening your mouth, moron. That was one of the basic rules. Check first, speak second.
“Well.” Speaker Stanhope stood and took control again. “This has been one of the more eventful sessions in recent memory. I also think we’re done for the day. Session dismissed.”
People rose but immediately started gossiping with each other. James turned, snagged me about the waist with one arm, then quickly hauled ass out the door. He, apparently, didn’t want to be bogged down here.
I waited until the hallway to ask, “Where are we going?”
“First, Galbraith’s. I want to inform him Harland is investigating and have those two join forces.”
“Ooh, evil. Next?”
“Next, go and fetch Helena and inform her of what really happened so she’s not blindsided.” Apparently, knowing how I operated, he tacked on, “I’m very glad you have spies throughout the palace.”
“They’re not spies,” I said, barely keeping my grin in check. “They’re friends with benefits.”
He gave me a long, speaking look.
“Not those kinds of benefits, dearest.”
“I’m relieved to hear it. And what favors did all this cost?”
“Theater tickets for two would likely go down well.”
He chuckled. “Edwin, we are once again saved by your people skills. I think it’ll take more than theater tickets to repay the favor. Introduce me to the maid who reported the attempt, and I’ll thank her myself.”
His generosity was part of what made people so fanatically loyal to him. “I will.”
With Lord Chuffey’s plan exposed, no one was likely to push James marrying Helena again anytime soon, but…was this something else I must guard against? This possibility?
Hopefully not.
Fifty-one
Edwin
It turned into an incredibly long day.
No surprise there.
Once Helena was informed of what hadactuallyhappened, she was outraged and demanded to be part of the investigation. Knowing Knight Commander Harland had a wide soft spot for her—he had been her childhood knight—I approved. She made sure to have tears in her eyes when she entered the interrogation room, demanding to know what she had done to be treated and framed like this, and Commander Harland visibly lost his shit.
Never say Princess Helena didn’t know how to work a situation to her advantage.
Anyway, it took most of the day to get the full story out of Lord Chuffey, although we all could guess his motivation. It had boiled down to the obvious: He didn’t want Helena on the throne. Deep-seated sexism insisted she wasn’t fit, he wanted James to take it, and he thought discrediting her was the best way to force James’s hand.
The depth of nobles’ stupidity appalled me.
Anyway, it was over and done with, and I was going to my own home, by myself for once. I needed alone time. I’d donefartoo much peopling recently, and I just wanted quiet. James had argued, but I’d told him my mental health required it. He needed to bond with Titan more anyway, he could play with his horse and leave me to myself for the space of an evening. I had a brand-new book to read, a hot bath to soak in, and if anyone dared to interrupt my plans, I’d—
