I took the bill, but we both knew I wouldn’t find the line. Still, I made a show of reading, but more carefully this time. What else was this piece of shit trying to get by with? Oh-ho, the budget had increased, too. Almost double what he was allowed. Theaudacityof this man.
Marquess Marrable shifted audibly in his seat. “Surely he can’t scan a full bill in a few minutes.”
“He can, in fact. Edwin’s an incredible speed-reader. He can read four pages a minute—”
“Six,” I absently corrected while I flipped a page.
“I do stand corrected, six. He loves to read, you see. Most of my staff are quite quick when it comes to reading, but Edwin puts them all to shame.”
Why did this man love to brag about me so much? He was incorrigible.
I closed the bill and shook my head. “I’m sorry to report that somehow, the line of royal authority was not copied into the amended bill. Also, I found a second clerical error. For some reason, the budget was changed to twice the amount allotted.”
“Dear Melah, how problematic.” Prince James took the folder from me and handed it directly back to Marquess Marrable with that gentle, charming smile of his. “It seems your clerk needs someone to double-check him. Do make those adjustments and bring the bill back to me. I’ll happily review it again.”
Flushed now and caught out, Marquess Marrable cleared his throat. “It seems I was too hasty. I’ll make sure things are corrected and brought back to you. Thank you for seeing me, Your Highness. I’m sorry it was a waste of your time.”
“Not at all. Because of you, I’ve been reminded of the state of the coastal roads. I’ll be sure to keep a close eye on their repair process.” Prince James’s smile turned a little evil around the edges.
Flustered, Marquess Marrable gave him a quick bow and then took himself away, nearly speed walking. Itskedthe man as he left, shaking my head at him. So greedy, that one, and the insult to think Prince James would fall prey to such a tactic.
“He’s such an asshole,” I muttered, mostly to myself.
Prince James snickered. “I cannot agree. Assholes have uses.”
I was startled into a laugh and had to bite it back.
Tilting his head back, Prince James gave me a warm smile, which did funny things to my insides. “I’d truly be lost without you.”
I snorted. “As if you’d have blindly signed the bill.”
“So you’re saying I shouldn’t buy you something as thanks?”
My eyes narrowed on his face. He looked entirely too innocent. Alarms went off in the back of my head. Whatever his offer, it wasn’t just a gift of thanks. “Your Highness, are you trying to bribe me?”
“I can’t?”
What was I supposed to do about this utterly shameless prince?
Still, with Marquess Marrable no longer here, his mask dropped, and I could see his exhaustion. He was clearly not sleeping well, still, and I had it under good authority he’d taken a potion last night. What could I do to make him sleep, short of tucking him in myself every night?
I’d have to think on this later and see if I couldn’t come up with something. I cleared my throat and pointedly changed the topic. “Still, I judge your integration into court politics to be successful. People are openly coming to you for help, after all. Even if some of them are also trying to take advantage.”
Prince James simply shrugged before sipping his tea. “Success is like siege warfare—a battle of attrition.”
Phila popped out of the office and announced, “Your Highness, Countess Doughtry wishes for an audience.”
“Oh, do show her in.”
Countess Doughtry nearly rushed through the patio doors, clutching her fan in both hands with a stranglehold grip. I’d known her for years and had never seen her in anything but an impeccable state, but today it looked as if she’d been up all night in worry. She wore a black cotton dress one would normally wear about the house, not to court, with no jewelry upon her personand her brown hair in a simple, unrelieved twist at the back of her head.
Prince James immediately stood and offered her a hand. “Countess Doughtry, you look very distressed.”
“Your Highness, thank you for seeing me.” She gave a quick curtsey. “I’m…I’m in a state, and I don’t know where else to go for help.”
“Please, sit, tell me what this is about.”
I poured a fresh cup of tea and handed it to her. She took a single sip—and then drained the full cup in a single toss. Was she that thirsty? Had she not even paused to drink something?
