Eddie doesn’t seem to be as enamored of the idea of marrying me as James would like to believe. Probably because this is an entirely outlandish scheme. And then, the memory comes from last weekend, Stef challenging me to marry him in this half-baked idea.
“Sorry. I’m sorry. This is all very…” I wave a hand. “Ridiculous-seeming. Because it is. And you seem like a very nice man living a very nice and respectable life, and then James comes up with this wild idea because he wants to help me. And he probably wants to help you too. James’s got a good heart, deep down. And he knows I’m in trouble. Because… because, well, I’m a train wreck of a prince, unfortunately.”
Eddie clears his throat. He gazes at me steadily. “Theo, you don’t strike me as a train wreck of a prince. Becoming King when you don’t expect to be one is a great deal to grapple with. For anyone. Of course you’re feeling overwhelmed.”
I slump, quiet, my hands light on the reins. We reach a shallow creek, and the horses pick their way across as we reach a meadow. “Yeah. I guess.”
“It’s entirely understandable.”
We reach the edge of the expanse of meadow with its spring wildflowers. Our horses prick their ears forward. I draw a deep breath, feeling too vulnerable and somewhat embarrassed. “You want to run these guys?”
“Let’s.”
And a moment later, we’re off from a trot to a canter, the world entirely different on horseback. Everything’s spring green, and there’s a carpet of bluebells coming out of the woods, and even the spit of rain doesn’t take away from the beauty here. When we rein them in a while later, the exertion helps ground both me and my mount. Like some of that nervous energy was left behind at the creek.
“James has some fascinating ideas about me, it seems,” Eddie offers with a smile. He doesn’t seem offended, thank God.
“Sorry, I know this is all mad.”
“Life is like that sometimes.”
“Yeah.”
“I’d… need some time to think about this idea,” Eddie chuckles.
“Makes two of us.”
“I think you’re intriguing, Theo. But the whole future King revelation is rather… daunting.”
“Yeah, I know. Believe me. It’s a real relationship killer.”
Then, there’s a sudden knot in my stomach. And I realize all I want is time with Stef, despite this incredibly difficult situation we’re in. In a future we can’t have together. But does it make it any better to try to make a fake future with Eddie? Then again, who would want me, given my track record of disasters and bad press? If marriage for love is out, I’ll take marriage for strategy. Maybe.
We’re paused on our horses near another creek. We have the estate to ourselves, or at least it feels that way.
“Also,” Eddie says wryly, “I’m probably thirty years older than you.”
I shrug. “Could be an advantage, to be honest.”
Eddie considers me. The wind ruffles his hair. He smiles but doesn’t look entirely convinced. “How old are you, anyway?”
“Twenty-seven. Twenty-eight in July. You?”
“Fifty-three.”
Startled, I stare at him. Whatever I expected, fifty-three isn’t it. “You really don’t look fifty-three.”
“It’s due to the spring of eternal youth I keep on my estate.” He gives me a solemn look. “Amid the other springs.”
“Right, okay. I can see how that would be an advantage.” I tilt my head as I scratch my horse’s neck. “Where’s this estate, anyway?”
“It’s not far from here. I have a couple of hundred acres. I live out there full-time, and I only go into London twice a month if I can help it. Less if I can.”
“So, local Lewes pub crawl Friday nights for you, then.”
Eddie laughs, nodding. “Exactly. Or I host my own parties, and then they all come to me. When I’m not arranging my stamps.” He looks at me seriously. “Theo, this idea of marriage is truly something else. I had no idea that was James’ endgame.”
“I—yeah.” Scratching my horse’s neck, I sigh. “Obviously, James missed his calling as a matchmaker.”
