Page 47 of A Cake of Cherries and Charm

Rose let herself into their suite just as the sun began to sink behind the distant mountains, and she grinned when she saw her husband’s boots and cloak discarded on the chair at the entrance of the room.

“I brought you something to eat,” she called, walking from the parlor into the bedroom. She was met there by Jonathan, who was buttoning the last button on what appeared to be a clean shirt.

“Oh, good. I’m famished. Master Vernon worked me nearly senseless today.” He took the little plate of cake from her and immediately stuffed the first bite into his mouth, closing his eyes and moaning as he chewed.

“Are you regretting hiring a new combat instructor?” Rose asked.

“Very much so.” He collapsed onto the bed and took another bite of cake. “But I needed something to keep me busy, or you’re going to fatten me up with all these sweets.”

Rose laughed. That was hardly possible. They had been married three months now, and she only baked sweets once a week. And these were always shared with the servants and the kitchen staff, as well as her sister and Frederick. But her husband, as she had known he would be, was rarely still, and even if it was only in little ways, she did what she could to help him rest.

How else was she supposed to express how much she delighted in him?

A few of the old crones of the court had warned her that marriage was far from the happy ending young, starry-eyed girls dreamed it would be. But Rose was rather sure that was their jealousy speaking.

Had marriage to the the crown prince been difficult? Most certainly, she thought to herself wryly as she watched him eat, his eyes still closed. They’d already had their share of spats, and the queen had continued to act as a thorn in Rose’s side whenever she got the chance. But returning every day to await the man she respected and adored was more than worth the cost.

“How did things go today with Snow?” he asked without opening his eyes.

“Oh, about how they’ve been for the last few weeks.” Rose settled in beside him, leaning back against a pillow and stretching her sore muscles. “Snow is keeping a little more food down now, but not much.” She let out a snort. “I finally kicked Frederick out, though. He is officially banned from her room and will be sleeping in her old suite until she’s much improved.”

At this, Jonathan’s eyes opened wide. “Exiling a prince before you’re even a queen. I’m impressed.”

Rose rolled her eyes. “He’s so worried that he’s worrying Snow. And the nurse says that will make her condition even worse.” Then she paused. “Although I will say that caring for Snow has seemed to revive my mother like nothing else has since we moved here. She even dared to correct a servant today for being rough when helping to change Snow’s bedclothes.”

Rose didn’t add it aloud, but the fire in her mother’s eyes that morning–the mother’s protective wrath that Rose had known as a child–had made Rose hope once more that her mother might become herself again while living within the palace walls.

Jonathan made a face. “So how long will this… condition last?”

Rose laughed. “About seven more months. But hopefully, the sickness will have abated long before then.”

Jonathan studied her thoughtfully for a moment before putting the plate down.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Is this what you consider a good recipe?” he asked.

She stared at him. “For the cake? It’s the same one I used for the wedding.”

But he just shook his head. “For this.” He gestured to the room around them before pulling her toward him for a kiss. She accepted the kiss greedily and was disappointed when he pulled back again.

“Let’s be honest, Rose.” He tapped her nose. “You barely knew me when we were wed. Has it been all you hoped it would be?”

Rose tapped his nose back. “Remember, I’m not the hopeless romantic that my sister is. She was looking for a love that made her swoon. I was looking for a man I could lean on.”

“Did you find him?” Jonathan’s words were teasing, but there was a hint of fear in his eyes.

Rose leaned forward and kissed him again, but this time, their kiss was long and slow, and she let her lips linger against his.

“Not only did I find him,” she whispered. “But I’ve fallen head over heels for him, and I’m rather sure I’m even more besotted than my sister could ever be.”

“But you’re sure,” he said with a slight frown, “that you didn’t need more time to get to know me first?”

Rose grinned. “There’s no better way to get to know someone than to face life alongside them. To travel the hills and valleys together. To taste the bitter herbs and the sparkling sugar as one.”

After another long look of consideration, Jonathan finally broke into a grin. “In that case,” he said slyly, “is there anything I can do to make it sweeter?”

Rose thought for a moment. “I might,” she said, suddenly feeling somewhat shy, “like a plump little cherry to top it all off. Or even three or four.”