“What if you hadn't married her? Would he have tried to find someone else with money or status?”
“Yes. We decided we’d get married, make it look real, have her here for a couple of nights, and I’d help her run away with her lover. Her Father thinks I married her with the intent to start a family, and she fled behind my back without mentioning that she loved another. Some of the court thinks I showed her my ‘true colors,’ beat her, and scared her off.”
“If there’s no evidence or sign-”
“They don’t need evidence. It’s something to gossip about.”
“You must have known you’d end up looking like shit after she ran so quickly.”
“Yes, but I care more about her than my image. She’ll come back later, and she wouldn’t if I were a monster, right?”
“You really care about her, huh?”
“She’s been a constant in my life after Mother died, and the twins. She knew what it was like to grow up without a Mother, and we’ve been there for each other through a lot of things. She said later when we had children, with separate people I mean, we should raise them together so they can be close friends.”
“Does Clementine know about this other stuff?” Jaime waved a hand.
“No. I didn’t want to put this on her.”
“What if you’d died? I don’t think she’d like that news coming as a surprise slap to the face.”
Aleric rubbed his forehead. “I’m not dead, and I don’t want her worrying. She’s happy with Belle, and she deserves this. Do you know how hard it was on her when they couldn’t be together for a while,andBelle had to scramble to find new employment? It’s not her burden to bear when she’s got her whole life ahead now that they’re together, and she’s been talking about having a child with Belle too. She might have a relationship with her Father too since time has gone by. Besides an Aunt who doesn’t speak to them, she doesn’t have any other family members. I don’t like keeping secrets from her, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell her this.”
Jaime could see where he was coming from. He wanted to spare his best friend from worrying over a situation she couldn’t even control, and she had her own worries and family issues too. If she was constantly afraid she’d receive news that he was dead…no wonder Aleric had spared her the knowledge.
Is that yours?” Aleric pointed at the box.
“No. Zacharie brought it up. It’s a set of cards for you.”
Aleric scowled when he opened it. “How nice. Gautier gave him these. Like I’d want them.” He left the box open and headed for the window. “What a dickhead. Giving me his lover’s presents. If he’d given me a box with his shit in it, at least that’d be more personal.”
“Give them back. I didn’t know. Er, what are you doing?”
“Getting rid of the rubbish.”
Aleric opened the window and tossed the whole box. Jaime caught a glimpse of a few thin, ivory cards as they flew out to be caught by the wind.
“Aleric!”
“What?” He closed the window.
“You could have put them in his room! He’s going to be infuriated when he finds out.”
“He’ll think twice before giving me gifts fromAlex,”Aleric said in a snotty tone. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Gautier told him to give those to me because he’s a sack of shit. I don't want anything from him. I’m going to take a nap.”
With that, he went to his room, and Jaime went to peek outside. A courtier stooped, presumably to pick up a card. Little colored dots marked the lawn, and one of the gate guards was approaching. It’s not every day ivory cards fall from the sky.
***
Jaime had two hours of peace.
He almost dropped his book when Zacharie came storming in with the box and his face so red, he appeared ready to explode.
“Where is he?”
“Hey! You can’t come barging in.” Jaime better start locking the sitting room door even though Aleric was locked in his bedroom.
“Don’t tell me what to do! You let him throw these outside.”
