“The message also included a warning that any effort to circumvent or fail to deliver on any clause in the contract, or any actions that might go against the clauses in the contract, would result in severe and immediate retribution from the World Council. Those punishments could involve the stripping of a person’s title, removal from their estates, public shaming…”
“I get the idea.” Rupert pulled on his pants, barely able to get his buttons fastened, his fingers were shaking so badly.
“You’re going to have to talk to your spouse. The staff’s opinion is that he is a good and kind man. I’m sure if you explained how you never intended to…you know, be intimate with him. He’s a man in his own right. Perhaps he’d be agreeable to you both ignoring that clause in the contract.”
“I don't see how that's going to happen. He was the one who invoked the clause in the first place.” Rupert gave up on his pants and reached for a belt. “I don't want to talk to him. I don't want to get to know him. The only reason I was getting married at all is because my father insisted on it. I have no intention of being a husband in any way to a peacock of a man with deplorable dress sense. A civil tongue is the most he can expect from me.”
“You might find that you don’t have any choice – in talking to your husband I mean. I don't like to bring it up, but the word about your father's health is not good. He has lived many years and...”
“We’re not discussing that today,” Rupert said firmly. “Today is meant to be a celebration – my wedding day. As far as I'm concerned, I have a ceremony to get through. I will paymy respects to my father. I will sit next to Winter during the reception, and will even suffer through the customary first dance. But I will not talk to him beyond what is considered polite behavior. In the meantime, make sure you’re packed. As soon as this day is done and we retire for the evening, you and I will be making our way to your home estate for the next hunt.”
“At night?” Tristan didn’t look pleased, but Rupert was beyond caring. He could feel his carefully crafted life already fraying around the edges. “You know my parents are attending the wedding and spending the night here at the king’s invitation. They won’t be at the estate to receive you, if you go there tonight.”
Damn it.Rupert resisted punching at the door of his closet. “First light, then,” he said. “I want to be out of here by dawn. I don't need to be here. I don't want to be with my husband. I don't have any urge to have anything to do with him at all. If he thinks that I'm going to hang around and try and get to know him, then he's going to be sorely disappointed.”
Tristan gave him a sideways glance. “From the sounds of things, your intended is making himself very comfortable in this castle.”
“He can have the damn thing,” Rupert said. “I fully intend to carry on living my life the way I’ve always done…”
“With one minor change,” Tristan reminded him.
Rupert was ready to explode at the interruption. “Getting married today is just one minor hiccup in my otherwise ordered life. I have no intention of changing my ways, no matter what my father, my new husband, or anybody else says, including the World Council. Is that clear?”
Tristan nodded. “Of course, sire. Shall I arrange for a footman to assist you in dressing.”
“Yes. Thank you.” Rupert wasn’t going to try and manage his robe or his boots on his own. The robe itself was extensively jeweled – something Rupert hadn’t worn since he’d been officially named as heir of Simigile. But Rupert was determined. If he was going to be a lead actor in the shit show of his wedding, then he was going to make sure everyone knew who he was and how important his position was.The damn thing had better still fit me.
Sighing, he went and sat down in the chair Tristan had vacated. His head was pounding, his guts were churning. Rupert wasn't sure he'd be able to even eat at the reception. The problem with that was that somebody would notice if he didn't, and then there'd just be more gossip about him that he didn't need.
I've just got to get today over with, he thought as Tristan left.I just have to get through today and then tomorrow my life can go back to normal. Almost normal. As normal as it can be when someone has a noose around my appendages.That would have to be a problem for another day, as well. It’s not like Rupert could feel arousal for anyone when his guts were staging a minor revolt.
Chapter Six
“It’s not too late to back out,” the king whispered as Winter assisted him into his seat. “Honestly, the more I get to know you, the more I feel sorry for you.”
You don’t know me at all, my dear friend. Only who I appear to be.Winter smiled and shook his head. “The paperwork is already done. I’m already crown prince consort. All you have to do is keep following your healer’s orders, so I don’t become king consort too soon. Have I thanked you for the lovely robe?” He straightened once he was sure the king was seated. “My valet had never seen anything so grand.”
Winter did a little twirl, knowing the numerous lights overhead would pick up the different facets of the jewels sewn across his shoulders and down the front and back of the pale ivory robe. It had been an unexpected, and very much appreciated gift received the day before.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve commissioned anything for someone so fetching.” The king smirked. “I’m old. I’m allowed to say things like that.”
Bowing, Winter didn’t hide his grin. “I know you’re only teasing me, helping me feel less nervous,” he said, smiling at the king and then nodding and waving at a couple of people who were waving in his direction. Winter had used his days in the castle wisely – it was why he and his team had arrived so early. Making contacts, learning who was who, and more importantly, who controlled the various aspects of the castle and the kingdom, was all useful information. While Rupert might suppose that Winter would feel off-kilter being in a new and strange country, Winter was already feeling at home.
The greeting hall was completely packed. It seemed like the king had been determined that every single society family inthe area would witness his son getting married at last. Winter wasn’t sure if that was something the king did for any event, although his cynical mind considered that it was also possibly the king’s way of ensuring that no society family could use the excuse they didn’t realize Rupert was married if they witnessed any unbecoming behavior. Clearly the king was hoping Rupert’s behavior would change once the vows were said.
Winter was under no illusion that was going to happen, at least for a while.The next few weeks are going to be interesting.Pippin had already learned that Rupert was leaving the castle again the following morning, and Winter hadn’t been invited to accompany him. He’d expected the messages, indicating Rupert wanted to speak with him before the wedding.I can’t help being busy,Winter thought with a smirk.
“I am determined to have fun at this wedding,” he said to the king, keeping half an eye on a commotion going on at the door. “After all, a gentleman only gets married once in most circumstances. I won’t be doing this again.”
“It would be lovely if this could be seen as a festive occasion,” the king agreed. “Ah, there’s the announcer now. I should’ve known Rupert would make a grand entrance. It wouldn’t be seemly to leave my son waiting.”
“As if I would, Your Majesty. I’ll be back shortly,” Winter promised. Bowing again, he quickly made his way to the stage where August was already waiting. In comparison to him, August was dressed very somberly in a black robe with gold trim showing the insignia of the Martingale royal family. Winter could also see that Sigmund, his adviser, was also looking particularly grim, sitting next to two of the members of the king’s council. Winter understood. His adviser always had his best interests at heart.
There was no sign of Pippin, but Winter wasn’t worried about that. He knew his man would be somewhere in the crowd, being unobtrusive as he always was, while catching up on any information he thought Winter might need. Pippin excelled at doing that.
Winter was surprised to feel a couple of butterflies in his belly as he nudged August with his shoulder, happy his brother had been able to stay long enough to see him married. He was under no illusions that his marriage was going to be a happy match, but Winter reminded himself that his contract would have considerable benefits for his part of in his family’s business.
It’s as good a reason as any to get married,he reasoned as two loud trumpets cut through the idle chatter among the crowd.
