The Prince's Consort (Chronicles of Tournai Book 1) Page 15

  He liked watching Amory, but he missed having him by his side. For a long time after Amory first came to the palace, Philip kept him close at social events, worried Amory would be intimidated by the social aspect of court life. But, Amory had been required to attend the entertainments his father hosted, and he hadn’t had much trouble adjusting to the difference in scale and intensity in court events. Amory could navigate court events well enough; Philip just liked having Amory close.

  Having Amory next to him was unbelievable and thrilling, yet somehow entirely comfortable. Natural, as if it were meant to be. He no longer had a problem admitting that was exactly what he wanted. The months Amory had been with him were the best of his life, the happiest, and though it had only been months, he couldn’t imagine life without Amory.

  He hoped Amory felt the same. It seemed as if he did. They hadn’t discussed it, but he believed Amory wanted to stay with him. But Uncle Umber had been pushing harder for Philip to marry. They’d had another argument that morning. His uncle pressed again the need to search for a wife. Someone from a good family or who brought a good alliance, who would be a suitable mother of his heirs.

  “I’ve given everything to this country, Uncle,” he finally snapped. “I do every day, and I have since I was old enough to understand what being a prince meant. I do it gladly, because I love Tournai. But I won’t give that. I won’t marry some woman for that. If I do, then there will be nothing left of me, of who I am.”

  “Then there will be nothing left of you except the prince of Tournai, which is who you are,” Uncle Umber answered in his thundering voice. “Do your duty and be worthy of the title and all that comes along with it. Your father—”

  “My father married for love. I don’t see why I can’t do the same.”

  His uncle had seen many reasons why he couldn’t marry for love. Very few of them held any validity for Philip. In fact, Philip could see only one that had any true weight behind it, which was that any person Philip loved, being male, wouldn’t be able to give him heirs, which seemed to be the most important of his uncle’s reasons for him to marry.

  He couldn’t give that too. He hadn’t lied when he said there would be nothing left of him. If he hadn’t found Amory when he had, if Amory hadn’t been just what he needed, he wasn’t sure what he would have turned into. He was better with Amory, as a man and as a prince. And he knew, knew without asking, that Amory would stay beside him as his lover, even if Philip was forced to marry someone else. He watched Amory, smiling and happy as he led Elodie through the steps of the dance. Amory looked up, and their eyes met. His smile softened into something intimate, for Philip. Amory would stay, but Philip wanted better for them than a relationship outside his eventual marriage.

  “Your Highness.”

  Philip had been so absorbed in watching Amory and in his swirling thoughts that he hadn’t noticed Vasco walk up to him. He hadn’t known Vasco was back in the city. Vasco had spent most of the time since his marriage on his family’s lands in northern Tournai. Philip didn’t think he’d seen Vasco since the man’s wedding. It felt odd seeing him.

  “Your Grace.” He nodded in return. He looked at the tall blond man in front of him. Vasco was undeniably handsome, but his expression was closed off. So different from when they were children, but was it so different from when they were lovers? Vasco hadn’t been completely open then either. Philip’s gaze was drawn back to Amory.

  “He’s acquitting himself quite well, considering.”

  He turned back to Vasco to find him studying Amory. “Considering?”

  “Considering he wasn’t raised to this. He’s not a nobleman. He wouldn’t have expected to end up dancing at parties at the palace, but he dances well for all that. And I’ve heard he has acclimated decently to living in our circle.”

  Philip had to force himself to relax and unclench his fists. Satisfying though it might be, punching Vasco would cause a scene he didn’t need. Amory wouldn’t want it either. But something needed to be said, even if the insult turned out to be unintentional. Philip didn’t believe the implication of Vasco’s words was unintentional.

  “Amory acquits himself well for anyone. I’ve met any number of noblemen who can’t navigate the waters of court half as well as he can. He may not have been born a nobleman, but he was raised a gentleman.” It was about who Amory was, someone Philip was proud to have at his side.

  “I meant no offense, Philip.” Vasco flashed him an intimate smile that had Philip bristling. Vasco truly thought he could smile in such a way at him after everything?

  “Don’t call me Philip. It’s inappropriate for you to do so.”

  Vasco’s expression went blank with shock. “I’ve always called you by your name. We’re friends.”

  “We were friends. We’re not anymore. I tolerate it from Lilliale because she’s like another sister, but not from you anymore.”

  “Yes, Your Highness. I apologize for presuming.” Vasco fell silent. Philip looked back at the dance floor, feeling not a little awkward himself, but he didn’t have any inclination to smooth over the situation. Finally, Vasco spoke again. “I’m surprised you aren’t dancing. Lilliale always looks forward to a dance with you at these things. She was talking about it earlier.”

  “Perhaps I’ll dance with her later.” But he only wanted to dance with Amory. He’d successfully fended everyone else off so far. “She looks like she’s enjoying herself dancing with Vrai.”

  “Yes, she does.” Vasco studied the dancers. “Who is that dancing with the Earl of Calixto’s son?”

  “Amory’s sister, Adeline.”

  Vasco’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? I’m surprised you would invite your concubine’s sister to a party.”

  Where was Vasco’s attitude coming from? Was Vasco always so pretentious or had it developed after he inherited his title? “Don’t ascribe your attitudes to me. Adeline is a lovely young woman. She’s going to make an excellent marriage. Possibly with the earl’s son. They’ve met several times, and they seem rather smitten with each other.”

  Vasco’s expression portrayed frank astonishment for an instant before it cleared. “I’m still surprised. And I would think you would be more concerned with making an advantageous marriage for yourself rather than for your concubine’s sister.”

  “I don’t see how that is any of your concern.” His voice lashed out, cold as ice, and he couldn’t regret it. Who did Vasco think he was to say those things to Philip?

  “The country needs heirs. You need to marry and sooner rather than later, Phi—Your Highness.”

  “I know best what I need, Your Grace, not you. And I’m happy as I am.”

  “What? With your commoner lover here in the palace?”

  “Watch yourself.” He pinned Vasco with a look he knew full well would set most trembling.

  “I apologize. I shouldn’t have said that.” Vasco raised his hands in placation. “I just don’t understand. It isn’t like you to jump into something so quickly. You’re not impulsive, not with something so serious.”

  “I am when it’s right.” And being with Amory was most definitely right.

  Vasco looked taken aback at his vehemence. “This liaison of yours could affect your ability to contract a good marriage, especially since you’re so open about it. I’m worried, of course.”

  “I don’t see why you would be worried or even be thinking about it. It’s none of your concern.” Philip stood, tired of the conversation, and saddened too. “I’m going to dance.”

  “That’s good. As I said, Lilliale has been talking about dancing with you all day.”

  “Perhaps later. I’m going to dance with Amory now.”

  Shock again, not as easily covered that time, but Vasco’s voice held concern too. “Are you sure that’s wise, Phi—Your Highness?”

  “Quite sure.”

  Before he could say anything else, Amory’s voice stopped him. “Philip?”

  “Amory.” He turned and smiled, beckoning Amor
y closer.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt.” Amory’s eyes flicked between him and Vasco. His perceptive lover had noticed the tension.

  “You weren’t.” He placed a hand on Amory’s back, keeping him by his side. “Amory, this is Vasco, Duke of Marena.”

  Comprehension and wariness flooded Amory’s eyes, but Amory was nothing but polite and pleasant, when he addressed Vasco. “Your Grace, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “And you, Master Amory.” Vasco inclined his head in a nod that was correct for the situation and not one bit more than that.

  Amory tensed at Vasco’s cool tone, but he smiled kindly nonetheless. Philip pulled him a little closer. He didn’t know what had gotten into Vasco, but he refused to let him upset Amory. Vasco made a low sound in his throat. Philip had no idea what that meant.

  “Is your wife with you this evening?” he asked, realizing she wasn’t with Vasco, which was odd. She should have greeted the prince.

  “No, Bettina didn’t accompany me tonight. She isn’t feeling well.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Amory said. Philip knew the concern was sincere as well.

  He added, “Yes. I hope it isn’t anything serious.”

  “Not at all. It’s nothing really,” Vasco said. “Bettina is with child.”

  “Your first child. That’s wonderful. You must be very happy.”

  “Yes, congratulations,” Amory added.

  Vasco barely flicked a glance at Amory. “Thank you. Yes. We’re hoping for a boy.”

  “Of course.” Philip wasn’t surprised to hear that Vasco was hoping for an heir. An heir was the reason everyone was telling Philip to marry after all. But Philip tried to keep the bitterness from his voice. From Amory’s expression of puzzled concern, he didn’t do a very good job of it.

  “Well, I hope Her Grace feels better soon,” Amory said.

  “Thank you.” Vasco’s words were almost grudging, and Philip bristled at the insult as he wondered again what had happened to the man who used to be his friend. “I’m sure she will.”

  Philip really was out of patience with the conversation. “We won’t keep you any longer. I’m sure there are others you want to see after your long absence from court. Please give your wife our regards.”

  Another flash of surprise over Vasco’s face. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

  After a brief bow, Vasco disappeared into the crowd, and Philip sighed. Amory turned to face him, resting his hand lightly on Philip’s arm. “Are you all right?”

  There was that gentle sweetness he loved about Amory, a soothing balm after too many confrontations. He shrugged. “He used to be my friend. I don’t know what happened to him. I can’t believe he was always like this and I never noticed. It’s sad to think of how much everything has changed.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not sad my affair with him is over,” he whispered so only Amory heard. “If not, then I wouldn’t have you.”

  Amory’s smile was blinding. “I’m glad I’m here too.”

  He took Amory’s hand and kissed it. “Good, and I will be all right.”

  “I know you will.” Amory glanced away. “He doesn’t like me.”

  He wanted to deny it, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so. Philip wasn’t sure why—class prejudice or improbable jealousy or something else entirely—but Vasco’s dislike of Amory was obvious. Philip sighed. “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “When you walked up, I was trying to take my leave of him and come find you.”

  “You were?”

  “Yes. I wanted to dance.” He threaded Amory’s hand through the crook of his arm and began walking.

  “You wanted to…”

  “Dance. With you.”

  “But we never have before. Can we?” Amory looked charmingly befuddled with a hint of hope underneath. It banished the last dregs of upset from his conversation with Vasco.

  “Yes. And I don’t know why we haven’t danced long before now.” They had reached the dance floor by then, and he pulled Amory carefully into his arms, drawing him into the dance. It took a moment for them to get comfortable. He’d taken the lead role in the dance without any thought, which left Amory following in the traditionally female part. When Philip realized, he started to say something, but Amory smiled and shook his head. With some concentration, Amory adjusted, and they managed to move through the dance with a fair amount of grace.

  “We should do this more often,” he said in Amory’s ear, taking pleasure in the shiver that ran through Amory. They should dance more often. Getting to hold each other that way, move together, was nicer than he ever thought it would be. Somehow intimate in a way he’d never realized dancing could be. But maybe he never had the right partner.

  “I’d like that.”

  “Good.” But he could feel tension creeping into Amory’s frame. And he knew why. “Don’t worry about them. Don’t pay any attention.”

  “But they’re watching.”

  “They’re always watching. Let them.” He looked into Amory’s eyes. “Let them watch us dance. Let them see how much we feel for each other.”

  Amory’s eyes were glowing. It looked as if he was going to say something, but he only nodded.

  “Good. Now,” he said, letting a little mischief into his voice, “What do you think of Adeline and Pierrick?”

  Amory grinned, and they both looked to where the pair was still dancing. “They seem to be getting along very well.”

  “That’s what I thought. I have a feeling a marriage offer may be coming.”

  Amory’s eyes went wide. “Do you think so?”

  “Yes. Why not?”

  “Well, she’s a commoner for one thing.”

  Philip hated that Amory thought that mattered for his sister, and probably for himself as well. “I don’t think that’s a problem. Pierrick and his family are progressive, and they would see being allied with a prosperous, important merchant family as a good thing. As for personally, he’s a second son, so he has more freedom to marry as he chooses, and Adeline is a lovely girl. He would be insane to look elsewhere.”

  “Well, I think so, but she is my sister, so I may be biased.”

  “Your father will be happy.”

  Amory laughed. “Extremely happy. It’s almost frightening to think about what this will do to him.”

  He laughed too, but however happy it would make Amory’s father, Philip refused to push Adeline into a marriage she didn’t want. “The important question is whether Adeline will be happy.”

  Amory sobered. “I think she will be. She cares for him already.”

  “Good, I’m glad. She should be able to marry someone she loves. Everyone should.”

  Amory’s gaze was warm. “Many people wouldn’t agree, both in your world and in mine.”

  He had a difficult time resisting the urge to kiss the sweet curve of Amory’s lips. But then, he’d wanted to kiss Amory all night. “You’re a part of my world now, you know. And my parents’ marriage was a love match. I know it doesn’t always happen, but I think everyone should have the chance to marry for love. Why do you think I haven’t arranged a marriage for Elodie?”

  “You want her to have that chance if she can.”

  He nodded.

  “And you?” Amory asked, an indecipherable expression in his eyes.

  “And me,” he answered simply. Amory nodded and was quiet through the rest of the dance.

  Chapter 9

  AMORY AND Philip managed a much quieter evening a few days later. A fire crackled cheerfully in the sitting room hearth, dispelling the damp chill that had come with fall. Philip was reading in the corner of the couch, and Amory was curled at his side, reading his own book. Or trying to. Mostly he stared into the fire, wondering what was bothering Philip.

  Philip had been quiet, pensive even, the last few days, and Amory was worried. With all the talk of marriage at that party, he wondered if Philip was considering
marriage himself. Amory knew, had always known, that Philip would have to marry—with or without love. As much as Amory hated the idea of infidelity, he’d already decided he would stay as long as Philip wanted him. But what if Philip found someone he loved and wanted to marry? Philip wouldn’t want Amory to stay with him then. Perhaps that was why Philip had been so quiet. None of this was a surprise, and thinking about it happening shouldn’t hurt so much.

  Maybe because it was so soon. They’d only had a few months together, and he’d expected more time—he wanted more time—with Philip.

  Fingers gently combing through Amory’s hair made him jump. “Are you all right?”

  Amory moved just enough to see Philip while he answered the softly spoken question. “I’m fine. Why?”

  “You’ve been quiet. I wondered if everything is all right.”

  “I’ve thought the same about you. You’ve been off since the party. I’ve been worried.”

  Philip’s fingers paused but then resumed their gentle motion an instant later. “I’m sorry. I never meant for you to worry.”

  “What’s wrong?” He often thought back over the day of the party, trying to figure out what could have upset Philip. “Was it seeing Vasco? Or something with Adeline? I appreciate all you’ve done for her, but you don’t have to do any more.”

  “No, it’s not that at all. I’m glad to help Adeline. I like her, and I love how happy it makes you.” Philip leaned forward to kiss him lightly. “Though I don’t think she’ll need much more help. Pierrick intends to ask for her hand. He wants to marry her.”

  Happiness for his sister filled him. Adeline talked about Pierrick often, and as contained a person as she was, that she mentioned him so much told Amory how she felt. “She’s going to be so happy. She was telling me yesterday how much she hoped he might care for her.”

  “He cares for her a great deal. He asked for my permission to approach your father. He seemed worried I might refuse.”