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Those first few times they’d ended up getting distracted by sex—which he hadn’t minded—and then, in the lazy aftermath, indulging in some idle conversation. He’d always hated small talk and meaningless discussion—it felt like a waste of time. Why talk pleasantries when there were important conversations to be had? But for some reason, after meeting with Guinevere, he found himself in no hurry to get back to the palace.
Their discussions ranged over books, art, science and politics. He started to enjoy their conversations. She was very knowledgeable about a host of different subjects, due to reading her way through the palace library. She was also curious, and interested in what he had to say, though his own knowledge of certain subjects was limited, given the narrowness of his upbringing.
She also met him in a variety of different places. First the orchard, then a clearing in the forest. One day it rained, so he met her in her little library, and then there was the time when the sky was bright blue and she met him by the pool. There were cocktails and delicious finger foods that time, then they’d swum—which had soon evolved into extremely hot sex, both of them slippery with water, on one of the sun loungers.
He’d begun to look forward to their meetings, begun to find the length of time he spent in other meetings an imposition. He had to be very stern with himself not to be distracted when he was working, but it was difficult.
He’d also started to look forward to their public appearances together, which he found a delight when she was by his side. She was beginning to win over those few stalwarts who didn’t like her because she was an Accorsi, with her smile and the natural way she talked to people. Little girls in particular loved their new and pretty queen, and there was always a little posse of them waiting for Guinevere whenever they appeared together.
It wasn’t all idle conversation, naturally. They discussed Kasimir, and her role as queen—though he’d soon discovered that she didn’t need much in the way of instruction. Her natural empathy, her curiosity and quick wit had helped her pick up the subtleties of queenly duties with relative ease. She had initiative too. It had only been a few days before one of his aides had told him that the Queen was involving herself in various charities, as well as taking a special interest in health services.
She was a remarkable woman, and every day he found there were new aspects of her to respect and admire. Really, marrying her was turning out to be one of his better decisions.
At last, five came, and the door of the meeting room opened to admit the Queen’s aide. The man came quickly over to Tiberius and handed him a note. Tiberius unfolded it.
Meet me on our bedroom balcony tonight. Seven p.m.
He was conscious of a slight disappointment that he’d have to wait another few hours—he’d never been good at waiting—but her choice of meeting place was intriguing. The balcony… Why on earth there?
He retired to his office, to finish looking through the endless pile of documents that required his signature, but couldn’t concentrate.
In the end he found himself striding to the royal apartments to meet his queen a good ten minutes before she’d said.
There were still palace staff on the balcony when he arrived, laying out food on the stone table there, as tealight candles in glass holders cast a soft, flickering glow.
Guinevere, who’d been directing the staff, gave him a surprised look as he appeared. ‘Oh!’ she exclaimed. ‘You’re early.’
She wore a light linen wrap dress of deep blue, her hair loose over her shoulder, and looked so unutterably lovely that he felt ravenous for her.
‘I was impatient,’ he said, dismissing the staff with a wave of his hand.
Once they’d gone, he crossed over to where Guinevere stood and took her hands in his.
‘Why the balcony?’
She smiled. ‘I thought you’d enjoy watching the sun set while you give me more instruction.’
The mention of ‘instruction’ made him hard, and that was strange. Because it wasn’t as if they only had sex during these meetings. They also did it at night, in bed together. He most certainly wasn’t abstinent.
She hadn’t absented herself from his bed again, the way she had done that one night, so he couldn’t fathom why the more time he spent with her, the more he wanted.
Somewhere in the depths of him a warning bell tolled, but he ignored it. This was purely a physical infatuation, nothing more, and as long as he continued to make progress with rebuilding his country, why shouldn’t he enjoy more time with his wife?
‘Also,’ she added, threading her fingers through his and leading him over to the table, ‘you need dinner.’
She was always feeding him. Not that he objected. It was just strange to have someone invested in his wellbeing. It wasn’t that his aides weren’t, but with them it wasn’t about him, but his role as King. Guinevere, though, saw past his crown to the man he was behind it, and some part of him took deep satisfaction in that.
‘This looks delicious,’ he said as he sat down on the cushioned chair at the head of the table.
It was a long table, meant for more than two people, but instead of sitting opposite him, Guinevere sat beside him.
‘I hope so.’ She got a plate and began to serve him, as she always did at these meetings. ‘I had the kitchen make all your favourites.’
Tiberius watched her. ‘You know my favourites?’
‘Of course.’ She gave him a grin. ‘I asked the staff what you liked and they told me.’
She has made an effort to know you, but what do you know of her?