Page 51 of Grand Romantic Delusions and the Madness of Mirth, Part One

A few of the guests gathered around the coffee and tea service at the far end of the luncheon buffet turn to look our way, alerted by our initial thunderous approach.

Isla appears to be in conversation with Miller and Diaz from the Hernandez bond group, with a coffee in one hand and a lot of enthusiastic gesturing going on with the other.

No doubt she’s talking about one of her favorite charities, seeing as how she sits on over a dozen boards and is always getting requests for others.

Not just because she’s enthusiastic and educated, but because she actually contributes her time and energy.

I notice the moment that Diaz and Miller, his chosen, lay eyes on Caden. The awry football player is still almost close enough to brush my shoulder. After his run, Perseus has mellowed enough that Caden’s older stallion doesn’t bother him.

An answering smile blazes over Caden’s face, and his barely purple gaze takes on an almost imperceptible glow. But he isn’t exerting any intentional charisma other than the energy that always hums from him .

I follow Caden’s gaze to Miller and Diaz, then back to the viscount. Just for a moment, I swear I can feel energy stretching between them. I can’t see those threads of essence. It’s unusual for me to even feel them. But I instantly understand what I’m sensing.

“They … they’re your soul bonded?” I ask quietly before I can stop myself from blurting such a personal question. “Not just chosen.”

Caden hesitates, most of his attention still glued to Miller and Diaz. “I … oh … I’m not … sure.” He clears his throat, offering me the sweetest smile. “Yes, I think so.”

“And the others? Taylor …”

He nods, scanning my face. “Instantly.”

“The moment you met …” I murmur. “You haven’t told them.”

He shakes his head ruefully. “It’s not the same for me as it must be for you. The … essence is just …” He lifts one hand, spreading his fingers and gazing down at his palm. “It’s more like an … understanding … than something I can actively wield.”

“You didn’t know. For certain, I mean.”

“I didn’t know. But they … balance me. I feel more grounded. And stronger. Even more free.” He laughs quietly. “That was a shock. The idea that choosing to be with someone exclusively was more freeing than any …” He trails off, flushing slightly.

“Than fucking around?” I say playfully.

Elias snorts to my left, quietly enough that Caden might not have picked it up. I doubt that Noah and Sully, chatting quietly behind us, can hear much of our conversation.

“Yes.” Caden flashes me a grin, then turns his attention back to Miller and Diaz. Both of his chosen are unabashedly watching him slowly riding toward them .

Need flickers through me, pointed but warm. I don’t think it’s pure jealousy or envy, but …

I want. I want that instant connection. I want to feel … stable and grounded.

I had that.

With Armin.

“Your Highness?” Caden says quietly. His gaze is suddenly concerned.

I offer him a tight smile.

He leans as close as the two horses allow, lowering his voice.

“I still think … we wouldn’t be here if we weren’t genuinely …

fuck, I probably should have let Diaz take my spot on the ride.

I adore Lee and William as well, but we’re not soul bonded.

I’m … I don’t think. But the point is, we want you.

We think we could give you what you need.

Taylor brought me to the others. I … I think there is a place for you with us. ”

“Thank you,” I say quietly, keeping my tone soft.

Roz and Greg at our rear break off, heading toward a small group of staff — grooms and other trainers — situated away from the luncheon area.

I catch sight of Christoph and Bolan in conversation closer to the lake. They turn to watch our slow approach.

I nudge Perseus to follow in the guards’ wake. The others move with me.

A dark-haired, dark-skinned young woman standing off to the side of the other grooms tentatively raises her hand to draw my attention. Perseus is currently calm, but having me dismount away from the other horses is only prudent.

“Mirth,” Caden says quietly.

I flinch at the name, though hopefully only internally. Still, Caden’s gaze flicks between my eyes for a moment when I look over at him.

“With us …” He dips his chin, but holds my gaze.

“You wo uld never be asked to be anything more than you already are. I know we need more time to get to know each other, but we don’t …

” His gaze flicks to Elias on my other side, then behind us for a moment.

“We don’t want you for your title or money or power.

” He flushes. “Diaz and Miller are better with … the words. But … our existing soul bond doesn’t mean we wouldn’t gladly choose you. ”

I nod. But I’m thankful that when a groom steps forward and reaches for Caden’s reins, I don’t have to come up with a response. I gently nudge Perseus to break from the group, crossing to the younger groom holding her hand up to me.

I glance to my side, noting that Elias has already dismounted. His blue eyes are bright— and fixed to me with a thoughtful expression.

The young groom reaches for Perseus’s bridle, drawing us a few more steps away from the others. I swing down to the ground, running my hand over Perseus’s neck.

“He did well. Do you have a treat for him?” I ask, though my attention is on the other staff now mounting the steeds being turned over to them.

“I do, Your Highness.” Her accent is lyrical. Irish.

I turn my attention to her, still petting Perseus. “Are you riding him back?”

She bobs her head, not looking directly at me.

Tall, leggy, and in her late teens, I recognize her from the morning Anne came to collect me from the stables at Waterfell Castle. “Are you one of Rian’s permanent staff?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m Bev. Beverly.” She grins, mostly at my knees.

“Recently promoted to junior groomer. I’m his …

I mean … that’s not why I got the job … I mean, not the only reason, but we’re cousins.

” She bites her lip. “But I’m okay to ride Perseus.

I know he can be a handful for others … not you, of course, or Rian. ”

“I’d like to ride him back myself.” My suitors have all dismounted, and the other grooms are already heading back with their horses. Caden and Noah are striding off toward their chosen. But Sully and Elias linger. Waiting for me, I expect.

“Oh! You’d like me to stay? There’s a nice patch by the lake over there that Perseus might like.”

“Tether him and have some lunch,” I say, removing my riding gloves. “I promised Rian that we’d talk about Perseus’s training and upcoming races, so I might as well ride him back. You can catch a ride back?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I pet Perseus, stepping away. Elias and Sully instantly cross to join me. And when Sully twines his fingers through mine and Elias offers me his elbow as if he’s escorting me to a prestigious event, I accept both. Without question.

Before we even finish lunch, Isla rallies the staff with impressive efficiency to organize a cozy seating area near the lakeshore, replete with blankets and heating lamps.

The Merton spare heir then corrals me into a central seat — all without obviously herding me — placing tea I don’t actually want in my hands.

With his smirk in full force, Sully ignores Isla’s ‘subtle’ seating instructions, as well as the fact that the chairs on either side of me are already occupied by Elias and Noah.

He snatches away the pillow that Isla is now attempting to tuck at my side, tosses it to the ground, and crouches to settle back against the arm of my chair.

And yes, I angle my legs, primly and properly crossed at the ankle as always, so that I’m tucked against his body. Tilting his head to turn his smirk on me, Sully wraps his hand around the back of my knee, at the top of my boot.

The others shuffle around us, claiming seats, hot drinks, and other treats. Bolan sprawls on a wide wooden chair across from us, legs spread insolently and head thrown back lazily, eyeing me. And Sully.

Christoph remains standing, sipping coffee while in quiet conversation with Miller. Diaz and Caden cuddle in another wide wooden chair.

Isla whirls around, making certain everyone is in place, before she unobtrusively shoos the staff away. While her back is turned, Elias reaches over and takes my unwanted tea, then slides a small plate of treats — truffles and other chocolates — onto the arm of my chair.

He sips the tea, only offering me a slight raise of an eyebrow when I glance at him. I don’t bother quashing the twist of my own lips. Isla is the youngest among us, so I’m not surprised that she feels the need to take control.

I nibble on one of the truffles, humming quietly with pleasure when I discover that it’s creamy chocolate ganache, not at all boozy. Always my worry with such chocolates.

A shiver of energy runs through the small gathering that I’m not certain how to interpret. A response to my … hum?

Sully twists to lay his chin on my knee, peering up almost pleadingly.

“This is mine,” I murmur teasingly.

His gaze falls to the small plate of treats, then flicks back to me.

“Mine,” I repeat, a little firmer. “Elias got them for me. It would be atrociously rude to share.”

Elias chuckles quietly. Then he plunks a chocolate off the plate, leans over without touching me, and offers it to Sully. Sully keeps his gaze on me as he presses just a little more into my legs in order to lean forward.

Then he simply … opens … his … mouth.

The world around us shrinks as all my senses home in on Sully’s lips.

Then on Elias as he brushes that chocolate across the tip of Sully’s tongue.

Then on Sully’s perfect white teeth coming down on the edge of the truffle.

Warmth that has nothing to do with the wool blanket slung across my lap or the essence-fueled heater standing nearby flushes through my face and neck.

Elias releases the truffle — having made no physical contact with either Sully or me.