Page 14

Chapter 14

Julius

J ulius looked around at his friends. “Olivia is unfamiliar with court and life at the palace. I hope you’ll all help her to adjust quickly.”

Ashton and Cade nodded quickly, murmuring their willingness to assist, as he had known they would. Zane merely inclined his head in one of his usual careless gestures, but Julius trusted Cade to keep his older brother in line if necessary. Zane was too aware of his elevated rank to warm quickly to a future princess who had once been a servant.

But while Julius hadn’t liked the tone of his comment about Olivia, his admiration of her beauty had been real—as it could hardly fail to be. If they could win Zane over, they would be well on their way to winning most of the court.

Kasper, however, gave a formal response, his voice stiff as he said, “I and my family stand ready to assist the crown in all matters.”

Julius nodded acceptance of the words even as his mind whirred, separating out their layers of meaning. Kasper, the third son of Lord Emerson, must know the truth of what had happened—or at least some of it. He must resent seeing Olivia in the place that should have been his sister’s, but apparently he was also aware that the exchange had been instigated by Marigold. His unusual response indicated he was keenly aware his family had been plunged into great, if secret, disgrace with the king and queen.

Julius just wished he knew how Kasper viewed Olivia herself. Did he understand she was also a victim, or did he think of her as complicit in the scheme?

“I knew I could rely on you all,” Julius said lightly, hoping his words were true. He would have to keep an eye on Kasper.

“I’ll be very grateful for any assistance you can provide,” Olivia said in her musical voice, turning her smile on each of his friends in turn. “You’ll probably find me wandering lost through the corridors at some point since they all look the same.”

Something tightened in his chest at the way even Zane and Kasper smiled instinctively back at her, unable to resist the combination of her fresh beauty and self-deprecating charm. He wanted to step in front of her and shield her from their admiring gazes. Or, even better, cancel the visit entirely and sweep Olivia off to find someone else to help her.

But Julius had no one else he could trust to watch over her. He had always maintained a careful distance with the young women of court, not wanting to set the gossips talking—an ironic goal as matters had turned out. But consequently, he wasn’t sure which of them could be trusted with the task of helping him guide Olivia through her first weeks at court. He might not like the appreciative gleam in his friends’ eyes—especially when he remembered his mother’s words about finding her a husband from the men of the court—but they were the only ones he could turn to.

“Lord Kasper,” Olivia said, addressing his tawny-haired friend. “I believe my aunt and uncle’s manor sits next to your home.”

Zane’s brows rose, and Julius threw a concerned look at Olivia. She shouldn’t mention her connection to Marigold—or give any hint of her friend’s scheme—in front of anyone, but especially not in front of Zane. Lords Emerson and Strathmore were long time political and economic rivals, and unlike his brother, Zane had never entirely shaken off his animosity toward Lord Strathmore’s sons, even in front of Julius.

When they were younger, it had caused Julius a great deal of distress to see Cade and Zane at odds with Kasper, and so Cade had not only adjusted his own attitude but also worked to keep his brother in check. But, as the older son, Zane was far more interested in politics than Cade, and Cade’s efforts had only muted his antagonism, not entirely overcome it.

Since the planned alliance with Lord Emerson had fallen through, Julius didn’t want Lord Strathmore to get wind of his parents’ failed plans. Lord Strathmore would resent the king and queen choosing his rival’s daughter for their son, even while he delighted at seeing Lord Emerson in disgrace. If the crown didn’t have the advantages of the alliance, they couldn’t afford to wear the disadvantages either. The last thing Julius’s father needed was to be at odds with more of his court.

Julius kicked himself for not warning Olivia beforehand about the necessity of not mentioning Marigold. But it was too late for him to say anything. If he attempted to cut her off, it would only draw attention, the opposite of what he wanted. He would have to trust that she possessed some good sense, despite her ignorance of court.

“We used to be neighbors,” Olivia continued, “but while your mother and sister sometimes walk on the hill behind the manors, I don’t think I ever saw you there. Do you all spend most of your time at court?”

She kept her voice light, and Julius hoped the others didn’t notice the tightness in her stance, betraying how much she cared about the answer.

“My mother sometimes attends court,” Kasper said warily, “although she has many duties. My sister would no doubt be fascinated to meet you—and even more eager to show you around than any of us could be—but she is currently on a visit to relatives in the southwest of Sovar.”

Julius eyed his friend speculatively. So Lady Marigold had been packed off to relatives, had she? Keeping her out of sight for a while was a sensible move.

“Perhaps I’ll have a chance to meet her when she returns,” Olivia said lightly, although he saw the way one of her hands had balled into a fist within the folds of her skirt.

Julius couldn’t share her dismay, though. He was utterly relieved at his narrow escape where Marigold was concerned. At least one good thing had come out of the accidental betrothal. Whatever happened with Olivia, he wouldn’t let his parents instigate a second betrothal with Lord Emerson’s daughter.

The thought reminded him that he had a bone to pick with Cade. He sent a glare toward his closest friend. Kasper wasn’t the only one who knew the truth about the original choice of bride—and Cade had lied straight to Julius’s face. That was a betrayal, even if he had been trying to calm Julius’s supposed nerves. Not disappointed in his mother’s choice, indeed!

But just like Olivia, he had to bite his tongue for the moment and wait for a more private opportunity to speak freely.

“It’s been days since you were here, Julius,” Zane said suddenly. “So it’s your turn for a match. Who do you want to face?”

Julius glanced at Olivia, expecting her to protest that he was supposed to be showing her around. But she raised a challenging brow at him, almost making him laugh aloud.

“See,” Zane drawled. “Your bride wants to see your prowess. You can’t confess to being chicken-hearted in front of her.”

“Zane,” Cade’s warning was quiet, and his brother ignored it completely.

Julius laughed. “Chicken-hearted? I think days cooped up in my father’s meetings have made me reckless, rather. Should I take on two of you at once?”

“Careful, Julius,” Cade said, although he sounded amused this time, “or you’ll be embarrassed in front of your lady.”

“I’ve always wanted to see a duel,” Olivia said. “Do please have a match. Just try not to get hurt.”

“How sweet.” Zane’s eyes laughed at Olivia in a way that made Julius’s skin itch.

“Her Majesty wouldn’t be happy with me if the first thing I did after she released me was to endanger her son,” Olivia added, making all four of Julius’s friends burst into surprised laughter.

She looked around at them in innocent surprise, leaving Julius torn between frustration and amusement. But when her eyes fell on him, she winked.

His mouth almost fell open, and Cade laughed.

“I think you really have met your match,” he murmured to Julius. “And you behold me positively agog with curiosity to hear how it happened.” He gave Julius a significant look, reminding the prince that his friend would have some questions of his own when they finally found the opportunity to talk without listening ears.

“I haven’t sparred yet this morning,” Kasper offered.

On any other day, Julius would have easily accepted, knowing the two of them were well-matched. But given his friend’s formal behavior earlier, he feared Kasper meant to lose to the prince as another gesture of apology. As little as Julius wanted to lose in front of Olivia, he would look even more foolish if she could tell Kasper was going easy on him.

“Cade looks equally fresh, and I have a score to settle with him,” Julius said with a laugh, clapping Cade on the shoulder and squeezing harder than was necessary.

Cade just grinned back. “Challenge accepted.”

Kasper stepped aside, not protesting, his subservient behavior only confirming Julius’s earlier impression. Usually Kasper was almost as inclined to haughtiness as Zane and would have insisted on his challenge being accepted.

Julius hadn’t intended to join in their usual morning sparring, so he had come without his sword. But Kasper offered him the use of his, and Julius happily accepted, glad to be able to accept one of Kasper’s overtures. Within seconds he had stripped off his jacket and vest, rolled up his sleeves, and taken his place across from Cade.

When he glanced at Olivia, she was seated beside the fountain, watching him with wide eyes. He looked back at his opponent to find Cade also watching Olivia, a soft smile on his face. Julius’s enthusiasm hardened into determination. He had always been well-matched with Cade, but he hadn’t practiced since before the ball, which put him at a disadvantage. But he refused to be defeated in front of his betrothed. He was suffering enough humiliation as it was, allowing the entire court to believe he was foolishly infatuated.

Kasper called for the bout to start, and Cade leaped nimbly forward, lunging into a picture-perfect attack. Julius jumped backward, out of reach, parrying before launching a counterattack of his own.

With the match begun, all other thoughts faded from his mind as he focused all his attention on the cadence of the parries and ripostes, his eyes glued to Cade for the telltale movement of his muscles that would signal a coming attack. It felt good to stretch his mind and body in unison, pushing himself instead of sitting around idle.

Finally, the perfect opportunity appeared. As Cade launched a complex attack aimed at disarming his opponent, Julius brought his sword up at an angle, sliding the attack away before twisting back again. Cade’s sword flew from his hand, the resistance to Julius’s blade instantly disappearing.

It was a new move, and Julius had only ever performed it on the visiting swords master who had taught it to him, so he was thoughtlessly expecting Cade to jump back immediately as the master had always done. But Cade stood motionless, caught by surprise, and the tip of Julius’s blade caught on his wrist, skipping upward as it tore a light gash up his forearm.

Julius wrenched his arm back, his eyes widening. He might have won the bout, but part of the challenge of the practice matches was in not injuring your opponent, and Julius had a near perfect record in that regard. He’d let his determination overtake his caution. Once again, Olivia’s presence had scratched Julius’s surface, proving how little he resembled the perfect prince beneath.

“I didn’t mean—” he began, his words cut off by Zane’s admiring whistle.

“Nice move,” Zane said in a more enthusiastic tone than usual. He didn’t seem in the least worried by the injury to his younger brother.

“Very nice!” Ashton agreed with even more enthusiasm. He bounded over and clapped Julius on the shoulder. “I haven’t seen that particular trick before. When were you planning to teach it to the rest of us?”

Julius grinned back, despite his underlying unease. “Only after I’ve defeated you all at least once, naturally.”

Ashton laughed, but Julius turned back to Cade.

“Is it deep…” he started to ask, the words dying as he saw Olivia wrapping Cade’s arm in a length of white cloth—presumably Cade’s discarded neckcloth.

Julius had wanted to impress her for once, but given how quickly she had run to Cade’s side, it looked like he’d managed the opposite. Again.

He strode over, intending to take over the task, but she had already completed it neatly and efficiently.

“It didn’t look too deep,” she said to Cade, answering Julius’s earlier question and easing his guilt.

“Of course it’s not.” Cade laughed and gave a charming smile in Olivia’s direction. “It was a mere glancing blow, barely a scratch.” He turned to Julius. “I hope now that I’ve been duly beaten, you’ll be willing to teach that move to me. Preferably before you teach any of the others.”

“My apologies,” Julius said, wincing. “I should have been more careful. I haven’t used it with an opponent who didn’t know it was coming before, and I should have considered the danger.”

Cade scoffed. “It’s hardly the first time one of us has been scratched, and it won’t be the last. Kasper barely even mentions the time I accidentally skewered his arm.” He threw a laughing look in Kasper’s direction and received a snort in response.

Cade’s voice lowered. “When facing each other across a blade, we’re all the same. We decided that from the beginning. You don’t have to wear the weight of your role in this, too.”

Julius grimaced and sent Cade a light glare in response, not risking looking in Olivia’s direction. His friend was talking too quietly for the other men to hear, but Olivia was much closer.

“Even if it’s a minor wound,” Olivia said, changing the topic and easing some of his tension, “it would still be wise to see a doctor. There must be one here in the palace—probably more than one. Let me help you to the closest.”

Julius leaped in before Cade could accept such an appealing escort. “It was my error, I’ll take him myself.”

He expected Olivia to protest, but she merely nodded. “You’re right, that would probably be better. They’ll see him more quickly if you accompany him.”

Her words had sense, and that consideration should have been at the forefront of his own mind.

“I don’t need any escort at all,” Cade said with a laugh. “It was my arm that was barely injured, not my leg.”

But Julius was determined. He had hurt his friend, and if Cade would be seen more quickly in Julius’s presence, then he wasn’t going to abandon him and return to a morning relaxing with Olivia.

Olivia.

He was supposed to be showing her around the palace. But he couldn’t be in two places at once. He would have to trust Olivia to one of his friends.

His eyes skipped straight over Zane, who was watching the three of them with far too much interest, and lingered on Ashton. The youngest of his friends had always reminded him of the best qualities of a puppy—loyal, enthusiastic, and endearing. But Ashton’s eyes lingered on Olivia with far too much admiration. He was just the sort of noble Queen Elsinore might think a good match for Olivia—wealthy and well connected, but not too influential. That thought sat uncomfortably for some reason, so he turned his eyes to Kasper.

Kasper was the obvious answer. Olivia was clearly desperate for a private word with Marigold’s brother, and it was better to give her the opportunity sooner rather than later—before she slipped up and said something in front of the wrong person.

“I’ll take Cade to the doctor,” Julius called across the courtyard to Kasper. “I’m trusting the rest of Lady Olivia’s palace tour to you.”

Kasper’s eyebrows rose, but he immediately strode over to join them.

“Don’t forget what’s due her new rank,” Julius said more quietly, giving his friend a warning glance.

Kasper stiffened. “Naturally. I wouldn’t make such an error.”

“I hardly think that’s necessary,” Olivia said softly from his side, reproachful eyes fastened on Julius. “I’m sure Lord Kasper doesn’t need such reminders.” Her lips tightened. “And he may have other plans for his day. I’m neither a child in need of watching nor a parcel in need of safe delivery.”

Julius gave a soft sigh. They were hardly selling their supposed love story. But he couldn’t blame Olivia. The whole problem would have been avoided if only he’d been more careful during his match.

“Please humor his company for the sake of my conscience,” he said, giving his words a teasing edge while his eyes tried to signal a warning. “I wouldn’t want you to get lost on the way back to your rooms.”

She blinked up at him for a moment, clearly confused by his silent message, so at odds with his light tone. Then her face relaxed, and she smiled. Apparently, she had understood his reminder that they had an audience and must keep up appearances.

“It won’t be the same as getting the tour from you,” she said, as both Ashton and Zane strolled over to join them. “But I appreciate the thoughtfulness.”

Kasper bowed to her, his face once again an unreadable mask. “I know I’m a poor substitute for your betrothed, but you will be in safe care in my hands.” He smiled slightly. “I haven’t been lost in the palace for ten years.”

Ashton slung an arm over Kasper’s shoulder. “There’s a story there, Lady Olivia. And since Kasper never indulges my curiosity, you’ll have to be the one to ask him to tell it.”

“Not even a lady could coax it from me,” Kasper replied with a straight face.

“You should ask me to tell it instead,” Cade said with a mischievous smile. “I was there, too, but I lack Kasper’s self-consequence.”

“More’s the pity,” Zane muttered in a sour tone.

Julius restrained the impulse to whack Cade’s brother for disrespecting Cade while he was injured. But the rest of them ignored Zane, and Olivia’s smile didn’t dim.

Kasper held out his arm to her, and she took it with a polite smile. Something twisted in Julius’s chest. It shouldn’t have, but it did anyway.

He wasn’t jealous of Kasper in the normal way—Olivia’s interest in him wasn’t personal. But even so, he didn’t want to send her off on the arm of one of his friends. He wanted the chance to show her around himself, although it was his own fault he’d lost that opportunity.

“Relax, lover boy,” Zane murmured with a grin. “She’s already yours, remember?”

Julius turned narrow eyes on him, but Zane merely laughed.

“I do hope you’re going to tell us how you managed to convince your illustrious parents, by the way,” he drawled. “I wouldn’t have thought they had it in them to accept a servant girl in the name of love.” One eyebrow quirked. “Didn’t think you had it in you either.”

“Watch it, Zane,” Cade growled, making Julius sigh. The last thing Cade needed was a brotherly tussle when he hadn’t even seen a doctor yet.

“It’s past time I got you to a doctor,” Julius said to Cade with a weighted look, firmly shutting down the other discussion. He glanced at Zane. “Are you coming?”

He hoped not—he would prefer to talk to Cade privately. But if Zane wanted to accompany his brother, he couldn’t deny him.

“I’m sure you have the matter well in hand,” Zane said with a nod. “Our family has always appreciated your favor to my baby brother.”

Cade bristled but subsided at a warning look from Julius. Even more than their ages, the difference in temperaments was exactly why he had always been closer to Cade than Zane. Zane was too interested in politics and his family’s honor, and he could never resist casting slights at his brother.

Zane gave a respectful nod before wandering off, sweeping Ashton along with him.

Julius turned to Cade with a wry grimace. “My apologies. You must be in pain and that all took far too long.”

Cade laughed. “And you’re making far too big a fuss about a minor scratch. How many times do I have to say I’m fine?”

Julius sighed. “I shouldn’t have been so careless. Even a scratch as you call it could become infected. I haven’t made such a mistake in two years.”

“No,” Cade agreed in a thoughtful tone. “You’re usually far too serious and responsible for that. Should I assume it’s the effect of your beautiful bride?”

Julius stiffened, but a moment later he relaxed and sighed again. Cade was the one person Julius could be open with, so the last thing he wanted to do was ice him out.

“I was angry with you at the start of our bout,” he said, “but given I skewered you, I’m not sure I can take the righteous high ground anymore.”

“Angry at me?” Cade sounded genuinely confused. “Whatever for?” He took a step closer and lowered his voice. “What is going on, Julius? Who is Olivia?”

Julius didn’t answer, his eyes catching on a servant passing down one of the corridors bordering the courtyard. Cade followed his gaze, stepping forward to flag the footman down.

“We’re in need of a doctor for a minor matter.” He gestured at his arm with an easy grin. “Could you please fetch the royal physician to the prince’s sitting room?”

The footman glanced at Julius, waiting for his nodded confirmation before he bowed and hurried away.

Cade turned his grin on Julius. “Clearly you have a story to tell, and I don’t have the patience to wait on the doctor’s leisure before I hear it. We’ll let him come to us, and if it takes a bit longer, that will just give you time to confess all.”

Julius glanced uncertainly at Cade’s arm, and his friend rolled his eyes.

“If you say one more word about my deadly wound, I’ll draw my sword again and see how you like being stabbed.”

Julius laughed reluctantly and let Cade lead him to his private sitting room. It was probably better that they saw the doctor in private anyway. There were enough rumors about him currently circulating without adding talk of his doing violence to a nobleman of the court.

As soon as they were safely shut away from curious ears, Cade whirled on him. From the look on his face, he must have been working hard to restrain his rampant curiosity all morning.

“Why has Lady Marigold been sent off to visit relatives?” he asked before Julius could even take a seat. “What happened? Who is Lady Olivia? If the citizens of Sovar were surprised to discover your great and secret love for a commoner, you can only imagine how I felt! And while I hate to agree with Zane on anything, I would very much like to know how you convinced your parents to humor you on a matter of such significance.”

His expression dropped. “And why didn’t you tell me about her? I thought you trusted me. We even talked about it all before the ball, and you never mentioned Lady Olivia.”

Julius dropped into a chair and groaned, covering his face with a hand. “Actually, I did.”

“Impossible.” Cade seemed too animated to sit. “If you ever admitted something so shocking, I wouldn’t forget it in a hundred years. You never go against your duty.”

Julius wished for a moment that Cade had truly forgotten their earlier conversation. But it had only been a matter of days, and his friend wasn’t likely to forget such a tale.

“I never said her name because I didn’t know it,” he admitted with a sigh. “But I do recall mentioning she was very beautiful…”

He looked up at his friend, waiting for the moment of realization. He wasn’t disappointed.

Cade’s eyes widened, and he gave an involuntary crack of laughter before staring at Julius. “Not the girl from the hill? The one who stopped you walking straight off a cliff? The one who didn’t know who you were but probably thought you were lacking some or all of your mental faculties? But you said you weren’t in love with her!”

“I’m not!” Julius cried. “What happened at the ball was a terrible misunderstanding, and now I’m stuck. Stuck betrothed to the one person I hoped never to see again.”

“So you’re not in love with her?” Cade said slowly. “And I suppose she’s not in love with you either.”

He had a strange look on his face as he said it, and Julius’s brows drew together, although he couldn’t put his finger on his discomfort.

“That is the least of my worries.”

“But what happened to Lady Marigold, then?” Cade was clearly trying to puzzle it out and getting nowhere. “I never even saw her at the ball, although I was naturally on the lookout.”

Julius stood up, his brows lowering further. “Yes, about that. You told me I wouldn’t be disappointed! You lied right to my face! If my mother asked for your opinion, you should have talked her out of an ill-judged start like that.” He shook his head. “Choosing Lady Marigold of all people.”

Cade’s mouth fell open. “Was I supposed to talk Her Majesty out of it? I admit Lady Marigold is a very different style from Lady Olivia, but she’s just as beautiful. The young men of court all admire her.”

“They might admire her beauty, maybe,” Julius said darkly. “But at least half of them are also terrified of her.”

“Some of them, maybe, but you never seemed to have a problem with her,” Cade protested. “She often used to follow us around when we were young, and you were usually willing to let her join in. I thought you would be happy to have a bride who was both beautiful and a friend. It seemed a better beginning with your mystery bride than you were fearing.”

“Yes, Marigold is an excellent companion in any harebrained adventure,” Julius said shortly, “such as the kind we engaged in when we were ten years old. But can you really imagine her presiding over court? Managing all the subtleties of precedence and alliances and…who knows what else my mother helps my father manage?”

“Oh.” Cade blinked, clearly struck. “When you put it like that...”

“Yes.” Julius shook his head. “Exactly. Marigold always showed my parents her sweetest self, so I think Mother is convinced she merely has a…a cheeky side or something. She probably expects her to outgrow it. Marigold saved her true disregard for both convention and sense for her peers.”

“She isn’t that bad,” Cade protested, but his voice sounded weak.

“Of course, her family must know her true nature,” Julius added, once again considering Kasper’s unusual manner. “So they bear some of the blame. They agreed to the alliance without warning my parents, and now it has blown up in all our faces.”

Cade frowned. “Are you saying this apparent misunderstanding was somehow the Emersons’ fault? Is that why Kasper was acting so oddly this morning? Are your parents blaming Lord and Lady Emerson?”

“They should never have agreed to Marigold’s selection,” Julius said, “but the majority of the blame rests squarely on the shoulders of Marigold herself.”

“Marigold?” Cade paused and huffed out a frustrated breath. “Didn’t I already tell you I’m dying of curiosity? Stop dropping nonsensical hints and tell me exactly what happened!”

Julius told him as brief a summary as he could, but it was still a complicated tale. By the end of it, Cade’s mouth was hanging open.

“So Marigold has been sent away in disgrace? But…” He fell back into a chair behind him, shaking his head. “What a trick to play.”

“And against her own friend as well,” Julius added, his already dark thoughts about Lady Marigold turning darker.

“But…why?” Cade asked, still shaking his head.

“Apparently I’m as unappealing a prospect to her as she is to me.” Julius tried to keep his voice light.

“I—” Cade stood up, looked around the room, and sat down again. “I have nothing to say.” He sounded bewildered, and the admission made Julius laugh.

“Is that a first?” he asked. “You’re usually quite ready to give me your counsel—whether requested or not.”

Cade smiled back ruefully, although the shock hadn’t entirely left his eyes.

“I don’t think I have any advice for this situation. I suppose you’ll just have to hope the scholars find a way out of the betrothal. Who would have dreamed you’d find yourself betrothed to someone without wealth or connections?!”

Julius sat forward, leaning on his knees. “I don’t know that I’d say she’s entirely without connections,” he said slowly.

Cade raised his eyebrows. “A servant?”

“She wasn’t actually a servant but a niece of the household,” he said, uncertain why he felt the need to defend Olivia. “She was always acknowledged as family, her aunt just pushed her to fulfill the duties of a servant because of the way the Legacy assisted her. Since the ball, my father has made some discreet inquiries. It seems her uncle has never had much interest in the court, but he’s a canny and successful businessman with an extensive network and solid connections through the city. Father thinks there may be some advantage there.”

One of Cade’s brows shot up. “Do you mean your parents are starting to actually favor the match?”

Julius sank back against the chair. “I suppose they are hedging both bets, mentally speaking. She’s still hardly their first choice. She could barely be considered on the list.”

“And what about you?” Cade asked, speaking with the frankness no one else ever dared use toward the crown prince. “You don’t approve of Marigold as first choice, so is it Lady Olivia instead?”

“No, of course not,” Julius said quickly. A little too quickly.

“Interesting.” A small smile played around Cade’s mouth, making Julius narrow his eyes. Whatever his friend was concluding, he had a feeling he wasn’t going to like it.

But a knock at the door announced the arrival of the doctor and the end of private conversation with the one person who now knew the full truth about what had happened at the Midsummer Ball.