Page 15 of The Most Unsuitable Prince (Another Arranged Marriage #8)

“Sir, as your adviser, I have to strongly protest your attendance at the Middlethorp ball.” Sigmund tightened the binding around Winter’s wound.

It was the afternoon of the following day, and while Winter expected his claw mark would be healed…

that wasn’t the case. Some form of local vegetation on the gryphon’s claws had been injected into the hole the claw left in Winter’s belly, and it was hampering Sigmund’s skilled healing efforts.

“I’m feeling a lot better.” Winter smiled at his friend, adviser, and current valet.

They couldn’t take a risk of any castle staff member mentioning the wound in his husband’s hearing.

“Your skills in healing have improved greatly over the years. At least I can stand, walk, and if necessary, one would hope I can dance without looking or feeling as if I have nails in my shoe or a knife in my gut.”

“I would be a lot happier if I didn’t have to perform these skills at all. That would indicate that my prince and master… I beg your pardon, my crown prince consort and master had stopped getting himself into dangerous situations.”

Winter’s smile blossomed into a chuckle. “’Tis the nature of the Martingale royal family. This is what we do. I’m sure you’d have guessed that by now, having been with me since I was barely bigger than my sword.”

“I was younger then, too, and likely a lot more foolhardy.” Sigmund sniffed.

“The less said about that, the better.” He patted the fastening he’d attached to Winter’s bandage.

“That is as secure as it’s likely to get.

However, should your husband prove frisky, explaining that bandage could be problematic. ”

“My dear Sigmund, if my husband ever gets to the point where he’s likely to see me shirtless, then he’ll also have my trust enough for me to tell him the truth of what happened.

I doubt that will happen in one evening.

” Winter reached for his robe. He’d opted for the white and gold outfit for the evening’s festivities.

The one he’d originally planned for his wedding.

“You do appreciate his good looks, though, don’t you, sir?” Sigmund took the robe from him and eased it up Winter’s arms and over his shoulders.

Winter started fastening his buttons. “I’ve appreciated the looks of many a man over the years who shares Rupert’s stature and commanding nature. However, Rupert has yet to prove to me he’s worthy of my attention.”

“Is that all there is to that attraction, sir?”

Sighing, Winter shook his head. He and his family lived by a code, and part of that code demanded honesty in all things when it came to dealing with their teams. To do anything less could be dangerous.

“I am attracted to him, yes. And there have been times, especially when I’m supposed to be resting, when I find myself thinking about him overly much.

If our situation had been different, then we’d have wed and shared a bed from day one.

But I believe in this matter I have to be patient…

and yes, I’m aware that’s not something I’m known for. ”

“I appreciate you admitting it.” Sigmund handed over Winter’s pants and then took them back. “I’ll bend so you don’t have to, but I still don’t think you should be going.” He bent over, holding Winter’s pants so he could step into them.

“Thank you.” Winter grabbed the waist of the pants quickly and pulled them up under his robe, doing them up cautiously over his bandage.

“First, this is the only time Rupert has personally asked me to do something with him, and I’d be setting a bad precedent by saying no.

Second, and more important in my eyes, he is inviting me into his inner circle.

I am not assuming this will be a regular occurrence, which is yet another reason why I should go when I’m asked.

I want to witness him in his natural environment. ”

“He’s not one of the creatures you chase and capture.” Sigmund shook his head. “You’re not going to be expected to write a report about him for the World Council at the end of the night.”

“Technically, I’ve already caught him.” Winter chuckled softly. The pain in his gut wasn’t as bad as it had been the day before. “The question now is, do I keep him, let him go, or send him into the World Council for further study.”

“I’m sure we’ll all wait with bated breath for you to decide, sir.” Sigmund tilted his head, hearing a tap on the outer door. “That will be your husband, for you. We’ve arranged for Pippin to be driving the carriage, so you will have support if you need to make a speedy getaway.”

“Is August with the king?” Winter flicked back his hair and put himself into social mode.

“I believe they are playing cards, sir.”

“Oh, no.” Winter laughed as they made their way to the outer chamber. “August is terrible at cards.”

“I believe that’s why the king prefers playing with him rather than you, sir.” Striding over to the door, Sigmund opened it, turning back to Winter and bowing low. “Crown Prince Rupert is here to escort you to your engagement, Your Highness.”

“Don’t wait up, Sigmund.” Winter’s smile was still in place as he went over, taking Rupert’s hand. He wasn’t tall enough to air-kiss his husband without climbing his body, but he was pleased when, after a moment, Rupert bent over and air-kissed on either side of his face.

“You look very dashing, Rupert dear,” Winter said as Rupert straightened. “I’m extremely excited for this evening. May I take your arm, and we can be on our way?”

/~/~/~/~/

Rupert was quietly flummoxed. He had braced himself as he had strode down the long corridor to his husband’s room.

He was sure he was going to see Winter in a similar sort of finery to what he had seen the previous two times he’d witnessed Winter at a social engagement – namely, the party he saw him at in the first place and their wedding.

So to be greeted by his husband, who was looking particularly debonair in his white robe with matching pants trimmed in gold that seemed to match the highlights in his hair, was the first surprise of the evening.

Having Winter willingly come toward him, smiling, taking his hand, accepting his greeting, and asking to take his arm, were the second surprises of the evening. It’s as if we were two men out on a regular date.

When Rupert thought back, he couldn’t remember the last time he had escorted someone out on a date. Traveling with Tristan and his friends really didn’t count, and nor did any of the casual assignations he’d enjoyed for an hour or so in an evening. I’m going to need to be on my best behavior.

Having made sure that Winter was comfortable in the carriage before taking the seat next to him, Rupert worried what they could talk about.

To be frank, he had felt a little embarrassed about his outburst in his husband’s room the day before, once he’d had time to think about it.

However, Winter didn’t seem to be concerned about that at all, mentioning how comfortable the seats in the carriage were, and how lovely it was to just take a break away from the castle for a short while.

“I’ll admit it’s a bit like us being in our own little world, sitting in a carriage like this, wouldn’t you agree?

So much nicer than traveling somewhere on a horse, especially when we’re both dressed nicely and looking forward to a very sociable evening.

It gives us a chance to chat without a dozen people hanging onto every word. ”

“It is enjoyable, yes.” Rupert cleared his throat. The last thing he needed to think about was how intimate their setting was. “I visited my father yesterday afternoon and again this morning. He had many pleasant things to say about you.”

“That would have been lovely for you,” Winter said warmly.

“Your father speaks of you so fondly when I visit. I like to call on him in the afternoon after I know he’s had a nap, just to see if there’s anything that he needs.

He has so many stories about the wonderful things that you’ve done throughout your life.

I always hear a genuine affection in his tone when you’re mentioned. That is rare in royal families.”

“Do you have a close relationship with your own father?” Rupert asked.

“We’re very close, yes,” Winter said. “I am hoping you won’t object to my visiting him regularly – he doesn’t leave Martingale very often.

It doesn’t need to be too often. With so many siblings, and all of us grown, it is possible to go weeks without seeing him, even when I lived at home.

Yet I was always aware he had company from at least two of my siblings.

“After my mother’s passing a few years ago, my siblings and I got together more regularly, and we make a point of ensuring at least one or two of us are at the castle at any one time, so that Father doesn’t feel lonely.

He and my mother were exceptionally close and enjoyed a long and happy marriage for many years. ”

Rupert felt a familiar pang in his heart.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” he said, more abruptly than he meant to.

He tried to soften his tone. “I rarely discuss my mother. She died when I was very small. I understand from others that she and I were very close, although I don’t remember those times very clearly. ”

“Rupert dear, I am certain you and your mother would’ve been close.” Winter leaned against Rupert’s arm for a moment before straightening. The carriage hadn’t even gone around a corner, so that meant it wasn’t an accidental bump. “I can imagine you would’ve been an adorably precocious child.”

“I’m sure I wouldn’t know.” Rupert glanced out of the window and then back at his husband. Winter appeared contented, looking out the window closest to him, and then back in his direction again. I’m not sure what else I could say. What do people on dates talk about?