Trouble said something, making Rexley laugh.
Aiden found himself chuckling. Rexley hadn’t laughed like that, over anything but Muffin, in a long, long time. Apparently, the perky-assed Ice Prince and the Hellion himself weren’t such a bad match after all.
“What are you smiling at?” Nate came into the room, kissing Aiden’s forehead, before focusing on the dancing couple. “What the—?”
“Shh… They look good together, don’t you think?”
“Yes, but they are a little too close together, don’t you think? If your sire comes in here and sees them so close, he’s going— I don’t think I’ve ever seen Rexley smile. And I know damned well I haven’t seen Trouble without a scowl on his face all week. What did you do to them?” Nate stepped behind Aiden, wrapping him in his arms and staring over his shoulder.
Trouble was slightly shorter than Rexley, so he had his chin tilted up, but he wore a pleasant grin on his face. It had been there since they started dancing and he hadn’t broken eye contact for more than a second or two at a time. The entire time Trouble and Aiden had danced—or rather tried to dance together—Trouble had watched their feet.
Aiden shrugged, leaning back and reaching up to caress Nate’s face. The whiskers tickled his fingertips. “I didn’t do anything. Rexley came in and asked Trouble if he wanted him to teach him and Trouble said yes. I’m as shocked as you. Before about twenty minutes ago, I was convinced Trouble was either tone deaf or couldn’t count to three. Now he looks like he’s floating.”
Nate squeezed him around the waist, hugging him tighter. “Look at the way he’s looking at Rexley.”
“That’s the way I look at you.”
Chapter Nineteen
Aiden sat in the front center row of the large semicircular room of the House of Lords uncomfortably aware of how many eyes were on him. Being in the public should have gotten more comfortable with age but it hadn’t. It made his skin crawl and his hands sweat. Having his paintings shown was much easier than being openly examined himself. And being in the House of Lord’s meeting chamber had always been one of the worst public displays in his opinion. The room was a little on the daunting side, with its massive dome ceiling and high black, gold-veined marble walls.
Glancing to his left, he noticed Trouble looking around, seemingly oblivious to the scrutiny of the entire House of Lords. Maybe if Aiden had a sketchscreen he wouldn’t be aware of being studied. Not to mention he could capture Nate’s promotion as it happened. He leaned close to Trouble. “Do you remember what to do?”
“Yes. After Nate’s promotion, I’m going to go up there and stand by him.”
Well, that wasn’t it exactly, but Aiden decided to trust that Trouble knew what to do since the basic idea was correct. “They’ll call you forward. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not the one who’s worried.” Trouble gave him a pointed look. “Stop it. I’m not going to make a fool out of myself or Nate…or you. I’m not a complete heathen.”
“I never thought that. My guess was only three-quarters of one.”
Trouble smirked before facing the front again.
IN Admiral Carl Jenkins of Aries Fleet stepped up to the podium in his dress whites. “Lords of Regelence, I am honored to stand before your presence today to perform a military function that for most happens once in our lifetime. The promotion of an IN Captain to the rank of Fleet Admiral.”
An anxious feeling came over Aiden. He was proud, but a little nervous too. Which was silly, this wasn’t his promotion, but he couldn’t help it. Nate was his. He smiled, remembering how Nate had looked in his uniform before leaving the castle. He’d completely lost count of how many times he’d had his hands pushed away and heard the warning, “Boy, behave.” Which hadn’t helped in the least. That good-natured chiding tone made him want to get his hands on Nate even more.
Trouble dipped his head forward, looking past Aiden across the aisle where Aiden’s family sat.
Apparently, Aiden wasn’t the only one letting his focus drift. He discreetly pushed Trouble back and turned his attention to Admiral Jenkins.
“It is my honor to have served you for all these long years but it is time for me to step down. I would like all of you present to recognize your new IN Fleet Admiral of Aries Fleet, Admiral Nathaniel Hawkins.” Jenkins raised his hand and looked toward the rear of the assembly room.
The entire audience turned, following his gaze.
Nate stood right inside the double oak doors on the black carpet, in full dress uniform complete with his sword. He looked like a vision dressed in white. There wasn’t a man in all the galaxy as handsome. The upper part of his face was shaded by a hat. It had a shiny black brim and huge gold brocade signaling his change in rank. It made the red and gold highlights in his dark beard and mustache stand out. Aiden’s brain conjured Nate’s chestnut eyes. Unfortunately, Aiden’s memory took the image a step further and saw the twinkle there when Nate rubbed his whiskered chin across Aiden’s nude body. His cock began to harden. Aiden closed his eyes and took a deep breath. A room full of stuffy uptight politicians was no place to get an erection.
He opened his eyes in time to see Nate salute the flag and drop his white-gloved hand back to his side. He’d already changed out his insignia to that of Admiral. His captain’s black with gold shoulder boards had been replaced with the nearly completely gold ones of his new rank. Head held high, he followed Father toward the Admiral. Nate was so powerful and commanding Father was almost invisible, even in his crown and sharp formal wear. As they walked by, Nate turned his head, searching. When his gaze rested on Aiden, he winked, before looking back at the admiral.
Aiden let an appreciative noise slip out as Nate passed him. The man was as spectacular from the back as he was the front. The wide shoulders, lean waist, nice round arse. Good Galaxy, Aiden couldn’t wait to get his hands on him. Maybe he’d see if Nate would leave the uniform on awhile. He liked how the starched uniform felt against his bare skin.
“You look like you are about to start drooling.” Trouble elbowed him.
Snapping his mouth closed, Aiden frowned at Trouble. He had been lecturing Trouble on proper behavior all week and here he was ogling his spouse like he was a piece of meat, in public no less. Leave it to the brat to notice. It would probably come up the next time Aiden corrected him.
Admiral Jenkins bowed. “King Steven.”
Father dipped his head. “Admiral.” He took a seat next to Cony as Nate and Admiral Jenkins saluted one another.
Nate shook the Admiral’s hand then handed over his captain’s insignia.
After saluting Nate, Jenkins stepped aside, making room for Nate on the black-carpeted platform. “Now for a well-deserved retirement.”
There was a chuckle amongst the crowd, before Jenkins joined a group of officers on the front row to the far left.
Standing in the middle of the platform in front of the large black marble podium with the Regelence rose etched into it, Nate addressed the group of IN officers. “Attention.” His voice, so clear and deep, echoed in the vast room. It gave Aiden goose bumps. The urge to throw himself at Nate’s feet and beg Nate to take him was strong, but he refrained…for now.
The entire group, including Jenkins, stood and saluted.
Nate saluted in return. “My first order is for you to move Aries Fleet Headquarters to Regelence by leave of the King of Regelence. Please carry out this command immediately.”
The old Admiral stepped forward, “Aye, aye, Admiral Hawkins.”
“Dismissed,” Nate said.
Pride swelled in Aiden’s chest as the IN officers turned and marched out in formation. His eyes got a little watery staring at his consort. What had he done to deserve such a man? For as long as he lived he’d remember this moment, watching Nate stand proud and tall before the entire Regelence House of Lords. And just as soon as he got the chance he was going to sketch it. Aiden could let himself forget that there was something going on with the IN for now, because t
his was an honor Nate deserved, for however long it lasted.
Nate caught his gaze, his mouth turning up on one side, and Aiden swore the temperature in the room ratcheted up a notch. Aiden smiled back, his heart speeding up.
Stepping off the platform, Nate slid into the seat next to him. Nate grabbed his hand and squeezed, holding it on top of his thigh.
It took every ounce of control Aiden had not to scoot on over into his lap. “Congratulations, sir,” Aiden whispered.
“Thank you,” Nate returned. His gaze lowered to Aiden’s lips and he licked his own.
Aiden tilted his head, moving closer.
Nate leaned forward too but at the last minute he shook his head as if to clear it and turned his attention to the front of the room.
Dust. Aiden groaned and did the same.
Chuckling, Nate jostled their entwined hands. “Behave, boy.”
Oh, that didn’t help at all, his cock responded to that word like it was a command. He shifted a little and did his best to think of something unlustworthy. Like the man in front of them.
The Speaker of the House of Lords took Nate’s place. The Speaker was a short, thin man with graying brown hair, dressed in black parliamentary robes. When he spoke it was nasally and clipped. “Lords of Regelence, your King wishes to address you.”
Father stood and everyone—including himself and Nate—rose, showing their respect. When the king got to the podium the Speaker bowed and stepped away.
“Please be seated. I’ve some wonderful news.” Father looked toward Trouble. “Most of you are aware Admiral Hawkins is my new son-in-law, but what you probably do not know is that he has an adopted son. Please come forward, Jeremy.”
Trouble looked at Aiden and Nate, his color waning a tad.
Aiden nodded his encouragement and Nate stood, waiting for Trouble.
Getting up, Trouble walked forward with Nate and dipped his head, “Your Majesty.” Regardless what Trouble thought, he was quite handsome in his beige waistcoat and navy knee britches.
Father returned the gesture. “Lord Winstol.”
A resounding murmur echoed through the room before it fell completely silent.
“Jeremy Hawkins is the lost Winstol heir. I’ve taken the liberty of having his DNA tested against that on record of both his parents, the Marquis and Marquis-Consort of Winstol. I would like to have him recognized and his properties be relinquished to his guardian, his adopted father, Admiral Hawkins.”
The room buzzed with excitement and conversation.
Trouble fidgeted and Aiden couldn’t blame him. He felt like squirming too and he wasn’t the one standing before a couple of thousand sets of eyes.
The Speaker went to the podium with Father. They talked softly for several minutes, then Father took his seat next to Cony.
“Myself and several noble persons confirmed the DNA results indicate that Jeremy Hawkins is Jeremy Summers, the Winstol heir.” The Speaker spoke to the house. “All in favor of recognizing Jeremy Hawkins as the new Marquis of Winstol say aye.”
There was a loud chorus of “Ayes”.
“Do you recognize the Marquis of Winstol as your son?”
Nate dipped his head. “I do, milord.”
“Your Majesty, Prince Rexley, please come forward.”
Father and Rexley moved to stand next to Nate and Trouble. When Rexley got next to Trouble, he whispered something and the tension melted from Trouble’s shoulders.
Aiden grinned.
“Your Majesty, Admiral Hawkins, are you prepared today to reinstate your commitment to the betrothal of Rexley Townsend, heir to the throne of Regelence and Jeremy Hawkins, the Marquis of Winstol?”
Nate and Father both said, “I do.”
The entire House of Lords stood and cheered, Aiden included.
After a round of congratulations, Father and Cony led the way out of the chamber, leaving Rexley to take Trouble’s arm and escort him. Nate and Aiden followed while Aiden’s brothers and Lord Wentworth, the captain of the royal guards, brought up the rear.
Outside of the Parliament building, a large, noisy crowd gathered. Some appeared to be lords, but others were middle and lower classmen. The royal guards had cleared them a walkway to their lift and stood stiffly facing the throng of citizens. From here the royal family would go to the castle for a ball celebrating Nate’s promotion, Jeremy’s return and Aiden and Nate’s nuptials.
In Aiden’s peripheral vision, he glimpsed a man waving his arms. There were a lot of people and several were waving, but something about this man was different. He turned his head to see the man better. Aiden stopped and stared. Where had he seen the man before? He was tall, dark-headed and very handsome. His dress clearly proclaimed him a lord of the realm. An older man stood beside him, gazing intently at Nate.
Nate continued to walk, tugging Aiden toward the lift. “Aiden?”
Aiden stumbled, trying to keep the man in sight. Suddenly it hit him why the man looked so familiar. It was a slightly younger version of a face he knew and loved, only without the beard.
Nate’s hand closed over Aiden’s where it rested on Nate’s arm. “Aiden what’s— Jared? Father?”
Nate leaned against the private balcony’s railing overlooking Townsend castle’s ballroom with a scotch in hand and his father by his side. There was so much he wanted to talk about but he couldn’t find the words. It was a new phenomenon for Nate. He always spoke his mind, but his father made him feel like a child again. Where did he stand with the man? How had his father and brother come to be here?
Outside the parliament building his father had hugged him and told him how proud he was and how much he’d missed Nate, but with the hustle and bustle of the day, they hadn’t had time to speak until now.
Swirling the amber liquid, he stared down on the dance floor. It was packed full of people but he found Aiden easily.
Aiden danced by with Jared, giving Nate that warm feeling inside he always got when he looked at Aiden. His boy looked happy, smiling and chatting. It made him even more handsome, if that was possible.
And Jared? Nate could barely believe his baby brother was here, much less dancing with Aiden. Jared looked even more like Nate now than when they were younger. If it weren’t for the beard and mustache, they could be twins rather than having four years separating them.
Nate took in the splendor of the enormous room. It was nice, decorated in red, black and white. A very formal décor for a very formal occasion, yet here he was watching his own celebration from the sidelines, feeling unsure of himself. He didn’t like the feeling. It wasn’t one he’d dealt with in a long time and it made him irritable. Seeing his family again was something he’d yearned for, but never thought would happen.
Nate turned, studying his father. “Why?” It came out much harsher than he’d intended, but he didn’t take it back.
“It took me awhile to find you. But, I’ve known where you were for the past ten years. After what I did I didn’t think you’d want to see me.”
Nate swallowed the lump in his throat, his anger dissolving somewhat. All these years he’d never thought…
His father turned to face him, giving him his full attention. “I regretted my actions as soon as you’d left. I never thought you’d actually run away from home. The next morning I went to your room to find you and you were gone.” Squeezing his eyes tight, he exhaled a ragged breath. When he opened his eyes again there were tears in them.
“You told me to get out of your sight. You disowned me.” Nate remembered it like it was yesterday. His stomach tied in knots, just like it did eighteen years ago. The hurt was as strong as it was then, the feeling of abandonment. A lump formed in his throat. Nate swigged the rest of his scotch, enjoying the way it burned as it went down.
“I was mad. Deep down I knew you hadn’t done it on purpose, but I wasn’t thinking straight. Daniel was a hotheaded arse, but he was still Kit’s son. I was afraid Kit wouldn’t— I’m sorry, Nathaniel. You’re my son and I lo
ve you, please forgive me?” He tossed the rest of his drink back, his hands shaking.
Nate took the time to study his father. He’d aged in the last eighteen years. He was still the noble, handsome Duke of Hawthorne, but a few more strands of gray had joined the dark hair and wrinkles creased the corner of his eyes. Leland Hawkins had been known for his friendly inviting smile, but he wasn’t smiling now. His lips were pressed tightly together. As a father he’d always been affectionate rather than stern. It was probably why Nate had such a hard time being strict with Trouble.
Trouble. How would Nate feel if this were he and Trouble? The rest of Nate’s anger vanished. “I love you too, Dad. And yes I forgive you.” Nate blinked, his own eyes blurry. Damn it.
Tears ran down his father’s face, but the smile and the sudden ease of tension was even more telling. “Thank you.” He grabbed Nate, hugging him hard. Nate hugged back before letting go.
His dad brushed the tears from his eyes and turned back to the scene below them. After a few moments he smiled over at Nate. “He looks like he’s in his element. I like him. He’s the reason I found you. King Steven contacted me. But Aiden is the one who asked him to.”
Nate joined him, leaning over the railing again. “He told me.” He’d have to remember to deal with Aiden later. His boy deserved a spanking for going behind Nate’s back…and a good, long, hard kiss for it.
“Aiden is a good match for you. He looks like he can handle the social events that come with being a spouse of an earl and admiral.”
Aiden did look happy, smiling and talking. Yeah, a spanking was definitely in order. Nate grinned. “He’s a good actor. He hates these things. I forgot to pat him down before we left so I suspect there is a sketchscreen hidden in his waistcoat burning a hole in his pocket. This very minute he’s probably looking for an escape route.”
His father chuckled. “Ah, an even better match than I first thought. He’ll keep you on your toes.”
Nate took a deep breath, feeling much better. He searched the room for Aiden. “He certainly does. Between he and Trouble there is never a dull moment.”
My Fair Captain Page 25
