The Prince's Consort (Chronicles of Tournai Book 1)

by Antonia Aquilante

  “So happy, Adeline. I never could have imagined being so happy. I want him to be happy too. I want to make everything better for him, to give him absolutely everything.”

  The breath clogged in Philip’s throat at Amory’s words. His Amory. He forced a breath in past the lump in his throat and pushed the door open. The brother and sister were hugging, but they let go as he entered the room.

  “Philip.” Amory smiled in welcome. Adeline smiled as well, a shyer one than her brother’s, and stepped away from Amory to curtsy.

  He smiled at them both, but he knew his smile was different when he looked at Amory. He didn’t care, not anymore, that he wore his feelings for Amory so openly. He went to Amory and kissed him. As always, he had to force himself not to sink into the kiss, to deepen it and prolong it and follow it with many, many more. Kissing Amory was still his favorite pastime.

  But Adeline was standing next to them, and others were waiting for them to eat lunch to celebrate the finalization of Adeline’s betrothal to Pierrick. As much as he would rather pull Amory down onto the couch and keep kissing, he pulled away quickly, keeping a hand on Amory’s hip, and turned to Adeline.

  “Well, Adeline, it’s official. You are betrothed to Pierrick.” He grinned as her whole face lit up. Adeline’s features were so similar to Amory’s, but hers were softer, more feminine, and her auburn hair fell straight as rain to her waist while her brother’s curled around his face. “My felicitations.”

  “Oh, thank you, Your Highness.” She clasped her hands over her chest, and he got the impression she was trying to keep from waving them around. He almost laughed. Elodie would have been doing that and more. “For introducing me to Pierrick, and for everything.”

  “You’re very welcome, Adeline. I’m happy to do it. You’re going to be my sister soon.”

  Adeline beamed at him. “I’m going to like having you as my brother. I like seeing you and Amory together.”

  “I like it too,” Amory said, leaning into his side a little. Enough so Philip could feel the warmth of Amory’s slim body against his. It felt so right there.

  “It all went well enough, considering both your father and Pierrick’s are proud men.”

  Adeline snorted and then slapped a hand over her mouth, her face flushing bright red. Philip’s eyebrows shot up. He had never seen Adeline do anything that wasn’t perfectly ladylike, but Amory laughed.

  She glared at Amory for a moment. “Hush, you. I’m so glad it went well, Your Highness.”

  “Me too,” Philip said. “They’re waiting for us now. We’re all going to have lunch out on the terrace. It’s warm enough today with the sun out.”

  “Is Elodie joining us?” Amory asked.

  “No. She was going to visit Lilliale today. Apparently, Lilliale hasn’t been feeling well.”

  Amory nodded, but there was a strange look on his face. “What?” Philip asked.

  “Nothing really. It’s just…. Lady Lilliale has always seemed a little infatuated with you. I was thinking she might be upset more than ill.” Amory shook his head. “What do I know, though? I hope she feels better soon. It’s good that Elodie went to visit.”

  “Yes,” Philip said. Lilliale? Infatuated with him? He had always thought of her as a little sister. He hated that Lilliale might be upset over him, but he didn’t know what to do about it. “We should get to lunch.”

  “Of course. I’ll get my shawl.” Adeline disappeared into the bedchamber Amory hadn’t slept in for months.

  Amory turned to him. “I’m sorry if I said something wrong.”

  “You didn’t, not at all.” He pulled Amory in for a kiss. “You do make me happy. So very happy, Amory.”

  Amory’s eyes widened. “You heard us?”

  “A little. I’m sorry for listening.”

  Amory shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. I do want you to be happy. I think I would do anything to make you happy, to make you smile, Pip.”

  He looked at Amory, at a loss for what to say to something so heartfelt, so genuine. He had no doubt Amory would do anything for him. He traced a finger over Amory’s lips. “Just be here with me, and keep smiling. I love to see you smile.”

  Lunch went surprisingly well. Arnau was so pleased with himself he wasn’t particularly difficult, and Amory smoothed over any awkwardness. They toasted Pierrick and Adeline’s betrothal, and his and Amory’s was toasted in return. If the earl looked vaguely skeptical, he said nothing, and they all spoke of inconsequential things. Very little was said about the weddings except for a mention of timing. He and Amory planned to marry by Midwinter at the latest while Adeline’s wedding wouldn’t be until spring. Philip hoped he could convince Amory to marry him earlier than Midwinter. They were betrothed, and Philip didn’t want to wait for them to be married.

  Still, he was happy when lunch ended. He had work to see to, and he wanted it finished so he could spend the evening with Amory. After Cathal all but disappeared along with Uncle Umber, Etan had appeared in Philip’s study and, with hardly a word, took up Cathal’s duties. Once he figured out where everything was and what Cathal had been doing, Etan was a capable and intelligent help to Philip. He wondered if he could persuade Etan to stay when—if—Cathal returned.

  He and Etan were working through a stack of papers preparing for a meeting when Elodie stormed into the study late that afternoon. Philip knew his expression must mirror Etan’s look of surprise. Elodie usually made at least some nod to the proprieties, and she wasn’t rude.

  “Elodie?”

  “Is it true?” Elodie asked, words sharp and accusatory, without greeting either him or Etan.

  “Is what true?” He tried to remember anything that might have happened to upset Elodie, but he couldn’t think of anything. He and Amory had told her of their betrothal before they told anyone else, and she had seemed happy for them, if surprised, so it couldn’t be the betrothal.

  “I can’t believe you’re playing dumb about this!” She folded her arms over her chest and glared at him. “Did you set up a marriage between Amory’s sister and Lord Pierrick?”

  He flicked another glance at Etan, but his cousin looked as confused as he felt. “Yes. We finalized it this morning. They’re very happy.”

  Elodie flinched as if she’d been slapped. “I can’t believe you would do that.”

  He didn’t understand, and he found no help in Etan, who sat frozen in his chair. “Why are you upset? It’s a good match for Adeline.”

  “Don’t you take that reasonable tone with me, like I’m a stupid child. You know exactly why I’m upset.”

  He recognized the signs of an impending tantrum, despite her not having thrown one since she was a young child. She was moments away from stamping her feet, and he wasn’t sure how to stop it from happening. When she was a child, there were stern lectures from their parents, nurses, or tutors and occasionally a bribe from him. He didn’t think offering sweets would work anymore, not as it had when she was five years old. “I’m sorry. I don’t know, El. Will you tell me?”

  “I can’t believe I have to!” There went her foot, stamping against the floor. The sound was muffled by the thick carpet, and the lack of effect seemed to only annoy her more. “You’re my brother. You should know. No—you shouldn’t have done it in the first place!”

  “What did I do, Elodie?” He tried to force down his exasperation. His sister was a grown woman. She shouldn’t be acting like a spoiled child.

  “You set up a marriage between Lord Pierrick and that Adeline,” she said, throwing her hands up.

  “I did, but I don’t know why you’re upset. I thought you would be happy for her. I thought you and she got along.”

  “That isn’t the point,” Elodie snapped out, her voice almost shrill. “I’m your sister, not her. But you have Amory now, and you’re doing things for his sister and acting like she’s your sister. Only I should be more important, because I am your sister, and you should be thinking of me.”

  “Elodie. You ca
n’t be asking me to choose between Amory and you. Because I have a lot of people who don’t like that I’m marrying him, and I didn’t think you were one of them.” Please let that not be, please. He didn’t want to lose his sister too.

  “No. It’s not that.” Elodie’s fists clenched. “It’s not Amory. I can see he makes you happy. But now you have him, and you’ve practically adopted his sister, so it’s as if you have a new sister too. You negotiated an excellent marriage for her, but what about me?”

  Hurt filled her eyes, and it baffled him. “But, Elodie—”

  “What about me? Shouldn’t you be making an excellent marriage for me? Your unmarried sister? Or did you not think of me at all because Amory asked you to help his sister? Do you like her better than me?”

  Philip sighed. “I don’t like her better than you. I offered to help her, because she needed it. I didn’t set out to find her a husband, but it happened, and I’m glad she’s happy.”

  “But still—”

  He interrupted before she could get herself worked up again. Yes, she seemed hurt, but that didn’t mean he would tolerate a tantrum. “And as for you, I haven’t negotiated a marriage for you, because I’m hoping you’ll be able to choose your own husband as I did.”

  His statement seemed to take the fight out of her. “Oh.”

  “And I know you have feelings for someone already. He’s a good man. I like Faron.” He bit back a laugh, amused by the surprise that blanked her features. Of course he’d seen it. She wasn’t subtle. “I have no objections to a match between you and Faron if he feels the same.”

  But a marriage between Elodie and Faron seemed strange if he thought about his ruined friendship with Faron’s older brother. He wondered what Vasco would think of the match.

  “Oh,” she said again and then stared at him, blinking. “I don’t know if he feels the same.”

  “That’s all right. There’s no rush. If he does feel something for you, he’ll let you know.”

  “Or he’ll let you know.” She smiled a little.

  “Or that,” he agreed. “But I think Faron would speak to you first.”

  She nodded, then looked down and fidgeted a little, shifting from foot to foot. “I’m sorry.”

  “Did you really think I would toss you aside for Adeline?” The storm seemed to have passed, leaving him shocked more than anything. Disappointed too. How could she think he would disregard his own sister and her welfare? “You’re my sister, Elodie.”

  “I know, I know. I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me.” She looked back up at him, her eyes damp. “I do like Amory. At first, because he made you happy, but then I got to know him, and now I like him for him too. I would never make you choose.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’d probably choose him anyway.”

  “Elodie,” he said, his voice full of reproach. He would choose Amory over anything, he already had, but he would never abandon Elodie.

  “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I shouldn’t have said it. I don’t know why I ever thought you would replace me. You wouldn’t.”

  “Of course, I wouldn’t. You’re my sister, Elodie.” He sighed. “I care about Adeline, but you are my sister, and I love you. If you want me to start looking for a husband for you—”

  “No! Don’t, not yet. Please?”

  He choked back a laugh. He had expected that answer. “We’ll wait, then.”

  “Thank you!” Her usual exuberance was back as she bounded over to throw her arms around him in a tight hug. She released him just as quickly and scampered for the door. “I’ll let you get back to work.”

  He sat for a moment once the door closed behind Elodie, taking in the quiet, and then he looked at Etan. He was pretty sure Elodie hadn’t noticed Etan, he had done such a good job of blending into the background. He looked the way Philip felt—wrung out. He wasn’t certain where the tantrum came from. Normally, Elodie was… well, not calm. She was far too excited most of the time for calm to be a good description, but she was usually happy. He thought she outgrew the tantrums years ago.

  “I love your sister. I do,” Etan said, his voice tinged with something like shock.

  “Yes, me too.”

  “But I do not understand her.”

  “You aren’t alone in that either.”

  Chapter 10

  “I GO away for a little while, and look what you get yourself into.”

  “I’m sorry?” Amory looked at Tristan, trying to see what he was thinking.

  “No, you’re not.” Tristan’s bright blue eyes were subdued, maybe a little sad, but he smiled at Amory.

  “No, I’m not.” He couldn’t be sorry for everything that had changed in his life since he’d last seen Tristan.

  They looked at each other for a moment, more awkward than they had ever been in their long friendship. Amory had thought getting caught with Tristan by Alban all those months ago might have ruined their friendship. He wondered if his betrothal to Philip was what would really finish it.

  “Come inside.” Amory pushed open the door to his and Philip’s suite, and ushered Tristan through. If he was facing the end of his oldest friendship, he would rather do it in private.

  Tristan stopped a few steps inside the door and looked around. “This is where you live? With the prince?”

  “Yes.” He walked farther into the room and settled on a chair by the fireplace. “This is home.”

  “It’s not what I expected.” Tristan must have seen something in his face, because he continued quickly while walking closer to Amory. “The rest of the palace is so formal and so… much. But this is nice, comfortable. Richer than anything I have ever seen, but it isn’t too much. I can see how you could feel at home here.”

  “I do.” He smiled a little, and Tristan sat near him.

  “Good. That’s good.”

  They fell silent again, and it stretched for long moments. Frustration made Amory want to scream. He didn’t know what to do about it. Maybe if they’d talked sooner, but they hadn’t seen each other since the disastrous day when Alban caught them in the garden. Well, disastrous perhaps for their friendship, not for everything else. If Alban hadn’t caught them, then Amory wouldn’t have met Philip, and he couldn’t imagine his life without Philip in it.

  Almost immediately after that day, Tristan’s father had taken Tristan traveling out of the country, and they only just returned. Tristan found out Amory was marrying Philip, but this was the first time they’d seen each other. Amory wasn’t surprised everything was awkward. He only wished it weren’t.

  “So you’re really marrying the prince?” Tristan asked suddenly.

  “Yes.” He couldn’t help the smile that spread over his face. He never could when he thought of Philip and how Philip wanted to marry him, despite Amory’s worries.

  “You love him, don’t you?”

  He couldn’t decipher the expression on Tristan’s face, which scared him considering how long he had known Tristan. He wouldn’t lie to him, though. “Yes, very much.”

  Tristan nodded. “I thought so. It’s all over your face.”

  “Is that—” He stopped, unsure how to ask what he needed to know. “Tris, are you… are you all right with me and Philip?”

  “Am I all right with it?” Amusement flashed across Tristan’s face.

  “Don’t. I don’t know how to ask what I need to know. But you know what I mean.”

  Tristan smiled briefly, not quite his usual grin, but close. “I know what you mean. Would it matter if I weren’t all right with your being in love with the prince?”

  “Yes. You’re my friend.”

  “But it wouldn’t matter enough for you to give him up.”

  Amory’s heart sank. “No, not enough for that.”

  “I would never ask you to, not if you love him.”

  “And us?” He almost didn’t want to ask, but he couldn’t ignore everything and hope it went away, that they could go back to normal. Especially
when normal for them had been friendship and a lot of furtive kissing, which was no longer possible.

  “You never loved me like that.”

  It wasn’t a question, but he answered anyway. Even though he hated to hurt Tristan. “No. But I love you as my friend.”

  Tristan nodded. He didn’t look surprised. “I don’t think I love you like that either. I don’t think I ever did.”

  “You don’t?” An overwhelming flood of relief washed through him. He was glad he was sitting, it hit him so hard.

  Tristan shook his head, sending a thick lock of hair falling over his eyes. He swiped it out of the way. “No. You’re my best friend, and I love you that way. But it would have been so easy if we could have been in love with each other.”

  “I suppose.” But he wasn’t sure his answer was true. Yes, falling in love with his friend would have been nice, but he couldn’t imagine himself and Tristan ever getting married.

  Tristan looked at him as if he knew what Amory was thinking, and, well, he probably did. They’d known each other long enough. “The kissing was fun.”

  Surprised laughter burst out of Amory, but he had to agree. Kissing Tristan had been fun. “It was.”

  “Is it fun with the prince?” Mischief danced in Tristan’s eyes, but seriousness lurked in their depths as well.

  “Tristan.”

  “I didn’t think you would tell me.” Tristan studied him for a long moment, his gaze so intense Amory wanted to squirm. “It’s because it’s more than just fun, isn’t it?”

  Amory nodded.

  Tristan sighed. “That’s what I thought. I think I’m jealous.”

  He was surprised again, but also confused. “I don’t understand. But I thought you said… of him? Or of me?”

  “I don’t know. Both of you?” Tristan shrugged and laughed at whatever look must have been on Amory’s face. Amory couldn’t imagine what he looked like at that moment. But just as quickly Tristan’s face became thoughtful. “I think I’m envious of what you have together.”

  “I understand.” He and Tristan had friendship and stolen kisses, but he and Philip… they had so much more. Philip was everything to him. He could understand Tristan wanting that for himself. “You’ll find someone to have that with. It wasn’t meant to be us, but there’s someone out there who’s meant for you.”