“Hey little bro!” they were both shouting.
She gave her godfather a brilliant smile. “Uncle Herrick! It’s wonderful to see you!” Doran was struggling to get free and dodge the physical enthusiasms of his brothers. King Herrick let Doran go and swept Seraphina up into a hug.
“Princess, you get prettier every time I see you!” he said and gave her a big smacking kiss on the cheek.
All the boys turned to her. Doran was straightening his clothes. “Seraphina, you remember my older brothers Kearn and Joss, don’t you?”
She hadn’t seen them for years. The boys were taller than Doran, and burlier, but had the same brown hair and eye colouring. Doran’s features were sharper than their rounder faces, but they were handsome boys none the less. King Herrick smiled. “Doran takes after his mother more. She’s a pretty, delicate thing.”
Doran scowled.
“Oh, where is the queen?” Seraphina asked. Her godmother was quite a force to deal with this bunch, and a lot of fun.
“Two women in the household are due to give birth any hour now. She wanted to attend the festivities but felt she’d better stay. She’ll be at the wedding for sure.”
At the mention of the wedding, Seraphina’s heart lurched and some of the happiness faded from her face. She looked at Doran. He looked unhappy as well and was staring down at the floor.
King Herrick was looking at them with interest when Faith arrived with Zuric in tow.
“Uncle Herrick!” she exclaimed, getting the same hug and kiss he gave Seraphina. King Silversmith was not really their uncle, but best friends with their fathers. “So nice to see you! Hello boys,” she said to the princes.
“Hello Faith,” they said, kissing her and giving her their most charming smiles. Zuric was scowling now.
“I’ve been looking for Seraphina everywhere,” she exclaimed with exasperation. She looked at her. “You need to wash and dress! It’s going to take hours to do something with that mane of yours. Is that a riding crop hanging in your hair?”
“I was just about to cut it off,” Doran said, producing scissors out of nowhere.
“You still got it bro,” one of his brothers said with a smirk.
“One must always be prepared,” he said with a sniff.
Faith yelped. “Don’t you dare touch her hair, Doran Silversmith!” she yelled, yanking Seraphina toward her protectively.
“It’s hopelessly tangled,” Doran protested. “I wasn’t going to give her a haircut.”
Faith pushed Seraphina ahead of her. “Well, we’ll see you at the party. Zuric, you are expected to dance. DO NOT wear your armour,” she said sharply as they left. Seraphina glanced back briefly at Doran, who was staring at her, and gave him a small wave before she disappeared.
King arrived just as the girls were leaving. “Herrick my friend!” he shouted loudly, greeting everyone. “I heard you had arrived! Both Joseph and Ethan have just arrived as well, and I thought us old boys could catch up with some lunch in the small dining room.”
Herrick smiled and the men wrapped arms around each other’s backs, thumping each other as they walked away.
Doran was left with his brothers, who were standing side by side and staring at him, the way birds of prey stare at rodents.
Uh oh.
“What?” he asked uncomfortably. They were ganging up on him, again, per usual.
“Dorkan, what’s going on with Seraphina?” Joss asked him in a sing-song voice.
“Don’t call me that.” He hated that childhood nickname.
“Answer the question, little bro.” Kearn said, pushing him a little.
“Nothing,” Doran said defensively. More people were streaming in and looking around in confusion. He had work to do.
“Hey, we’re not dumb Larwicks here, brother. It didn’t look like nothing to us,” Joss said meaningfully.
“It’s nothing,” Doran insisted, trying not to look guilty.
“Look Doran, if you’re interested in her, be a man and make your move. Once she’s married, you’re done for,” Kearn said seriously.
“Yeah, lower your moral compass, which is probably plugging you up and confusing the hell out of you. Love is war, and you must leave honour behind when you enter that battlefield. Only the best man will win and get to nail the princess.”
“Joss!” Doran hissed, looking around wildly.
Kearn snickered. “No one heard, you big sissy.”
Joss shrugged. “That’s the truth, D. The man who loses just suffers. Time to eat,” Joss said with a quick flick of his head. Two very pretty young girls were heading to the dining hall.
“Yes it is,” Kearn said with a wide grin. “Later, Dorkan.”
By mid-afternoon Doran was relieved of his duties and told to go rest and prepare for the evening. “The servants will take care of everything else,” King said, bullying Doran away from the bustling courtyard. “You’ll need your energy for dancing,” he said, smirking.
Ava came hurrying behind them and for once was not wearing her short maid outfit.
“I see your father has relented and is letting you attend the party. I’m glad to hear it, lass.” King said sympathetically. He was not a fan of the way Ava was being punished, but he respected his brother-in-law’s decision and suspected that Ava was thoroughly enjoying herself, so he supported it.
She smiled. “Thank you, uncle. My father didn’t bend graciously, but I told him that if I didn’t attend as a guest dressed as a royal, then I’d be attending and serving guests in my birthday suit.” She winked at them and laughed gaily. “Gotta go, I have to get ready!”
Doran rolled his eyes, and King laughed. Doran headed to his rooms to rest and get dressed.
Chapter 25 – The Party
The party was a sparkling affair.
The servants who’d decorated the ballroom had done an incredible job. A large rectangular space, it was the only room in the castle with polished wood for a floor instead of grey stone. The walls were pale beige with white columns gracing them every ten feet. The tables set up for dinner were decorated in cream and rose-coloured cloths, with small gas lanterns providing light. As decoration, small pink and white roses, woven into ropes, were twined around the centre of the tables and spilled over in fragrant curls. Four huge crystal chandeliers sparkled in the room, the candlelight dancing gracefully against the walls as air moved through the room.
The room ran along the castle’s outer east wall, and spaced between the columns were tall rectangular windows trimmed in gold and etched with woodland scenes. At the back of the room were large French-paned double doors that opened out to a spacious, richly gleaming wooden balcony with wide steps that spiraled down to the castle’s formal gardens. This evening the gardens were lit with lanterns so guests could stroll and enjoy the warm, spring night. Everything was aglow.
Doran was the first one there, checking that everything was in place and answering last minute questions. He was very pleased with the atmosphere. It was elegant and romantic. Seraphina would absolutely love it, and that had been his main goal, to impress her.
“Yo, Doran!” came Brody’s loud voice, and Doran flinched. His heart sank a little as he recalled the party was for the big cheerful goof barrelling toward him looking absolutely dashing in evening clothes. Seraphina’s betrothed, the man who would marry and love her. Doran frowned.
Brody didn’t notice. He grabbed the party checklist from Doran’s hands and tossed it to a passing maid. “Take that, would you darlin’.”
“Hey!” Doran said, outraged.
“It’s time to party, my friend!” Brody said with enthusiasm, a wide grin splitting his face. “Where’s the ale?” He was rubbing his hands together. He looked a little nervous.
King joined them a few moments later. “Boys,” he greeted them, his eye on Doran. “Good job Doran, the place looks great, but you’re done now. You are a guest from this point forward, not a planner. Go get some ale with Brody.” His voice was firm and brooke
d no argument.
A server came by and mugs of ale appeared, along with Doran’s and Brody’s brothers. Doran took a mug and chugged it back quickly. Brody’s family had arrived shortly after Doran’s that afternoon. Amid all the back slapping and posturing between the men, Doran hoped they wouldn’t trash the place before the party even started. The older Larwick boys, Aaron, Culver, and Drake, tended to take parties to the next level.
Doran smiled. The ale was already hitting him
“So, boys. I’ve always wondered why you’re all named in alphabetical order, by age, except for Brody.”
The prince’s names were Aaron Arthur Ashby Larwick, the crown prince; Culver Coyle Craddock Larwick, the second son; Drake Doyle Dermott Larwick, the third son; and Broderick Bertram Bartholomew Larwick, the baby.
Aaron laughed. “We were named in alphabetical order so our dad would remember who was oldest, then second oldest, you know.”
Doran was looking at them. “But Brody’s the baby.”
“So?” Aaron looked mystified. His brothers Culver and Drake looked bored. Both had already finished their ales and were looking around for more.
Brody answered Doran. “What’s wrong? A, C, D, B. Don’t you know your alphabet? There is a song, you know.”
“What?” Doran sputtered before noticing that both Joss and Kearn were shaking their heads vigorously in a negative fashion. Joss started to make cutting motions at his neck and muttering “ix-nay.”
“My mistake,” Doran choked out.
In the opposite corner of the room, the rulers of the different kingdoms had congregated, including Ava’s father, Duke Ethan Kissler. They were laughing, and Doran’s eyes narrowed as he watched them whisper among themselves. His father glanced up, gave him a smile in greeting, and then turned his back on him. They all looked to be in high spirits and a bit smug. Suspicion unfurled in Doran’s gut. Something was going on.
Zuric arrived without his armour and took a drink, downing it in a few gulps and grabbing another. “Gonna need it,” he said morosely.
“You clean up well, Sir!” Brody exclaimed, slapping Zuric on the back. They were all dressed in black except for Doran. He was in grey. It matched his eyes, and he was hoping to attract a young lady tonight. The “universal” dance step Brody had shown him had worked wonders. Seraphina had snorted in amazement when Brody had finally relinquished his male dance partner at that fateful dance lesson a few days ago. “My work here is done,” Brody’d exclaimed before leaving them to practice.
It was almost time for dinner, and Doran was feeling flushed after his second drink. Everyone was in a great mood. All they needed now was some female company, and then Seraphina and Faith arrived with Ava in tow.
Doran’s jaw dropped. Beside him, Brody and Zuric also had stunned looks on their faces.
The girls looked fabulous, but Doran’s eyes locked on Seraphina. Masses of her red, curly hair fell from a knot at the top of her head. The pin holding her hair shimmered with diamonds and emeralds. Her dress was many shades of sparkling green material shot with gold thread, hugging her body closely as it flowed from her shoulders to the floor. Jewels decorated the bodice and skirt. She had long gem encrusted earrings that touched her shoulders and emphasized her long, graceful neck. Both her arms sported bracelets that wound up from her wrists like ropes. She looked like a delicate woodland nymph that had stepped from her tree to join the party. Her makeup had been done to emphasize her sharp cheekbones and darken her eyes to create an illusion of mystery. She was absolutely breathtaking. Brody poked Doran in the side and he remembered to breathe.
Faith was in a white, shimmering sheath that sparkled in the candle light, showing off every curve. Diamond drops graced her ears and wrists. Her hair was twisted in an elaborate, Grecian ponytail, her blond hair tumbling in waves down her slender back. Her makeup made her look even paler and more ethereal than usual.
Ava was in crimson satin. The front scooped low between her breasts, and the back plunged daringly close to the top of her derriere, exposing the soft curves of her slender back. She also wore long, dangling earrings encrusted with rubies, but her necklace was the most stunning. Slim gold chains twined around rubies looped the front of her chest, while one chain dangled down to the small of her back, fitted with a large ruby at the end. You couldn’t help looking there; your eyes were drawn to the stone. The dress was startling and Ava looked stunning. It was a far cry from the usual maid outfit she wore in defiance of her father’s will, and she looked every inch the royal cousin. There was no doubt that this family had stunning female progeny.
The girls moved toward the men. It was time to receive their guests. Seraphina’s eyes locked with Doran’s. She smiled as she drifted toward him and his breath caught as he took a step forward. He took her hand and kissed it, his eyes never leaving hers. Her eyes sparkled in appreciation as her eyes swept him. “You look very handsome, Doran,” she said softly.
Doran’s brain deserted him as he was overwhelmed with feelings of desire and attraction, especially when it dawned on him that she pretty much felt the same way. Her eyes were hot as she stared at him. “Words cannot do your beauty justice tonight, Seraphina,” he babbled, then prayed Brody hadn’t heard.
Thankfully, Brody was looking elsewhere and didn’t notice.
A small cough and King was taking Seraphina’s hand, and Brody’s arm, and dragging them to the front of the receiving line. “Time for the happy couple to greet their guests!” he said jovially. The ballroom doors were closed. Cocktails were being served in the main dining rooms. Now the guests would be guided to the grand ballroom where the doors would open to music, and their guests would greet the future groom and be seated for dinner.
With a sigh, Doran offered his arm to Faith while Zuric accompanied Ava. They headed to their table, which was the table of honour, where King, Seraphina, Brody, and King Joseph Larwick would join them once the receiving line was finished.
Eventually all the guests were greeted, and seated, and dinner was served. Doran and Seraphina tried not to stare at each other, but their eyes kept drifting. She couldn’t seem to take her eyes off him either and watched him hungrily. Brody was talking, but like usual, he didn’t really notice that Seraphina wasn’t listening. Ava was though. She hung on his every word. Eventually she excused herself and left the table, and a few seconds later, Brody did as well. Faith was talking with Zuric, who kept tossing back drinks like he’d just returned from the desert.
“You okay?” Doran mouthed to Seraphina. He noticed she wasn’t eating. She smiled softly at him and nodded.
“As long as you’re here,” she mouthed back, and then blushed, going back to picking at her food.
Doran’s pleasure was emotional and physical. He had entered the field of battle, and he would win.
On the balcony, Ava and Brody kissed passionately in the shadows.
“I couldn’t take it anymore,” Ava said, kissing Brody desperately and running her hands over his body. “You look so hot, I just want to rip off your clothes and bounce on you right here.”
Brody groaned, crushing her to him. He moved her away and pushed her dress aside, putting one of her breasts in his mouth, sucking and groaning. She moaned in delight as she threaded her fingers through his hair. Her breast popped out of his mouth and he moved to the other one, slipping a hand under her dress where, to his delight, he discovered that she had no undergarments on. He rubbed at the juncture of her legs and slipped two fingers inside her.
She moaned as she squirmed against him. “Kiss me,” she said wildly. His mouth moved over hers and they kissed savagely, her breasts crushed flat against his chest.
“Don’t forget, you promised,” he said between kisses, his tongue thrusting in and out of her mouth.
“I can’t wait,” she said, her head lolling back at the in and out movement of his fingers. He kissed her neck as she gasped with pleasure.
They heard the sound of servants, so they moved deeper into the shadows
and got control of themselves. He kissed each breast and put them back in her dress. She straightened his clothes and hair, and made sure there were no lipstick smudges all over his face.
“See you soon,” she whispered as she slipped away and headed back to the ballroom.
Brody took a moment to take a few guilty breaths and headed there himself.
Neither of them saw the man standing in the shadows, watching.
Dinner had been cleared and a sweet table set up in a corner with desserts and hot drinks. The majority of the tables had been removed from the room to make space for the dance reels.
Brody and Seraphina opened the dance floor with a traditional dance and then the floor was flooded with dancers. Brody was a good dancer, but she preferred Doran’s slender, muscled form. She wanted to dance with Doran. When the dance was over, she gave Brody a little curtsy. When she turned around, Doran was by her side. He brought her fingers to his mouth and kissed them, leaving them against his lips and staring into her eyes. His grey eyes were stormy, his long hair held back in a fashionable queue. He looked so handsome, Seraphina felt breathless.
“I believe it is time for our dance, my princess,” he said softly, extending his leg and offering her a deep bow.
People were watching as she completed the greeting and went down in a deep curtsy. I would be honoured,” she answered, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.
Doran took her hand and nodded at Dag, who launched into a complex song that hinted of love, lust, and romance. People clapped when they heard it, but instead of joining in the dance, the guests formed a circle and watched.
They stared intensely at each other as they danced. When Doran brought her close, he crushed her body against his, the space between their mouths negligible as they shared the same breath. When he spun her out, it was as if she were flying, but she always returned back to his arms. Both tall and willowy, the dance was graceful and evocative. Gasps and sighs could be heard from the ladies at the chemistry between the two dancers.
When the dance ended, the guests went wild with their applause and appreciation. “Again, again!” they cried, clapping and whistling and stomping their feet.
Love Schemes Page 7
