Chapter Fifteen
‘We will be married officially the day after tomorrow.’
Selina blinked and set down her spoon. The kitchens had offered them an exquisite five-course meal for dinner, but he could tell she was already flagging by the way her head drooped a little as she ate.
Their arrival had been a whirlwind of activity.
After reaching the palace, he’d shown her directly to the guest suite, and she’d been introduced to her new maid, Margarite. The royal dressmaker had been waiting to measure her immediately so they could begin altering the preplanned gowns for her wedding and coronation.
He suspected that while he’d been enjoying a leisurely bath and updates on Thrudheim’s affairs of state, Selina had been inundated with introductions, measurements, and an avalanche of information.
‘So soon?’ she asked, ‘But I don’t have another dress for a second wedding!’
‘Did the dressmaker not explain? Oh, I suppose her English isn’t ideal, as she learnt her trade in Paris. Anyway, the gown is almost complete and just needs final adjustments. You were measured when you arrived, yes?’
She nodded but sighed with disappointment. ‘Oh… I look forward to seeing it, then. Will they finish the wedding dress in time if it’s the day after tomorrow?’
Magnus ignored the twinge of guilt at her disappointment in not choosing her own dress. It was Thrudheim’s way, and the sooner she accepted the traditions and customs of her new country the better it would be for everyone—especially Selina.
‘I have been assured they will finish in time. There is a large team of seamstresses working around the clock to ensure they do. You might want to wear some jewellery from the treasury… Options will be prepared for you.’ He glanced at Olav, who gave a quiet nod and calmly walked over to whisper in another servant’s ear, who then quietly back stepped out of the room with a bow.
‘This is a pleasant dining room,’ Selina said cheerfully, glancing around at the yellow walls and mahogany furniture. Landscapes of Thrudheim decorated the walls.
‘Our personal suites are less…imposing than the state rooms,’ he replied. ‘You will be given a full tour tomorrow. But feel free to change anything you wish.’
She stared at him for a moment, a little crease on her brow and a sharp look in her eyes, as if she were trying to solve a puzzle. ‘You do not mind it being changed?’
‘I do not care either way. My mother decorated these rooms, but if you wish to change them, do so.’
‘I like them,’ she said and then asked, ‘Where is Hans? Surely you haven’t sent him away already?’
‘I have. He needs time to contemplate his future, and the summer lodge is the best place for that.’ Hans’s behaviour over the past few weeks had steadily gotten worse.
Without the iron fist of his father or his mother’s protection, Hans seemed to be intent on rebelling against Magnus at every turn, refusing to do half the tasks Magnus allotted him and talking with Sonja at every blasted opportunity.
Magnus was determined not to behave as his father had done, but he could not allow Hans to go the same way as Helga either.
‘Is he in trouble? That sounds as if he’s been sent to bed without his supper.’
Magnus set down his spoon and picked up his glass of wine, swirling the burgundy contents thoughtfully as he considered how best to answer.
Unfortunately, he was distracted by the realisation that the wine was the exact same colour as Selina’s wedding bouquet and the dress she’d worn when they’d first met.
Was it her favourite colour? It certainly suited her darker colouring; however, the traditional colours of Thrudheim were white and blue. She would need to wear that at most events as it was tradition.
Why did that sadden him? He tried to refocus on her question. ‘Hans is young, and the lodge is hardly a punishment. He needs time to consider his future. Oxford and time away from Thrudheim will do him good. Allow him time and distance to forget about certain…distractions.’
Selina giggled, and he was so startled by the unexpected sound he could only stare at her in disbelief. The candlelight flickered in an alluring way against her décolletage, casting a golden glow on the flexors of her neck and the rise and fall of her chest.
‘Forgive me,’ she said not looking at all contrite. ‘By distractions, do you mean a young lady?’
‘She is not a lady. Things would be far easier if she were,’ snapped Magnus, hating that she had pinpointed so accurately what was currently vexing him about Hans.
Selina stiffened, all humour fading from her expression. ‘I see… Like me, then.’
He hadn’t meant it like that, but the truth was Sonja was inappropriate in every way.
The woman was a lying snake. ‘Sonja is the daughter of a very successful wool-merchant in Thrudheim. Her lack of title is not the only issue. I do not trust her. She was a close friend to my sister Helga but led her astray, and I fear she will do the same with Hans.’
‘So… she is not good enough for your brother in standing or in character,’ Selina answered sourly, taking a sip of her own wine. ‘I suppose I am the daughter of a baronet at least, although I cannot vouch for my character.’
Magnus refused to apologise for his harsh words.
He knew she was thinking of the inequality of their own relationship, and it was certainly true that he had never intended to marry someone of her rank, so denying it would be a lie.
‘You are also English—another thing in your favour. It would be best for Thrudheim if Hans also married an English lady to improve our links with the British Empire.’
She didn’t say anything in reply, and the soup course was replaced with roast beef, in honour of Selina’s arrival, he suspected. The English were known to enjoy beef.
‘How many chapters have you read of the book I gave you?’
She blinked as if startled by the question. ‘Well…erm…five.’
‘Only five?’ To be honest, he was surprised she’d read that much, as he hadn’t seen the bookmark move at all.
Squirming beneath his gaze like a fish on a hook, she said, ‘I am a…slow reader.’
‘I see.’ He didn’t. It would take her an entire month to read the book if she read that slowly. ‘Well, at least you’ve read the important bit,’ he said casually, as he carved through his meat.
‘Oh?’
She was avoiding his gaze again. ‘Yes, all about the coronation and speeches…’
‘Ahh, yes, of course,’ she said and shrugged nonchalantly.
More doubt began to crystalise in his mind. ‘And…the special feathered hat you have to wear.’
‘Oh, yes.’ She began to push the potatoes around her plate as if she’d lost her appetite.
‘The bright purple hat with the ten green ostrich feathers.’
Her eyes flew up in surprise, and he knew instantly that she’d lied.
‘Selina, be honest. How many chapters have you really read?’
‘Erm…’
He sucked in a deep breath and blew it out with a loud sigh, counting in his head until his temper cooled. Then a sudden thought occurred to him. Was there a more sensitive reason for her lack of effort? He drew closer, so that the servants wouldn’t hear. ‘Can you read, Selina?’
‘Of course I can read!’ she snapped and then blushed so brightly, he could feel the embarrassment rolling off her in hot waves.
Ahh, so it was a deeper issue than simple laziness.
When he didn’t say anything more, she continued, waving her cutlery around wildly.
‘I simply struggle with books like that, with tiny font and large blocks of print. I have to read them slowly or I struggle…’ Her knife and fork clattered onto her plate, and she added defensively, ‘I told you I wasn’t much of a reader!
Why not just tell me the important bits I need to know?
Then I can start writing my speech straight away, or, better yet, you can write it for me!
You seem so concerned about it, after all. ’
He frowned, not appreciating her attitude.
‘That book is very important to understanding your new role as Thrudheim’s princess.
It explains the traditions and meaning behind each and every aspect of the coronation but also the history of my ancestors.
As the Princess of Thrudheim you will be expected to know all of it.
The speech is an introduction to your role as consort.
It shows the people your commitment, knowledge, and capability.
There is even the transcript of my great-great-grandmother’s coronation speech within it.
It is highly respected and combines Thrudheim history with her own experiences growing up in Denmark.
It beautifully combines the lessons of her homeland and childhood, with how she hoped to support Thrudheim’s future…
’ He became acutely aware of Selina’s shoulders drooping.
‘Unfortunately, her brother, the king of Denmark did not honour her wishes after her death, and he stripped her young son of his kingdom and made Thrudheim a principality.’
‘Oh, I see,’ she said guiltily, not meeting his eyes.
This was never going to work if she didn’t at least try to understand the vast and complicated history of Thrudheim.
‘If you would like a discreet tutor to help…or a physician to check your eyes, you need only ask.’