Chapter Two
“Hold it steady!”
Finn braced his shoulder against the beam, muscles straining as old Mrs. Weatherby’s roof creaked ominously overhead. Sweat dripped down his back despite the cold air, and he was pretty sure he had splinters in places where splinters had no business being.
“Got it!” Trent, Finn’s PA, valet, and bodyguard, hammered the last nail home, and Finn could finally ease back, rolling his shoulders.
“You know,” Trent said, climbing down the ladder, “most lords wouldn’t be caught dead doing roof repairs.”
“Most lords aren’t the fifth son of an earl with nothing better to do.” Finn wiped his hands on his trousers, already stained with dirt and wood sap. “Besides, Mrs. Weatherby makes those honey cakes.”
“I heard that!” The old woman’s voice carried from inside the cottage. “And there’ll be fresh ones waiting when you’re done, Lord Finn, don’t you worry.”
Trent grinned. “See? That’s why you’re everyone’s favorite.”
“I’m everyone’s favorite because I’m useful and they know it.” Finn surveyed their work. The new beam would hold through winter, and they’d replaced the worst of the damaged shingles. “Unlike my brothers, who spend all their time at court learning how to bow properly.”
“Speaking of court.” Trent leaned against the ladder, eyes gleaming with a look that meant he had gossip to share. “Did you hear about the king’s marriage search?”
“It’s hard not to. It’s all anyone’s talking about.” Finn gathered their tools. “Although I don’t know why everyone’s so excited. The poor bastard probably just wants to be left alone. I’m sure it’s his advisers that put him up to it.”
“Lady Helena confirmed it yesterday at the market. They’re looking for candidates from society families right here in Safe Harbor.” Trent waggled his eyebrows. “Eligible men or women.”
“Well, that’ll certainly make things interesting.” Finn handed him the hammer. “Though I feel sorry for whoever ends up married to King Darragh. Can you imagine it? The man builds ships with his own hands and curses like a sailor. What kind of proper spouse could handle that?”
“You could.”
Finn laughed so hard he nearly dropped the toolbox. “Me? I’d be a disaster. I’ve never spent more than a day at court in my life. I’d probably tell some visiting dignitary their hat looked stupid and start a war.”
“You’re honest and hardworking…”
“I’m also so low-ranked on the society rankings I barely count, and I have none of the skills necessary for ruling anything larger than a vegetable garden.
” Finn shook his head. “Besides, can you see me helping host that big World Council summit thing? I’d probably say something rude to half the visiting royals within an hour.
‘Oh, your kingdom is very nice, shame about your face.’”
Trent snorted. “You wouldn’t say that.”
“I’d be thinking it, and that’s just as bad. That’s why I’m down here fixing roofs instead of up at court making important decisions.” Finn grabbed the toolbox. “Come on, those honey cakes are calling my name.”
They’d just finished washing up at the pump when Finn spotted a familiar figure riding up the path. His oldest brother sat tall in the saddle, looking every inch the future earl in his fine clothes and perfectly groomed appearance.
Oh no. What does he want?
“Finn.” Jericho dismounted smoothly. “There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere.”
“I was on a roof. Where I usually am.” Finn eyed him suspiciously. “What do you want?”
“Can’t a brother simply visit?”
“Not when he’s wearing his court smile.” Finn crossed his arms. “What did you do?”
Jericho’s smile widened. “Well, seeing as you asked so nicely, I submitted your name to the council. For the king’s spouse selection.”
The world tilted sideways.
“You did what?”
“I put your name forward as a candidate. They’re reviewing applications now, and I expect you’ll receive a summons within the week.”
Finn stared at him. Behind him, Trent made a strangled sound that might have been laughter.
“Have you lost your mind?” Finn found his voice, though it came out higher than normal. “Jericho, I’m not… I can’t… Do you have any idea how terrible an idea this is?”
“Actually, I think it’s brilliant.”
“I’ll be banished from Safe Harbor within a week!”
“You’ll be perfect.” Jericho leaned against his horse, completely unbothered by Finn’s panic. “The king is looking for honesty and someone who won’t bore him. Having a solid work ethic would be helpful, and most of all, a person who is not afraid to be themselves.”
“They also need someone who knows how to behave in court, someone with actual credentials.” Finn gestured wildly at himself. “I’m covered in wood shavings and roof tar, and for me that’s a normal day.”
“The king builds ships, Finn. He’d probably approve.”
“This isn’t funny.”
“It’s a little funny.” Jericho’s expression softened slightly. “Look, just go meet him. Talk to him. If it doesn’t work out, you come home, and life continues as normal.”
“When I come home,” Finn corrected. “Not if. When. Because there’s no possible universe where King Darragh looks at me and thinks ‘yes, this is the person I want representing Safe Harbor to the entire World Council.’”
“You might surprise yourself.”
“I might insult the king and end up in prison. You’d better make sure you’ve got the right contacts to get me out.
” Finn ran both hands through his hair, dislodging bits of wood.
“Actually, you know what? Fine. I’ll go.
I’ll be completely honest about how unsuitable I am, he’ll dismiss me immediately, and then I can come home, and you can feel appropriately guilty about wasting everyone’s time. ”
“If you say so.” Jericho’s smile hadn’t dimmed one bit, which was annoying and slightly concerning.
“I do say so. In fact, I’ll make sure I’m extra honest. I’ll tell him exactly how terrible I’d be at all the royal duties. The summit hosting, the diplomatic dinners, all of it.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Why are you being so calm about this?” Finn demanded. “Why aren’t you trying to convince me to actually try?”
Jericho swung back into his saddle. “Because I know you, little brother. You’ll go in there planning to fail, but you’ll still be yourself. And yourself is exactly what the king is looking for, whether you believe it or not.”
“You’re insane for even submitting the application in the first place.”
“Probably, but you’ll go anyway, so thank you for that. Mother wants you at dinner tonight, by the way. She’s very excited about the news.”
“You told Mother?”
“Of course I told Mother. Who do you think helped me write the application?” Jericho gathered his reins. “Wear something nice. Try to get the wood shavings out of your hair.”
He rode off before Finn could throw something at him.
“Well,” Trent said into the silence. “That was unexpected.”
“That was a nightmare.” Finn slumped against the cottage wall. “I’m going to meet the king. I’m actually going to meet King Darragh, and I’m going to make a complete fool of myself, and then I’ll come home in disgrace.”
“Or you could try to make a good impression.”
“Why? So I can end up married to a man who’ll realize within a week that I’m completely unsuitable for royal life?” Finn shook his head. “No, it’s better this way. I’ll go, I’ll be honest about my shortcomings, and we’ll both be spared a lot of trouble down the road.”
Mrs. Weatherby appeared in the doorway, holding a plate of honey cakes that smelled like heaven. “Did I hear correctly? You’re going to meet the king?”
“Apparently, my brother has a twisted sense of humor.”
“Oh, how wonderful!” She beamed at him. “You’ll be perfect for His Majesty, dear. You’re such a good boy, always helping everyone.”
“That’s very kind, Mrs. Weatherby, but…”
“And you’re honest, which is so important in a marriage. My Harold, bless his soul, was always honest with me. Even when I didn’t want to hear it.” She pressed the plate into his hands. “You’ll do wonderfully, I’m sure of it.”
Finn accepted the cakes because arguing with Mrs. Weatherby was impossible. “Thank you. These look delicious.”
“You’ll tell the king I said hello, won’t you? I met his father once, lovely man.”
“I…yes, of course.”
Trent waited until they were out of earshot before bursting into laughter. “You’re doomed.”
“I’m aware.” Finn bit into a honey cake, the sweetness doing nothing to ease the knot in his stomach. “Everyone’s going to expect me to actually try. To make an effort.”
“You could, you know. Make an effort.”
“And then what? Actually succeed?” Finn shook his head. “Trent, I’ve seen the king from a distance at festivals. He’s…he’s King Darragh. Loud, confident, completely comfortable in his own skin. What could I possibly offer someone like that?”
“Apparently, your brother thinks you have plenty to offer.”
“My brother is delusional.” Finn finished the cake and reached for another. “The king wants someone who won’t bore him. I’ll bore him to tears within the first five minutes.”
“By talking about roof repairs?”
“By being completely honest about how unqualified I am for any of this.” Finn gestured broadly.
“I don’t know court politics. I don’t know how to host fancy dinners.
I definitely don’t know how to help organize something as massive as the World Council summit.
Can you imagine me trying to make small talk with King Mintyn of Marinkaw?
‘Oh yes, Your Majesty, lovely weather we’re having.
Did you know Mrs. Weatherby’s roof was leaking? ’”
Trent snorted. “You’re catastrophizing.”
“I’m being realistic.” Finn sighed. “Look, I’ll go. I’ll meet him. I’ll be polite and honest, and then I’ll come home, and everything will go back to normal. Jericho will owe me for the rest of his life, which is some consolation, but that’s it.”
“If you say so.”
“I do say so.” Finn brushed crumbs off his shirt. “Now come on, we still have to check the Hendersons’ fence before dinner, and apparently, I need to make myself presentable enough for Mother instead of having a bite to eat at the pub tonight, which was my intention.”
They walked back through the village, and Finn tried not to think about the fact that his life had just gotten infinitely more complicated. No, it’s not. It’s simple. Meet the king, speak my piece, and that will be the end of it. Please let that be the end of it.
Just thinking about trying to navigate court life made Finn worry he might break out in hives.