Chapter Seven
Darragh watched from his office window as the carriage rolled through the castle gates. He’d been checking periodically for the past hour, telling himself it was just common courtesy and nothing to do with the bundle of nerves in his gut.
And yes, that was a lie, obviously. But Darragh didn’t have a problem lying to himself, especially when he already knew the truth.
“He’s here,” Helena said from behind him.
“I can see that.”
“Are you going to greet him at the door like an overeager puppy, or shall we maintain some dignity?”
Darragh turned to glare at her. “I’m the king. I don’t greet guests at the door.”
“Unless they’re merchants arriving at the harbor.”
“That’s different. That’s tradition.”
“Mm-hmm.” Helena didn’t bother hiding her smile. “So what’s the plan for this week? Besides staring at him and hoping he doesn’t run away?”
“I’m not going to stare at him.”
“You stared at him through most of the interview.”
“I was evaluating his responses.”
“You were evaluating something,” Helena agreed. “His responses were just part of it.”
Darragh ignored that because she wasn’t wrong. He’d noticed Finn’s hands during the interview, strong and calloused from actual work. The way Finn’s eyes lit up when he talked about helping people. The curve of his mouth when he smiled.
“I’ve arranged a private dinner tonight,” Darragh said. “Just the two of us. No advisers, no one watching and taking notes.”
“Aldric won’t like that.”
“Aldric can deal with it. If I’m going to spend a week with Finn, I need to know if his honesty is real or if he was just performing during the interview.”
“And if it’s real?”
“Then with luck I’ve found someone who won’t bore me to death.
” Darragh grabbed his jacket from the chair.
“Have someone show him to the guest quarters. Let him settle in. Dinner is at seven in the smaller dining room, and tell the staff we don’t need servers hovering over us.
They’re just to bring the food and leave us alone. ”
“That’s going to start rumors.”
“Everything starts rumors in this place.” Darragh headed for the door. “At least this time the rumors might be interesting.”
/~/~/~/~/
Darragh paced the smaller dining room, checking the wine selection for the third time. He’d chosen red - somehow his gut told him Finn would appreciate something full bodied rather than insipid or sweet. Besides, red could go with chicken if Darragh determined it did, and he liked it.
The room itself was comfortable rather than grand.
A table that seated eight instead of fifty, windows overlooking the garden instead of the formal courtyard, chairs that were padded so a butt didn’t ache during longer conversations.
Darragh had spent countless evenings in the room with his closest friends when he was younger, arguing politics and telling terrible jokes.
If his relationship with Finn was going to work, Finn needed to see the real castle where people lived their lives, not the showcase version most people expected.
The door opened, and Finn walked in, wearing a dark blue jacket that fit well and suited his figure. His hair was slightly messy, like he’d run his fingers through it nervously. He stopped when he saw Darragh, and for a moment, they just looked at each other.
“Your Majesty,” Finn said, bowing low.
“Darragh,” he corrected. “At least when we’re alone. The formal stuff gets exhausting.”
“Darragh,” Finn repeated, as if he was testing the name and how it felt on his tongue. “All right then.”
“How was the journey?”
“Long, and I would’ve preferred to ride. But it was good to get out of the house for a bit. My mother packed me enough clothes for a month, and Jericho gave me entirely too much advice about court behavior that I’m probably going to ignore.”
“That sounds like fun.” Darragh gestured to the table. “Please have a seat. Did you want some wine?”
“Please.”
Darragh poured two glasses and sat across from Finn. Not at the head of the table where protocol dictated, but directly across so they could talk without shouting down the length of polished wood.
“So,” Finn said after taking a sip. “Your letter didn’t explain how this second interview worked? Do you have a list of questions prepared? Are there tests I need to pass? Have you arranged a schedule of formal events where I can embarrass myself in front of important people?”
“Nothing that organized.” Darragh leaned back in his chair. “I figured we’d just talk and get to know each other. I really wanted to see if we can stand being in the same room for extended periods together.”
“That seems reasonable.” Finn looked around the dining room, his gaze catching on details. “This room is much nicer than the throne room.”
Darragh’s eyebrows rose. “You didn’t like the throne room?”
“It’s impressive, but it’s designed to intimidate. All that space, the high ceiling, the throne itself sitting on a raised platform. Anyone walking in there already feels small.” Finn met his eyes. “I assume that’s intentional.”
“It is.” Darragh grinned. “My grandfather commissioned the remodel. He believed in making people understand the power of the crown before negotiations even started.”
“Did it work?”
“Sometimes.” Darragh swirled the wine in his glass. “But it also made conversation nearly impossible. It’s really difficult to get honest opinions when people are busy being intimidated.”
“So you use rooms like this one instead.”
“When I can, yes.”
The door opened, and servants brought in the first course - a simple salad with fresh vegetables from the castle gardens. They set down the plates and left without a word, closing the door behind them.
Finn watched them go. “They’re very quiet and efficient. Is that deliberate or standard procedure?”
“I told them to bring the food and leave us alone. Trying to have a conversation with people hovering is impossible.”
“I’m glad.” Finn smiled and then added, “But didn’t your advisers object?”
“My advisers object to everything. If I listened to all their concerns, I’d never leave my office.” Darragh took a bite of salad. “They think this whole week is a mistake, by the way.”
“I’m not surprised. I got that impression during the first interview.”
Darragh was surprised. “They actually told you that?”
Finn shook his head as he picked up his fork. “Not in so many words, but it was obvious. The tall one…”
“Aldric.”
“Aldric looked at me like I’d tracked mud across expensive carpets. The slightly younger one seemed concerned I might steal the silverware.”
“Thomas. He’s suspicious of everyone.” Darragh grinned. “What about Helena?”
“Helena was interesting. I couldn’t really tell what she was thinking. It was as if…” Finn paused a moment, looking to the side as if he was thinking about that interview. “She seemed amused by the whole thing. Like she was watching a play and couldn’t wait to see how it ended.”
“That sounds like Helena.” Darragh finished his salad and pushed his plate aside. “So knowing my advisers think this is a terrible idea, why did you come?”
Finn set down his fork. “Honestly? I’m not entirely sure. Part of me thinks this is insane, and I should have declined politely. But another part...”
“There’s another part to this?” I’m so glad you didn’t decline. I would’ve chased you anyway, and that would’ve really upset Aldric.
“I liked you,” Finn said simply, and the honest words took Darragh’s breath away. “During the interview. You were direct and funny, and you actually seemed interested in what I thought, not just whether I’d agree with you. That doesn’t happen often in my experience.”
“People usually just agree with you?” Darragh had the same problem.
But Finn was shaking his head. “The society elite usually don’t ask my opinion at all.
I’m the fifth son, remember, someone of no consequence.
I’m sure they think I’m hanging onto the title of lord by my fingernails.
Nobody expects me to have thoughts about governance or policy.
” Finn picked up his wine. “Talking to you, it was refreshing to be taken seriously, even if I was trying to convince you how unsuitable I am.”
“About that.” Darragh leaned forward. “I need to know. Was that a performance - during your interview with me? Were you being deliberately difficult because you wanted to be dismissed as a candidate?”
“No.” Finn met his gaze steadily. “I was being honest. I don’t have court training, I don’t know protocol, and I would absolutely say the wrong thing to a visiting dignitary.
Those are all true. I wasn’t exaggerating them for effect.
That’s just who I am. As you were, technically, considering me for an important position both in the country and in your life, I felt it was important to be honest in all my answers.
Anything else would be deceptive and that’s not who I am. ”
Relief. That is exactly what Darragh had been thinking over the past six days – or at least hoped. I’m so glad that was true. “So tell me, if you were king consort? Would you change your behavior? Would you try to fit in with the expected mold?”
“I don’t know how,” Finn admitted as he pushed his plate aside. “I’ve spent my whole life being myself, Darragh. I’m not sure I could pull off being someone else even if I wanted to - which I don’t - not even for you.”
Yes. He’s perfect… Darragh wanted to dance around the room, but he was also trying to make a good impression.
The servants returned with the main course. This time it was roasted chicken with herbs and vegetables. Again, they set down the plates and left without lingering.
After they’d eaten for a few minutes, Darragh asked, “Tell me about Winrone. I know it’s a small village within riding distance of the castle, but what is it like there?”
Finn leaned forward, his shoulders loosening as he gestured with his fork. “It’s small - maybe three hundred people. Everyone knows everyone else’s business, which can be annoying, but it also means no one goes without help when they need it.”