Chapter Nine #4
Dominic did not sleep. He had heard William go to Minuette’s room, and he had counted every minute that the two were together.
He had promised himself that if it were any longer than thirty minutes, he would get Carrie to intervene, but after twenty minutes he heard William’s footsteps return and his door close firmly.
It had stayed that way the rest of the night.
So it was partly fatigue and partly jealousy and partly exasperation that sent him to William’s door at dawn. He knocked once and let himself in, seeing as William was not accustomed to being entirely alone and probably wouldn’t know how to open a door himself.
The king was still in bed, but awake enough to scowl. “What are you doing?”
“We’d best get an early start.” Even to himself he sounded clipped and angry.
Yawning, William sat up and swung his legs out of bed. He had been given the nicest chamber in the house, which had once been that of Minuette’s parents. Dominic thought it quite pleasant with its dark wood and embroidered linens and the diamond-paned windows that overlooked the rose garden.
It did not suit William at all—he looked like a Barbary horse kept incongruously in a farmer’s field. “Why do I think I’m about to get a lecture?”
“Do you deserve one?”
With a roll of his eyes, William replied, “Just get it over with, Dom. It’s about last night, isn’t it? You’re going to tell me I shouldn’t have been in her chambers.”
“No, you shouldn’t. Court gossip is one thing—but this is Minuette’s home. It’s not fair to put her in the position of either refusing you or losing her people’s respect.”
“Nothing happened. You know that, don’t you?
She doesn’t have to refuse me, because I’m not asking anything wrong of her.
Even you can’t see anything inappropriate in spending twenty minutes alone with the woman I love.
It’s not nearly what I want, but it’s the most I can have, so yes, if I can steal a private moment in a private house to kiss her, I will. ”
Dominic snatched up the nearest linen shirt and tossed it at William. “Get dressed,” he said.
“Don’t be so self-righteous,” William grumbled. “Just try to put yourself in my place—loving a woman you can’t openly touch. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a woman? Surely you cannot grudge me the smallest of comforts.”
Do you know how long it’s been for me? Dominic wanted to shout. He hadn’t had a woman since Aimée in France more than eighteen months ago. And he wouldn’t, until he could have Minuette.
William pulled on his shirt and said thoughtfully, “You know, Dom, I wasn’t going to bring this up until after France, but I think it’s time you and I had a serious discussion about your own marriage.”
Feeling as though he might choke, Dominic said, “I don’t need you to marry me off.”
“But you will eventually need my permission. Not only are you a duke, but you also have royal blood through your grandmother. Honestly, can you not see how the women are angling for you these days? You’re going to have to choose soon.
And as to that choice … I would like you to seriously consider Jane Grey. ”
Dominic had no patience for this conversation. All he could think of was William and Minuette alone last night, kissing (And more than kissing? he wondered savagely. Where do Will’s hands wander when he’s alone with her?), and he had to force himself to respond.
“I don’t think Jane Grey likes me,” was all he could manage.
“Jane likes you fine. And her mother definitely likes your title. If they can’t have me, they’ll settle for you.”
“How flattering,” Dominic muttered.
“Look, I know that whoever this one beautiful woman is that John Dee claimed is in your future, it isn’t Jane Grey.
But it would be an outstanding marriage for both of you.
And she’s a nice, sweet girl. She’ll make a pleasant home for you, give you lots of children, and not be unduly difficult when you find your beautiful woman. ”
“Can we not have this conversation right now?” Dominic asked. Because if it went on much longer, he was going to have to think seriously about hitting his friend in order to shut him up.
William sighed. “Just think about it, all right? We’ll talk it over at the end of the summer.” He hesitated, then said, “I do hope … that is, if you are already in love, Dom … I don’t know if you are, but if so, clearly it’s with someone unsuitable or you would tell me about her. And if you are …”
Dominic thought his heartbeat must be audible not only to his king but to the entire household. “If I am? Say what you mean, William.”
“I do hope it’s not Elizabeth.”
After a long, blank moment, Dominic laughed aloud. William at first looked affronted, but then joined in. “I take it that’s a no,” he said merrily.
Dominic shook his head. “I am not in love with Elizabeth. I like her very much, but that is all.”
“I’m glad. Not that I don’t think you good enough for my sister, but there are always political complications.”
“Always.”
“And truly, Dom, if you are going to love just one woman, I want it to be a woman who will love you as you deserve. Perhaps it won’t be the woman you marry, but I suppose we’ll see.”
The laughter died. “I suppose we will.”