Chapter 39
Thirty-nine
Edwin
James was not, needless to say, in a good mood.
No one blamed him.
The damage reports for yesterday’s fire had come in late this afternoon, along with a report from Captain Rowan, which was good news—if it could be considered that.
James sat in the little garden off his office, brooding into a cup of wine he stared at more than drank. He wasn’t the type to bury himself in his cups, fortunately, but it left him restless as a result.
I approached on soft feet, touching his shoulder gently. “James?”
“Sorry, I know I’m being a dramatic brat right now,” he muttered, still staring into the wine. “My inner child is very upset. That factory was my dream, my pride and joy.”
“You’re neither dramatic nor a brat. Someone hurt something precious to you. You’ve every right to be upset about it.”
Turning, he buried his head against my stomach.
I wished I possessed the magic to wave my hand and make it all go away. Sadly, I did not. I stroked his hair, feeling the silky locks slide against my fingers, hoping it would ease him somewhat. He liked it when I carded my fingers through his hair.
“Captain Rowan is here with a report. Would you like to hear it?”
“A good report?”
“He says so. He found the arsonist and his reason.”
At that, James lifted his head, a fierce smile taking over. “Oh, revenge will make me feel better.”
I snorted. “Somehow, I’m not surprised. A moment.”
Turning, I went and fetched Captain Rowan, bringing him back out to where James sat. Captain Rowan seemed quite pleased with himself, as he should be. I knew the knights had worked hard to track down the perpetrator and wring out key information during the interrogation.
Captain Rowan bowed, a folder in one hand. I was very curious what information he had in there. I usually reviewed any paperwork before it hit James’s hands, so it was an odd moment to not know what a folder contained.
“Your Highness, I have a signed confession here from the man who did the deed, as well as a signed confession from the man who ordered it done.” Captain Rowan offered the folder.
“The gist of it is, the arson was in retaliation for shutting down Aurora. Lord Plupott was apparently skimming from the top, to the point where he owed massively to the company, and it would bankrupt him if he was forced to repay it all.”
One of Victor’s cronies, no surprise to anyone. But not in support of Victor, but to cover his own ass? Interesting, how little support Victor had now he’d lost his position. People in the palace sure did change sides with mercurial quickness.
Not done, Captain Rowan continued. “It was a massive debt. We cross-referenced to make sure he was telling the truth, and he was. He hoped the factory fire would distract you enough that he could buy time and replace what he’d taken.
Or somehow fudge the business reports. He apparently was looking for someone to bribe. ”
James heard him out before sighing heavily. “The greed and stupidity of man find new depths to plummet to.”
Sadly, I couldn’t argue his statement.
“And did he find someone to bribe?”
“Indeed not.” Captain Rowan smiled proudly. “In fact, the three clerks he approached were quick to report the bribery attempts. He was actually arrested for that before his minion confessed who his employer was. We have him solidly on both accounts.”
“That’s a blessing. I assume our judiciary branch has it from here?”
“Indeed. They’re hopping mad and ready to wring the man dry.”
“I will send them a note of encouragement.”
A note of encouragement from the favorite prince would make sure heads rolled.
I wasn’t in the least bit interested in mitigating that, not when I knew how much pain this situation brought James.
A delaying tactic? The asshole had burned down an entire warehouse, threatening the market district, for a delaying tactic?
He’d be lucky to get out of this with his head attached.
James abruptly stood and handed the folder to me. “Forgive me, I feel the urge to murder something. I’ll head to the training yard for a few hours and take my anger out on an object. Captain Rowan, I thank you and everyone who assisted you in the hard work.”
Captain Rowan gave him another bow, his expression one of sympathy.
James squeezed my shoulder as he passed me, heading out of the office. I let him go, knowing that beating up on training equipment was likely the better outlet, but wishing I knew how to divert him or cheer him up somehow.
“He’s pissed,” Captain Rowan murmured, huffing a breath. “I don’t blame him. I’d be mad as hell in his shoes.”
I stared down at the folder in my hands and felt like swearing. “He does so much for everyone else. Why can’t people leave him alone? Is it too much to ask, as a bare minimum?”
“For some people, it apparently is.” Captain Rowan regarded me for a moment and said, rather unexpectedly, “Can I ask a personal question?”
“Uh, well, sure?” I couldn’t fathom what he’d ask me.
“When’s the last time you two had a proper date?”
A startled laugh erupted from my mouth before I could catch and cage it. “That was incredibly direct. Thank you. Most people pussyfoot about my relationship with him. To answer, it hasn’t been long, really. Why? You think a date will fix any of this?”
“It’ll improve his mood,” Captain Rowan said. “He’s always deliriously happy when he can spend time with you.”
Well, he wasn’t wrong there.
“Also, if I can make a suggestion...you do remember today is the first day of the Summer Festival?”
Oh shit, he was right. I’d completely blanked. How I’d managed to forget, I didn’t know. My grandparents lived close to the field that hosted the festivals, and I’d grown up with the sounds lulling me to sleep during the weeks they were held.
Now, James loves a good party, and he was always happy to go on a date, so a festival was a wonderful idea. Just one problem, really. “After what happened, dare I take him into a festival?”
“Myself and Collins will be incognito and trailing well behind,” he promised. “If you want to go, that is.”
The offer was incredibly kind and I seized it. “I’ll ask him. Er, I’ll let him break equipment for a few hours, then I’ll ask him. Thank you, Captain. I love your idea. Hopefully, he does as well.”
I gave James three solid hours in the training yard before venturing out with a glass of water and a slice of lemon, along with a towel to wipe off the worst of the sweat.
He wasn’t actively hitting anything when I walked out, instead standing near Dame Temperance.
From the looks of it, they’d just finished a sparring session.
Dame Temperance had her back to me, conversing easily with him.
“I think my fate is sealed. This particular stallion seems to adore me, and I’ve no idea why.
A single apple was all it took. Strangely, he refuses treats from everyone else.
Er, Your Highness, why are you looking at…
” She twisted to see me, and then enlightenment dawned.
“Ah, Edwin has arrived. Your face now makes sense.”
James did smile at me in a way he didn’t for anyone else. Much like a dog who spied a favorite person, complete with wagging imaginary tail. Yes, that smile was a great boost to the ego.
I handed James the water, which he took and drained in one long pull. “Hello, Dame Temperance. What did I hear about a horse and treats?”
“One of the stallions His Highness bought for all of us has taken a shine to me,” she explained.
“I was actually hoping for a shorter horse, as I’m not really that long in the leg, but this one loves me for some reason.
I’ll have to adjust the stirrups and make do, I suppose.
When a warhorse likes you that much, you thank your stars and roll with it. ”
“Yes, so I understand. James explained it to me after Titan busted down a door to get to him.”
“Ha! We all heard about that. An extreme example, to be sure.”
James used the towel I’d brought out to wipe his temples and neck, and I was relieved to see a smile on his face now.
The man had a very even-keeled disposition most of the time, which was why it was so frightening when he completely lost his temper.
I was glad he had the good sense to come out here and beat his frustrations out. That was the healthier choice.
“Come out to check on me, then?” James asked, batting his eyes.
“No,” I answered, playing along. “I came to ask you out on a date.”
The flirty eyes gave way to surprise before he perked right up. “You did?”
“Today is the first day of the Summer Festival,” I reminded him. “Wouldn’t you like to go watch the fireworks and eat fun sugary things?”
His expression turned wistful. “I’d love to, but considering what happened yesterday…”
“Captain Rowan and Sir Collins have promised to be incognito guards if we wish to go.”
His eyes closed for a second, his expression incredibly happy. “I am truly blessed by those around me. In that case, absolutely, let’s go. We’ve got enough time for me to wash and change into something less prince-y before we go, I think.”
“Indeed we do. Let’s eat a light dinner as well, so we don’t act like out-of-control ten-year-olds with too much pocket change.”
He laughed and didn’t deny the possibility.
James and I went to his bedroom, where he washed and dressed in something much plainer—something that made him look like a businessman out for a night of fun.
I shed some of the layers of my suit, keeping only the shirt and pants on, as I knew the summer night would get very warm. I’d not want a jacket later.
After a light dinner of fish and rice, we headed to the festival grounds.
The sky was just turning, a wash of purples, blues, and a touch of reds and gold in the sunset.
A beautiful sky with not a cloud to be seen.
Perfect for fireworks. This date night couldn’t have better weather if I’d planned it. Hopefully this was an auspicious sign.
I slid my hand into James’s as we walked to the ticket booth.
He returned the grip, smiling at me, his high spirits restored.
We both knew there would be much work in rebuilding the warehouse and putting it to rights, but no one could tackle that kind of work in a bad mood. Better to raise his spirits first.
James bought tickets for us, then two more, before turning and handing them to our escorts. He also handed over a small purse that clinked. “At least get snacks and such while you’re following us, all right?”
Always generous, this man. I wasn’t at all surprised he was paying their way too.
Wait a second. “I invited you on this date, so why aren’t I paying for the tickets?”
He kissed my knuckles and pointed farther inside the fair. “You can make it up to me with cotton candy.”
The “street” formed by vendors was filled with people already, a whirlwind of food smells, alcohol, hyper children, and ongoing games.
I could barely hear James over the din, and my nose almost overloaded trying to sort through all the smells, but he’d somehow spotted cotton candy in this mess? How?
“You’re craving it, aren’t you?”
“Guilty.” He winked and then towed me directly to the booth.
I did pay up, getting us both one, but I also suspected my efforts to get real food in him so he didn’t binge eat sugar all night had already failed. He was going to wake up with a stomachache and culinary regrets tomorrow morning.
I would bet on this. Any takers?