Chapter 40 #2
We had other things to follow up on today, so we went back to it. With our inspection done, our next task involved a visit to the tailor. The Founder’s Ball was coming up very soon, and I insisted on Edwin being my partner. He didn’t have a suit fancy enough for the ball, ergo we were now shopping.
We rode along the streets on this fine day with nary a cloud in the sky. My mood was excellent, as I had everything I wanted right now. A date with Edwin, no emergencies on the horizon, and no tasks hanging above my head. Truly, a perfect day.
“You’re serious about me being your partner for the ball,” he said, flummoxed.
I leaned over to smack a kiss against his lips. “I will not date anyone else. Or even take them as a partner to an event.”
He pursed his lips in thought, eyes studying me carefully. “Put like that, it seems obvious. You’re really not the type of man to play fast and loose with people’s hearts.”
“Damn straight.”
“So you’re prepared for the fallout? Because your adoptive parents will not be pleased to see me with you.”
I waved this off. “I know they won’t be. But it’s not their call. Also, this should send a very clear message to every other hopeful young lady and their mamas.”
“That you’re gay and not interested?”
“Am I gay? I often have wondered. I used to date women and men, truthfully. Then I met you and I became Edwin-centric.”
Edwin snorted a laugh, eyes crinkling up into the barest hints of crow’s feet. “You’re so ridiculous.”
I kissed him again because I could and would. “Only for you.”
We pulled up to the tailor’s shop and let ourselves out. Yes, Ceasar was a good tailor, but I liked my own tailor the best. I also felt like Edwin would relax more if we weren’t using the court tailor. The shop was currently empty of customers, which was a shame—I wanted to show my Edwin off.
Rijal, the main tailor and owner of this shop, came hurrying forward, smiling.
He always dressed sharply, which today meant an all-black suit, from pants to necktie.
It gave his classical high brow a more noble look.
Slimmed down his paunch, too, but the man liked food too much to worry about his waistline.
I noted grey peppering his dark hair and, while it made him look distinguished, I hated seeing the sign of age.
How dare he grow old on me? This man should live forever.
He greeted me warmly, bussing each cheek before he stepped back. “James. You are ever welcome. I’m glad I’m still your tailor.”
“You will always be my first choice,” I assured him, meaning it. “Rijal, this is my beloved, Edwin. You’re designing a suit for him today.”
Rijal held out a hand, which Edwin grasped. “A great pleasure. I’ve known this one since he was knee high, you know, and always rooted for him to have an epic love. How long have you been dating? You must tell me every detail! For now, though, come. I must get measurements.”
Edwin went where shown, and I—being quite comfortable with the layout of the store—headed for the sitting area near the VIP fitting room. Tea appeared like magic, and I settled in, quite satisfied to wait.
Rijal appeared a few minutes later, a sketchbook in hand, which he didn’t immediately hand me. Instead, he put a hand on his hip and practically beamed at me. “I say, James, you did good with him. He’s so charming and polite.”
You see, this was why I liked Rijal. He had good taste in men. “He’s stunningly intelligent, too. I depend on his mind a great deal. Rijal, I brought him here so you can dress him up and finally show people how handsome he is.”
Rijal waved this off. “As if it’s even a challenge. He’s quite the looker, he just doesn’t know how to window dress his own looks.”
“Exactly! I’m glad you see the problem.”
“On that note…” Rijal flipped open the very worn-in sketchbook and handed it to me. “This first design I think will be perfect for the ball.”
I let out a long whistle. The design was very in fashion but also pushed the boundaries a little, with a higher collar and slimmer pants, emphasizing the butt and thighs. Ooh, yes, I could see how well this suited Edwin immediately.
“Did you show this to him already?”
“I did. He liked it but wanted your opinion.”
“I love it. Make it.”
Rijal’s expression was pure mischief as he flipped the page. “This is the scaled-down version for a day suit.”
I saw the differences—less lace and embellishments, but the design elements that had caught my attention were still there. “Make him, say, eight in various colors and two slightly more embellished ones. Like for a dinner party.”
Satisfied, Rijal took the portfolio back. “I knew you’d say that. You spoil people.”
“I prefer the term generosity.”
“Uh-huh. Your Edwin does not agree with you.”
I laughed. Edwin had already professed despair over this very thing.
The man in question came back out in his usual clothes, the measuring and such done. He looked wholly at home here, but then, my Edwin was a very confident man. Putting him in an unusual place wouldn’t rattle him much.
“What did you think about the sketch?”
“I loved it.” I welcomed him as he sat next to me. “I think it’ll suit you very well. Rijal, what fabrics are you thinking for this suit?”
“I’ll bring out samples now.”
Rijal brought not only fabric samples but also select jewelry, mostly brooches for the neckties and cuff links he had in store. He always kept a well-curated collection to offer his clients, so I had no qualms about the quality of such gems.
For all that I knew Edwin very, very well, there were still parts I didn’t know.
Such as what accessories he might like. I wasn’t the least bit surprised, though, when he chose items simple in design, without much filigree or ornateness.
He picked out emerald cuff links and a matching brooch.
I would have chosen sapphires for him, but he seemed quite confident in his choice, so I didn’t argue. It was his suit after all.
I had plenty of formal suits and no need for more accessories, so I didn’t shop for myself. After we made the right selections for Edwin, we left for a dessert shop. Shopping always made me hungry. I needed a snack.
We each got a slice of cake—different types—and settled in at an outdoor table, only the umbrella above our heads fending off the bright sun.
It was very warm out here, but between the shade overhead and the ocean breeze wafting over us, it felt quite nice.
It made me want to linger. I ate a bite with gusto, grinning from ear to ear. Lovely cake, truly.
“I find it strange,” Edwin mused.
What was going through his pretty head now? “What?”
“The lack of reaction from the king and queen.”
This seemed important, so I’d better stop indulging in sugar and pay attention. “What did you expect them to do?”
Edwin sighed and gave me this look as if to say You’re being deliberately obtuse. “I know you’ve rather been playing ostrich, dear heart, but even you can’t bury your head so far into the sand as to miss all the talk. You know they’re talking of putting you on the throne.”
Erk. I made a face.
“Whether they succeed in talking you into it or not, they should be very, very curious about me. I can’t be dismissed as a fling you’re having, because you’re openly taking me out on dates and introducing me to everyone as your lover.
There’s unspoken rules about nobility having flings, and one of them is you don’t openly take them to places like you’ve been doing with me.
You’re even taking me as your partner for the ball.
Why haven’t Their Majesties said something?
Tried to arrange a different partner for you? ”
Shidteus’s balls. He made a very good point. To me, having Edwin with me was natural—I hadn’t questioned it—but their lack of response was very telling.
“They’re up to something,” I murmured, my fork resting on my plate.
I couldn’t think of eating anything now.
Stress immediately started accumulating in my gut because I knew what those two were capable of.
Edwin was right, I should have realized their lack of response was not a good thing.
“I wonder what. Do they feel like they have the right leverage to make me do as they want?”
“Possibly? I bring this up not to ruin your mood—sorry—but because I’m worried.”
“I can see why. Whatever they’re doing, they’re playing it very close to the chest, otherwise my usual informants would have said something by now.”
“How many informants do you have on their staff?”
“Six.” I was quite proud too; that had been tricky to manage, and not something I had done in my previous life. I’d had to figure out how to approach people, and who, in this one.
“Six, eh.” Edwin popped another bite into his mouth, contemplating as he chewed. “Surely six people would see or hear something. Maybe I’m being paranoid. They did just have their hands full with Victor.”
I adored how the entire country had stopped using any honorifics for Victor after he lost his status—like the man was beneath them.
“Well, let’s give this a bit more time. Nothing we can do today anyway.”
“True enough.” Edwin offered me a bite of his cake. “It’s quite good, try some.”
I tried his green matcha, which was delicious, and offered a bite of my decadent chocolate to him.
After finishing dessert, I took him book shopping, because seeing him so animated and greedy for new things to read was by far the best entertainment of the day. If allowed, Edwin would be content to eat and read all day and not come up for air at all.
It was a wonderful day with him, to be sure, but the day wasn’t over yet. I barely had to convince him to stay the night with me. He did swing by his house to water a few plants and pack an overnight bag first.
The overnight bag made my mind slide straight into the gutter. I wondered if I could convince him to indulge me?
The very second we were done and heading for the palace, I leaned in and murmured for his ears alone, “Dearest, how about a quiet dinner in my rooms tonight?”
He perked up. “Lovely idea. Let’s do that.”
I appreciated that he wasn’t the type to play coy.
Once we reached the palace, we walked hand in hand up to my rooms. My knights fell back once we reached my wing, then discreetly went to their posts. No one gave us more than a glance as we walked, but it did remind me to ask a question.
“Edwin, after the dinner where we announced our relationship, what’s the reaction been?”
“Mostly confusion?” He laughed lightly, clearly not at all bothered.
“There were rumors, of course, which I mostly ignored. Some of the court ladies have eyed me like I was this unexpected road block to you, and I think they’re scheming on how to get rid of me, but no one’s made a move.
No one’s really confronted me about it either, much to my surprise, but a few were brave enough to come up and ask questions.
I keep getting asked what I did to seduce you.
When I explain it was the other way around, I can almost see people’s heads explode. ”
I didn’t like this. “Why? You’re a handsome, amazing man. Why wouldn’t I?”
He popped up to kiss my cheek. “I think I’ll stop using mirrors. I like how you see me much better.”
“Edwin, you are handsome.”
He just shook his head, still laughing, choosing not to argue—his little trick for when he didn’t agree but didn’t want to fight about it.
Edwin had never considered himself handsome, just nice looking.
I never could figure out why or how to overturn his thoughts about himself.
At least he understood I found him ravishing. I was making headway of sorts.
We entered our rooms and I immediately doffed my coat, toed off my boots, and made myself comfortable. Finally, all responsibilities done for the day.
Edwin sat with me on the sofa, snuggling against my side without hesitation or question. Slender fingers touched my cheek and I kissed him lightly, almost a tease. I could tell he wanted to say something to me first, though, so I held myself in check.
“My parents informed me yesterday that their house is back to rights.” Edwin looked a touch nervous for some reason. “I mentioned to them we’re dating, and they want to meet you.”
“I actually had a very good relationship with them in our first lives.”
“Did you really?”
“Yes, I loved them very much. They’re the parents I wish I’d had. I’ve always suspected your mother knew I was in love with you, but we never openly talked about it. In any case, I’d love to re-meet them.”
His nerves appeared to abruptly settle. “Hopefully they welcome you in the same way. I think they will. My parents both thought I jested at first, then when they realized I was serious, they sat there with their heads in their hands for a long second. By the weekend, surely the thought will have settled in better.”
“If not, seeing us together will let them know we are serious.” I teased another kiss, just a light touch of lips. “I can win them over, do not fear.”
Edwin snorted and kissed back. “The day you fail to charm someone is the day I call for a doctor.”
“You do give me such high praise, my love.”
Forget dinner, I’d have him first—
The door burst open without even so much as a knock and a wild Royce burst in. He didn’t seem distressed—far from it—but alive with energy and a sort of manic victory.
“You! How did you know? Are you from the future?!”
It took my lust-addled brain a moment to realize what he meant. “I take it the Echult worked?”
“It was exactly what I needed! The whole formula is stable now and it’s the perfect consistency for a syrup!
” Royce threw himself onto the sofa opposite ours, elbows on knees, perfectly locked into his new position as he stared at me like I contained all the secrets of the universe.
“Spill. There’s something very odd about you knowing the magical answer. ”
How to dissemble without outright lying…?
“Yes,” Helena’s voice called as she sailed through the doorway, shutting the door behind her. “Do explain how you know all sorts of things you shouldn’t know. Like how Gillespie’s eldest illegitimate child is a boy. No one knew, apparently—not even Marchioness Gillespie.”
Shit. Was that one of those things I didn’t have confirmation of in this lifetime?
“While you’re about it, do tell us how you knew the seawalls would fail.
” Helena sat next to Royce, her penetrating eyes on me.
“How you knew the Wrath would hit with such force we needed a Brown Pants Plan, because we all know you knew; the plan wouldn’t have been fully detailed and funded without your certainty.
I can keep going if you’re not convinced to open your mouth. ”
Edwin sat back, a small smile playing about his mouth. “James, I do believe it’s time to come clean.”
Apparently so.