The Prince's Consort (Chronicles of Tournai Book 1)

by Antonia Aquilante

  AMORY EMERGED from his bedchamber the next morning not entirely sure what he would find. To his surprise, he slept well. He’d been sure anxiety and excitement, not to mention the memory of the prince’s kisses, would keep him awake all night, but he was asleep almost as soon as he climbed into the large bed. In fact, it had been difficult to climb out of it that morning. The mattress was comfortable, the pillows plentiful, and the bedding soft and luxurious. The bed was too decadent to resist wallowing in it for a while.

  Sunlight streamed through the sitting room windows and over Prince Philip, still clad in his dressing gown, sitting at a small table set with breakfast for two. The prince looked gorgeous in the morning light. The urge to drag him off to bed and see what was under the dressing gown shocked Amory breathless.

  He was still staring when the prince looked up at him. The welcome in his eyes made Amory feel warm inside. The prince really did want him there. And Amory was supposed to stop calling him by his title.

  “Good morning, Amory.”

  “Good morning, Pip,” he replied, taking the chair opposite the prince—Philip, Pip—and watching for the other man’s reaction. He didn’t think Philip would be upset, but he wasn’t certain.

  Philip’s mouth dropped open slightly, and he froze, a pastry held in midair. “Pip?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re calling me Pip?”

  “Yes.” The platters on the table were piled with delicious-looking pastries, fruit, and cheese. He looked over the selections while watching Philip from under his lashes.

  “I thought you were going to call me Philip.” Philip lowered the pastry back to his plate.

  Amory gave up all pretense of deciding what to eat for breakfast and looked up at Philip. He’d known giving Philip a nickname was a risk. He’d been given leave to call Philip by name, but he found himself wanting something more, something special between them. Something only for them. “Yes, and I will, but I decided I like Pip better for you. For me to call you in private.”

  Something changed in Philip’s eyes. Was it a hint of pleasure? Then he grinned. “And you decided to call me Pip and see what happened?”

  “I did, yes.” Amory wasn’t sure where the mischievous impulse came from. He should have been worried about whether the prince would be angry, but in fact, he’d hoped to get a smile out of Philip with it. “Do you mind?”

  “That you have your own name for me? No, I don’t mind.” Philip’s gaze softened, became more intimate, and Amory found himself captivated by it, by the promise in Philip’s eyes, and sat there staring back at him.

  A bird’s call outside the window startled them both, breaking their trance. They laughed, but then Philip took Amory’s hand and lifted it, brushing a light kiss over his knuckles before returning his hand to the table.

  “Have some breakfast,” Philip said. “The almond pastries are especially good. They’ve always been my favorite.”

  They were delicious, Amory found, once the butterflies in his stomach calmed enough for him to eat, but he decided he liked the sticky apricot ones better. Everything was good, which wasn’t a surprise. The palace would have the best cooks and bakers. He and Philip ate almost all the food laid out for them while talking about nothing in particular. He enjoyed talking with Philip. Conversation with the prince was far easier than he ever would have imagined.

  They had finished eating and were sipping the last of the chocolate poured from the little silver pot when a knock at the sitting room door interrupted them. Philip sighed. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s all right.” Philip was an important man. It was probably unusual they’d had so much uninterrupted time so far.

  “You’re far more patient than I am.” Philip raised his voice. “Enter.”

  A thin blond man, dressed soberly, came into the sitting room and bowed, displaying no reaction to Amory’s presence. “Good morning, Your Highness, sir.”

  While Amory tried to control his surprise at the man’s courtesy toward him, Philip greeted him. “Good morning. Amory, this is my secretary, Donatien. He keeps me properly organized. Donatien, this is Amory.”

  Was Amory deluding himself thinking there might be some fondness in Philip’s voice already? Probably.

  “An honor to meet you, sir.” Donatien bent in another bow, this one for Amory.

  “And you, Donatien.”

  “What can we do for you, Donatien?” Philip asked.

  “I’m sorry to disturb you, Your Highness. Your uncle has sent word that he would like to speak with you this morning at your earliest convenience.”

  “And I’m sure you’ve phrased his request more politely than he did.” Philip’s voice was light, but there was an edge of something in his eyes that Amory didn’t like to see. Philip’s face settled into resigned lines. “I’ll see him first thing, after I finish breakfast and dress.”

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  “Do I have anything scheduled at lunch?” Philip asked.

  “No, Your Highness.”

  “Please keep lunch free today.” Philip looked at Amory. “My sister wants to meet you, and I thought lunch might be a good time. She won’t be awake and around until almost then anyway if she stayed at her friend’s home too late last night.”

  Even though the thought of meeting Philip’s sister was enough to make his stomach flip unpleasantly, Amory nodded. “I’d like to meet her.”

  “Thank you.” Philip turned back to Donatien. “Any other changes I should know about?”

  “No, Your Highness. I’ll leave you to your breakfast. Your Highness, sir.” Donatien bowed again, and left the room.

  Philip faced Amory. “I’m sorry about that.”

  “It’s all right.”

  “He comes to see me during breakfast to go over my schedule sometimes. It never really mattered. I was always alone.”

  Amory felt a little glow of pleasure at the implication that it did matter then, that Philip might consider their time together important enough to not want anyone intruding on it. “It really is all right. I understand.”

  “Thank you. But still.”

  They were quiet for a few moments. Philip didn’t seem to feel any inclination to rush to dress and see his uncle. He supposed Philip was the prince and could do as he pleased, but Amory still found it somewhat strange. Maybe because he was so used to having to jump when his father called for him. He wasn’t going to complain about extra time with Philip, though, especially when he wasn’t sure what his own day would hold.

  “Pip?”

  “Yes?” Philip smiled at him warmly, but there were shadows in his eyes.

  “I was wondering… your secretary. He was so respectful, deferential even, to me.”

  “As he should be.”

  “I just… didn’t expect it.”

  “Why not?” Philip’s dark brows pulled together in a confused frown.

  He shrugged. “I’m not a nobleman, I’m not anything. And I came here so suddenly yesterday as your…”

  “As my lover?” Philip’s gaze was gentle.

  “Yes. And even though we aren’t yet, everyone thinks we are, and I didn’t expect to be treated the way he did.”

  “You didn’t expect to be treated with respect.” Philip waited for Amory’s nod. “I wouldn’t let anyone treat you poorly, but they won’t. I told you yesterday that princes have taken lovers in the past?”

  He nodded again.

  “For a long time, it was tradition for the ruler to take a lover before he married, and move the person into the palace. Sometimes, the lover stayed after the prince married, most often if the marriage was an arranged one and if he and his lover had some affection between them. Both of which were common. Some of my ancestors probably took other, more casual lovers, but the one who lived here with the prince was someone special. It hasn’t happened as much in the last few generations, but it’s still done. Long ago, they were called concubines, and they had a special status of their own. Close to that of the
prince’s spouse.” Philip took his hand. “So you don’t have to worry. No one is going to look down on you for this, and if they do, I’ll put a stop to it.”

  He wasn’t sure what to say. Not to Philip’s promise really, more to his explanation of what his status was. Almost like being the prince’s spouse? He couldn’t believe that. “Thank you. But I can take care of myself, you know.”

  Philip grinned. “I’m sure you can, but… I think I’d like it if you’d let me take care of you sometimes.”

  Warmth washed through him. “Only if you let me do the same for you.”

  “I think I’d like that too.” Philip sighed. “I suppose I have to dress and deal with my uncle.”

  “Probably.” Amory hesitated. “What should I do?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, I don’t know what I should do here. I’m feeling a little at loose ends.” He shrugged, hoping Philip wouldn’t be insulted by his questions.

  “Well, today, my sister wants to meet you, so we’ll be having what will probably turn into a long lunch with her. Otherwise, you can do whatever you like.”

  “Oh.” That wasn’t very helpful, actually. He didn’t think there had ever been a time when he had complete freedom.

  Philip looked as if he understood. “What do you like to do?”

  “Ride, swim, sketch.” What else did he enjoy? Spending time with his friends, of course. He should let Tristan know what happened to him.

  “You can do all of those things here, and we really are going to have to go out to Alzata. There’s a lot more private space outside to do those things. Do you have a horse?”

  “Yes.” He hadn’t thought about her since he arrived at the palace with his father and Alban yesterday.

  “You rode here yesterday? Then your horse should be in the stables. You can check on her if you like.” It was almost as if Philip was reading his mind.

  He nodded. “Thanks. But that isn’t enough, is it?”

  “You said you were taking classes at the university. Do you want to continue with them?”

  Having a choice about his studies was strange too. “I don’t know. I never really cared for it.”

  “Because of what you were studying?”

  “Maybe. My father chose my course of study. Alban’s as well. I never found it particularly interesting.”

  “Well, if you want to continue your studies, you can, and you can choose what you study this time. And if you don’t, you don’t have to.” Philip shrugged. “You have plenty of time to decide.”

  “I suppose so.”

  “Yesterday was a long day. Settle in for a little while, and think about what you want.”

  “All right.”

  “Good.” Philip was still holding his hand, and he gave it a squeeze. “Meeting my sister is enough to deal with today.”

  Philip’s words startled a laugh out of him, which was probably what Philip intended. “Is she so fearsome?”

  “No, just enthusiastic. Elodie is looking forward to meeting you. She wanted to run right in here last night, but I restrained her. All right, now I do need to dress and see my uncle.”

  “Yes, you do.” He paused. “I’m sure you’re busy today.”

  Philip tilted his head to the side as he studied Amory. “No more busy than usual. Why?”

  “Well, I don’t really know what you do each day. Could I spend some of the day with you and see? If I wouldn’t bother you.”

  Philip looked startled then pleased. “Certainly. You wouldn’t bother me, but you might end up bored. I’ll be in my office all morning. You can come in whenever you like.”

  “Thank you.”

  Philip squeezed his hand again before releasing it. Amory felt the loss of contact immediately, but as soon as Philip stood, he stepped around the table and bent to kiss Amory briefly. Too briefly. He wanted more of those lips on his, but Philip was backing away already. “I’ll see you soon.”

  PHILIP COULD get used to sitting across the breakfast table from Amory. His warm presence made starting the day easier. Amory didn’t even need to talk, but they had. He could even get used to being called Pip. It seemed like such a silly little name, but somehow, when Amory called him that, it felt special, something unique to Amory and their developing relationship. He could be Pip to Amory.

  Such a simple thing, their shared breakfast, yet it left him feeling so light. He almost didn’t mind the upcoming discussion with his uncle. He settled in his study, looking over some documents while he waited. Uncle Umber would have concerns about Philip openly taking a male lover and would likely not express them tactfully, but he was a good man at heart, one who cared about Tournai. Still, governing the country was Philip’s duty and responsibility, not Uncle Umber’s.

  His uncle arrived in his usual fashion a few moments later, walking into the study without knocking or waiting to be announced. “Is it true?”

  “Good morning, Uncle.”

  “Good morning. Is it true,” he repeated, less a question than a demand.

  Philip sighed. He knew the discussion was going to be unpleasant, but for once, he didn’t feel like mollifying his uncle. “Is what true?”

  “Don’t be coy with me, Philip Alexander.”

  Uncle Umber must be more upset than Philip had anticipated if he forgot the proprieties he adhered to so closely. In that way, his son Cathal was quite like him.

  “Is it true you named a male concubine yesterday?”

  “I did. Amory moved into the palace last night.”

  “What were you thinking?” Uncle Umber threw up his hands in a rare display of exasperation. “You need an heir. Don’t you see? If you openly take a male lover, who will ever want to marry you?”

  Philip bit back an exasperated noise. “The same people who have always wanted to marry me—those who want the power and status that come with marrying into a royal family, alliance-seekers who want the connection to such a strategic trading country, starry-eyed young noblewomen.”

  All the people he wouldn’t want anyway. He wanted his future marriage to include love, naïve as that sounded even to himself. He didn’t want it to be solely about producing an heir and gaining an alliance. He wanted something, someone, for himself, which was why he’d acted on the connection he felt with Amory, despite its suddenness.

  “None of that changes, Uncle Umber.”

  “You don’t know that. Don’t think you know everything after a year on the throne.” The tone gave the impression of an admonishing finger shaking in his direction, but thankfully Uncle Umber didn’t go so far as the actual gesture.

  “I would never presume to believe I know everything, but I think we can both agree there will always be people who want to marry into royalty.” Though the idea of it disgusted him. “It’s fine. Even if it weren’t, Elodie is my heir. She’ll marry and have children someday. And if, for some reason, she doesn’t, I have you and all of your children and their future children. The succession is not in jeopardy.”

  “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of not marrying.” Uncle Umber’s face went an alarming shade of purple.

  “I didn’t say that. I said the succession is not in danger should I not produce an heir. You have nothing to worry about.”

  “You can’t make light of this. Producing an heir is vital, and it is your duty. If you had to have a male lover, you could have at least been discreet about it.” Uncle Umber planted his hands on his hips and glared down at Philip, his whole demeanor one of intimidation, and suddenly Philip was finished with the discussion.

  “This is not up for debate, Uncle. Amory is here, and he is going to stay as long as he wants. I’m hoping that turns into a long time, because I want him here. Are we clear?”

  His uncle flinched, but nodded sharply. “Yes. But I believe you’re going to regret this decision.”

  “As is your right, but I disagree.”

  They were interrupted then by a knock on the door.

  “Enter,” Philip called.r />
  Despite his worry about what his uncle might say, Philip was happy to see Amory standing there when the door opened.

  “I’m sorry. Am I interrupting?”

  “Not at all.” Philip rose from his seat behind the desk, and held out a hand to Amory. Amory glanced at Uncle Umber, but came to Philip without hesitation. He gave Amory’s slender fingers a squeeze. “Amory, this is my uncle Umber, my father’s brother. Uncle Umber, this is Amory.”

  “It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace.” Amory bent in a half bow, probably as much as he could manage with his hand in Philip’s. Nevertheless, the bow was executed gracefully.

  Uncle Umber glared at Philip before turning to Amory. His tone was icy when he spoke. “Master Amory.”

  Philip felt Amory tense beside him, but Amory said nothing. Uncle Umber faced Philip again. “You’re making a mistake. This was my brother’s country, my brother’s throne, and I refuse to stand by and watch you harm it.”

  Anger ignited within Philip. He was grateful to his uncle for all he had done since Philip’s father died, but he wasn’t going to let his uncle say those things to him, to think those things about him. Tournai was his country, he’d given his life to it long before his father died, but Amory was rapidly becoming his too, and Philip needed that. “Yes. Tournai was my father’s country. My father’s throne, and now it’s mine. I would never harm it.”

  “You will if you proceed on this course.”

  “Enough,” Philip interrupted. “This discussion is over. I’ve heard your opinion, though it was unsolicited, and I don’t agree. Even if it turns out to be the mistake you think it is, it’s my mistake to make. It’s my throne.”

  Uncle Umber stared at him before giving him a curt nod. “Yes, Your Highness. If you’ll excuse me?”

  After the door closed firmly behind Uncle Umber, Amory turned to Philip, his eyes troubled. “Is everything all right?”

  Philip blew out a breath and forced himself to relax. Uncle Umber might have more years and experience in governance and diplomacy than he did, but Philip was Tournai’s crown prince, a role he had prepared for his entire life. He preferred not to argue with his uncle, but he couldn’t back down. He needed someone of his own, and he didn’t want secrecy to enter into it.