Royal Arrangement

XV

Daniel

I can’t find Annie. She must’ve slipped off my radar when I was talking to Michael earlier. It’s odd though, because I see my mother. She’s off to the side, conversing with my father and some other Lord of some kind. I look around the ballroom, but she’s just gone.

I try not to panic. It’s ok. She’s fine. She’s probably talking to some royal lady. After all, Annie is popular. She isn’t one for social gatherings, but she can, how the Americans say fake it till you make it.

As I’m looking to the left, I feel a small hand on my arm. I know immediately that it isn’t Annie’s and frown before covering it up with my princely smile. Gotta keep up appearances after all. I look down at the woman. She’s pretty, with dark ringlet curls and a dark red dress, but I feel nothing when I see her. The heat of her palm barely registers on my arm. She’s so unimportant that it’s like I’m standing beside a cardboard cut out.

She leans in close and whispers something seductive that I’ve heard a thousand times before and I scoff and rip my arm out of her grasp with a scowl on my face. I don’t like her touching me. It doesn’t feel right. Everything about her is wrong.

She isn’t Annie.

The woman rolls her eyes and my palm doesn’t even twitch. Usually when I see an attractive woman behave as such, I have the urge to punish, but I feel nothing. I’m numb to everything about her. She’s simply a background character in my life.

Too bad I’m missing the main one.

I continue to look around for my wife. The woman beside me audibly whines and stands directly in my line of sight. She juts out her lower lip and widens her eyes before putting her hand back on my arm, no doubt trying to look younger and more irresistible. Once again, this does nothing for me. If anything, it annoys me.

"Your Highness, I am so lonely. Might you be able to accompany me to the bar? I'm ever so thirsty." She says in a voice that's far too husky or my taste. It's nothing like Annie's. My wife doesn't even have to try to sound sexy, she just is.

Oh, she's thirsty alright, but it isn't for a gin and tonic.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes and once again smile as friendly as I can down at her. Usually, I'd take this girl up on her thirstiness in a heartbeat, there would be no hesitation, and by the end of the night, her legs would be wrapped around my neck. Strangely, now I don't care for it. My wife is missing and all I care about is finding her. This floozy has no hold on my evening.

"I apologize, but it seems my wife is missing." I forcibly remove her hand from my bicep, not liking the disgusting feeling her touch brings me. "If you'll excuse me, the bar is over there. I'm sure you can find someone to help you, but I must be going."

I don't giver her a chance for a rebuttal. I spin on my heel and walk the opposite direction into the crowd of dancers, leaving her to pick up her lower jaw off the marble floor.

~~~

I’ve searched everywhere and I’ve yet to find my wife. I have to force the smile off my face when I think of that word. I love calling Annie my wife. She’s become my one of my best friends in the months I’ve known her

I’m pulled out of my thoughts by a flash of blonde hair I know all too well. I turn to the right and see Annie dart back into the ballroom from the outside balcony. I don’t hesitate. I don’t think. I head straight for her.

She must sense my presence and it leads me to wonder if she’s so in tune with me as I am with her and straightens her spine. I can feel my eyes narrow and I search her face when she turns around. I smile down at her and it immediately falls.

“What’s wrong?” I place my hands on her shoulders and scan down her body, searching for any sign of why her eyes are red and puffy. Annie looks as if she’s been crying and I feel a sharp pain in my heart at the knowledge of it. She smiles and I can tell it’s forced. I don’t like it. “I’m okay. Seriously Daniel, don’t worry.”

Now, I’m worrying. Annie is lying. She never lies.

“Little American,” I warn, “do not lie to me. I can see the redness in your eyes.”

She bites the inside of her cheek and darts her eyes to the ground. I feel the sudden urge to grab her and pull her into my arms, so I do. She wraps her arms around my neck and I stroke her hair with one hand. “I was worried. I couldn’t find you and I thought...”

I thought she had left me. I thought someone had finally succeeded in turning her against me. I thought I’d lose the best thing I’ve ever had in my life.

And that thought terrified me. Still does.

“I’m sorry.” She whispers and reigns me back. “I didn’t mean to... I just wanted some fresh air and... and I miss my family.”

“I’m your...” I start to say that I’m her family but shut my mouth. Where the hell did that come from?

I clear my thoughts and try again. “I’m sorry. We’ll schedule another visit... or even better, have them move into the palace.” I push her away gently and place my finger and thumb on her chin to direct her gaze to mine. “Would that make you happy?”

Her gorgeous blue eyes pool with tears and she nods. Annie smiles and looks up into my eyes and it stirs something unknown inside me. “Daniel... thank you.”

Unlike before with that other woman, I genuinely smile back at her. “Please... don't cry, Little American.”

She bites down on her lower lip purposely and looks up at me from beneath her long lashes. “I thought you enjoyed my tears... Master.”

I get the chills. I smile like a shark down at her and see her shiver. I wipe away her tears with my thumbs and bring them up to my lips, licking the salty flavor off them with my tongue. “Let’s get back to the party so we can leave it.” I hold out my hand.

She grins and places her small hand in my own.

~~~

A few weeks later and everything seems to be running smoothly. Of course, I am still suspicious. Ever since the party, Annie has been acting a bit off. Occasionally I catch her staring at me with a scrutinizing expression on her face when I am looking away from her. It’s almost as if she’s searching for the answer to some unknown question she has in her head. Of course, when we meet eyes, her face reddens and she looks away immediately. This is but one of many behaviors I have deemed to be strange.

She walks closer to me and is always sure to be in my proximity. If I had to compare this behavior, I’d compare it to that of a lost puppy. In many ways, she reminds me of Baxter. But finally, she is far more affectionate towards me than usual. She smiles at me every day and is always sure to hold my hand. As always, she’s a spitfire in bed, but over the last few weeks, I’ve seen a change in her passion.

Of course, I am complaining about none of this. I just find the change to be odd and quite uncharacteristic. My little wife is clearly hiding something from me, I supposed I am inclined to let her have her little secrets.

For now.

But, as usual, I digress and there is a more pressing matter at hand that needs my attention.

My Little American and my mother have gotten along far too well in my opinion. Don't mistake my words, I am very grateful for that fact, but I am also irked by the two women in my life at certain times.

This, is one of those times.

"Oh, Dear, you just have to come along." My mother practically gushes. She's come to love Annie like her own daughter. To be honest, everyone she's ever spoken to has ended up admiring and loving my wife and I couldn't be more proud of her. I've said it before, but I'll say it again: I chose well.

Annie looks up at me reluctantly and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smirking. Annie isn't into frilly things, nor is she into any type of royal affair, so tea time with the female royal court (including my mother)… is nothing short of a complete nightmare.

"I'd love to but..."

Annie's excuse trails off as my mother raises her regal hand. "As your Queen, I demand it."

Now, I can't help but laugh. Recently, mother has been using that excuse far more often than before and I think it's because of my little wife.

Annie hides her frown behind a fake giggle. "If you insist, Your Highness."

My mother laughs and shakes her head. "Please, call me Clarita, or if so inclined... Mother."

Annie smiles genuinely while I stand beside them in shocked silence. My mother reaches out and grabs her hand before clasping it tightly. "I've said it before, but welcome to the family. I'm so happy you're with my son. He was a real grumpy ass before you came along."

"Mother..." I warn.

She just rolls her eyes. "I am the Queen, I can say as I wish, and you know it to be true. You used to walk around these halls with a puss on your face. I'm happy to see the improvement in your mood."

Annie looks uncomfortable so I wrap my arm around her waist and tug her into my side. I don't know why I do it, but I have an instinct to pull her close to me. Even though she was just a foot away, I felt the need to be closer, to touch her, feel her skin against mine.

I don't dwell on the reasons why. Instead, I return my focus to my wife. I'm a little frustrated because this will make the fourth consecutive day in a row that I won't be able to see her at all. She'll have tea with the ladies, and I'm going riding. We'll reconvene later this evening and I can't help but hate that.

I'm starting to miss hanging out with my wife.

And that's really odd.

I figured a wife would be a burden that I couldn't wait to get rid of. Now, I'm finding that I long to be in her company. So much so, that I'm thinking of accompanying the ladies for tea in the gardens. What an utterly ridiculous thought.

But... The idea has merit...

No. What am I thinking? I'm going to go riding. I prefer it anyway. I haven't been on a horse in so long.

I'd rather ride my wife... I bite back another smirk at the thought. Tonight. I'll do that tonight.

My mother interrupts my perverted thoughts when she sets her teacup back on the saucer with an audible clink. She looks up at the clock and smiles. “Daniel, Dear? Shouldn’t you be on your way? The riding party is on the docket to set off in a half hour and you still do prefer to tack up Barnaby on your own, don't you?”

I bite back a frown. I don’t want to leave. But, I must. Instead, I smile. “Of course, Mother.” I lean down and give Annie a quick kiss that isn’t nearly as in-depth or passionate as I’d like and rise, buttoning the top button of my dress shirt as I do so. “I will see you later, Little American. Be sure to behave. I wouldn’t want the women of the court to give my sweet little wife any ideas.”

My mother chuckles and Annie tries to frown but loses it to a smile as I walk out the door.

As much as I want to stay, I must admit that I have missed the thrill of riding. There just isn't an experience that compares to the freedom that one experiences while riding a horse-- to feel the beast canter beneath your legs, the feeling is completely unique. I missed my horse. My mother was correct, I haven't ridden my dark stallion in so long. I enter the stable and he knickers and whinnies my way. I give him a small smile. It seems I'm doing that a lot lately.

"Hey, boy..." I coo at him and he flicks his mane and paws at the hay beneath his hoof. He's clearly excited as I haven't taken him out in weeks. I stroke the soft fur of his nose and he tries to search around for a treat.

I chuckle and reach into my pocket for the peppermint I brought for him. His ears perk up at the sound of me crinkling and unwrapping the plastic coating. "Oh, you know what this is, don't you?"

He bobs his head back and fourth as if he's nodding. I shake my head and offer him the mint. Barnaby sucks it between his lips and begins to chew on it, making a contented noise. I rub his neck. "Ready to go out?"

His ears perk up and he rears his head back and whinnies. I'll take that as a yes.

It's a half hour later that I'm on Barnaby, surrounded by people I don't want to be around, or have meaningless conversations with. Of course, I must play nice. I'm surrounded by people that I must make nice with, especially now that my father has officially announced that he's looking to step down as ruler. Unfortunately, that means I must entertain this current conversation with a certain person that I, in no uncertain terms, despise.

I'm sure you can guess who I am talking about.

Lord William Morburn grips the reins to his palomino gelding in both his hands. It's fitting that my horse is a stallion and his has lost it's balls. The thought is almost enough to make me smile. Almost.

"How is Annie doing this morning?" He asks, leaning a bit closer to me, must to my dismay.

I turn to him and bite back a frown. "Her Royal Highness, Princess Annalise is doing well. She's off with the other ladies having tea as we speak."

William tilts his head back and chuckles quietly. "Oh yeah? And how is that going?"

Now, I frown. "I'm sure it's going very well. My wife knows how to handle herself."

He grins. "Of course, well if I know Annie--"

"--You don't." I snap, completely unaware of where that rage came from.

He raises a brow and grits his teeth. I can tell he's annoyed with me. Interesting, now that my wife is nowhere to be seen, he isn't as civil with me. Now I trust this man even less.

"I was going to say that if I know Annie, she isn't one for those type of functions. She's completely out of her element."

I resist the urge to groan. I can count on one hand how many times he's spoken to her. He doesn't know Annie at all. "I know my wife very well. She will be fine. There isn't anything Annie can't handle." I believe it too. For once, I'm not just spouting bullshit. Annie is one of the most adaptable people I've ever met. If anyone can handle tea with my mother and the gossiping hens of the royal court, it's her.

He frowns and leans closer. At this point, our horses have fallen to the back of the riding group. There is no one around to hear our conversation. That doesn't worry me. I have a feeling Lord Morburn is about to show his true colors.

"I know about this little game that you're playing. You might think you're fooling these other idiots, but you aren't fooling me."

I see. The snake has come out of his hole.

I shrug. "I haven't a clue what you're speaking of." I cluck my tongue and my horse jolts ahead. "You must have me confused with someone else."

He reaches out and grabs the rein, causing Barnaby to come to a halt. Rage bubbles inside me but I take a deep breath. I must remain calm. This cannot get back to my father. If it does, I'll lose the crown to my brother for sure.

"I wasn't finished. Don't play stupid with me. I know the truth. I know your marriage... is a sham."

Now, how did little Lord William come to find this out? As far as I know only three people are aware, one of which being my mother.

"You're only doing this to get your hands on that crown. It's all been a farce, since the beginning. You don't love Annie, and you have no intentions of remaining her husband after that crown's on your head, but I have news for you."

He continues.

"I'm not the only one who knows this."

A heavy stone drops in the pit of my gut.

He smirks. "I'm sure you'd like to know who, don't you?" I say nothing. "Well, I'm not going to tell you, but I will tell you this."

I look calm and collected on the outside, but inside, I'm panicking. This could all unravel in front of my eyes and there's nothing I can do about it.

But what he says next shocks me.

"I won't tell anyone."

I blink once. Then twice. "What?"

He chuckles. "I said, I'm not going to blow the whistle on your fake little love affair. Shockingly, you aren't the worst candidate for King. There are many of us in the court who don't want to see your brother Michael take the throne."

The look on my face must betray my confusion because he rolls his eyes. "Your brother is an imbecile. He can't take care of himself, let alone a whole country. He relies on his docile wife to care for him. She's great, but she's no queen. Of course, this begs the question: Who would be your queen?"

I have to bite my tongue to keep from saying Annie. I open my mouth and then close it, lacking a proper response.

William narrows his eyes. "Exactly. You don't have one, and if we're lucky, you never will. I represent a group of nobles that are backing you for the throne. I'm not here to fight you, I'm here to warn you. There are forces at play here, people who do not wish you to be king. Be cautious."

"If I may be honest, that wasn't the way I saw this conversation going." I laugh nervously. "I thought you were after my wife."

He chuckles. "Oh, make no mistake, I still am. You've found a good one, and since you're so foolishly willing to let her go..." He grins. "I'll be the friend there to help her mend the heart you're going to break. Her shoulder to cry on, if you will."

I grit my teeth. I'm not angry, I'm furious. Just thinking of him with his hands around Annie causes me to spiral in a rage. It's a feeling I am unused to experiencing and I don't like it. I let out a noise that sounds something like and roar and before I even know what I'm doing, my right fist connects with his cheek and he goes flying off his horse.