Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(33)

He snorts. “I am aware that she is not responsible for your leaving, but to be honest I cannot tolerate her presence. She is everything you are not, and I cannot imagine a worse person to be my wife.” He tightens his arms around my waist. “I’d already talked to Jonathan, though there wasn’t much advice he could give. Since you are here, he might have some different suggestions to make.”

I draw back, my interest piqued. “How?”

His lip curls, and there is a ruthlessness in his smile. Edward isn’t benevolent all the time. Once, when I was attacked by a man in the streets, he had looked so murderous that I wouldn’t be surprised if he would have done more than mere punishment.

His gaze sweeps over my disheveled state—my messy hair, puffy lips, torn collar—with unmistakable satisfaction. “You could pose as my mistress. I could set up a house for you in the city and visit you daily. Once you have my child, it will be evidence that Katriona Bradshaw is ill fit to be my wife.”

I poke his chest. “You primitive lout.” Plus, it irks me that a woman’s value is judged by her fertility.

He smirks, but then becomes serious. “I need Katriona’s signature of consent, plus a public confirmation in court, for the divorce proceedings. Before I can obtain those, in the meanwhile we need to establish a new identity for you. You cannot declare that you are Katriona Bradshaw.”

“Hmm.” I pretend to ponder the idea. “How about we tell everyone I’m an angel banished to the human world?”

“An angel that was sent to comfort my solitude.” He smooths my hair from my face. “Be serious, dearest. I’ve been thinking Mr. Wellesley would be a good choice. He has an estranged daughter who passed away a few years ago; you could pose as his granddaughter.”

“I’d love to be Mr. Wellesley’s granddaughter. It’ll also explain why I love books so much. But won’t it be better if I pose as a noble?” Knowing Athelia’s customs, it might be problematic if I were a commoner. Mr. Davenport said Edward couldn’t marry me unless it’s a morganatic marriage.

“A noble is more easily traced, as there are family records. Besides, you could be another precedent. You’ve taught me that all men should be equals. If I marry you when you’re a commoner, it will help break down the barriers between the ordinary folk and the aristocracy. I do not believe classes ought not mix. Especially when there’s such a charming woman from the untitled.”

I blush. “You’ll make me conceited if you keep exalting me like that.”

He laughs. “Considering the number of peers who disapprove of you, I’d say you need more praise. Everyone should see you as I do.” He withdraws from me with great reluctance. “I hate to say this, but I must be going back. Suspicion will be raised if I’ve gone missing for too long. By the way, I almost forgot.” He extracts a velvet pouch from a satchel he’s carrying, and presses it in my hands. “I didn’t have enough Athelian currency on me when I met you in Moryn, but now I do.”

The pouch is heavy. I peek inside, and repress a gasp. It’s filled with gold coins—crowns, actually, the informal term in Athelia. Not pounds, shillings, or pennies, but the most valuable unit. I could buy Mary’s cottage with the amount he has given me.

“Edward, no. You’re giving me too much.”

“Take it.” He uses his don’t-argue-with-the-prince tone with me. “You never know when you might have an emergency. Ask Mary to send word to Amelie if you need more.”

I can’t think of any emergency that might need so much money, but when he mentions Mary, I pause. Mary won’t take payment, but I don’t think she’d mind if I replace the water jug or a new cap for Joel.

“Yes, but I think half would be…”

“One more thing.” Edward cuts me off. He takes my hand and slides something cool and hard on my finger. It’s a ring, a simple one that doesn’t have any gems.

“But I already have your wedding ring.” I show him the ring I had strung in a chain around my neck. “What’s this for?”

“As you can’t wear the official ring before we’re married, I want you to have a substitute. I’m taking no chances of other men flirting with you.”

I gape. “You’re insane if you think I’d let anyone flirt with me.”

“It would help to deter anyone who has intentions. If you make it clear that you are already taken, it will greatly reduce the chances of anyone bothering you.”

I give him a playful shove on the chest. “So far, you are the only one bothering me.”

“Indeed.” He places a hand on the back of my head and kisses me so intensely that I’m panting when he breaks off. “More practice, remember?”

I give him an exasperated look, but he merely smirks. “Take care, love. I will be back as soon as I can.”



* * *



I go shopping for necessities the very next day. While I honestly don’t need so much money, I’m thankful that Edward had given me the pouch. I don’t have to borrow clothes from Mary; I could also get new underwear, my handkerchief, my own shoes, various items that I would prefer not to borrow from Mary. Best of all, I could purchase a heavy cloak, scarves, and mittens for the cold weather. It is a curious and novel feeling, going shopping. Previously, when I was at Lady Bradshaw’s house, I rarely bought anything except books. Everything else was provided, and I never liked shopping on High Street anyway. The shopkeepers were more enthusiastic about Bianca.