The Bride Tournament (Hexed Hearts Book 1)(15)

“Mother, you requested my presence?”

The queen’s brow creased and her lips pursed. “Yes, Dame Lange here is an important guest who will stay with us for a few evenings. She has requested a personal tour of the castle. I assured her you were not the best person to ask, yet she wanted no one else.”

“I’d love to take you on a tour.” He nodded and chugged the cup of hot tea. “After lunch?”

“Well, we’ve already eaten. I will take the tour now.” Dame Lange motioned for a butler to pull back her chair and she stood.

Gerard stared longingly at the pile of fresh fruit on the table. His mother plucked a rosy apple from the tray and snuck it onto his lap. She made a shushing gesture as Dame Lange prattled on. He kissed his mother on the cheek and stood.

Dame Lange looped her arm through his own, though he had not offered the service. “While we tour, let me tell you about the group I’ve founded. I’m sure you will be interested in our mission statement.”

He led her out of the dining hall and through the set of royal suites, letting the dame babble on and on about her daughters and some MAM group. He set his mind on Ellie. Her soft hair hadn’t been in a bun last evening.

The honey-blonde hair, like liquid sunshine, had lain over her shoulder in a haphazard braid. Strands had escaped about her heart-shaped face.

Pierce rounded the corner.

“Ah, little brother, allow me to introduce Dame Lange. I’ve been giving her a tour of the castle.”

Pierce bowed, deep, and therefore sarcastic. Gerard was surprised to see his brother use his joke move. He winked at Pierce when the prince stood. His brother flushed but gave a small smile.

Growing up, their age difference had made it near impossible for Gerard to enjoy his brother’s company. The little twerp shadowed his every move and annoyed him. Then, he’d gone abroad and his brother had grown up without him. He meant to remedy that.

“Good day, milady. You look stunning.” Pierce kissed the back of her outstretched hand. Dame Lange blushed and stumbled for words.

He regarded his brother with renewed interest. Pierce had an undeniable power over women. He pondered the myriad events and trials in the coming fortnight.

“All those women vying for your attention…”

Gerard searched until he spied a livery man, in proper somber black attire, and beckoned the aging man. “Good sir, will you please escort Dame Lange to the greeting parlor so she can see first-hand where the reception line will begin this eve?”

The livery man paled, taking in Dame Lange’s reluctance to leave Gerard’s side, but nodded.

Gerard extracted himself from Dame Lange while Pierce coughed out a laugh. “Dame Lange, this is…what’s your name, good sir?”

“James.”

“Ah, this is James. He is an excellent tour guide and will bring you back to your quarters once he’s shown you the greeting parlor.” Gerard sidestepped the dame’s grasping hands.

James nodded and squared his shoulders. His faded black hair was set tight against his head, giving him a stern and professional look. “This way, milady.”

Pierce blew Dame Lange a kiss. She colored and dropped her scowl.

“Until this eve, milady. Save me a dance?” Pierce winked, and it sent the matron into a twitter of noises that resembled choking.

Once the dame and James had disappeared around the corner, Gerard grabbed Pierce’s elbow, holding him in place. “I have underestimated you, brother.”

“Join the club. It’s my secret to success.” His brother tried to swivel out of his grasp. No luck. “Watch it, you are ruining my tunic.”

Pierce’s forest-green shirt matched his eyes today, and he seemed to have taken extra care with his appearance.

Gerard frowned. “Why do you look so well?”

“Seriously?” Pierce shook his head and smoothed his soft shirt. “You understand that at least one hundred single ladies will be in attendance tonight. You can’t have them all. I intend to have the rest.”

Cocky bastard.

He grinned at his brother’s cheekiness. “Good plan, you can convince my valet Edward to join in the fun.”

“The women will go nuts for his stoic don’t-come-near-me-or-I-will-stab-you look.” Pierce raised a brow, sarcastic.

“Then show him the ropes,” Gerard proclaimed.

Pierce raised both brows this time and nodded.

“Glad to have you back, brother. Missed you ordering me around.” Joking, again.

“My apologies, I only meant it as a suggestion,” Gerard amended. “My actual order is different but not unrelated.”

He let Pierce go and his brother rubbed his elbow. “I’m intrigued.”

“I would like you to come to my aid during the coming fortnight.” Gerard sighed as his brother puffed out his chest and grabbed at his sword belt. “Not with fighting. With women.”

“Thank goodness.” The hot air whooshed out of Pierce. “Women I can handle. What do you need me to do? Make sure they’re bonny enough? Bed them first?”

“Get them out of my way.”

Pierce blinked. “All of them? I thought the point was for you to choose one?”

“The traditional ceremony does the choosing; I have little say. But, at the social engagements, should I need help escaping the various women ‘vying for my attention,’ I ask that you come to my aid and relieve me of my duties. I trust you can handle all of the ladies.”