Eleanora felt her hand shake at the compromising position she was found in. While the King could handle the scandal, she would forever be stained.
Her mind raced with reasons for being togeather. None seemed convincing enough.
"I heard some rumor that the most eligible Duke in the kingdom was to be wed. I had to look upon it with my own eyes. Robert, your bride is exquisite. Why she married an ugly dog like you I will never know? " The King said calmly.
Eleanora felt a thick wooshing pump in and out of her ear. Her sight becoming darker. Until a smile broke across both the men's face.
"Well, your highness I always did tell you I was better at wooing. How you even got her majesty down the aisle puzzles me." Robert and the King reached and hugged in a brotherly embrace.
"Now what are you doing roaming the halls with my glowing bride?" Robert asked with only the slightest suspicion.
Eleanora couldn't tell if it was genuine or a jest.
Hands behind his back. His Majesties stood regal and proud. "Your lovely wife was showing me around your lovely residence. However, I might have embarrassed your lady since she was not very sure of what she was showing me."
Looking straight ahead Eleanora could hear the mischevious smile on the Kings' lips as he teased her. He was shameless.
Eleanora stayed silent, praying her husband would accept the explanation, the lie.
"Well, it would be my honor to give his highness a tour of mine and Lady Eleanora's home. Dear wife, you may also join us, so you do not become embarrassed when a guest comes to visit you in the future. " Her husband smiled down at her no contempt or suspicion. She was not sure if he accepted the lie due to ignorance, or blind admiration for the king.
"I'm sure our guests will miss one of us at the festivities. His Highness should have a private tour. I have your attention for the rest of our lives dear husband" Walking up to Robert, she kissed his stubbled cheek. Wood and lavender filling her senses. It was quick, but she was sure she made her point. The King was a possessive man.
Curtsying to the king, eyes downcast chest slightly tilted toward him. "Your Highness."
The king definitely lost his composer for a moment before he too gave her a nod.
"Oh before you depart Eleanora." Eleanora went stiff at the King using her full name.
"I would like to invite you Robert, and your Lady to a Ball. Celebrating the end of all those who opposed my father. "
"Is there an end?" Robert chuckled.
"As far as the kingdom is concerned, there is. We need more celebrations. It's a great time to be alive." Charles gripped Roberts' shoulders.
Robert shook his head at his friends and Kings enthusiasm. "It does not hurt to be King, either."
Charles laughed. "That does make it all the sweeter."
Robert looked toward Eleanora "I should like for my wife to settle in before we"
The king interrupted Robert "Come now good friend it is not for some time." the King's tone dropped just enough to sound decent, but was still loud enough for her to hear. "Your lady wife shall have plenty of time to recover from her first marital bed."
Eleanora felt her cheeks rouge.
"If my lady does not object." Robert was about to ask her.
"It is settled I will see you at my palace. After the tour, we shall discuss detail, Robert." The men nodded at her as if she had helped decide.
Eleanora walked toward the direction her husband had arrived. Keeping back nausea she had been fighting the entire conversation.
A night in the palace with her new husband and her former royal lover, it seemed less of a dream and more a nightmare.
And she thought the marital bed was the thing she was most afraid of.
Charles watched as Nora strut down the grand hall. Her feathered dress flowing behind her, She was a goddess, her power was silent and deadly. Looking at her new husband, Charles felt a fraction of envy. They are a perfect pair. Robert was a steady man, calm and collected he could get an entire army to follow him with a whisper. Charles had to admit to himself he was a bit brasher, which is why he kept Robert close.
"Shall we begin?" Robert asked after Eleanora had disappeared. Right hand extended in the direction Charles had captured Eleanora.
Charles nodded and walked beside Robert. He truly had never been in his friends home before then, even with all the time they spend togeather. All he knew was that he spent most of the last year renovating it. The time and energy were well spent. The ornate plum wallpaper stretched across the wall. The cathedral high ceilings lit by silver mounted candles.
"You are a very lucky man, my friend. Wealthy life, grand home, beautiful wife. I envy you." Charles admitted.
"I wish I could say the same of you, but I would never want to become King." Robert glanced at Charles as they strolled. "You have too much family drama."
"Speaking of family drama. I heard that your new bride was unenthusiastic about the marriage? What happened I thought you made a more than reasonable offer."
Roberts' lips became a hard line. "I did. How did you hear about that?"
"She is the daughter of the once most profitable textile producers. It became obvious by their lost profits they would sell her off to be married." Charles as if it was public knowledge.
"It seems she was being groomed to take over the company until her brother was born. This marriage was not what she desired and she was very vocal about it all the way to the alter. She is no ordinary woman I have been told." His voice thick with concern.
Charles patted Robert reassuringly. "She is a strong-willed woman, I warned you."
Robert tried to shake the concern from his mind. "You did. You did not tell me when you recommended the marriage that she would outright refuse."
Charles smiled guilt eating away at his heart. "Well you wanted to start a new life in London, she was definitely new."
Charles savored the idea of Nora's proximity and ignored the gnawing thoughts of locking her in a marriage to keep her here.