The playboy king, p.3
The Playboy King, page 3
I smiled gratefully at his words, touched by his confidence in me. He was one of the first people to ever express any confidence in my ability to rule. Although it’s all more about traditions than actual power, it’s still an important role.
“Thank you,” I said. “Whose turn is it to enter the season?” I asked, even though I already knew.
“My lovely Victoria.” He smiled proudly.
I nodded. “I vaguely remember her.”
“She’s a free spirit, kind-hearted, and a bit silly at times,” he said. “She’s been very anxious to enter the season. I’m afraid we might have delayed Roman’s season a bit too long. Victoria is worried she’s getting too far advanced in years to make a good match.”
“And what are you looking for in a match for her?” I asked.
Philip considered my question for a moment, his brow furrowing in thought. “Someone with a title, of course,” he said, his tone matter of fact. “But more importantly, someone with strong finances and a willingness to give her the space to still live her life outside of just being a wife. She’s smart as a whip and likes to do things her way. I don’t want her spirit squashed.”
I nodded in understanding. It’s clear that he wants what’s best for his daughter, someone who will not only provide for her materially but also support her in pursuing her own passions and interests.
I certainly never wanted to hold anyone back. Marriage was not something I was looking forward to. It was more of a duty.
If I have to get married, I might as well make it a win for my sister too. After all, who better to look after her than someone she’s known her entire life? My wife will be expected to act as a female authority in Sara’s life. When it’s time for Sara to enter her season, I want her to have a friend or close female she can lean on. I certainly didn’t want to listen to her moon about this guy or that.
“I think I know just the guy,” I said with a grin.
Philip remembered me from the time our families spent together. His wife had been friends with my mother. It seemed like a natural evolution of things. We already knew each other. Sara would help Victoria transition into her role as my wife and the future queen.
“I thought you might.” Philip chuckled.
“What do you say we make a match?” I suggested. “Victoria and I can enter the Wed season together, and we can ensure that both of our families benefit from the arrangement. And I can go home and not sit through this painful experience. I really don’t think the participants are meant to be at these meetings. I feel like a piece of meat.”
Philip chuckled. “I think that sounds like an excellent idea,” he agreed, extending his hand. “I can’t say I enjoy sitting through this either, having people scrutinize me and my family and to determine whether my kid is good enough.”
“I understand,” I said. “I would be happy to start this season with Victoria.”
“I must warn you, my wife and I have promised our children they have the ultimate say,” Philip said, watching my reaction closely. “We will never force them to marry anyone they don’t want to.”
“I understand,” I said with a nod.
He smiled, seeming satisfied. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Treat her right and she’ll be your best friend. Treat her wrong, and that little lady will unleash the wrath of God on you. And mine along with it.”
I laughed, finding myself looking forward to seeing her again. A little spitfire might be exactly what I needed to shake things up. “Thank you, Philip. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to get out of here.”
“Me too,” he said, looking at his watch. “I’ve got a meeting in Paris first thing in the morning. You’ve just saved me a lot of time and money.”
“See?” I said. “This arrangement is already benefiting us both.”
And just like that, the match was set. Victoria and I would enter the Wed season together, our fates intertwined in a way neither of us could have predicted.
I left the meeting with thoughts of Victoria on my mind. I couldn’t shake the image of her as a spirited young woman. I found myself wondering what she was like now, whether she still retained that same spark that had captivated me all those years ago.
I arrived back home, surprising Clive. He jumped up from the small table in the kitchen, wiping crumbs from his mouth like I had just caught him doing something forbidden. “You’re back!”
“Relax, Clive. You’re allowed to eat. Hell, we used to eat together. How about this? What if I order you, as your king, to relax around me?”
Clive’s head drooped forward dejectedly. “Then it would be the first royal decree I cannot follow. My job requires my full attention and focus. Anything less would be a dereliction of duty.”
I shook my head and sighed. “Fine. Keep being weird. One of these days, I’ll make you come around. But yes, I’m home early. Sorry for spoiling your party.”
“Did they kick you out?” he asked.
“Nope. I made my match and I left.”
“You made a match?” he asked with surprise. “So quickly?”
“Yes, Victoria Ashford.”
His lips pressed together. “Roman’s younger sister?”
I nodded. “That’s the one.”
Clive’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he spoke slowly, as if trying to process the information. “You’re going to marry Victoria Ashford? That’s unexpected.”
I chuckled at his reaction. “Yes, it seems like fate has decided for us. It’s a marriage of convenience for both our families.”
“But do you even know her anymore?” Clive asked, concern evident in his voice.
“I’ll have to get to know her again,” I replied thoughtfully. “But from what I remember, she was always a strong-willed and independent woman. I think we can make it work. And it’s the devil I know, rather than the devil I don’t.”
“So, you’re matched?”
“Yes, I am. Wedded bliss, here I come.” I went to the fridge and pulled out a container with leftovers. The chef hadn’t planned on me eating dinner at home. Not that I cared. I carried a plate back to the table.
Clive looked like he had lost his appetite.
4
VICTORIA
“Are you ready for today?” Sara asked.
“I think so,” I replied. “But honestly, I’m more nervous about the match than the dress fitting. I should be more excited to go shopping.”
“I can’t imagine what you’re going through,” she said. “It must be so much pressure.”
“It’s not just the pressure,” I admitted. “It’s the guilt too. I feel bad talking about all of this when you’re not getting your shot at Wed season this year. We were supposed to be doing this together.”
Sara reached out to squeeze me. “Don’t be silly,” she said, her tone firm. “I’m just glad I get to accompany you as your chaperone this year. It’ll give me an up-close and personal look at what I’m in for next year. Maybe I’ll even find a man I might want to be matched with.”
I laughed at her words. “Glad I’m the guinea pig, huh?” I joked. “If my match is a total loser, I’ll be in the next season with you.”
I was grateful for Sara’s support. With mom laid up, I was worried I was going to be doing this on my own. My brothers were not interested in sitting through dress fittings or gossiping about boys.
My mother had arranged for my private appointment at the elegant dress shop. I was getting my final fitting for my debut gown and I was hoping to find a few others for the season.
The men in the season probably had no idea how much time the women spent getting everything perfect for their Wed season. The guys just threw on a suit or a tux and hung out. We ladies had to find unique dresses that no other girl would show up wearing, we had to perfect our makeup and hair, and we had to make it all look graceful and effortless.
Sara gasped as we walked into the shop. “Wow, look at all these dresses. Oh, I cannot wait to have my turn.”
I laughed. “Sara, you get to wear ball gowns all the time.”
“Yes, but that’s not the same.” She sighed as she looked at a beautiful white gown. “I want this one for my debut.”
“It’s very pretty.” I nodded.
“Miss Ashford,” the owner of the shop said as she greeted us. “We’ve got the gown ready for you to try on. Your mother wanted us to have a few other options for you as well. We’ll be able to get them altered before you leave.”
I smiled. “I’m ready.”
As I stepped into the fitting room, Sara helped me out of my casual dress and passed me the first gown. It was a stunning creation of white silk and lace, with delicate beading gracing the bodice. As I slipped it on, I couldn’t help but feel like a princess in a fairy tale.
Sara clasped her hands between her breasts and all but swooned. “Victoria, you look absolutely breathtaking. This is definitely the one.”
I twirled around, admiring how the skirt billowed out around me. “I feel like I can take on the whole world in this dress,” I said with a grin.
“That’s good,” she said. “Because for the next season, the society is your whole world.”
I caught sight of myself in the mirror and heard the soft swish of fabric against my skin. A glimmer of optimism stirred within me.
“This is for the first ball,” I said. “Do you think it’s going to make a good impression on my match?”
“You are going to be the belle of the ball,” she said. “I love it.”
The seamstress stepped up and did a little nipping and tucking until the dress hugged my figure.
“Okay, let’s try on a couple of others,” she said.
I put on the other gowns, and each one was more beautiful and elegant than the last. The seamstress and Sara fussed over the fits and styles, offering their opinions and tugging at bodices and waistlines as they inspected me.
I finally found the perfect gown for the second ball. It was a deep emerald green that shimmered in the light. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I knew this was the one that would make my match’s heart skip a beat.
After choosing a few dresses, Sara and I returned to the estate. We grabbed some lunch and went out to the patio to eat.
“Who do you think I’ll be matched to?” I asked. “Have you heard who else is going to be in the season?”
Sara took a thoughtful bite of her sandwich before responding. “I haven’t heard much about the potential matches this year. It’s a mystery until the reveal at the first ball.”
I nodded, swirling my iced tea absently. The idea of being matched to someone unknown, someone who would become the other half of my life, was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.
“Do you ever wonder if they’ll get it right?” I mused, looking out at the gardens stretching beyond the patio.
Sara chuckled. “All the time. But hey, even if they don’t, at least it’ll make for an interesting season.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in close to me. “So, what about William Walker? He’s quite the catch, don’t you think?”
I nodded in agreement, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “He does seem promising,” I admit, my mind already racing with possibilities. “But he was in love with that girl. What was her name?”
“Sabrina,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “That’s a good point. You don’t want to get mixed up with a guy that’s in love with someone else. Half a heart is worthless.”
“Yeah, he could never truly fall in love with me. I know love isn’t guaranteed, but I would like it to be a possibility at least. And I have no interest in competing with another woman.”
“Do you think you’ll find a love match?” she asked wistfully.
“I don’t know. I hope so. That’s the dream, right? Get matched with someone you feel something for?”
“It’s happened before,” Sara said.
I smiled wistfully. “It happened with my brothers.”
“It almost didn’t. They had to fight for that to work.” Sara’s phone rang, interrupting our conversation. She excused herself with a quick apology.
I tried to think of some of the other guys I knew from the society. It was hard to know who was going into the season. Most of us entered Wed season when we came of age, but lots of families delayed their child’s debut for one reason or another.
Sara rushed back practically oozing excitement. “Victoria, I have the best news.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“I know who your match is,” she whispered.
“You do?”
“Warren!”
I frowned. “Warren who?”
She giggled. “My brother. Isn’t that awesome? We’re going to be sisters for real!”
I felt as if the ground had been pulled out from under me. My mind reeled with disbelief. Anger bubbled up inside me, hot and fierce, and I struggled to contain the torrent of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.
But I was a proper lady. My face never betrayed any emotion if I didn’t want it to, even though my jaw clenched so hard I could grind a diamond to dust.
“How do you know?” I asked calmly.
“Warren just called to tell me. Isn’t that amazing? I thought you would be happy to hear this.”
“I am. I’m just surprised. Will you excuse me? I need to talk to my dad.”
Sara nodded. “Of course. I’m sure you have tons to talk about now that you know it’s my brother. Sister.”
I smiled at her and glided from the room like a falcon going after a hare. The man could be so intelligent and loving, but he could also do something as thoughtless as this. Taking a deep shuddering breath, I knocked on his office door.
“Come in.”
I flung the door open and burst through it. He was sitting at his desk, a stack of paperwork in front of him, and he looked surprised at my intensity.
“Something wrong with lunch, honey?” he asked. “If it was the bread, I told the staff to stop toasting it so much. Over-toasted crust gets too hard, and it tears up my mouth, okay? It’s ungentlemanly. If you prefer more crunch, you might have to give them your own instructions.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s not the bread. I didn’t even notice a difference.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank goodness. Then what’s troubling you, if it’s not the pitiful state of our sandwich bread?”
“You matched me to Warren?” I asked, trying to keep the indignance from my voice.
He smiled brightly. “You found out? Well, I wanted to surprise you with the good news, but I guess the cat’s out of the bag. Not to toot my own horn, but am I an amazing matchmaker or what? Look out, Lady Hamilton.”
He chuckled and looked so pleased with himself, which only made me angrier. “How could you do that?!”
“Do what?” my father said, his voice tinged with confusion.
“How could you match me with Warren?”
“You’re upset about that?” he asked, brow furrowing. “Warren is an amazing match for you, Victoria. He’s going to be king soon, he comes from a strong family, and he’s more than capable of providing for you.”
I struggled to find the words to express my emotions. “I thought you trusted me enough to at least present me with the option before making all these choices for me.”
My father’s expression softened at my words. “I do, but this is a solid match.”
“This is the rest of my life we’re talking about,” I said.
“Exactly,” he said. “I know how important the right match is. A lifelong commitment can be a beautiful thing or it can be a prison sentence. I would never set you up for a miserable life, honey. Please trust me on that.”
I wanted to stay angry, to hold on to my frustration and resentment with both hands, my father’s eyes shone with genuine concern and affection. This is how this whole thing goes, isn’t it? I have to let go of control, to trust in the process and trust in him. I’m a daughter entering Wed season. My family chooses my match. End of story.
“I know,” I said with a sigh. “I just… I wish you would have talked to me first.”
“I understand,” he said, his voice heavy with regret. “But the opportunity for a superb match presented itself, and I didn’t want to risk it by passing it up.”
I wanted to yell at him some more, but it wouldn’t accomplish anything. The match had been made, and on paper, it could be a strong alliance. He had done the right thing, even if he hadn’t done it the right way.
I could scream and pout all I wanted, but this was my reality now, and I had to learn to accept it.
He got up from his desk and pulled me into a hug. “And besides, there is a silver lining to all of this.”
“What’s that?” I muttered against his shoulder.
“You’ll have Sara to look to when you find yourself in a new country,” he said with a smile. “Your best friend will now be your sister-in-law. For that alone, I thought you’d be showering me in confetti.”
I sighed. “I just thought you would present me with a couple of options.”
“Victoria, you have the final say, but I think this is a good match. Roman and Warren have been friends for a while. You’re friends with his sister. I think he’s a good kid. And oh yeah, he’s about to be king. Not some inbred duke or some backwater baron but an actual king.”
There was no point in arguing. “Okay. Alright.”
“And if you absolutely hate him, you can always look for a match of your own.” He tilted my chin up to look at him. “You’re not trapped with him. Think of this as an opportunity to see if he’s a good fit.”
“I will.”
I walked back to the garden to look for Sara. She was owed an apology for me running off like that. Instead of Sara, I found Roman sitting at the table we’d been having lunch at. One of the staff must have served him his own sandwich, and he prodded at the bread with his finger while he spoke to someone on the phone.
“I think the toaster is broken,” he whispered. “Someone just figured out the perfect Father’s Day gift.”
