Ordained

Chapter One Hundred and Eight

Cassius watched as Emmeline steered her friends out of the room. He had known she was watching him and had seen that little scene with the marquis's daughter. Was she jealous? Part of him hoped so, she was so adorable when she pouted. As if directed without his consent, his legs began to take him in her direction. Waving his sudden goodbye he headed for where she had disappeared, eager to hunt her down and get a reaction out of her. He loved how she responded to him. Whether it was a fluttering of her lashes in surprise, a blush across her cheeks, the way she squeezed his arm when she was unsure. He loved them all, every action and reaction making him more and more addicted to her.

"Cousin." A tinkling voice stopped him mid step, his long loping strides having cleared the hall quickly. Spinning he bowed his head to the princess who took hold of his hand. Princess Ariana was the image of poise as she delicately kissed each of her cousin's cheeks.

"Ariana." Cassius smiled, his irritation at having been stopped melting away. It had been more than a year since he had last seen his cousin and it pleased him to see her again. Having grown up without siblings, the prince and princess were the closest thing he had to a brother and sister. "Where is Alexander?" He glanced around as if he might see the blonde-haired troublemaker.

Ariana pouted. "Why? Am I boring you already?" There was a glint of mischief in her eye that had him chuckling.

"I could never bore of you Princess." He bowed deeply and dramatically, making her giggle.

Ariana took his arm and steered him forwards; despite their significant height difference, Cassius knew better than to protest when the princess wanted to take charge. She had been that way since childhood, leading the way with him and her brother in her wake. "I wish to meet your ordained pair! You didn't bring her to meet us when you were first paired. I was most put out." Ariana's voice peeled like a high bell as she led him by the arm through the vast hallways towards the salon where Emmeline was chatting animatedly with her friends.

Cassius felt a shiver of guilt at her words. Of course he hadn't brought her to the palace when the plan had been to make her disappear and marry the Claude girl. Shame made his smile feel oddly fixed as Ariana parted the crowds of people like a knife. "Emmeline." He called softly as they approached.

Inside one of the crowded salons, she was nestled in a love seat beside Baroness Emily and Lady Lavender. He was pleased that they had come when he had asked. Emmeline needed her friends around her with everything going on. Her feeling unwell, the pressure of the palace, his mother's behaviour. He wanted her to be supported by as many people as possible. He mentally chuckled at the memory of how impressed he had been when he realised how well connected she was. Having such influential friends when she was from such a new house had shocked him. Now it wasn't surprising at all. To know Emmeline was to love her.

Emmeline glanced up and her eyes immediately narrowed at the sight of Ariana hanging onto his arm. Yet in the same breath she realised who Ariana was and Cassius had the pleasure of watching her jealousy turn to shock. That tiny movement of her eyebrows and the tiny 'oh' of her lips, utterly captivating him.

Just as her companions did, she leapt up to curtsey to the Princess. "Your Highness." Emmeline breathed.

Ariana, as was her way, disregarded the formalities at once and seemed to bundle Emmeline up into her arms. Emmeline was a foot taller than the princess, but she seemed just as powerless as Cassius had been to resist her. "Dearest Miss Elva, may I call you Emmeline? Good. Oh Emmeline, how happy I am that my dearest cousin is finally getting married!"

Leaving no time for her to reply, the princess barrelled over Emmeline with her words. She had a light pink hue to her cheeks as she glanced at Cassius over the princess' shoulders.