The Gilded Cage

Chapter Eight: Ceasre

Bonaparte Manor

The manor was already bustling with activity when I awoke to the sound of Gigi rummaging through my wardrobe, pulling out clothes with practiced precision.

"You brought her back, our lovely lady," he said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice as he carefully selected a waistcoat.

"Yes, along with boundaries," I muttered, pushing myself out of the comfort of my bed and rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

Gigi's face brightened with a genuine smile, something I hadn't seen in months. "Clever woman. I will forever be fond of her."

I rolled my eyes at my secretary, knowing full well that I had been on his bad side for the past three years. This was the first time in a long while that he seemed genuinely pleased.

"Clever? More like a constant pain in my side," I grumbled, pointing at one of his choices before heading to the washroom, where a steaming bath awaited me.

"Anyway," Gigi continued as I settled into the warm water, "I've spoken with a few clergymen. Five of them flat out refused, claiming that this marriage would be a 'sin against the goddess' and that 'no price could make them turn from their vows.' I found their responses quite entertaining."

I closed my eyes, letting the heat of the bath soothe my tired muscles. "And what of the others?"

"Well, one required a bit more persuasion. I had to give him a few details about the boy."

My eyes snapped open, narrowing in suspicion as I turned my gaze toward the open doorway where Gigi stood. He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Let me explain. This particular clergyman knows of your family and is aware of the scandal you created. He was intrigued and wanted further clarification."

"So, you told him about my son?" My voice was calm, but the edge in it was unmistakable.

"I didn't say it outright, but I hinted that the child's parents acted carelessly before he was born. I made it clear that the boy should not be shunned by society because of our behavior."

"In other words, our carnal ways have caused more damage than we care to admit," I said, staring up at the ceiling, where intricate paintings of sea creatures and mermaids adorned the plaster.

Gigi nodded thoughtfully. "If you put it that way, yes. But he did ask if there was any love between you and the lady. I couldn't answer, as I didn't want to give the wrong impression."

I mulled over his words. The wrong impression? What impression could possibly be right?

"What did he say after that?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"He requested to speak with you and our lovely lady in person. I believe he's considering following through with the ceremony."

I leaned back in the tub, pondering the identity of this clergyman. Most of the religious figures I knew were either scornful of me or displeased with my behavior since my youth. Who could this be, and what might he gain from aiding us?

"Set up a meeting within the next two days. I'll speak with Adele."

Gigi nodded as I rose from the tub, handing me a towel with a practiced ease.

"Marriage," I muttered as I dried off. "I can't believe this may actually happen."

"Neither can I," Gigi replied, his tone laced with a mixture of amusement and disbelief.

Later that morning, I found Adele and Julian outside, sitting under a grand oak tree with Epony and a guard nearby. Julian was lying on the grass, gazing up at the sky with childlike wonder, while Adele sat beside him, her attention wholly devoted to him. A strange sense of peace washed over me as I watched them, their laughter carried by the gentle breeze. It was a scene so serene that I almost envied it. I couldn't recall if I ever shared such moments with my own mother or father. They were always too engrossed in each other to notice me. Yet here was Adele, effortlessly giving our son her undivided attention as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I envied that ease, but I pushed the feeling aside as I approached them.

"Sir!" Julian's voice rang out with excitement as he skipped toward me, his small feet barely touching the ground. "You came outside!"

"I did," I replied, watching him with a warmth I hadn't felt in years. Was this what love felt like?

"What are you doing?" I asked, intrigued by the happiness radiating from him.

"We were looking up at clouds. Mama says you can see shapes in the sky," he explained, his eyes sparkling with joy. He looked up and pointed to the sky, urging me to do the same. "That one is shaped like a wabbit! Can you see it?"

I blinked up at the clouds, but all I saw were shapeless masses of fluff drifting across the blue expanse.

"It's right there," he insisted, his enthusiasm unwavering.

"Adele, His Grace will hurt his neck if he keeps looking up at the sky like that," I heard her say, her voice soft but firm. I turned my gaze to her, and for a moment, I was struck by how beautiful she looked, sitting on the grass with her hair pulled back, the sunlight casting a gentle glow on her features. A familiar pull tugged at my stomach, one I hadn't felt in a long time.

"But Mama, we aren't hurting ours," Julian replied with a hint of mischief in his voice.

I sighed, feigning exasperation. "It's rough being so important that people worry about my neck."

"I dare say so, especially when it needs to support your ever-thinking mind," Adele teased, a glimmer of humor in her eyes.

I blinked, surprised by her lightheartedness. When had she gained this type of humor? In the past, she had been rigid, almost hollow, but now she was relaxed, and, dare I say, more attractive than ever.

Julian giggled, clearly delighted by his mother's wit. "That's funny, Mama," he said, running back to her as she stood up and dusted off her dress. Epony whispered something to Julian, who nodded eagerly, and then they left us alone.

"I assume you've come to discuss your plans for the marriage," Adele said, getting straight to the point, as I knew she would.

"Yes, I've found a clergyman," I replied.

"That was quick."

"Not quick enough. He wants to speak with us to see if there's any love between us."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "That's... an unusual request."

"Indeed. I suspect he wants to learn more about us, but I won't know for sure until we meet with him. So, we should agree on how to show affection."

"Affection?" she echoed, her tone skeptical.

"Yes. We must display some form of emotion toward each other when he arrives. We can't very well sit there stiff and unattached. We must convince him that we are equals."

"Are we equals, Your Grace?" she asked, her voice tinged with irony.

"I should say that we are."

"I don't see how. I'm known as a commoner who pretended to be part of a wealthy family."

"And who also conceived a child with the family's most beloved son, who had a promising career and title."

"Or perhaps a con artist and a blackguard," she countered, her gaze steady and unyielding as she stared me down.

I cocked an eyebrow, amused by her defiance. If I could kiss her, I would, but I knew she would likely strike me. That would be... entertaining.

She let out a resigned sigh. "You're right. We need to convince him that we care for each other, if only for Julian's sake. When will this meeting take place?"

"In two days, possibly over lunch."

She nodded, her resolve clear. "I'll have Epony stay with Julian in his room. He has enough toys to keep him occupied for hours. You didn't have to fill the room with so many. He only favors about five of them."

I shrugged. "Do what you want with the rest. They're for him to enjoy as he pleases."

She shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "You're impossible."

"And yet, everyone loves me for it," I replied with a dimpled grin.